Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 23, 2026
The West Branch is near 612 cfs at Hale Eddy with cold water, good access, and a green reservoir tint that favors early or late streamer and nymph fishing.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Early and late, with dries for observed afternoon rises
- Best methods
- nymphs, streamers, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 612 cfs at Hale Eddy and 467 cfs at Stilesville, with morning USGS temperatures of 50.9 F and 51.1 F. Hale Eddy continues to ease while Stilesville remains steady. The green reservoir tint persists, but the river remains fishable and local conditions favor streamers and nymphs early and late. Small olives and scattered Cahills, Isonychias, and Hebes may bring fish up, though today's brighter sky can make the dry-fly window brief.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, manageable water supports wading, floating, and several methods |
| Flow | 612 cfs at Hale Eddy; 467 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 2.97 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.03 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 50.9 F at Hale Eddy; 51.1 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint |
| Trend | Falling at Hale Eddy; steady at Stilesville |
| Best Window | Early and late, with dries for observed afternoon rises |
| Best Method | Nymphs or streamers; dries for established rises |
| Wadeability | Good in familiar sections at the morning level |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for mostly sunny skies, a high near 66 F, and northeast wind of 2 to 6 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear with a low near 39 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy is down about 25 cfs from Tuesday morning while Stilesville is unchanged. The latest local conditions report describes a greenish reservoir tint and says the fish and insects continue to work through it. That color can improve streamer cover, especially before bright sun reaches the channel. The reported Cannonsville release remains 475 cfs, supporting useful depth for both wading and floating.
Start along riffle edges, pocket-water seams, and shaded banks rather than walking directly toward the main current. A compact nymph rig or sparse streamer can cover the early window. If trout begin rising, stop and identify whether they are taking tiny olives or one of the larger late-season mayflies before changing flies.
Hatch Activity
The September 23 local report supports small Blue Winged Olives, Light Cahills, Isonychias, and Hebes, with tan caddis and late sulphurs also on the seasonal list. Activity has been scattered, so use larger patterns to search broken water and reserve small dries for repeat feeders.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Watch soft lanes and shaded margins for repeat feeders |
| Hebe | 18-20 | Carry for isolated afternoon or evening rises |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs suit riffles; dries can search broken water |
| Light Cahill | 14 | Match isolated larger mayflies when they appear |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Try a pupa through riffles before surface activity |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or caddis pupa | 12-18 | Drift riffle edges and pocket-water seams |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger or sparse sculpin | 6-10 | Use olive or black in the green-tinted water early and late |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Let the fly lift toward the bank at the end of the drift |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun, Light Cahill, or Rusty Spinner | 12-20 | Match the visible insect and rise form |
Tactics
Begin with a short nymph rig or sparse streamer in shaded banks, riffle margins, and pockets. Keep streamer retrieves controlled in the cold morning water. Swing a soft hackle at the end of a nymph drift, then change to a dry only after finding an established rise. Bright conditions call for a careful approach and longer leaders in smooth water. Test every crossing and leave the river if depth, debris, visibility, or current speed changes.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 612 cfs | 50.9 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 467 cfs | 51.1 F | USGS 01425000 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01426500 and 01425000, plus the National Weather Service forecast and active alert feed for the Hancock, NY area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with the September 23 local public conditions reports reviewed separately for clarity, hatch, and method context.