Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 24, 2026
The West Branch is near 576 cfs at Hale Eddy with cold water, good access, and a green reservoir tint that supports early streamer, nymph, and wet-fly fishing.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Early and late, with dries for observed midday rises
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, streamers, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 576 cfs at Hale Eddy and 459 cfs at Stilesville, with morning USGS temperatures near 50.5 F at both gauges. The river is falling gradually and remains at a useful level for wading or floating. A green reservoir tint continues to provide streamer cover. Start with nymphs, wet flies, or streamers, and watch slow foam lines for the small olives that have appeared even under midday sun.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, manageable water supports wading, floating, and several methods |
| Flow | 576 cfs at Hale Eddy; 459 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 2.90 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.02 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 50.5 F at Hale Eddy; 50.5 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint |
| Trend | Falling gradually |
| Best Window | Early and late, with dries for observed midday rises |
| Best Method | Nymphs, wet flies, 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 sunny skies, a high near 67 F, and northeast wind around 5 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy with a low near 43 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy is down about 36 cfs from Wednesday morning, while Stilesville is down about 8 cfs. The current local report describes good system-wide conditions after another cold night. The reported Cannonsville release remains 475 cfs, and the West Branch still carries a green reservoir tint. That color provides cover for streamer fishing even though bright sun may shorten the most forgiving windows.
Cover shaded banks, riffle margins, and pocket-water seams early. Nymphs and wet flies should remain dependable when the sun reaches the water. Small olives have shown in slow foam during unusual midday bursts, so inspect quiet lanes before assuming the surface is inactive.
Hatch Activity
The September 24 local report supports small Blue Winged Olives, Light Cahills, Isonychias, and tan caddis. Olives may appear in slow foam even in sunshine. Larger Cahill or Isonychia patterns can search broken water, while the smallest dries are better reserved for repeat feeders.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Inspect slow foam and shaded margins, including midday |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets 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 |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Let the fly lift toward the bank at the end of the drift |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger or sparse sculpin | 6-10 | Use olive or black in the tinted water early and late |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun, Light Cahill, or Rusty Spinner | 12-20 | Match the visible insect and rise form |
Tactics
Begin with a compact nymph rig, swung wet fly, or sparse streamer in shaded banks, riffle margins, and pockets. Keep streamer retrieves controlled in the cold morning water. Watch slow foam lines through midday and change to a small dry only after finding an established rise. Bright conditions call for a low 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 | 576 cfs | 50.5 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 459 cfs | 50.5 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 24 local public conditions report reviewed separately for clarity, hatch, and method context.