Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 25, 2026
The West Branch is near 571 cfs at Hale Eddy with cold water, useful wading and floating levels, and a green reservoir tint that favors streamers.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Early and late, with dries for observed rises
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, streamers, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 571 cfs at Hale Eddy and 467 cfs at Stilesville, with morning USGS temperatures near 50 F at both gauges. The river is effectively stable 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 protected foam lines for small olives.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, manageable water supports wading, floating, and several methods |
| Flow | 571 cfs at Hale Eddy; 467 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 2.89 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.03 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 49.8 F at Hale Eddy; 50.2 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint |
| Trend | Stable overall |
| Best Window | Early and late, with dries for observed 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 mostly sunny skies, a high near 71 F, and north wind of 3 to 9 mph. Tonight brings increasing clouds, a low near 51 F, and a slight chance of a shower late. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy is down about 5 cfs from Thursday morning, while Stilesville is up about 8 cfs. The September 25 local report describes good system-wide temperatures after another cold night and a 475 cfs Cannonsville release. The West Branch still carries a green reservoir tint, which gives streamer anglers some cover despite brighter skies.
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 make up most of the reported surface activity, with Cahills and sporadic Isonychias also present. The local report has seen more Isonychia spinners than duns recently, so inspect quiet evening lanes before choosing a pattern.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Primary reported mayfly; inspect protected foam and shaded margins |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Spinners have been more common than duns; nymphs and wets suit riffles |
| 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, Isonychia Spinner, 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 along shaded banks, riffle margins, and pockets. Keep streamer retrieves controlled in the cold morning water. Watch protected foam lines through the day and change to a small dry only after finding an established rise. Check quieter evening water for Isonychia spinners. 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 | 571 cfs | 49.8 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 467 cfs | 50.2 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 25 local public conditions report reviewed separately for clarity, hatch, and method context.