Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 26, 2026
The West Branch is stable near 571 cfs at Hale Eddy, with cold water, a green reservoir tint, and clouds that favor nymphs, streamers, and small olives.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Cloudy periods, especially early and late
- Best methods
- nymphs, streamers, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 571 cfs at Hale Eddy and 467 cfs at Stilesville, with morning temperatures near 52 F and 51 F. Both gauges are effectively stable, and the river remains at a useful level for wading or floating. Clouds, scattered rain, and the green reservoir tint improve the case for nymphs and streamers. Keep small olives ready for rising fish.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, stable water and cloudy weather support 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 | 51.8 F at Hale Eddy; 51.3 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Cloudy periods, especially early and late |
| Best Method | Nymphs and 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 cloudy skies, a chance of rain after midmorning, a high near 65 F, and north wind of 7 to 10 mph with gusts as high as 24 mph. Rain chances continue tonight and become likely Sunday. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy and Stilesville are unchanged from Friday morning. The September 26 local report lists a 475 cfs Cannonsville release and describes the West Branch as green-tinted from reservoir turnover. That color, cloud cover, and occasional rain should give streamer anglers better cover than Friday's sun.
Start along shaded banks, riffle margins, and pocket-water seams with a nymph or streamer. Small olives remain the main reported mayfly, with Light Cahills and sporadic Isonychias also present. More Isonychia spinners than duns have been observed recently, so inspect quiet lanes late in the day before choosing a pattern. Wind gusts can make dry-fly presentations difficult; use protected banks and shorter, controlled casts.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Primary reported mayfly; clouds and showers may extend activity |
| 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 and cloud cover |
| 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 or sparse streamer along shaded banks, riffle margins, and pockets. Use the cloudiest periods to cover water with a streamer. Watch protected foam lines for olives, then change to a small dry only after finding an established rise. Check quieter evening water for Isonychia spinners. Wind gusts may break branches and complicate wading; leave the river if debris, visibility, depth, or current speed changes.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 571 cfs | 51.8 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 467 cfs | 51.3 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 26 local public conditions report reviewed separately for clarity, hatch, and method context.