Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 27, 2026
The West Branch is steady near 571 cfs at Hale Eddy, with cold water and rain that favors nymphs, streamers, and small olives.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Rainy and cloudy periods, especially late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, streamers, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is steady near 571 cfs at Hale Eddy and 467 cfs at Stilesville, with morning temperatures near 53 F and 52 F. The river remains at a useful level for wading and floating. Rain, clouds, and cold release water support nymphs and streamers through the day, with small olives and larger fall mayflies worth watching for later.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, stable water and wet 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 | 52.7 F at Hale Eddy; 52.0 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint in the latest local report |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Rainy and cloudy periods, especially late afternoon |
| 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 rain, a high near 62 F, and north wind near 9 mph with gusts as high as 29 mph. Rain continues tonight and Monday. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy and Stilesville remain unchanged from Saturday morning. A new late-morning local report confirms Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-22, Isonychias in sizes 12-14, and Light Cahills in sizes 14-16, with the best dry-fly chance late in the day. It also notes that NYC DEP is increasing reservoir releases ahead of the Delaware Aqueduct shutdown, so check the gauges again before an afternoon trip rather than assuming the morning level will hold.
Begin along riffle margins, shaded banks, and pocket-water seams with a nymph or sparse streamer. The wet, low-light forecast creates a better streamer window than bright fall weather. Watch protected foam lines for olives and inspect quiet late-day lanes for Isonychia spinners. Gusts may make dry-fly presentations difficult even where insects are active.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Primary reported mayfly; rain and clouds may extend activity |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Fish nymphs and wets in riffles; inspect quiet water for spinners |
| 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 under clouds and in tinted water |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun, Light Cahill, Isonychia Spinner, or Rusty Spinner | 12-20 | Match the visible insect and rise form |
Tactics
Start with a compact nymph rig or sparse streamer along shaded banks, riffle margins, and pockets. Cover water with the streamer during steady rain, then check soft seams for olives. Change to a small dry only after finding repeat rises. Rain may change tributary color and crossings later in the day; leave the river if visibility, debris, depth, or current speed changes.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 571 cfs | 52.7 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 467 cfs | 52.0 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 a September 27 late-morning local conditions report reviewed separately for hatch, method, and reservoir-release context.