Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 28, 2026
The West Branch is steady near 586 cfs at Hale Eddy, with cold water, clouds, and a current mix of small olives and larger fall mayflies.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Cloudy periods, especially late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, streamers, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is steady near 586 cfs at Hale Eddy and 475 cfs at Stilesville, with morning temperatures near 53 F and 52 F. The river remains at a useful level for wading and floating after only a small response to the weekend rain. Clouds favor nymphs and streamers through the day, with small olives and occasional larger mayflies offering the best dry-fly chance later.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold, steady water and clouds support several methods |
| Flow | 586 cfs at Hale Eddy; 475 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 2.92 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.04 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 53.1 F at Hale Eddy; 52.0 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint in the current local report |
| Trend | Stable after a negligible rain bump |
| Best Window | 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 a 50 percent chance of showers before 3 p.m., cloudy skies, and a high near 64 F. North wind should range from 3 to 7 mph. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 9 a.m. check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has gained about 15 cfs since Sunday morning while Stilesville has gained about 8 cfs. Current local reports describe the rain response as minor and continue to rate the river suitable for both floating and wading. New 9 a.m. context says New York City DEP has begun planned discharge-mitigation releases from Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink ahead of the Delaware Aqueduct shutdown. Check the gauges before committing to a crossing because those managed releases can change independently of local rainfall. The West Branch retains a green reservoir tint that can improve streamer fishing without making the river unfishable.
Small olives make up most of the reported surface activity. Cahills, hebes, and sporadic Isonychias add larger targets, with more Isonychia spinners than duns recently. Begin with a nymph or sparse streamer along riffle margins and shaded banks. Check protected foam lines and quiet tailouts for repeat rises as the day progresses.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Primary reported mayfly; clouds may extend activity |
| Hebe | 18-20 | Small olive sulphur; match only where fish are taking the larger insect |
| 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 in tinted water and low light |
| 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 low light, then check soft seams for olives. Change to a small dry only after finding repeat rises. Patchy fog can reduce visibility during the morning; wade familiar water and give boats room in narrow channels.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 586 cfs | 53.1 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 475 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 September 28 local conditions reports reviewed separately for clarity, hatch, method, and planned reservoir-release context.