Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: September 29, 2026
The West Branch is falling from an overnight rise, with 632 cfs at Hale Eddy, cold water, and a cloudy late-day hatch window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 632 cfs at Hale Eddy and 459 cfs at Stilesville, with morning water temperatures near 54 F and 52 F. Hale Eddy is falling after reaching roughly 711 cfs Monday evening, while Stilesville has stepped down slightly. The river remains suitable for wading and floating, with nymphs and wet flies the practical morning choices and small olives, Isonychias, and Light Cahills worth carrying for late afternoon.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold water, useful flow, and cloud cover support several methods |
| Flow | 632 cfs at Hale Eddy; 459 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.01 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.02 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 54.0 F at Hale Eddy; 52.2 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint in the latest local report |
| Trend | Falling at Hale Eddy after a Monday evening rise; nearly steady at Stilesville |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies early; dries for established rises later |
| Wadeability | Good in familiar sections at the morning level |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for morning fog followed by mostly cloudy skies, a high near 67 F, and northwest wind around 5 mph. Rain probability stays near 2 percent through the fishing day. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy climbed from the upper 500s Monday morning to about 711 cfs Monday evening, then receded to 632 cfs by the morning check. Stilesville held near 475 cfs through Monday before easing to 459 cfs overnight. Planned discharge-mitigation releases from the Delaware reservoirs can change flows without local rain, so recheck both gauges before using a familiar crossing.
A current Catskills report continues to favor Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-22, Isonychias in sizes 12-14, and Light Cahills in sizes 14-16 for late afternoon and evening. Hatch density may vary sharply by reach. During the quieter morning and midday hours, fish Pheasant Tails, Frenchies, caddis pupae, and soft hackles through riffles and pockets rather than waiting over inactive flat water.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Primary small mayfly; inspect soft seams during cloudy late-day periods |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Fish nymphs and wets in broken water; use a dry only where adults are present |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | A larger late-day option where scattered mayflies appear |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Fish a pupa through riffles before surface activity |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or caddis pupa | 12-20 | Drift riffle margins, pockets, and pool heads |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Allow the fly to lift toward the bank at the end of the drift |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun, Light Cahill, or Rusty Spinner | 12-22 | Match the visible insect and rise form |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger or sparse sculpin | 6-10 | Cover shaded banks and deeper seams during low light |
Tactics
Begin with a compact nymph rig or a soft hackle in riffle margins and pocket water. Move if a reach shows no insects or rises by midafternoon. When fish begin feeding on top, use a single dry with a long, light leader and make the first cast count. Morning fog can hide depth changes; wade familiar lines and confirm the falling trend before crossing.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 632 cfs | 54.0 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 459 cfs | 52.2 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 a September 29 local conditions report reviewed separately for hatch timing, methods, clarity, and planned reservoir-release context.