Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: October 6, 2026
A larger Cannonsville release has the West Branch rising through useful wading flows, with cold water, light wind, and a late olive window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 561 cfs at Hale Eddy and 491 cfs at Stilesville after the Cannonsville release increased to about 442 cfs. The added depth, cold water, and lighter wind make conditions better than Monday. Start with nymphs or a streamer, then watch for small olives and scattered larger mayflies late in the day.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. The higher release provides useful depth while cold water and light wind leave several methods open |
| Flow | 561 cfs at Hale Eddy; 491 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 2.87 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.06 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 49.5 F at Hale Eddy; 51.6 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint reported in the current local update |
| Trend | Rising after the Cannonsville release increased to about 442 cfs |
| Best Window | Late afternoon |
| Best Method | Nymphs early; streamers in tinted water; dries for established late-day rises |
| Wadeability | Good in familiar sections, but recheck crossings as the release increase moves downstream |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for morning frost followed by sun and a high near 57 F. Northwest wind should remain light at 3 to 7 mph. Tonight should be clear with patchy frost and a low near 37 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has risen from about 448 cfs Monday morning to 561 cfs, while Stilesville increased from 369 to 491 cfs. The current local update places the Cannonsville release near 442 cfs. These remain useful wading levels, but the increase is large enough that anglers should check each crossing before committing.
The river retains a green reservoir tint. Small olives remain the main reported hatch, with tan caddis, Light Cahills, hebes, and scattered Isonychias also present. The cold start may delay surface activity, so expect the most likely dry-fly opportunity after the river has had time to warm.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | The main reported hatch; look for repeat rises late in soft water |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Carry pupa and a sparse adult for riffles and pocket water |
| Hebe | 18-20 | A small olive sulphur that may mix into the later window |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | A scattered larger mayfly; match it only when naturals appear |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets remain useful in riffles and broken water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or Frenchie | 12-20 | Drift pool heads, riffle edges, and deeper seams before the surface window |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 16-20 | Work riffles and pockets where tan caddis are active |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Swing through broken water as the afternoon warms |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 16-22 | Use a long leader after finding a fish that rises repeatedly |
| Dry | Light Cahill | 14-16 | Use when larger naturals appear or as a searching dry in broken water |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger or slim sculpin | 6-10 | Cover shaded banks and deeper seams where reservoir tint provides concealment |
Tactics
Start with a compact nymph rig through pool heads and riffle margins, or work a slim streamer along shaded structure. As the afternoon warms, look for olives in soft seams and pool tails. Wait for a fish to rise repeatedly before changing to a single dry. The higher release allows slightly more weight than Monday, but recheck crossings while the increase moves downstream.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 561 cfs | 49.5 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 491 cfs | 51.6 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 an October 6 local conditions update reviewed separately for release, clarity, hatch, and method context.