Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: October 8, 2026
The West Branch is rising on a 628 cfs reservoir release, with cold water, green-tinted clarity, and a late-day olive window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 765 cfs at Hale Eddy and 670 cfs at Stilesville as the larger reservoir release continues downstream. The Cannonsville release is reported at 628 cfs. Cold, green-tinted water supports nymphing and streamer fishing before a possible late olive window. Wade conservatively because familiar crossings have changed with the higher flow.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold water and useful depth provide several options, though the rising release limits crossings |
| Flow | 765 cfs at Hale Eddy; 670 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.26 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.25 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 52.7 F at Hale Eddy; 53.2 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green tint associated with the reservoir turning |
| Trend | Rising gradually as the larger reservoir release moves downstream |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | Nymphs and streamers before the hatch; dries for established late-day rises |
| Wadeability | Limited. Stay near known banks and reassess every crossing at the higher flow |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for sun and a high near 66 F. West wind should run 3 to 12 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear with a low near 42 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has climbed from about 716 cfs Wednesday morning to 765 cfs, while Stilesville rose from 649 to 670 cfs. Thursday's regional update puts the Cannonsville release at 628 cfs and attributes the added water to the Montague flow target. The increase supplies useful fall depth, but anglers should treat the river as changed water and check each crossing from the bank.
The current regional update favors nymphs early and dry flies later, with small olives providing most surface activity. The larger release can move loose algae through the upper river, making lower sections a cleaner choice for nymph drifts. The green reservoir tint may help streamer fishing. Light Cahills, hebes, caddis, and sporadic Isonychias round out the hatch list, but wait for repeat rises before changing from the subsurface program.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | The main reported late-day hatch; focus on soft seams and pool tails |
| Hebe | 18-20 | Small olive sulphurs are part of the current mayfly mix |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Sporadic adults are present; nymphs and wets can search broken water |
| Light Cahill | 14 | A scattered larger mayfly that can serve as a searching dry |
| Caddis | 16-20 | Pupa remain useful in riffles and pocket 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 with a controlled drift |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Let the fly swing toward shore at the end of the drift |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-22 | Use a long leader after finding a fish that rises repeatedly |
| Dry | Light Cahill | 14 | Match the larger mayfly only when naturals appear |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger or slim sculpin | 6-10 | Cover shaded banks and deeper seams early |
Tactics
Start with a compact nymph rig through pool heads and riffle margins, or work a small streamer beside shaded structure. Use enough weight for the added depth without dragging the bottom. Late in the day, watch soft seams and pool tails for olives. Change to a single dry only after a fish establishes a steady rhythm. Avoid blind crossings while the release continues to move through the system.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 765 cfs | 52.7 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 670 cfs | 53.2 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 an October 8 regional update reviewed separately for reservoir release, clarity, hatch, and method context.