Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: October 9, 2026
The West Branch has risen near 889 cfs at Hale Eddy, with cold water, added depth, 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 889 cfs at Hale Eddy and 726 cfs at Stilesville after another overnight rise. Water remains cold, and the added depth supports nymphing and streamer fishing before a possible late olive window. The river is fishable, but common crossings need a fresh assessment at the higher flow.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold water and useful depth provide several options, though higher flow limits wading |
| Flow | 889 cfs at Hale Eddy; 726 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.48 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.30 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 52.0 F at Hale Eddy; 53.4 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Green reservoir tint reported in the latest regional update |
| Trend | Rising; Hale Eddy gained about 124 cfs since Thursday morning |
| 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 |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for sun and a high near 64 F. West wind should run 2 to 10 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear with patchy fog late and a low near 40 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy rose from about 765 cfs Thursday morning to 889 cfs, while Stilesville increased from 670 to 726 cfs. Stilesville briefly approached 787 cfs before easing during the morning check, so anglers should expect some adjustment as reservoir water moves downstream. The higher level provides better cover and more working depth, but it also changes familiar crossings.
The latest useful regional context favors nymphs early and dry flies later, with small olives providing the main surface opportunity. Green reservoir tint and greater depth can make a small streamer useful along shaded banks and deeper seams. Isonychias, Light Cahills, hebes, and caddis remain secondary fall possibilities. Wait for repeated rises before changing from the subsurface program.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | The main reported late-day hatch; focus on soft seams and pool tails |
| Hebe | 18-20 | Small olive sulphurs remain part of the fall mayfly mix |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets can search broken water before adults appear |
| 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. Do not rely on yesterday's crossing because the river rose again overnight.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 889 cfs | 52.0 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 726 cfs | 53.4 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 the latest available regional report reviewed separately for clarity, hatch, and method context.