Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: October 10, 2026
The West Branch is dropping near 632 cfs at Hale Eddy after the Cannonsville release was reduced, with cold water and small olives leading the late-day window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 632 cfs at Hale Eddy and 542 cfs at Stilesville after the Cannonsville release was reduced to 500 cfs. Water remains cold, and current local context points to small olives as the main surface event. Nymphs and streamers give the better searching options before a possible late-afternoon dry-fly window.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold water and moderate flow provide several methods, though the quick drop calls for a fresh wading assessment |
| Flow | 632 cfs at Hale Eddy; 542 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 3.01 feet at Hale Eddy; 8.12 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 52.0 F at Hale Eddy; 53.4 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling; Hale Eddy lost about 257 cfs since Friday morning |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | Nymphs and streamers before the hatch; dries for established olive rises |
| Wadeability | Limited. Reassess familiar crossings while the release change moves downstream |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for patchy fog before 9 a.m., then partly sunny skies and a high near 66 F. East wind should stay near 2 mph. Tonight should be mostly cloudy with a low near 44 F. Rain is expected Sunday, with one-half to three-quarters of an inch possible during the day. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy fell from about 889 cfs Friday morning to 632 cfs, while Stilesville dropped from 726 to 542 cfs. The current regional report lists a 500 cfs Cannonsville release and indicates the cut was made ahead of Sunday's forecast rain. Expect the falling-water adjustment to continue downstream today. Moderate flow still supplies useful depth, but a crossing that worked yesterday may have a different push and footing today.
Small olives are the main reported hatch. Isonychias, tan caddis, hebes, and Light Cahills remain secondary possibilities. Start below the surface and watch soft seams, pool tails, and shaded margins later in the day. Low wind and increasing cloud cover should help if olives emerge, but wait for repeated rises before changing rigs.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | The main current hatch; watch soft seams and pool tails late |
| Hebe | 18-20 | Small olive sulphurs remain part of the fall mayfly mix |
| Isonychia | 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 |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Pupa remain useful in riffles and pocket water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or Frenchie | 14-18 | 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 | 14-18 | Let the fly swing toward shore at the end of the drift |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 16-18 | 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. Reduce weight if the rig begins hanging up as the river falls. 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. Recheck depth and footing before using any familiar crossing.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 632 cfs | 52.0 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 542 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 October 10 regional report reviewed separately for reservoir-release, hatch, and method context.