Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: October 11, 2026
The West Branch is falling near 429 cfs at Hale Eddy after another release cut, while steady rain and small olives shape today's fishing window.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon during lighter rain
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is near 429 cfs at Hale Eddy and 344 cfs at Stilesville after the Cannonsville release was reduced to 300 cfs. Small olives remain the main surface event, but steady rain and southeast wind make nymphs and wet flies the dependable starting methods. Watch the gauges through the day because forecast rainfall may reverse the current falling trend.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cold water and olives provide opportunity, but a sharp flow reduction, steady rain, and changing runoff require attention |
| Flow | 429 cfs at Hale Eddy; 344 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 2.59 feet at Hale Eddy; 7.85 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 52.9 F at Hale Eddy; 53.6 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling sharply after the release cut; rain may change the trend later |
| Best Window | Late afternoon during lighter rain |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies; dries for established olive rises |
| Wadeability | Limited. Reassess crossings during the release change and as runoff reaches the river |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for rain throughout the day, a high near 59 F, and southeast wind near 7 mph. Three-quarters of an inch to one inch of rain is possible today, followed by another three-quarters of an inch to one inch tonight. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has fallen about 203 cfs since Saturday morning, while Stilesville has lost about 198 cfs. The current regional report lists a 300 cfs Cannonsville release, down from 500 cfs Saturday. That cut is moving downstream while rain begins across the watershed. The morning gauge direction is down, but tributary runoff and reservoir operations can change depth and push later today.
Small olives remain the main reported hatch, with Isonychias, tan caddis, hebes, and Light Cahills as secondary possibilities. Cloud cover and rain favor olives, though the best dry-fly opportunity will come during a lighter-rain period when repeated rises are easier to see. Start subsurface and keep checking visibility, debris, and footing.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | The main current hatch; rain and cloud cover may extend activity |
| Hebe | 18-20 | Small olive sulphurs remain part of the fall mayfly mix |
| Isonychia | 14 | Nymphs and wets can cover broken water before adults appear |
| Light Cahill | 14 | A scattered larger mayfly; match it only when naturals appear |
| 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 and riffle margins 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 | Swing through broken water during lighter rain |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 16-18 | Use a long leader after finding a fish that rises repeatedly |
| Dry | Light Cahill | 14 | Match isolated larger mayflies when present |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger or slim sculpin | 6-10 | Cover shaded banks and deeper seams if visibility holds |
Tactics
Start with a compact nymph rig or a wet fly through pool heads, riffle margins, and soft seams. Check the gauge before entering and again if rain strengthens; do not assume the morning level will hold. During lighter rain, watch pool tails for repeated olive rises before switching to a long-leader dry. Leave the water if runoff brings a rapid rise, poor visibility, floating debris, or uncertain footing.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 429 cfs | 52.9 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 344 cfs | 53.6 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 the October 11 regional report reviewed separately for reservoir-release, hatch, and method context.