Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: October 13, 2026
The West Branch is falling to 403 cfs at Hale Eddy after recent runoff, with small olives and caddis the leading hatch under partly sunny skies that may bring late-day storms.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is falling to 403 cfs at Hale Eddy and 206 cfs at Stilesville as the 200 cfs Cannonsville release moves downstream and earlier runoff clears the system. Stilesville has dropped from 256 cfs and Hale Eddy from 434 cfs yesterday. The river remains fishable with some color on the lower sections. Start subsurface, then look for small olives and caddis during the late afternoon surface window. Partly sunny skies and a high near 72 F today, with a slight chance of storms tonight.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. The river is fishable but color on the lower West and recent runoff require careful section selection |
| Flow | 403 cfs at Hale Eddy; 206 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 2.53 feet at Hale Eddy; 7.50 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 54.7 F at Hale Eddy; 54.1 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Some color on the lower West Branch, improving on the upper tailwater |
| Trend | Falling. Hale Eddy down from 434 cfs yesterday; Stilesville down from 256 cfs |
| Best Window | Late afternoon |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies; dries for small olives and caddis |
| Wadeability | Limited. Check depth and clarity before crossing |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Hancock calls for partly sunny skies, a high near 72 F, and south wind from 5 to 9 mph. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms is possible in the late afternoon and evening. Tonight the chance drops to slight, with mostly cloudy skies and a low near 62 F. No active NWS alert covered the Hancock area at the morning check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has fallen from 434 cfs yesterday to 403 cfs this morning. Stilesville is down from 256 cfs to 206 cfs. The Cannonsville release is holding steady at 200 cfs, so tailwater sections should see steady depth as the earlier runoff pulse moves through. The lower West Branch carries some color from yesterday's runoff, while the upper tailwater is clearing faster.
The Delaware River Club's October 13 report confirms the 200 cfs release and says the river fished well over the weekend. Small olives remain the leading hatch, with Isonychias, hebes, and tan caddis also present. Isonychias in size 12-14 and Light Cahills in 14 should cover the mayfly window, with tan or grey caddis pupa in 16-18 for pockets and riffles.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | The main current hatch and best late-afternoon dry-fly possibility |
| Hebe | 18-20 | Small fall mayfly that may mix with the olives |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets can cover riffles and broken water before adults appear |
| Light Cahill | 14 | A scattered larger mayfly; match it only when naturals appear |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa remain useful in riffles and pockets |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or Frenchie | 14-18 | Drift pool heads, riffle margins, and softer seams while the river clears |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 16-18 | Work riffles and pockets with a controlled drift |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 14-18 | Swing through broken water before the surface window |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 16-18 | Use a long leader after finding a fish that rises repeatedly |
| Dry | Light Cahill | 14 | Carry for isolated larger mayflies |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger or slim sculpin | 6-10 | Cover shaded banks and deeper seams where visibility permits |
Tactics
Start subsurface in softer seams and along pool heads, particularly below runoff inputs. Check the Hale Eddy gauge and water color before committing to a crossing. In the afternoon, watch pool tails and slicks for repeated olive rises before changing to a long-leader dry. The falling release can expose shallow approaches quickly, while lower-river runoff can still leave uncertain footing. If storms develop late in the day, pack up before the river rises noticeably.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 403 cfs | 54.7 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 206 cfs | 54.1 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 13 Delaware River Club regional report reviewed separately for release, clarity, hatch, and method context.