Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: October 14, 2026
The West Branch has dropped to 347 cfs at Hale Eddy as the 200 cfs Cannonsville release moves downstream, with flows falling and clarity improving on the upper tailwater.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is falling to 347 cfs at Hale Eddy and 209 cfs at Stilesville as the 200 cfs Cannonsville release continues downstream. Hale Eddy has dropped from 403 cfs yesterday and Stilesville from 206 cfs. The river remains fishable with improved clarity on the upper tailwater, though the lower West Branch still carries some color from yesterday's runoff. Start subsurface, then look for small olives and caddis during the late afternoon surface window. Mostly cloudy skies and a high near 68 F today, with only a slight chance of morning showers.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. The river is fishable and falling well into wadeable range, with some color persisting on the lower West Branch |
| Flow | 347 cfs at Hale Eddy; 209 cfs at Stilesville |
| Gauge Height | 2.40 feet at Hale Eddy; 7.51 feet at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 57.0 F at Hale Eddy; 54.0 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Some color on the lower West Branch; upper tailwater clearing |
| Trend | Falling. Hale Eddy down from 403 cfs yesterday; Stilesville up slightly from 206 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, especially on the lower sections |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for the Hancock area calls for a slight chance of rain showers between 10am and noon, then mostly cloudy skies with a high near 68 F. Northwest wind around 7 mph. Tonight brings mostly cloudy skies and a low around 44 F, with northwest wind 7 to 10 mph. No active NWS alerts covered the Hancock area at the morning check.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has fallen from 403 cfs yesterday to 347 cfs this morning. Stilesville is at 209 cfs, up slightly from 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.
Water temperatures at 57.0 F at Hale Eddy and 54.0 F at Stilesville are within the acceptable range for fall trout fishing. The falling flow pattern is favorable for wading, with lower water exposing gravel bars and making crossings safer.
The Delaware River Club regional report was not updated for today, but the last available report from October 13 noted the 200 cfs release and confirmed the river fished well over the weekend with small olives as the leading hatch.
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. The morning's slight rain chance should clear by late morning, leaving a solid afternoon window for surface fishing.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 347 cfs | 57.0 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 209 cfs | 54.0 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. The Delaware River Club regional report was checked but had not been updated for October 14 at the time of this report.