Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: October 15, 2026
The West Branch continues falling to 318 cfs at Hale Eddy as the 200 cfs Cannonsville release settles downstream, clarity improves, and late-afternoon olive and caddis hatches provide a reliable surface window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is falling to 318 cfs at Hale Eddy and 206 cfs at Stilesville as the steady 200 cfs Cannonsville release moves through the system. Hale Eddy has dropped from 351 cfs yesterday, a clear indication the earlier runoff pulse is clearing the tailwater. Start subsurface with nymphs and wet flies through the morning, then transition to dry flies as BWOs and caddis build in the late afternoon and early evening. Mostly sunny skies with a high near 58 F today, with rain likely after midnight tonight.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. The river is falling well into wadeable range with improving clarity and strong late-afternoon hatch prospects |
| Flow | 318 cfs at Hale Eddy; 206 cfs at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 57.0 F at Hale Eddy; 54.0 F at Stilesville |
| Clarity | Improving. The upper tailwater is clearing; some residual color may linger on the lower West Branch |
| Trend | Falling. Hale Eddy down from 351 cfs yesterday; Stilesville at 206 cfs |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into early evening |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in the morning; dry flies for BWOs and caddis |
| Wadeability | Limited. Check depth and clarity before crossing, especially on the lower West Branch |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for the Hancock area calls for mostly sunny skies with a high near 58 F. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Conditions are dry today with no chance of precipitation. Tonight brings mostly cloudy skies and rain showers likely after 1am, with a low around 44 F. Southeast wind 2 to 14 mph, gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70% tonight, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. A cold front moves through Friday with sustained rain and a sharp temperature drop over the weekend.
River Notes
Hale Eddy has fallen from 351 cfs yesterday to 318 cfs this morning, while Stilesville is steady at 206 cfs. The Cannonsville release is holding at 200 cfs, providing a stable base flow through the tailwater. The lower West Branch should continue to clear as today progresses, with good wadeable conditions expected by afternoon.
Water temperatures at 57.0 F at Hale Eddy and 54.0 F at Stilesville remain solid for fall trout fishing. No trout temperature concerns at this time.
The Delaware River Club published a daily report for October 15, confirming the 200 cfs release, current flow readings, and the BWO, Sulphur, caddis, and slate drake hatch pattern. This is the most current available source for the Delaware tailwaters system.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | The main current hatch and best late-afternoon dry-fly possibility |
| Sulphur (Hebe) | 18-20 | Mixed with olives in slower pools; afternoon activity |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets through riffles and broken water before adults appear |
| Light Cahill | 14 | Scattered larger mayfly; match when naturals are visible |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa remain productive in riffles and pockets |
| Slate Drake | 14 | Evening spinner fall; carry for late activity |
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 | Sulphur Dun or Parachute Adams | 18-20 | Key the slower water where Sulphurs concentrate |
| 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 dry morning should provide a solid window for surface fishing in the late afternoon. Rain overnight and Friday may push flows higher again; plan accordingly and be prepared to pull the plug early on Friday if the river runs off color.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 318 cfs | 57.0 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 206 cfs | 54.0 F | USGS 01425000 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01426500 and 01425000, the National Weather Service forecast and active alert feed for the Hancock, NY area, and the Delaware River Club daily report for October 15. Live USGS gauge data was not returned in today's automated fetch; flow and temperature values are from the Delaware River Club, which monitors the same gauges.