Upper Delaware, New York
West Branch Delaware Fishing Report: October 16, 2026
The West Branch rises to 339 cfs at Hale Eddy under rain and thunderstorms today, but morning fishability remains solid as anglers should target subsurface patterns before the storm deepens and pushes flows higher overnight.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Morning through early afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The West Branch is rising to 339 cfs at Hale Eddy and 209 cfs at Stilesville as the Cannonsville Dam holds a steady 200 cfs release. Hale Eddy moved up from 318 cfs yesterday, a modest but noticeable increase in the tailwater. Start subsurface with nymphs and wet flies through the morning, then work dry flies as BWOs and caddis build in the late afternoon. Rain and thunderstorms arrive today with a 100% chance of precipitation and up to half an inch of rain, followed by a sharp cold front tonight that will drive temperatures into the 30s by Saturday and push flows significantly higher over the weekend.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. The river is fishable in the morning window; conditions deteriorate rapidly with today's storms and tonight's cold front |
| Flow | 339 cfs at Hale Eddy; 209 cfs at Stilesville |
| Water Temp | 54.9 F at Hale Eddy; 53.8 F at Stilesville (USGS observation at 7:45 AM EDT, October 16) |
| Clarity | Rising water may bring some stain from runoff, especially on the lower West Branch |
| Trend | Rising. Hale Eddy up from 318 cfs yesterday; the 200 cfs Cannonsville release continues |
| Best Window | Morning through early afternoon, before storms deepen |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in the morning; dry flies for BWOs and caddis |
| Wadeability | Good in the morning; expect rising water and stain through the afternoon |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for the Hancock area calls for rain and thunderstorms today with a 100% chance of precipitation. Expect a chance of rain showers before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy skies with a high near 64 F. Southwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tonight brings rain showers likely before 2am. Mostly cloudy with a low around 33 F. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Saturday will be cold with partly sunny skies and a high near 38 F, along with northwest wind around 13 mph and a slight chance of snow showers between 8am and 9am.
River Notes
Hale Eddy is at 339 cfs, up from 318 cfs yesterday. Stilesville is steady at 209 cfs. The Cannonsville release is holding at 200 cfs, providing a stable base flow through the tailwater. The rising flow and approaching storm system are the primary drivers today. Anglers should fish the morning window while conditions are still favorable; expect flows to rise further through the afternoon and overnight.
Water temperatures at 54.9 F at Hale Eddy and 53.8 F at Stilesville remain solid for fall trout fishing, recorded at 7:45 AM EDT by USGS. No trout temperature concerns at this time.
Local source sites could not be accessed during this update cycle. Conditions are based on live USGS gauge data and National Weather Service forecasts.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | The main current hatch; fish late morning through early evening when the river holds up |
| Sulphur (Hebe) | 18-20 | Mixed with olives in slower pools and slack water |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets through riffles and broken water |
| Light Cahill | 14 | Scattered larger mayfly; carry for late afternoon activity |
| 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 as the river rises |
| 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 the runoff from today's storms. 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, if the river holds up. The rising release and storm runoff can push flows up quickly; plan to end the day earlier than usual. The cold front Saturday will drop temperatures sharply and raise flows substantially; expect the West Branch to run off color for several days into the weekend.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT HALE EDDY NY | 339 cfs | 54.9 F | USGS 01426500 |
| WEST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER AT STILESVILLE NY | 209 cfs | 53.8 F | USGS 01425000 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01426500 and 01425000 for live flow and temperature data, and the National Weather Service forecast and alert feed for the Hancock, NY area. USGS gauge data returned successfully this update cycle.