River guide · New York
Fly Fishing the Delaware River
The Upper Delaware system on the New York–Pennsylvania line is the East's premier wild-trout dry-fly fishery, anchored by the cold West Branch below Cannonsville Reservoir, the East Branch below Pepacton, and the larger main stem below Hancock. The West Branch at Hale Eddy runs cold and clear, sustaining self-reproducing wild brown and rainbow trout that key selectively on hatches. These are technical, often big-water fish that reward long leaders and accurate casts during prolific mayfly emergences. The river is famous for its Hendrickson, March Brown, sulphur, and Blue-winged Olive hatches from spring into fall.
- (see water right now)
- 7 shops nearby
When to fish
April–June & September–October
Best months: April–June, September–October
- Best
- Off-peak
Blue Quill / Hendrickson: Apr–early May. Blue-winged Olive: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.
Today's conditionsWhere to fish
Along the Delaware River
The West Branch (below Cannonsville) and East Branch (below Pepacton) and the wild Upper main stem are reached via NYSDEC public access sites and float launches around Hancock.
The water
Tailwater
Key hatches
- Hendrickson
- Blue-winged Olive
- March Brown / Gray Fox
- Sulphur
- Isonychia
Conditions
Loading river conditions
We couldn't load river conditions from USGS right now.
USGS has no recent readings for the West Branch Delaware River at Hale Eddy, NY gauge.
Check the gauge on USGS: 01426500 ↗Not reported for this stretch right now.
Not available right now.
Live from USGS gauge 01423000 · West Branch Delaware River at Walton, NY ↗
Live from USGS gauge 01426500 · West Branch Delaware River at Hale Eddy, NY ↗
Live from USGS gauge 01417500 · East Branch Delaware River at Harvard, NY ↗
Live from USGS gauge 01427510 · Delaware River at Callicoon, NY ↗
Live from USGS gauge 01434000 · Delaware River at Port Jervis, NY ↗
Air from the National Weather Service ↗
6-day forecast
Loading forecast
We couldn't load the forecast from the National Weather Service right now.
See it on forecast.weather.gov ↗Forecast from the National Weather Service ↗
Key hatches & timing
- Blue Quill / HendricksonApr–early May
- Blue-winged OliveApr–May, Sep–Oct
- March Brown / Gray Foxmid-May–Jun
- Sulphurlate May–Jul
- IsonychiaJun, Sep
- TricoJul–Aug, mornings
Fly shops near the Delaware River
Shops and guides that fish the Delaware River. See all 40 New York shops →
- Catskills On The Fly 🎣~19 miWade tripsView shop →
- Baxter House Fly Fishing Outfitters~19 miWade tripsView shop →
- Trout Town Flies~19 miWade tripsView shop →
- Beaverkill Angler~19 miWade tripsView shop →
- Uflyfish.com Guide Services~33 miFloatView shop →
- Anglers Den Fly Shop~91 miOrvis-EndorsedWade tripsView shop →
- River Bay Outfitters~125 miWade tripsView shop →
Nearby towns
Gear up on the Delaware River
Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.
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