The West Branch is generally regarded as the best of the three rivers that make up the Delaware trout fishery. While it is the shortest of the three, it offers the flyfisher a continuous series of pools, runs and riffles that contain a large, wild population of browns and rainbows, averaging in size from 12 to 16 inches, with many in the 18-and-over class..

     The river has awesome mayfly, caddis and stonefly hatches. At times, the insect hatches are so prolific that the river seems covered with a flotilla of tiny wing-sails, while the air is filled with so many flies that it creates a blizzard-like effect. The Hendrickson, March Brown, Green Drake and Cahill hatches during the early season often last for several days, while the blue-winged olives and sulphur hatches are a season-long staple.

     During mid-season, the flyfisher can find himself truly challenged by early morning hatches of tiny tricos and mid-day and afternoon hatches of pseudocloeons and baetis The trico and pseudocleon activity can extend into the late season, too, when they are joined by good hatches of Isonychia. Throughout the season, the mayfly hatches are supplemented by the steady emergence of light, tan and dark caddis flies.  While there are some good hatches of stoneflies, they aren't as important on the West Branch as the Main Stem.

    The large, stable insect population on the West Branch (as well as the river’s trout population) is credited to scheduled water releases from the Cannonsville Dam, which maintain the river’s water levels and water temperature throughout the year. As a result, conditions remain optimal for insect life and trout throughout the year.

     The West Branch varies in width from well over 100 yards to about 25-30 yards. Its pools, runs and riffs can vary widely in depth, but typically can be fished comfortably by the wader. Since it is a tailwater, drift boat fishing occurs throughout the season, although there are a few days when low water levels and low releases combine to limit fishing to streamside outings.

     Like each of the three Delaware rivers, the West Branch can come alive with rising trout during the final hour of the day. It is a period known to flyfishers as the "Golden Hour," and it can often be a time of great fishing, if you’ve got the right stuff at the end of your tippet. While perhaps less selective than trout on either the East Branch or Main Stem, the West Branch browns and rainbows can be very choosey and challenging to catch.

     The rod of choice for the West Branch is 9' to 9'6" for a four-, five- or six-weight line. The favored rod action is medium-fast to fast. Since the occasional home-run cast is needed, a weight forward line is preferred by many anglers.  But, both the presentation and float must be perfect if you're going to be successful, and -- depending on water conditions and water color -- you may need to fish long leaders and very fine tippet.

     While the river is heavily fished throughout the season, most anglers follow the catch-and-release tradition, even though the law does permit the killing of two fish per day of at least 12 inches in length. A small, two-mile section is regulated as a no-kill.

     Throughout its course, the river meanders through a mix of fields,wetlands, meadows and hardwood forests, which support a spectacular variety of wildlife. Deer, bear and wild turkey are common visitors to the river’s shore, while bald eagles and osprey are frequent competitors of the flyfisher.

     For about seven miles the river is contained wholly in New York State, while it serves as the border between New York and Pennsylvania for the final seven miles. Public access to the river is limited, but is available at several points (particularly on the Pennsylvania side) While some private property owners do grant anglers access to the river, this is fast disappearing as the river grows in popularity.

[ The Main stem ] [ East Branch ] [ West Branch ]

[ Delaware River ] [ Salmon River ] [ The Keys ] [ Beaverkill ] [ Willowemoc ] [ Susquehanna River ]