|
The West Branch of the Delaware is located in the Catskill
Mountains in New York State. This river system is one
of the best wild trout fisheries in the Northeast. Its
cold water and prolific hatches create miles of prime
trout fishing. Many anglers believe that the West Branch
can be compared to the top trout streams in the West. (Exceptions
to General Angling Regulations and Special NY/PA Border
Water Regulations)
The West Branch of the Delaware River is separated
into two areas, above and below the Cannonsville Resevoir.
From its headwaters in Schoharie County to the Cannonsville,
the West Branch runs just about 43 miles, passing through
mostly farmland. Access is obtainable off Route 10,
which runs almost parallel to the river its entire
length. Fishing is marginal with some wild brookies.
Brown trout are stocked by the State and about one-third
of the brown trout residents are wild fish. If you're
looking for wild brookies, try going well up into the
tributaries that dump into the West Branch. Wild browns
can be found in the lower sections of these tributaries. |
|
Hatches are more consistent and abundant than on other
rivers in the area. It's common to see five to ten different
types of insects on the water in a single night. Early
season Stonefly and Mayfly hatches blanket the river.
You shouldn't miss the Hendrickson hatches in late April,
which last through mid-May. The end of May brings the
excitement of the Brown and Green
Drake hatches; while June through August have consistent
hatches of Blue-Winged
Olives and Sulphurs. Although
the water temperatures and the insect life are perfect
for trout fishing, these fish are still very difficult
to catch. Factors such as water clarity, the size of
the river, number of hatches and the well-educated browns
and rainbows make this river a challenge to all fishermen.
The West Branch winds some 20 miles until it joins
the East Branch to form the main stem or Big "D." The
combination of long, deep runs broken up by shallow
riffles forms some of the best trout water on the East
Coast. The size of the West Branch ranges from 75 to
200 feet wide. Its bottom is made up of a mixture of
gravel, sand, small rock and boulders, creating a perfect
habitat for great numbers of brown trout. The West
Branch has a no-kill section in Deposit, which fishes
well all year long. Fishermen should expect to catch
browns ranging from 12 to 16 inches long and may even
catch fish over 20 inches. Some rainbows do migrate
up the West Branch when the main stem temperatures
become too warm.
Access to the Lower West can be gained in Hancock
by crossing over the Hancock or 191 bridge and making
a right onto Winterdale Road. This road runs upstream
along most of the river. Most of this section of river
is posted until you get up to Balls Eddy. Here, the
road turns to gravel and public access to the river
begins. Fishermen can park and access the river along
the gravel road in the Pennsylvania State Game Lands.
The Upper West can be reached off Route 17 in Deposit.
The no-kill section and the Cannonsville Dam can be
found off this exit. Additional public access can be
found at Hales Eddy. The Cannonsville Dam has made
the West Branch one of the best wild trout fisheries
in the Northeast. It's a "must visit" for
all fly fishermen. |
