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Upper Delaware River (New York–Pennsylvania)

Location: The Upper Delaware System is located in the Catskill Mountains—the history-rich birthplace of American fly fishing—approximately 150 miles from New York City, on the border of New York and Pennsylvania. Flights are available to Binghamton, New York and will leave you about a 45-minute drive. In less than a half day’s drive, you can reach the river from the metropolitan areas of Boston and Baltimore; Philadelphia is even closer, about a 3-hour drive.

The system is made up of three rivers: the West Branch, East Branch, and main stem of the Delaware. The West Branch and East Branch join at the village of Hancock, New York, to form the main stem. Both create tailwaters from New York City drinking water reservoir dams, which provide cold, pristine water. The Delaware reservoir water doesn’t require any filtration.

The East Branch is about 27 miles long and an excellent trout fishery for wild rainbow and brown trout from the season opener on April 1 through mid-June. The changing character of this waterway allows it to be treated as two separate rivers. From mid-June into September, the lower stretch of the river—from the junction of the Beaverkill, downriver—gets too warm until mid-September. Then, the river is once again cool enough for trout until season’s end on November 30. This is big water with spring flows that are often too high to wade. Public access is very limited, making floating the best option.

The East Branch upriver of the Beaverkill has ample cold water to fish all season. The section upriver from Shinhopple, New York closes on October 15 to protect spawning brown trout. You’ll find ample public access along New York 30. These parking/access areas are well marked by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Think “spring creek” on this stretch, and you’ll have the opportunity to spot and stalk a few trophy browns. Far-and-fine is the norm here, unless the water is highly stained from a rainstorm; then it gets easier . . . but never easy.

The West Branch is a much shorter river, running about 17 miles from the dam to its junction with the East Branch. Its shorter length, and its use—to provide minimum flow levels to the main stem of the Delaware—give the river more coldwater releases. Barring a drought year, it’s fishable for its entire length. Access is good and available near the Town of Deposit, New York, and through the Pennsylvania Game Lands #299 off Penn-York Road.