The West Branch Delaware River, approximately 90 mi  (144 km) long in the U.S. states of New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

 and Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

, is one of the two branches, along with the East Branch

East Branch Delaware River

The East Branch Delaware River, approximately 75 miles long in the U.S. state of New York, is one of two branches, along with the West Branch, that join to form the Delaware River. It flows through a mountainous area on the southwestern edge of the Catskill Park. For a long stretch it serves...

, that join to form the Delaware River

Delaware River

The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...

. Along most of its course, it flows through a mountainous area of New York in the northern Catskill Mountains

Catskill Mountains

The Catskill Mountains, an area in New York State northwest of New York City and southwest of Albany, are a mature dissected plateau, an uplifted region that was subsequently eroded into sharp relief. They are an eastward continuation, and the highest representation, of the Allegheny Plateau...

.

It rises in Schoharie County, New York

Schoharie County, New York

As of the census of 2000, there were 31,582 people, 11,991 households and 8,177 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 15,915 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...

 and flows generally southwest, entering Delaware County

Delaware County, New York

Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of 2010 the population was 47,980. The county seat is Delhi. It is named after the Delaware River, which was named in honor of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, appointed governor of Virginia in 1609.-History:When counties...

 and flowing past Stamford

Stamford (town), New York

Stamford is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The population was 1,943 at the 2000 census.The Town of Stamford also has a village called Stamford.-Geography:The town is on the north edge of the county...

 and Delhi

Delhi (town), New York

Delhi is a town in Delaware County, New York, USA. The population was 4,629 at the 2000 census.The Town of Delhi is in the east-central part of the county. The State University of New York at Delhi is located in this town, which contains the Village of Delhi...

. In southwestern Delaware County it flows in an increasingly winding course through the mountains, generally southwest. At Stilesville it is impounded to form the Cannonsville Reservoir

Cannonsville Reservoir

The Cannonsville Reservoir is a reservoir in Delaware County, New York, that was formed by impounding over half of the West Branch of the Delaware River. It is the westernmost of New York City's reservoirs, being at the western portion of the Delaware Watershed. Placed in service in 1964, it is the...

. At Deposit

Deposit, New York

Deposit, New York may refer to:*Deposit , New York, in Delaware County*Deposit , New York, located partly within the town to the north and partly in Broome County...

, on the border between Broome

Broome County, New York

Broome County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 200,600. It was named in honor of John Broome, who was lieutenant governor in 1806 when Broome County was established. Its county seat is Binghamton, which is also its major city. The current...

 and Delaware counties, it turns sharply to the southeast and is paralleled by New York State Route 17

New York State Route 17

New York State Route 17 is a state highway that extends for through the Southern Tier and Downstate regions of New York in the United States...

. It joins the East Branch at Hancock

Hancock (town), New York

Hancock is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The town contains a village, also named Hancock. The town is in the southwest part of the county...

 to form the Delaware. For the lower 6 mi (10 km) it forms part of the boundary between New York and Pennsylvania

New York - Pennsylvania Border

The New York–Pennsylvania border is the state line between the U.S. states of New York and Pennsylvania. It has three sections:* along the center line of the Delaware River from the tri-point with New Jersey at the confluence of the Delaware with the Neversink River in Port Jervis, New York to the...

.

The river is considered one of the best fly fishing

Fly fishing

Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...

 trout

Trout

Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...

streams in the United States, based on its cold water springs and deep pools. The trout population in this river is naturally reproducing, but during the warm months stocked trout from smaller and warmer tributaries will seek sanctuary in its cool water.

External links

• Fly Fishing the West Branch of the Delaware