Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Fishing Report: May 17, 2026
Beaverkill and Willowemoc is fishable, but conditions call for a selective plan.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies
Quick Summary
Beaverkill and Willowemoc is fishable, but conditions call for a selective plan. USGS showed 689 cfs and 3.08 feet at 7:45 AM, with the flow trend stable. Water temperature was 55 F. Fish the best holding water first and keep wading choices conservative. Wade conservatively and avoid pushy crossings; softer edges and boat or bank access are safer than mid-channel moves.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair |
| Flow | 689 cfs at 7:45 AM |
| Gauge Height | 3.08 feet |
| Water Temp | 55 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies |
| Wadeability | Limited |
Weather
For Livingston Manor, NY, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Plan around wind, changing light, and any showers or storms rather than assuming a full-day dry fly window.
River Notes
The best starting point is water that matches the current gauge: inside seams, protected banks, riffle drop-offs, and slower buckets rather than the heaviest current. A stable trend is worth watching through the day; if the hydrograph turns sharply upward, clarity and wade safety can change before hatch timing does. Missing field values are left as Not reported rather than filled from guesswork.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on seasonal May patterns for this river system, recent public report context where available, and today’s official gauge/weather check.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 14-16 | Important late-day Catskill mayfly |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Cloud-cover option |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Riffles and pocket water |
| March Brown | 10-12 | Larger searching dry when present |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur dry | 14-16 | Use during evening activity |
| Dry | March Brown dry | 10-12 | Good searching dry |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | Riffles and seams |
| Nymph | Hare’s Ear | 12-16 | General mayfly/caddis nymph |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Fish edges when flows are pushy |
Tactics
Start with nymphs in defined lanes and adjust weight before changing flies. If fish begin rising, simplify to a single dry or dry with an emerger/dropper and lengthen the leader. In bright or windy periods, return to subsurface presentations along protected banks and broken water.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 689 cfs | 55 F | USGS 01420500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 01420500 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Livingston Manor, NY area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with local public conditions reports reviewed separately for hatch, access, and method context.