Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek Fishing Report: May 20, 2026
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek is good today with 491 cfs at the primary gauge and morning, then watch storms and showers as the best window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning, then watch storms and showers
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek is in a useful fishing window today. USGS showed 491 cfs and 2.64 feet at 8:00 AM, with the flow trend falling. Water temperature was 62 F. Start with nymphs, then adjust to dry flies or streamers if fish show you a better lane or feeding level. Leave the water if thunder develops; open riffles and drift boats are poor places to wait out lightning.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 491 cfs at 8:00 AM |
| Gauge Height | 2.64 feet |
| Water Temp | 62 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling |
| Best Window | Morning, then watch storms and showers |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies; streamers |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
For Roscoe, NY, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: A chance of rain showers between 10am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 71 in the afternoon. Northwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. No active NWS alerts were returned for the point check. 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 falling trend is worth watching through the day; if the hydrograph turns sharply upward, clarity and wade safety can change before hatch timing does. Clarity was not available from an official gauge during this check, so treat it as Not reported and verify it at the access before committing to a long float or wade plan.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on seasonal May patterns for this river system, current public report context where available, and today’s official gauge/weather check.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 14-16 | Expect activity in softer riffles and tails |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Useful during clouds or showers |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Fish pupa before adults show |
| March Brown | 10-12 | Carry for sporadic larger mayflies |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun | 14-16 | For late-day risers |
| Dry | Elk Hair Caddis | 14-18 | Search riffle edges |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | General mayfly nymph |
| Nymph | Hare’s Ear | 12-16 | Good searching nymph |
| Streamer | Black Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Use in pockets or stained water |
Tactics
Start with nymphs in defined lanes and adjust weight, depth, or leader length 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. Re-check the gauge before wading new crossings, especially if the trend changes from stable or falling to rising.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 491 cfs | 62 F | USGS 01420500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 01420500 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Roscoe, 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.