Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek Fishing Report: May 21, 2026
The Beaverkill is fishable at Cooks Falls with cool, cloudy weather helping caddis, olives, March Browns, Gray Fox, and lingering Hendricksons.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning and evening, with midday dependent on wind and light
- Best methods
- nymphs, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek is in a good fishing window today. USGS showed the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls at 456 cfs and 2.55 feet at 7:30 AM, with the flow trend falling and water temperature at 57 F. Local Delaware-system context checked this morning showed only spotty rain and a cooler, overcast day, which should help caddis and olives. Fish nymphs through the faster seams until surface activity starts, then cover likely risers with caddis, olives, March Browns, Gray Fox, or lingering Hendricksons.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 456 cfs at 7:30 AM |
| Gauge Height | 2.55 feet |
| Water Temp | 57 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling |
| Best Window | Morning and evening, with midday dependent on wind and light |
| Best Method | nymphs; dry flies; streamers |
| Wadeability | Good |
Weather
For Roscoe, NY, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph. 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 hatch 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 today’s Catskill/Delaware public report context, seasonal late-May patterns, and the official gauge/weather check.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caddis | 16-18 | Reported in good numbers; search riffles and soft edges |
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Cool, cloudy weather can extend olive activity |
| Hendrickson | 14-16 | Lingering on some Catskill/upper Delaware sections |
| March Brown / Gray Fox | 10-12 | Prospect broken water with larger mayfly dries or nymphs |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Elk Hair Caddis | 16-18 | Search riffles and soft banks |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun | 16-18 | Cloudy seams |
| Dry | Gray Fox or March Brown Parachute | 10-12 | Use for larger mayflies in broken water |
| 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 caddis or olives bring fish up, simplify to a single dry or a dry with an emerger dropper and give feeding fish room before the first cast. The current Beaverkill reading is manageable for experienced anglers, but freestone crossings still deserve caution after any new rain.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 456 cfs | 57 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.