Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek Fishing Report: May 28, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are in good late-May shape with falling, wadeable flows, cool morning water, and a strong mix of caddis, March Browns, Gray Fox, sulphurs, and spinners.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning through evening, with the most technical dry-fly work late in the day
- Best methods
- dry flies, nymphs, wet flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill-Willowemoc system is in good shape this morning. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 362 cfs, 2.28 feet, and 58.3 F at 7:30 AM EDT, while Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor was 83.7 cfs, 2.21 feet, and 54.1 F at 7:15 AM EDT. Local Catskill reports checked this morning described clear, wadeable rivers with active March Browns, Gray Fox, sulphurs, BWOs, some Green Drakes, and plenty of evening spinner activity. Fish now, but keep a thermometer handy on freestone trout water if the afternoon warms faster than forecast.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 362 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 83.7 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.28 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.21 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 58.3 F at Cooks Falls; 54.1 F near Livingston Manor |
| Clarity | Clear in current local reports; verify at your access |
| Trend | Falling from the last published report |
| Best Window | Morning through evening, with the most technical dry-fly work late in the day |
| Best Method | dry flies; nymphs; wet flies |
| Wadeability | Good overall, with normal caution at deeper Beaverkill crossings |
Weather
For Livingston Manor and Roscoe, NY, the National Weather Service forecast calls for a high near 65 F, mostly sunny weather early, and a chance of afternoon showers. Northwest wind is forecast around 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. There were no active NWS alerts for the checked point at report time.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has dropped into a friendly wade-fishing range, but 362 cfs still has enough push in the classic riffles and heavier runs that crossings should be deliberate. The Willowemoc is lower and more technical, so longer leaders and careful approaches matter once the sun is high. Morning water temperatures are safe for trout, and the forecast is cooler than the earlier warm stretch. If the Beaverkill climbs toward the upper 60s at your thermometer in the afternoon, rest trout until cooler evening water returns.
Hatch Activity
Current local Catskill reports support a broad and useful late-May hatch mix. March Browns, Gray Fox, Invaria sulphurs, BWOs, and some Green Drakes are active, with Blue Sedge caddis and spinner falls becoming important around dusk. The best surface activity may move between riffles, shaded banks, and slick tailouts depending on wind and cloud cover.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| March Brown | 10-12 | Use larger dries and nymphs in riffles and broken seams |
| Gray Fox | 12-14 | Important evening and riffle mayfly; good visible prospecting pattern |
| Invaria Sulphur | 14-16 | Likely late-day dry-fly target where fish settle into softer lanes |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-20 | Useful if clouds or showers improve the light |
| Blue Sedge Caddis | 14-16 | Building in heavier numbers near evening |
| Green Drake | 8-10 | Occasional fishable activity; carry a few large dries and nymphs |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-18 | Important after daytime mayfly activity, especially in calm slicks |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | March Brown Parachute | 10-12 | Good searching dry for riffles and edge seams |
| Dry | Gray Fox Comparadun | 12-14 | Match active mayflies in softer broken water |
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun | 14-16 | Use when yellow mayflies bring fish up later in the day |
| Dry | Rusty Spinner | 10-18 | Keep several sizes ready for evening spinner falls |
| Dry | Green Drake Parachute | 8-10 | Carry as a low-light backup, not the only plan |
| Nymph | March Brown Nymph | 10-12 | Fish before surface activity or when wind pushes fish down |
| Nymph | Green Drake Nymph | 8-10 | Useful in riffles while larger bugs are active below the surface |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Dead drift or swing through riffle tails |
| Wet | Partridge and Yellow | 14-16 | Good bridge fly before sulphurs show clearly on top |
| Streamer | Small Olive or Brown Bugger | 6-10 | Best early or during darker shower windows |
Tactics
On the Beaverkill, cover riffles and broken water with a larger dry, dry-dropper, or swung wet fly until individual risers become consistent. On the Willowemoc, slow down, lengthen the leader, and avoid walking through the skinny approach water before casting. If wind gusts make dry-fly accuracy hard, switch to nymphs or wets in the same feeding lanes rather than forcing long casts. Evening spinners are worth waiting for if wind drops.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 362 cfs | 58.3 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 83.7 cfs | 54.1 F | USGS 01419500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01420500 and 01419500, plus the National Weather Service forecast and alerts 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.