Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek Fishing Report: May 29, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain in good late-May shape with falling, wadeable flows, safe morning temperatures, and strong March Brown, Gray Fox, sulphur, Green Drake, caddis, and spinner options.
- 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 338 cfs, 2.20 feet, and 54.0 F at 7:30 AM EDT, while Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor was 81.6 cfs, 2.20 feet, and 51.3 F at 7:15 AM EDT. Current Catskill reports checked this morning described good flows and temperatures across area rivers, with March Browns, Gray Fox, sulphurs, some BWOs, Green Drakes, Blue Sedge caddis, and evening rusty spinners all in play. Fish the freestones now, but keep a thermometer handy if afternoon sun warms softer, lower-gradient water.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 338 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 81.6 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.20 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.20 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 54.0 F at Cooks Falls; 51.3 F near Livingston Manor |
| Clarity | Clear in current local reports; verify at your access |
| Trend | Falling slightly 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 70 F with mostly sunny skies. Northwest wind is forecast around 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Tonight brings a 30 percent chance of showers, a low near 43 F, and stronger northwest gusts. There were no active NWS alerts for the checked point at report time.
River Notes
The Beaverkill is in a friendly wade-fishing range, but it still has enough push through classic riffles and heavier runs that crossings should be deliberate. The Willowemoc is lower and clearer, so stealth, longer leaders, and careful approaches matter once the sun is on the water. Morning temperatures are safe for trout on both gauges. The day is warm enough that anglers should keep checking temperatures on the freestones, especially below long sunny flats and slower pools.
Hatch Activity
Current local Catskill reports support a strong late-May hatch mix. March Browns, Gray Fox, Invaria sulphurs, BWOs, Green Drakes, Blue Sedge caddis, and rusty spinners are all relevant. Reports from the last evening favored Gray Fox and sulphur patterns in some places, while March Browns and larger drake-profile flies remain important enough to carry.
| 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 near evening; fish pupa and adults through riffles |
| Green Drake | 8-10 | Carry a few large dries and nymphs for low light or heavier rise forms |
| 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 option, 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, late, or if showers add color |
Tactics
On the Beaverkill, start in riffles and broken water with a larger dry, dry-dropper, or swung wet fly until individual risers become consistent. On the Willowemoc, slow down and avoid walking through the skinny approach water before casting. If the northwest wind builds, fish nymphs or wets through the same feeding lanes rather than forcing long dry-fly casts. Evening spinners are worth waiting for if wind drops, but keep checking water temperature and rest trout if readings climb toward 68 F.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 338 cfs | 54.0 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 81.6 cfs | 51.3 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.