Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek Fishing Report: June 8, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are low, clear, and wadeable, but sunny late-spring weather makes this a thermometer-first trout report.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Early morning and last light only if temperatures stay safe
- Best methods
- dry flies, nymphs, wet flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are fishable from a flow standpoint, but this remains a fair trout report because the freestones are low and expected to warm quickly under sun. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 193 cfs, 1.62 feet, and 61.3 F around 7:15-7:30 AM EDT; Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor was 45.7 cfs, 2.00 feet, and 56.3 F around 7:15 AM EDT. Current Catskills local context describes low freestone water, Blue Winged Olives, sulphurs, remaining March Browns/Gray Fox, caddis, Isonychia, lingering Green Drakes, and better dry-fly chances when you find actual rising fish or fish the evening spinner window. Carry a thermometer and stop targeting trout before readings approach 68 F.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair |
| Flow | 193 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 45.7 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.62 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.00 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 61.3 F at Cooks Falls; 56.3 F near Livingston Manor |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; low flows call for clear-water approaches unless the access shows stain |
| Trend | Falling from yesterday morning |
| Best Window | Early morning and last light only if temperatures stay safe |
| Best Method | dry flies; nymphs; wet flies |
| Wadeability | Good from a flow standpoint, but use careful approaches and avoid pushing fish in shallow lanes |
Weather
For Roscoe, NY, the National Weather Service forecast calls for sunny skies and a high near 78 F. Southeast wind should stay light, around 5 mph through the afternoon. Tonight is forecast to be clear with a low around 50 F. No active NWS alerts were found for the Roscoe point at report time, but the sun and warm afternoon forecast are enough to make water-temperature checks part of the fishing plan.
River Notes
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are both lower than yesterday morning, so expect clear-water behavior: longer leaders, quieter wading, and more attention to shade, broken water, and riffle structure. The Willowemoc is cooler at the morning gauge and is the better first look if you want freestone trout water. The Beaverkill starts the day in the low 60s at Cooks Falls and can climb into stressful territory during warm, sunny afternoons. If the thermometer approaches 68 F, the right choice is to move to colder tailwater-influenced water or stop fishing for trout.
Hatch Activity
The Catskills are still carrying a broad early-June bug mix, but low water means you need to match the fish you can see rather than fish a hatch list blindly. Blue Winged Olives, Invaria sulphurs, March Browns, Gray Fox, tan caddis, Blue Sedge Caddis, Isonychia, a few lingering Green Drakes, and rusty or sulphur spinners are all relevant. Daytime prospecting is better with wets, emergers, caddis pupa, and dry-droppers in riffles and pocket water; the cleaner dry-fly window should be near dark if temperatures remain safe.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | Useful in shade, over small rises, or if clouds build later |
| March Brown / Gray Fox | 10-14 | Carry for broken water and larger mayfly rise forms |
| Invaria Sulphur | 14-16 | Key late-day mayfly; carry emergers, duns, and spinners |
| Tan Caddis / Blue Sedge Caddis | 14-18 | Fish pupa, wets, and adults around riffles and pocket water |
| Isonychia | 10-12 | Nymphs and wets are useful in faster seams before surface feeding steadies |
| Green Drake / Coffin Fly | 8-10 | Still possible near dusk, but do not force big bugs over smaller rises |
| Rusty or Sulphur Spinner | 10-20 | Most useful near dark on calm tails and slicks |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun or Spinner | 14-16 | Use when lighter mayflies bring fish up late |
| Dry | Gray Fox or March Brown Comparadun | 10-14 | Good in riffles, pocket seams, and over larger rise forms |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun | 16-18 | Carry for shaded or selective fish |
| Dry | Blue Sedge or Tan Caddis | 14-18 | Search riffle edges and pockets when caddis are active |
| Dry | Green Drake or Coffin Fly | 8-10 | Only commit to it if fish show a big-bug or spinner rise near dusk |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Work faster seams and riffle margins during slow surface periods |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Dead drift or swing through riffle tails and pocket water |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail or Copper John | 14-18 | Good dry-dropper choice for low, clear pockets |
| Wet | Partridge and Yellow or Leadwing Coachman | 12-16 | Swing when bugs are present but rises are scattered |
Tactics
Fish early, pick shaded riffles and pocket water, and keep your profile low. A dry-dropper, caddis pupa, Isonychia nymph, or soft hackle is the better search tool before fish commit to the surface. If you find risers, lengthen the leader and match the size first: sulphurs and caddis will often beat a larger drake imitation when the rise forms are small. Recheck temperature through the day, especially on the lower Beaverkill, and stop fishing for trout if the water moves toward 68 F.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 193 cfs | 61.3 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 45.7 cfs | 56.3 F | USGS 01419500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01420500 and 01419500, plus the National Weather Service forecast and alerts 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.