Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Fishing Report: June 15, 2026
Cooler weather and higher morning flows improve the Beaverkill and Willowemoc, but recent warm freestone afternoons still make this a thermometer-first report.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Morning through early afternoon after a thermometer check
- Best methods
- temperature check first, wet flies, nymphs, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are more fishable than yesterday morning, but they are still a thermometer-first call. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 220 cfs, 1.75 feet, and 65.7 F near 8:00 AM EDT, while the Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was 135 cfs, 2.42 feet, and 61.2 F around 7:15 AM EDT. Both flows are up over the last 24 hours, and the National Weather Service forecast is much cooler, which helps. The caution is recent local Catskills context: these freestones have been low and too warm on recent afternoons, so fish only while temperatures are safely below 68 F and move to colder tailwater water if they climb.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair; improved flow and cooler weather help, but trout temperature risk still controls the decision |
| Flow | 220 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls around 7:45 AM EDT; 135 cfs at Willowemoc near Livingston Manor around 7:15 AM EDT |
| Gauge Height | 1.75 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.42 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 65.7 F at Cooks Falls around 8:00 AM EDT; 61.2 F near Livingston Manor around 7:15 AM EDT |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; check locally because rising freestone flows can carry color |
| Trend | Rising over the last 24 hours on both gauges |
| Best Window | Morning through early afternoon after a thermometer check; stop if water approaches 68 F |
| Best Method | Soft hackles, caddis pupa, small mayfly nymphs, and a dry fly only for visible risers in safe temperatures |
| Wadeability | Limited; higher freestone flow improves trout cover but makes some crossings and slick riffles less casual |
Weather
For the Roscoe and Livingston Manor area, the National Weather Service forecast calls for mostly sunny weather and a high near 67 F. Northwest wind should run around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Tonight is forecast mostly clear with a low near 45 F. The cooler forecast is a real improvement for freestone trout, but wind can make dry-fly presentation harder and temperature checks still matter because recent afternoons pushed these waters into the stress range.
River Notes
This is not a green-light-all-day freestone report. The Willowemoc is starting cooler and with much better volume than yesterday's thin reading, while the Beaverkill is already in the mid-60s during the morning check. The practical play is to check temperature at the water, fish a short cool-window session if readings are safe, and stop before trout handling becomes risky. Rising flows can put fish back near edges, pocket water, and riffle seams, but they can also add stain or debris in spots. If clarity is poor or water temperature is marginal, do not force it; the cold Delaware tailwaters are a better trout option.
Hatch Activity
The Catskills hatch list remains useful for a safe cool window: sulphurs, Blue Winged Olives, Isonychia, Light Cahills, caddis, and spinners are all worth carrying. Treat the hatch as secondary to water temperature today. A visible rise in 67-68 F water is not worth stressing fish.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 14-18 | Possible in cooler windows; carry emergers, duns, and spinners |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Useful if clouds build or shaded water has small rise forms |
| Isonychia | 10-12 | Nymphs and wets are good searching choices in broken water |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Carry for mixed pale mayfly activity toward evening if water remains cool enough |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Pupa and soft hackles fit riffles and pocket water during the safer part of the day |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-18 | Only fish the spinner fall if temperatures are still clearly safe near dark |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Comparadun or Sparkle Dun | 14-18 | For visible fish in confirmed cool water |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun | 18-22 | Match small shaded-water rises |
| Dry | Light Cahill Parachute | 14-16 | Evening option only if the thermometer agrees |
| Dry | Rusty Spinner | 10-18 | Carry for last light, but skip it if water is near 68 F |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Fish broken riffles and seams in safe temperatures |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Dead drift or swing through riffle tails |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail or Small Mayfly Nymph | 14-18 | Useful as a dropper when fish are feeding below the film |
| Wet | Soft Hackle | 12-16 | Swing through pocket water and riffle edges during the cool window |
| Other | Stream Thermometer | Not reported | The first piece of gear to use before fishing these freestones today |
Tactics
Check the water temperature before rigging. If it is comfortably below 68 F, start with soft hackles, caddis pupa, or an Isonychia nymph in broken water where the higher flow gives trout cover. Fish short, clean drifts and avoid repeated handling or long photo sessions. If you find steady risers, switch to a single dry and use a longer leader, but keep checking temperature as the day warms. If the Beaverkill reaches the upper 60s, leave it alone and choose colder water rather than waiting for the evening spinner fall.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 220 cfs | 65.7 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 135 cfs | 61.2 F | USGS 01419500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01420500 and 01419500, plus the National Weather Service forecast for the Livingston Manor and 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.