Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Fishing Report: June 19, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain a thermometer-first trout call, with low freestone flows, cooler morning readings, and a sunny forecast that can warm the water quickly.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning only after a thermometer check; stop if water approaches 68 F
- Best methods
- temperature check first, wet flies, nymphs, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain a tough, thermometer-first trout call. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 157 cfs and 63.1 F around 9:00 AM, while the Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was 38.5 cfs and 58.3 F around 8:15 AM. Those morning temperatures are better than the recent warm afternoons, but both streams are low and current Catskills context still points anglers toward colder tailwaters when freestones warm. If you fish, keep it short, start early, carry a thermometer, and stop targeting trout when water approaches 68 F.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough; cool enough early in places, but low freestone flows and warming risk limit the recommendation |
| Flow | 157 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls around 8:45 AM; 38.5 cfs at Willowemoc near Livingston Manor around 8:15 AM |
| Gauge Height | 1.43 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.95 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 63.1 F at Cooks Falls around 9:00 AM; 58.3 F near Livingston Manor around 8:15 AM |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; low water usually demands careful observation before fishing |
| Trend | Flows are still low; Beaverkill temperature was already climbing by the 9 AM check |
| Best Window | Morning only after a thermometer check; stop targeting trout if water approaches 68 F |
| Best Method | Soft hackles, caddis pupa, small mayfly nymphs, and precise dry flies only for visible risers in confirmed cool water |
| Wadeability | Limited; low water improves footing in some runs but increases fish stress and demands stealth |
Weather
For the Livingston Manor and Roscoe area, the National Weather Service forecast calls for mostly sunny weather with a high near 73 F. Northwest wind is forecast around 12 mph with gusts as high as 22 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear with a low near 52 F. The cooler air helps compared with the recent hot stretch, but sun and low flows can still push freestone temperatures into a trout-stress range by afternoon.
River Notes
This is still not an all-day freestone recommendation. The Willowemoc is cooler than the Beaverkill this morning, but it is also very low, which means thinner holding water, spooky fish, and more handling stress. The Beaverkill has a little more volume, but current local Delaware-system context continues to flag the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls as part of the warm-water concern during recent afternoons. Anglers should not assume a safe evening bite without checking the water again. Moving to a cold tailwater once freestone temperatures climb remains the right conservation call.
Hatch Activity
The hatch list is useful only if the thermometer says the water is safe. Sulphurs, Blue Winged Olives, Isonychia, Light Cahills, caddis, and spinners remain in the Catskills seasonal mix, and current regional reports continue to make evening the best dry-fly window. Low clear water favors careful observation over blind casting, especially on the Willowemoc.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 14-18 | Possible during cooler windows; carry emergers and spinners but let temperature decide |
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Better in shade or broken water than in bright, flat pools |
| Isonychia | 10-12 | Nymphs and wets are practical searching choices in riffles and pocket water |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Carry for mixed pale mayfly activity only while water is safely cool |
| Caddis | 14-18 | Pupa and soft hackles fit riffles during the early safe window |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-20 | Evening option only if water temperatures are still clearly below 68 F |
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 | 16-22 | Use for small rises in shaded seams or broken water |
| Dry | Light Cahill Parachute | 14-16 | Keep for larger pale mayflies if fish are up |
| Dry | Rusty Spinner | 10-20 | Carry for last light, but skip it if the stream is near 68 F |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Short drifts through riffles and pocket water |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Dead drift or swing through riffle tails |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail or Small Mayfly Nymph | 14-18 | Compact dropper for thin, clear water |
| Wet | Soft Hackle | 12-16 | Swing through broken water during the safe morning window |
| Other | Stream Thermometer | Not reported | Check before fishing and again as the day warms |
Tactics
Take a water temperature before making a first cast, then check again if you stay past the early window. If the reading is safely below 68 F, fish a short rotation through riffles, shaded seams, and pocket water with a soft hackle, caddis pupa, or small mayfly nymph. Keep casts low and deliberate on the Willowemoc because the water is thin. On the Beaverkill, keep fights short, skip grip-and-grin photos, and leave once temperatures climb. If you want a more durable trout option later in the day, choose a cold tailwater instead of trying to stretch the freestone window.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 157 cfs | 63.1 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 38.5 cfs | 58.3 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.