Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Fishing Report: June 25, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are low, falling, and warming quickly, so treat them as a short thermometer-first morning option before storms arrive.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Early morning only where temperatures stay safely below 68 F
- Best methods
- temperature check first, nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are a tough trout call today. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 146 cfs and 62.2 F, while the Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was 38.5 cfs and 57.0 F during the morning check. Both streams fell overnight, and current Catskills context continues to warn that freestone temperatures can climb quickly on warm days. If you go, make it a short morning session, carry a thermometer, and stop targeting trout if readings approach 68 F; the West Branch Delaware is the better cold-water backup.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough; fishable in spots early, but low falling freestone flows, warming water, and afternoon storms limit the trout window |
| Flow | 146 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 38.5 cfs at Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.36 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.95 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 62.2 F at Cooks Falls; 57.0 F near Livingston Manor |
| Clarity | Current public Catskills reporting describes clear, low-side freestone conditions; official gauges do not report clarity |
| Trend | Falling overnight; Beaver Kill eased from 151 to 146 cfs and Willowemoc eased from 41.3 to 38.5 cfs |
| Best Window | Early morning only where a thermometer confirms safe trout temperatures |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in faster oxygenated riffles first; dries only for visible fish in cool water |
| Wadeability | Physically workable but fishing is delicate; use careful footing, quiet approaches, and avoid stressing trout in warm water |
Weather
For Roscoe and Livingston Manor, the National Weather Service forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies, a high near 77 F, light south wind, and a chance of showers and thunderstorms from midafternoon into evening. Tonight has a high rain and thunderstorm chance, with new rainfall around a half to three quarters of an inch possible. No active NWS alerts were returned for the Roscoe point during the morning check, but lightning risk is enough to make the afternoon a poor wading plan.
River Notes
The freestone cushion from earlier rain is fading. The Beaverkill has more room than the Willowemoc, but the morning temperature at Cooks Falls is already in the low 60s, and shallow sunny edges can warm faster than the gauge. Fish should be treated carefully: check temperature at the access, recheck if the sun breaks through or the bite slows, and move to colder tailwater instead of forcing an afternoon trout program. Low clear water also means slower approaches, longer leaders, and shorter fights matter.
Hatch Activity
The useful Catskills box remains Isonychias, sulphurs, Blue Winged Olives, Light Cahills, caddis, and spinners. Current public Catskills context favors tailwaters for the more reliable cold-water hatch program; on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc, match any surface activity only while water temperatures remain safe.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Isonychia | 10-12 | Best searching nymph for faster oxygenated riffles; swing wets through riffle tails |
| Sulphur | 16-18 | Carry emergers, duns, and spinners, but fish them only in confirmed cool water |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Clouds or light rain can help; leave the stream if storms build |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Possible in mixed evening activity if temperatures are still safe |
| Tan or Gray Caddis | 14-18 | Pupa, soft hackles, and adults cover riffles between mayfly windows |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-20 | Last-light option only after a thermometer check and away from thunder |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Comparadun or Sparkle Dun | 16-18 | Use only for confirmed cool water and visible risers |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun | 18-22 | Good if clouds thicken or light rain starts without lightning |
| Dry | Light Cahill Parachute | 14-16 | For larger pale mayflies in riffles and evening water |
| Dry | Rusty Spinner | 10-20 | Evening choice only if temperatures remain safely below 68 F |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Primary searching pattern through riffles and pocket water |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail or Frenchie | 14-18 | Compact mayfly dropper for clear-water trout |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Dead drift or swing through riffle tails |
| Wet | Soft Hackle or Flymph | 12-16 | Good way to cover water when insects are active but rises are inconsistent |
| Other | Stream Thermometer | Not reported | Required gear today; check before fishing and again as the stream warms |
Tactics
Start with the thermometer, not the fly box. If the water is safely cool, work faster riffles, pocket water, and shaded seams with an Isonychia nymph, small mayfly nymph, caddis pupa, or soft hackle. Keep casts short and controlled in broken water, then lengthen leaders only if you find steady risers. Stop fishing trout if the water approaches 68 F, and leave the stream immediately if thunder develops or runoff starts to change the water.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 146 cfs | 62.2 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 38.5 cfs | 57.0 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, clarity, access, and method context.