Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Fishing Report: June 26, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc have a little more water and cooler weather, but they are still a thermometer-first freestone call after recent heat.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Morning into early afternoon 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 improved from the lowest, warmest part of the week, but they still need a careful trout-temperature plan. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 183 cfs and 63.3 F, while the Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was 47.2 cfs and 59.2 F during the morning check. Flows are up from yesterday morning and the forecast is cooler, so the early window is more workable than it was during the heat. Still, current Catskills source context continues to favor tailwaters while the freestones recover; carry a thermometer and stop targeting trout if readings approach 68 F.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair; more water and a cooler forecast help, but morning temperatures and recent heat make this a thermometer-first freestone option |
| Flow | 183 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 47.2 cfs at Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.57 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.01 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 63.3 F at Cooks Falls; 59.2 F near Livingston Manor |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; use local visibility checks before committing to clear-water flats |
| Trend | Rising compared with yesterday morning; the bump helps oxygen and cover but does not remove the warm-water risk |
| Best Window | Morning into early afternoon only where a stream 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 limited by trout stress; keep fights short and avoid fishing warm pools |
Weather
For Roscoe and Livingston Manor, the National Weather Service forecast calls for patchy morning fog, partly sunny skies, and a high near 77 F. Southwest wind should run about 2 to 7 mph. Tonight is mostly cloudy with a low near 57 F and only an isolated shower chance. No active NWS alerts were returned for the Roscoe point during the morning check.
River Notes
The small bump in flow is welcome, especially on the Beaverkill, but these are still freestones coming out of warm weather. The Beaver Kill temperature was already in the low 60s during the morning USGS observation, and shallow edges can warm faster than the gauge once the sun gets through. Treat the Willowemoc and Beaverkill as short-session options: check the water at the access, focus on faster riffles and shaded seams, and move to a colder tailwater if temperatures climb or fish look sluggish. Low-clear-water habits still matter even with the extra flow: stay quiet, lengthen leaders, and avoid repeated casts over the same fish.
Hatch Activity
Current Catskills context lists sulphurs, Isonychias, Blue Winged Olives, Yellow Sallies, Yellow Drakes, and Light Cahills. On the Beaverkill and Willowemoc, the hatch is secondary to water temperature; match rises when you have them, but do not keep trout fishing through unsafe afternoon readings.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Isonychia | 10-12 | Best searching nymph for faster oxygenated riffles; swing wets near the bank at the end of the drift |
| Sulphur | 16-18 | Carry emergers, duns, and spinners, but fish them only in confirmed cool water |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Clouds can help small olives; use light tippet and careful presentations |
| Yellow Sally | 14-16 | Worth having around riffles and pocket water |
| Yellow Drake | 8-10 | Larger low-light option if you find cool water and active fish |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Good larger pale mayfly in riffles and evening water if temperatures allow |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-20 | Last-light option only after a thermometer check |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Sulphur Comparadun or Sparkle Dun | 16-18 | Use for confirmed cool water and visible risers |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun | 18-22 | Good under clouds when small olives are present |
| Dry | Light Cahill Parachute | 14-16 | Covers larger pale mayflies in riffles and late-day glides |
| Dry | Yellow Drake | 8-10 | Carry a few for low-light opportunities, not as a blind-fishing plan |
| 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 freestone water |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Dead drift or swing through riffle tails |
| Wet | Soft Hackle or Flymph | 12-16 | Efficient way to cover riffles when bugs 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 by taking a water temperature where you plan to fish, not only by reading the gauge. If the water is safely cool, fish faster riffles, pocket water, and shaded seams with an Isonychia nymph, small mayfly nymph, caddis pupa, or soft hackle. Keep the first cast clean, use longer leaders for flat water, and shorten the fight when you hook a trout. If temperatures approach 68 F, switch waters or stop targeting trout for the day.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 183 cfs | 63.3 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 47.2 cfs | 59.2 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.