Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Fishing Report: June 28, 2026
The Beaverkill is already close to the trout-temperature cutoff, while the low Willowemoc offers only a short thermometer-first morning window.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Early morning only, and only where a thermometer confirms safe trout temperatures
- 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 141 cfs and 66.6 F during the morning check, close enough to the 68 F stress line that anglers should leave those trout alone unless a local thermometer proves colder water. The Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was cooler at 33.2 cfs and 59.9 F, but it is low and will warm as the day reaches the upper 70s. Current Catskills source context points anglers toward the tailwaters as the safer afternoon trout option; treat these freestones as early-only water, and stop targeting trout as soon as readings approach 68 F.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough; the Beaverkill is already near the trout-temperature cutoff, and the Willowemoc has only a short, low-water morning window |
| Flow | 141 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 33.2 cfs at Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.33 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.91 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 66.6 F at Cooks Falls; 59.9 F near Livingston Manor |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; expect low, clear-water caution unless local visibility says otherwise |
| Trend | Flows are lower than yesterday morning, with temperature still the main constraint |
| Best Window | Early morning only, and only where a stream thermometer confirms safe water |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in faster oxygenated riffles first; dries only for visible fish in cool water |
| Wadeability | Physically workable in many spots, but limited by low water and trout stress; avoid warm pools and long fights |
Weather
For Roscoe and Livingston Manor, the National Weather Service forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a slight chance of rain showers after 2 PM and a high near 79 F. Wind should be light from the east, around 2 mph. Tonight is expected to be mostly clear with a low near 58 F. No active NWS alerts were returned for the Roscoe point during the morning check, but the warm afternoon forecast makes stream-temperature checks the deciding factor.
River Notes
The Beaverkill reading at Cooks Falls is the key safety fact: 66.6 F in the morning leaves very little buffer before trout stress becomes the issue. The Willowemoc is cooler at the gauge, but 33.2 cfs is low, so fish will be spooky, concentrated, and easier to overpressure. If you fish at all, make it a short morning session, stay in fast riffles and shaded pocket water, and take a stream temperature where you are standing. Have a cold tailwater backup plan instead of waiting for these freestones to improve in the afternoon heat.
Hatch Activity
Current Catskills context lists sulphurs, Isonychias, Blue Winged Olives, tan caddis, Light Cahills, White Wulffs, and evening spinners. On the Beaverkill and Willowemoc, the hatch matters only after the thermometer check. Do not keep fishing rising trout if readings climb toward 68 F.
| 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 | 16-22 | Clouds can help small olives; use light tippet and careful presentations |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa and soft hackles are useful in riffles before adults show |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Good larger pale mayfly where riffles stay cool enough to fish |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-20 | Last-light option only if a thermometer still shows safe water |
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 under clouds when small olives are present |
| Dry | Light Cahill Parachute or White Wulff | 12-16 | Covers larger pale mayflies and searching dry opportunities in riffles if temperatures allow |
| Dry | Rusty Spinner | 10-20 | Evening option only after another temperature check |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Primary searching pattern through oxygenated riffles and pocket water |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail or Frenchie | 14-18 | Compact mayfly dropper for clear freestone water |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 16-18 | Dead drift or swing through riffle tails |
| Wet | Soft Hackle or Flymph | 12-16 | Efficient way to cover faster water without overworking one fish |
| Other | Stream Thermometer | Not reported | Required gear today; check before fishing and again as the stream warms |
Tactics
Take a water temperature before rigging. If the Beaverkill is at or near 68 F, skip it and move to colder water. If the Willowemoc or a shaded reach is still safely cool, fish a short session with an Isonychia nymph, Pheasant Tail, caddis pupa, or soft hackle through fast riffles and pocket water. Keep leaders longer in low, clear water, land trout quickly, and stop fishing if the stream warms or fish recover slowly.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 141 cfs | 66.6 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 33.2 cfs | 59.9 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.