Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: July 20, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are back in a warm-water conservation pattern after both gauges topped 70 F in the last 24 hours; fish only verified-cold early water or shift to the West Branch.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Very early only where a thermometer confirms cold water; otherwise choose the West Branch tailwater
- Best methods
- thermometer-first trout fishing, wet flies, dry flies, cold tailwater
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill-Willowemoc report is tougher today because the official 24-hour temperature series crossed the trout-stress line on both freestones. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 170 cfs and 63.1 F during the morning check, but it reached 71.2 F in the prior 24 hours; the Willowemoc was 33.2 cfs and 57.7 F in the morning but reached 71.1 F in the prior 24 hours. That means the morning reading alone is not enough to green-light a full trout day. If you fish at all, make it a short early session only where your thermometer confirms cold water, then move to cold tailwater.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough for trout because both freestones exceeded 70 F in the last 24-hour USGS temperature series |
| Flow | 170 cfs at Cooks Falls on the Beaver Kill; 33.2 cfs near Livingston Manor on the Willowemoc |
| Gauge Height | 1.50 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.91 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 63.1 F on the Beaver Kill and 57.7 F on the Willowemoc during the morning USGS refresh; both gauges topped 70 F in the last 24 hours |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges |
| Trend | Flows have fallen back from yesterday morning, reducing the short-lived rain cushion |
| Best Window | Very early only where a thermometer confirms cold water; otherwise choose the West Branch tailwater |
| Best Method | Short, low-impact dry, wet-fly, or light nymph work only in verified cold water |
| Wadeability | Good from a footing standpoint in many reaches, but water temperature is the limiting factor |
Weather
For Roscoe and Livingston Manor, the National Weather Service forecast calls for sunny skies, a high near 77 F, and light southwest wind. Tonight turns mostly cloudy with a low near 57 F and only minor rainfall possible. Tuesday brings likely showers and thunderstorms with a high near 74 F, south wind 6 to 9 mph, and a quarter to one-half inch of new rain possible. That rain may help flows later, but thunderstorms can also change clarity and safety quickly.
River Notes
Yesterday's rain bump has faded, and the Beaver Kill and Willowemoc are back in a summer freestone pattern where temperature matters more than ease of wading. The morning gauge values look better than the afternoon peaks, but the last 24-hour official readings show both rivers warming above 70 F. Treat that as a conservation stop sign for most trout fishing today. The summer Horton Brook thermal closure on the Beaverkill remains in effect from Iron Bridge at Horton downstream to the first Route 17 overpass, where angling is prohibited July 1 through August 31. Do not fish refuge water, do not target trout once water approaches 68 F, and shift to cold tailwater if you want a longer trout outing.
Hatch Activity
Current official data does not provide hatch observations. Recent Catskills and Delaware-system reporting continues to support sulphurs, small olives, light Cahills, Isonychias, tan caddis, terrestrials, and rusty spinners, but these patterns should only be used where water is verified cold enough for trout. On the freestones, the right fly matters less than the thermometer today.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Possible in shaded or broken water during the early cool window |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Carry for cold-water alternatives and any safe early freestone window |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Useful searching profile where water remains cold enough |
| Isonychia | 10-12 | Good prospecting bug in faster cold water |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa and soft hackles can work along riffle edges |
| Ants and Beetles | 14-20 | Bank-side option for verified cold water only |
| Rusty Spinner | 14-20 | Skip the evening spinner plan unless water remains safely below 68 F |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun | 18-22 | Small dry for cold shaded lanes |
| Dry | Sulphur Comparadun or Sparkle Dun | 16-20 | Use only where temperatures remain safe |
| Dry | Light Cahill or Parachute Adams | 14-16 | Visible searching dry in riffled water |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute | 10-12 | Larger profile for cold broken seams |
| Dry | Ant or Beetle | 14-20 | Bank pattern for cold water only |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail or Frenchie | 14-18 | Short, light nymphing in cold broken water |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Work faster lanes and finish with a swing |
| Wet | Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail or Partridge and Yellow | 14-18 | Good early searching choice while water is cool |
| Nymph | Tan Caddis Pupa | 16-18 | Dropper option through riffle edges |
Tactics
Take a stream thermometer and use it before making the first cast. If the water is already near 68 F, leave trout alone. If you find safely cold water very early, fish one careful pass through shaded riffles, faster seams, and spring-influenced edges with light dries, soft hackles, or a short nymph rig. Land fish quickly, keep them wet, and end the session before the sun pushes the river back into stressful temperatures.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 170 cfs | 63.1 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 33.2 cfs | 57.7 F | USGS 01419500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01420500 and 01419500, plus the National Weather Service forecast for the Roscoe and Livingston Manor, 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, regulation, method, and safety context.