Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Fishing Report: July 28, 2026
The Beaverkill was already above the trout-stress line this morning, and heavy-rain thunderstorms make this a skip-or-switch day for the Catskill freestones.
- Status
- unsafe
- Flow trend
- unknown
- Best window
- Skip trout fishing unless a thermometer confirms cold refuge water below 68 F
- Best methods
- Not reported
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc should be treated as a trout-safety problem today, not a normal fishing report. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 141 cfs, 1.33 feet, and 68.4 F during the morning check, which is already above the usual trout-stress threshold. Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor was cooler at 65.9 cfs, 2.12 feet, and 62.2 F, but the National Weather Service forecast calls for heavy-rain thunderstorms today and tonight. Skip the Beaverkill for trout, use a thermometer before considering any short Willowemoc window, and choose the West Branch tailwater or a warmwater bass and panfish option if you want to fish longer.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Unsafe for routine trout fishing. The Beaverkill was already 68.4 F during the morning USGS check, and thunderstorms bring lightning and fast-change risk |
| Flow | 141 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 65.9 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.33 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.12 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 68.4 F at Cooks Falls; 62.2 F on Willowemoc Creek during the morning USGS check |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; heavy rain may change clarity quickly during the day |
| Trend | Mixed. The Beaverkill is slightly lower than yesterday morning, while the Willowemoc is higher after overnight or early rain influence |
| Best Window | Skip trout fishing unless a thermometer confirms cold refuge water below 68 F; do not fish through thunderstorms |
| Best Method | Not reported for a safe trout recommendation today |
| Wadeability | Unsafe as a practical recommendation because of warm trout water, forecast heavy rain, lightning, and possible quick tributary rises |
Weather
For Roscoe and Livingston Manor, the National Weather Service forecast calls for mostly cloudy conditions, a high near 72 F, and showers and thunderstorms becoming widespread from late morning through the afternoon. Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is possible today, with another 2 to 3 inches possible tonight. Wind is not the main issue; lightning, runoff, colored water, and fast rises are.
River Notes
The Beaverkill at Cooks Falls was already too warm for a normal trout recommendation at the morning check. Even if rain cools the surface later, thunderstorms and runoff can make clarity, footing, and fish handling worse before they make the fishing better. The Willowemoc reading was cooler, but it should still be treated as a thermometer-first, very short window rather than a green light. The Beaverkill's Horton Brook thermal refuge closure remains in place from Iron Bridge at Horton downstream to the first Route 17 overpass, where angling is prohibited July 1 through August 31. Stay out of that closed reach and do not pressure trout stacked near cold tributary mouths.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Current Catskill and Delaware-system context keeps small olives, sulphurs, tan caddis, Isonychias, Light Cahills, spinners, and terrestrials in the late-July mix, but hatch matching is secondary today. Warm water and storms should drive the decision.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Possible under clouds or rain, but fish only if water temperature and storm safety are acceptable |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Carry only for verified cold water; do not use a hatch to justify fishing 68 F-plus trout water |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Secondary riffle option if a safe cold-water window exists |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Larger profile for fast, oxygenated water only if temperatures are safe |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Evening option only if storms pass and a thermometer confirms trout-safe water |
| Ants and Beetles | 14-20 | Terrestrial fishing is a low priority under today's rain and temperature constraints |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun | 16-22 | Only for verified cold water below the trout-stress range |
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun or Comparadun | 16-20 | Do not fish this hatch if the water is near or above 68 F |
| Dry | Elk Hair Caddis or X-Caddis | 16-18 | Secondary option in cold, oxygenated riffles |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute | 10-14 | Use only if a safe temperature window exists |
| Wet | Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail or Soft Hackle Hare's Ear | 14-18 | Swing lightly in cold riffles only; avoid extended fights |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail or Frenchie | 14-18 | Not a midday trout recommendation today |
| Other | Small popper or foam terrestrial for warmwater species | 6-12 | Better choice if you switch to bass or panfish instead of stressing trout |
Tactics
The best trout tactic is restraint. If you check the Beaverkill and see 68 F or warmer, do not target trout. If the Willowemoc is still safely cool in a shaded reach, keep any fishing short, use light-pressure presentations, land fish quickly, and stop as soon as temperatures rise or storms approach. Do not enter the Horton thermal refuge closure, do not crowd cold tributary mouths, and leave the stream during thunder or hard runoff.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 141 cfs | 68.4 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 65.9 cfs | 62.2 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, method, access, and safety context.