Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Fishing Report: July 30, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are falling from yesterday's flood, but both remain too high for a responsible trout recommendation this morning.
- Status
- unsafe
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Do not fish today; let the freestones fall and clear after flooding
- Best methods
- Not reported
Quick Summary
Skip the Beaverkill and Willowemoc again today. The rivers are falling hard from yesterday's flood, but the morning USGS check still showed 3,440 cfs and 6.11 feet at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls, with Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor at 1,460 cfs, 4.33 feet, and 60.6 F. National Weather Service alerts had cleared at the morning check, but these are still high runoff conditions, not a safe wading window. Let the freestones drop, clear, and settle before reassessing trout fishing.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Unsafe for a trout recommendation. Flood warnings have ended, but both streams remain high after major runoff |
| Flow | 3,440 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 1,460 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor during the 8 AM check |
| Gauge Height | 6.11 feet at Cooks Falls; 4.33 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 61.0 F at Cooks Falls; 60.6 F on Willowemoc Creek |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; current Delaware public source context still described the Beaverkill and Willowemoc as high and very off color |
| Trend | Falling from yesterday's flood, but not yet back to a practical fishing range |
| Best Window | None today. Wait for flows and clarity to recover |
| Best Method | Not reported for a safe trout recommendation today |
| Wadeability | Unsafe. Do not wade, float, or fish from unstable flooded banks |
Weather
For Roscoe and Livingston Manor, the National Weather Service forecast calls for a high near 74 F with north wind around 7 mph. A chance of showers and thunderstorms continues through the day, with less than a tenth of an inch of new rain expected, and tonight has another shower or storm chance before patchy fog. There were no active NWS alerts for the point forecast during the morning check, but additional showers can slow the drop or add fresh color to already high freestones.
River Notes
This is a recovery day, not a fishing day, for the Beaverkill and Willowemoc. The gauges are much lower than yesterday's flood readings, which is good news for the watershed, but the current numbers are still well above comfortable wading and the banks may be soft, changed, or undercut. High post-flood water can carry debris and hide new hazards even after official warnings expire. The Beaverkill's Horton Brook thermal refuge closure also remains in place from Iron Bridge at Horton downstream to the first Route 17 overpass, where angling is prohibited July 1 through August 31.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Current Catskill and Delaware-system context still places small olives, sulphurs, tan caddis, Isonychias, Light Cahills, spinners, and terrestrials in the late-July mix, but hatch matching is secondary to safety today. Carry these patterns for the next fishable window, not as a reason to enter high, off-color water.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Likely relevant after showers and clouds once flows become safe |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Seasonal option after the freestones drop and regain clarity |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Carry for recovered riffles and seams |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Useful in faster oxygenated water after flows stabilize |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Evening option only after the system clears and wading is safe |
| Ants and Beetles | 14-20 | Summer terrestrial backup for later, lower water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other | Not reported | Not reported | No fly recommendation is appropriate for the Beaverkill or Willowemoc while post-flood conditions remain unsafe |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun | 16-22 | Carry after flows recover and fish begin working soft edges |
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun or Comparadun | 16-20 | Seasonal option only after clarity returns |
| Dry | Elk Hair Caddis or X-Caddis | 16-18 | Future riffle option once the streams stabilize |
| Wet | Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail or Hare's Ear | 14-18 | For recovered flows only; not a high-water recommendation today |
| Streamer | Not reported | Not reported | Do not use streamer fishing as a reason to enter unsafe runoff |
Tactics
The best tactic is patience. Do not wade the Beaverkill or Willowemoc, do not fish from soft flooded banks, and do not cross areas that were under floodwater yesterday. A falling hydrograph is encouraging, but it does not mean safe footing, clear water, or stable banks have returned. Recheck the Cooks Falls and Livingston Manor gauges later, then confirm clarity and water temperature before targeting trout. If you need to fish today, choose a safe stillwater, a warmwater option away from flood-affected tributaries, or the West Branch tailwater only where the river and weather remain stable.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 3,440 cfs | 61.0 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 1,460 cfs | 60.6 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, access, clarity, and safety context.