Catskills, New York
Beaverkill and Willowemoc Fishing Report: July 31, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are falling from the flood pulse, but the 9 AM refresh and current Delaware-system context still point to high, off-color water and unsafe wading.
- Status
- unsafe
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Do not wade today; reassess only after the freestones fall and clear
- Best methods
- Not reported
Quick Summary
Skip the Beaverkill and Willowemoc for trout wading this morning. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 1,740 cfs and 4.51 feet, while Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor was 522 cfs, 3.26 feet, and 60.4 F near the 9 AM refresh. Those readings are falling, but a current Delaware-system report still has both freestones high and very off-color. Let the rivers drop, clear, and stabilize before trying to match hatches.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Unsafe for a trout wading recommendation. Flows are falling but remain high, and current local context reports very off-color water |
| Flow | 1,740 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 522 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor near the 9 AM refresh |
| Gauge Height | 4.51 feet at Cooks Falls; 3.26 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 61.2 F at Cooks Falls; 60.4 F on Willowemoc Creek |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; current Delaware-system context reports the Beaverkill and Willowemoc very off-color |
| Trend | Falling from the prior flood crest, but not back to a comfortable freestone range |
| Best Window | None for wading today. Reassess after another drop and a visual clarity check |
| Best Method | Not reported for a safe trout recommendation today |
| Wadeability | Unsafe. Avoid wading, crossings, and unstable post-flood banks |
Weather
For Roscoe and Livingston Manor, the National Weather Service forecast calls for sun, a high near 79 F, and northwest wind around 2-6 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear with patchy fog late, and no active NWS alerts were posted for the checked zones during the morning run. The lack of new rain helps the hydrograph continue down, but today's weather does not remove the immediate post-flood wading hazards.
River Notes
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are moving in the right direction, but they are not ready for a normal trout report. The Cooks Falls gauge is still carrying a large volume of water, the Willowemoc remains elevated, and current Delaware-system reporting describes both as very off-color. High water after a flood can hide altered slots, soft banks, woody debris, and undercut edges. 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. Late-July Catskill timing still supports olives, sulphurs, tan caddis, Isonychias, Light Cahills, and terrestrials once water levels recover, but hatch matching should wait until the rivers are safely wadable and clear enough to read.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Likely relevant after flows settle, especially in shade or cloud cover |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Seasonal option for the next safe evening or soft-edge window |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Carry for recovered riffles and pocket seams |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Useful after larger riffles become safe and readable again |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Evening pattern for later, not a reason to enter high water |
| Ants and Beetles | 14-20 | Summer bank option once flows and temperature are suitable |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other | Not reported | Not reported | No fly choice makes the Beaverkill or Willowemoc a responsible wading recommendation at this morning's flows |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun | 16-22 | Carry for the next safe cloudy or shaded window |
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun or Comparadun | 16-20 | Seasonal pattern after clarity improves |
| Dry | Elk Hair Caddis or X-Caddis | 16-18 | Good recovered-riffle option once levels settle |
| Dry | Ant or Beetle | 14-20 | Summer bank pattern for later lower water |
| Wet | Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail or Hare's Ear | 14-18 | For soft seams after the water drops; not a high-water recommendation today |
Tactics
The right tactic is to wait. Do not wade the Beaverkill or Willowemoc today, do not cross side channels, and do not fish from soft banks that were recently under floodwater. If you check conditions in person, stay back from fast edges and treat any off-color water as a reason to leave. Recheck both gauges later, then confirm clarity and temperature before targeting trout. If you need to fish today, choose a safer stillwater, a warmwater option away from flood-affected banks, or the West Branch tailwater only where footing, weather, and water temperature remain suitable.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 1,740 cfs | 61.2 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 522 cfs | 60.4 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.