Beaverkill and Willowemoc Fishing Report: August 2, 2026

Quick Summary

The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are better than they were yesterday, but this is still a measured freestone report. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 795 cfs, 3.28 feet, and 63.7 F near the morning check; Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor was 181 cfs, 2.58 feet, and 62.2 F. Those numbers are falling from the late-July high-water event and are more approachable than yesterday, but official gauges do not report clarity and the forecast brings showers and thunderstorms later today. If you fish, make it a morning-to-early-afternoon edge-water session, carry a thermometer, and respect the Beaverkill Horton Brook thermal refuge closure.

Conditions Snapshot

Field	Value
Status	Fair. Flows and morning temperatures are improving, but clarity is not officially reported, wading remains limited, and storms may change conditions quickly
Flow	795 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 181 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor near the morning USGS check
Gauge Height	3.28 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.58 feet near Livingston Manor
Water Temp	63.7 F at Cooks Falls; 62.2 F on Willowemoc Creek
Clarity	Not reported by official gauges; inspect in person before committing to a trout plan
Trend	Falling from yesterday's morning readings of 1,100 cfs on the Beaverkill and 257 cfs on the Willowemoc
Best Window	Morning into early afternoon, before water temperatures climb and before stronger storm risk arrives
Best Method	Nymphs, wet flies, and dry-droppers in soft seams, bank cushions, and controlled riffle edges
Wadeability	Limited. Avoid crossings, fast slots, undercut banks, debris, and any reach with poor visibility

Weather

For Roscoe and Livingston Manor, the National Weather Service forecast calls for a high near 78 F, mostly cloudy skies, south wind around 5-9 mph, and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Tonight has a much higher chance of showers and thunderstorms with a low near 64 F. The practical call is to fish early if clarity and temperature are acceptable, then stay mobile and off exposed water as storms build.

River Notes

The freestones are finally moving from post-flood tough toward fishable, but they still require judgment at the water. The Willowemoc is closer to a comfortable wade number than the Beaverkill; the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls still has enough push to make crossings and mid-channel positions a poor choice. Current Catskills context says the Willowemoc has been falling toward wadeable shape, while tailwaters remain the more consistent trout option for summer. 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. Stop targeting trout if your thermometer approaches 68 F.

Hatch Activity

Official gauges do not report hatches. Recent Catskills reporting and early-August timing support olives, sulphurs, tan caddis, Isonychias, Light Cahills, rusty spinners, and terrestrials once clarity and temperature make the freestones worth fishing.

Hatch	Size	Notes
Blue Winged Olive	16-22	Best fit for clouds and softer seams after clarity improves
Sulphur	16-20	Carry for evening or softer water, but do not wait out warm water for a hatch
Tan Caddis	16-18	Pupa and soft hackles are practical in riffle margins
Isonychia	10-14	Useful nymph and wet-fly profile in faster margins where footing is safe
Light Cahill	14-16	Possible low-light pattern if storms miss and temperatures stay safe
Rusty Spinner	10-22	Evening option only if weather and water temperature cooperate
Ants and Beetles	14-20	Summer bank option for recovered, shaded edges

Recommended Flies

Category	Fly	Size	Notes
Nymph	Pheasant Tail or Frenchie	14-18	General mayfly nymph for soft seams when visibility is adequate
Nymph	Isonychia Nymph	10-12	Good profile near riffle edges and heavier broken water
Nymph	Caddis Pupa	14-18	Useful dropper through pocket edges and slower riffle margins
Wet	Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail or Hare's Ear	14-18	Swing through controlled edge water without stepping into the main push
Dry	BWO Comparadun or CDC Dun	16-22	For a cloudy-window rise after clarity improves
Dry	Sulphur Comparadun or Emerger	16-20	Use only when fish are showing in cool enough water
Dry	Ant or Beetle	14-20	Backup for shaded banks and summer terrestrial eats
Streamer	Small Woolly Bugger or Sculpin	6-10	Only if the water has enough stain and you can fish from safe banks or edges

Tactics

Check clarity and temperature before rigging. If the water looks clean enough, start with the Willowemoc or softer Beaverkill margins and fish short, controlled drifts along inside seams, bank cushions, and pocket edges. A dry-dropper or wet fly can cover water without forcing deep wading; if fish are not looking up, use a compact nymph rig rather than adding weight that drags you into the main current. Leave the river if thunderstorms build, stay out of the Horton Brook closure, and stop trout fishing if readings climb toward 68 F.

Gauge Links

Gauge	Flow	Temp	Link
BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY	795 cfs	63.7 F	USGS 01420500
WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY	181 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, access, clarity, and safety context.