Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: August 7, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are rising after rain, with warm freestone temperatures, limited wading, and afternoon thunderstorms keeping this a cautious trout report.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Morning into midday only, with thermometer checks and a move to colder tailwater water if temperatures climb
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry-dropper
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill-Willowemoc report is tougher than yesterday. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at 735 cfs, 3.17 feet, and 65.3 F near Cooks Falls, with Willowemoc Creek at 158 cfs, 2.50 feet, and 63.7 F near Livingston Manor during the morning report check. Current Catskills source context reports light rain and both freestones on the rise, while pointing anglers toward tailwaters for the better wading and dry-fly opportunities. If you fish these freestones, keep it short, conservative, and temperature-aware.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Rising flows, warm trout water, and afternoon storms make this a selective morning-only option |
| Flow | 735 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 158 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 3.17 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.50 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 65.3 F at Cooks Falls; 63.7 F near Livingston Manor during the morning check |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; current local context reports light rain and rising freestone water |
| Trend | Rising from yesterday morning's 579 cfs Beaverkill and 137 cfs Willowemoc checks |
| Best Window | Morning into midday before freestone water warms further and storms develop |
| Best Method | Nymphs, wet flies, and dry-dropper rigs in soft edges, pockets, and manageable riffle seams |
| Wadeability | Limited, especially on the Beaverkill. Avoid heavy crossings and stained, pushy slots |
Weather
For the Roscoe and Livingston Manor area, the National Weather Service forecast calls for a mostly sunny start, a high near 84 F, light west wind, and a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM. That keeps the safer trout window early. Lightning, new runoff, and afternoon water temperatures are the reasons to leave rather than trying to stretch the day.
River Notes
The Beaverkill is carrying a lot more water than a normal easy-wading summer day at Cooks Falls. A rising 735 cfs reading means edge water, inside bends, and pockets are the practical targets; skip strong midstream slots and any crossing that requires bracing against the main current. The Willowemoc is smaller, but it is also rising and should be treated carefully around tight banks and pushy pocket water.
Temperature is the bigger trout issue. Morning readings in the mid 60s can move toward the upper 60s quickly under an August high in the 80s. Carry a thermometer, fish only water that stays safely below 68 F, and stop targeting trout before the temperature becomes stressful. The Horton Brook thermal refuge regulation remains in effect on the Beaverkill from Iron Bridge at Horton downstream to the first Route 17 overpass through August 31; do not fish that closed refuge water.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Current Catskills source context supports Blue Winged Olives, sulphurs, Isonychias, Light Cahills, tan caddis, rusty spinners, and summer terrestrial patterns, but today's rising freestone water points more toward subsurface searching than long dry-fly waiting. If steady rises appear in cold enough water, switch quickly and fish carefully.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Best during cloud cover, light rain, or shaded slicks |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Possible in cooler water, but not the safest plan on warming freestones |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Strong nymph, wet-fly, and dry-dropper profile for broken water |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa and soft hackles can move fish in riffles and pocket seams |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Carry for evening only if storms miss and the water remains safely cool |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-22 | Last-light option, but temperature and lightning should decide whether to fish |
| Ants and Beetles | 14-20 | Useful along grassy banks and shade when water temperature allows |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or Perdigon | 14-18 | Good first rig in pockets and walking-speed seams |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Use in riffles, pocket edges, and colored water |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Fish below a buoyant dry or as part of a short-line rig |
| Wet | Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail or Partridge and Yellow | 14-18 | Swing through broken current when bugs are present but rises are scattered |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Emerger | 16-22 | Use only when fish show in water that remains cool enough |
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun or Light Cahill | 14-20 | Carry for protected surface activity in cooler pockets |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute or Foam Iso | 10-14 | Good dry-dropper lead fly in pocket water |
| Dry | Ant or Beetle | 14-20 | Summer bank option if water temperature is safe |
| Streamer | Small Woolly Bugger or Sculpin | 6-10 | Use sparingly along stained banks after rain; do not prolong trout handling in warm water |
Tactics
Start with a short nymph or dry-dropper rig from the bank or from ankle-to-knee-deep positions. Put the fly in soft current beside rocks, inside seams, tailouts, and small cushions rather than fighting the heavy center flow. If olives or sulphurs bring fish up, shorten the target list to one or two safe-temperature risers and make clean first casts. End the trout session when the thermometer approaches 68 F, if thunder is nearby, or if another rain cell pushes fresh stain through the reach.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 735 cfs | 65.3 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 158 cfs | 63.7 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, method, access, and safety context.