Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: August 9, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain a cautious morning-only trout option, with mid-60s water temperatures, a pushy Beaverkill flow, and sunny 83 F weather narrowing the safe window.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Early morning only where readings stay safely below 68 F; use colder tailwater water after that
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry-dropper
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill-Willowemoc report is still tough for trout. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at 1,140 cfs, 3.82 feet, and 64.9 F near Cooks Falls, while Willowemoc Creek was 211 cfs, 2.68 feet, and 63.9 F near Livingston Manor during the 8 AM report check. The Beaverkill is higher than yesterday morning's report value, and both freestones are already in the mid 60s before a sunny forecast high near 83 F. If you fish, make it a short thermometer-led morning session, then move to colder tailwater water for the afternoon.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. The water is technically fishable in places, but warm freestone temperatures and a pushy Beaverkill flow keep the margin narrow |
| Flow | 1,140 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 211 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 3.82 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.68 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 64.9 F at Cooks Falls; 63.9 F near Livingston Manor during the morning check |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges. Verify stain, debris, and edge visibility before stepping in |
| Trend | Beaverkill higher than yesterday's 991 cfs report value; Willowemoc slightly lower than yesterday's 221 cfs report value |
| Best Window | Early morning only where readings stay safely below 68 F |
| Best Method | Short nymph rigs, wet flies, or dry-dropper searching in soft edge water and pockets |
| Wadeability | Limited. The Beaverkill is pushy for summer wading; avoid crossings and heavy center current |
Weather
For Roscoe and Livingston Manor, the National Weather Service forecast calls for patchy fog before 10 AM, then sunny weather with a high near 83 F and northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. That is pleasant weather for anglers but not helpful for freestone trout by midday. With no meaningful rain in today's forecast, the main safety issue is warming water rather than thunderstorms.
River Notes
The Beaverkill is not a casual wade today. At 1,140 cfs near Cooks Falls, fishable edge water exists, but midstream crossings, ledge slots, and heavy riffles should be treated as unsafe. Stay on the bank side of the best current, shorten the cast, and fish pockets you can reach without stepping into the main push.
The Willowemoc is smaller and lower, but it is not exempt from the temperature problem. Morning readings near 64 F can climb quickly under sun and warm air. 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. Stop targeting trout before readings approach 68 F, and use the cold Upper Delaware tailwaters if you want a more responsible afternoon trout option.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Recent Catskills source context still supports Blue Winged Olives, sulphurs, Isonychias, Light Cahills, tan caddis, rusty spinners, tricos, and terrestrial patterns, but the practical limit today is temperature and flow rather than hatch variety. Treat surface activity as a bonus in cool morning water, not a reason to extend the session into warm afternoon conditions.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Possible in shaded slicks and soft seams if fish are already working |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Carry for cooler morning water, but do not chase the hatch into warm readings |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Useful nymph, wet-fly, and dry-dropper profile for broken water |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa and soft hackles can cover riffle edges and pocket seams |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Low-light option where water is still cold enough |
| Trico | 20-24 | Morning flat-water option on the Willowemoc if fish are rising and temperatures allow |
| Ants and Beetles | 14-20 | Bank and shade patterns for a short, cool-water window |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or Perdigon | 14-18 | First choice in pockets, edge seams, and walking-speed current |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Good profile for riffle edges and heavier Beaverkill pocket water |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Fish below a buoyant dry or as part of a short-line edge 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 safely cool |
| Dry | Sulphur Sparkle Dun or Light Cahill | 14-20 | Carry for protected morning surface activity |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute or Foam Iso | 10-14 | Good lead fly for a dry-dropper along pocket edges |
| Dry | Ant or Beetle | 14-20 | Fish tight to shaded banks if water temperature is safe |
| Streamer | Small Woolly Bugger or Sculpin | 6-10 | Use sparingly along stained banks; avoid long fights and warm-water handling |
Tactics
Make the thermometer the decision-maker. Start early, stay close to the bank, and fish the soft side of seams rather than standing in the main current. On the Beaverkill, focus on reachable cushions behind rocks, inside bends, and bank pockets; on the Willowemoc, use a dry-dropper or short nymph rig where you can move quietly without repeated wading. If the water reaches 68 F, if fish are slow to recover, or if you are tempted to fish the Horton Brook refuge closure, end the trout session and move to colder legal water.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 1,140 cfs | 64.9 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 211 cfs | 63.9 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.