Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: August 10, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are a tough, short-window trout call today, with improved but still pushy flows, low-60s morning temperatures, and afternoon thunderstorms in the Roscoe forecast.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Short early morning only where temperature stays safely below 68 F; avoid storms and use colder tailwater water later
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry-dropper
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill-Willowemoc report remains tough even though the gauges improved from yesterday. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at 719 cfs, 3.14 feet, and 63.1 F near Cooks Falls, while Willowemoc Creek was 139 cfs, 2.43 feet, and 61.9 F near Livingston Manor during the 8 AM report check. Current Catskills source context says recent heavy rain left area freestones swollen and slow to settle, so do not let the lower numbers alone talk you into aggressive wading. If you fish for trout, make it a short thermometer-led morning session, stay out of heavy current, avoid the Horton Brook thermal refuge closure, and shift to colder tailwater water for the afternoon.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Flows are lower than yesterday, but local context, freestone warmth, and afternoon storm risk keep the trout margin narrow |
| Flow | 719 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 139 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 3.14 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.43 feet near Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 63.1 F at Cooks Falls; 61.9 F near Livingston Manor during the morning check |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges. Current local context points to recently swollen freestones, so verify stain, debris, and edge visibility before fishing |
| Trend | Falling from yesterday's report values of 1,140 cfs on the Beaverkill and 211 cfs on the Willowemoc |
| Best Window | Early morning only where readings stay safely below 68 F and thunderstorms are not nearby |
| Best Method | Short nymph rigs, wet flies, or dry-dropper searching in soft bank water, pockets, and inside seams |
| Wadeability | Limited. The Beaverkill remains pushy for summer wading, and storm runoff can change conditions quickly |
Weather
For Roscoe and Livingston Manor, the National Weather Service forecast calls for partly sunny weather with a high near 82 F, southwest wind 1 to 7 mph, and scattered showers and thunderstorms from early afternoon into the evening. Forecast rainfall is generally a tenth to a quarter inch where storms pass, but thunderstorms can produce sharper local bumps. Warm air plus storms means the safe plan is early, close to the bank, and ready to leave.
River Notes
The Beaverkill dropped from yesterday's high morning value, but 719 cfs near Cooks Falls is still not casual summer wading. Fishable edge water may exist, especially as the river settles, but crossings, heavy riffles, and ledge slots should be treated as unsafe. If visibility is poor or debris is moving, skip the freestone plan.
The Willowemoc is lower and usually settles faster, but temperature still controls the trout decision. Morning readings in the low 60s can climb under warm air, and storm humidity can make fish handling harder. 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.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Recent Catskills source context supports Blue Winged Olives, sulphurs, Isonychias, Light Cahills, tan caddis, tricos, and terrestrials, but the useful fishing window is governed by water temperature, clarity, and safe footing. Treat any hatch as a morning opportunity, not a reason to stretch the session into warm or stormy water.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Possible in shaded slicks and soft seams during cloud cover or light rain |
| 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 edge 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 short safe-temperature windows |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or Perdigon | 14-18 | First choice in pockets, bank seams, and walking-speed edge current |
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph | 10-12 | Good profile for Beaverkill pocket water and riffle margins |
| 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 only in cool stained edge water; avoid long fights and warm-water handling |
Tactics
Let the thermometer and the river edge make the call. Start early, keep wading minimal, and fish water you can cover from the bank side rather than stepping into the main push. On the Beaverkill, focus on cushions behind rocks, inside bends, and soft bank pockets. On the Willowemoc, use a dry-dropper or short nymph rig where you can move quietly without repeated crossings. End the trout session if water nears 68 F, if storms are close, if clarity makes footing uncertain, or if you are near the Horton Brook refuge closure.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 719 cfs | 63.1 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 139 cfs | 61.9 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.