Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: August 24, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are in workable late-summer shape, with falling flows, 63.1 F at Cooks Falls, 59.2 F on the Willowemoc, and the best trout window outside bright midday.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning and late day, with midday limited to shaded, cool, oxygenated water
- Best methods
- dry flies, wet flies, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill-Willowemoc system is fishable this morning, but it still needs late-August discipline. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 273 cfs, 1.97 feet, and 63.1 F, while Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor was 70.7 cfs, 2.11 feet, and 59.2 F during the 8 AM check. Both gauges are lower than yesterday morning, and the National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe is warmer and mostly sunny before only an isolated late-day shower chance. Fish early, shaded, and oxygenated water first; carry a thermometer and stop targeting trout if readings move toward 68 F.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Flows are wadeable and morning temperatures are usable, but sun and a warmer afternoon can shorten the trout window on these freestones |
| Flow | 273 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 70.7 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.97 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.11 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 63.1 F at Cooks Falls; 59.2 F on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; current regional context describes the rivers as in good shape rather than blown out |
| Trend | Falling compared with yesterday morning on both gauges |
| Best Window | Morning and late day; reassess midday with a thermometer, especially in slower Beaver Kill pools |
| Best Method | Dry flies and wet flies during shade or rising fish; light nymphs in riffles and pocket water before temperatures climb |
| Wadeability | Good to limited. Many reaches are wadeable, but slick freestone footing and low, clear lanes call for careful approaches |
Weather
For Roscoe, the National Weather Service forecast calls for mostly sunny conditions with an isolated rain shower possible after 5 PM and a high near 69 F. Southwest wind should run about 2 to 7 mph. Tonight drops near 50 F after any isolated early-evening shower, and Tuesday brings scattered showers and thunderstorms. The cool night helps the morning trout window, but today's sun means anglers should measure water temperature instead of assuming the freestones stay safe all afternoon.
River Notes
The Beaver Kill and Willowemoc are in better morning temperature shape than they were yesterday, but lower flows give fish less overhead cover and less thermal buffer once the sun climbs. The Willowemoc is the cooler gauge at the morning check, while the Beaver Kill is already in the low 60s. Start in riffles, pocket water, shaded banks, and broken seams where trout have oxygen and cover.
Current Catskill source context reports the rivers in good August wade-fishing shape and points to the same seasonal mix: sulphurs fading, olives becoming more important, Hebes, white flies, flying ants, Isonychias, Cahills, caddis pupa, pheasant-tail-style nymphs, soft hackles, and Frenchies. That is enough to build a real morning or evening plan, but it is not a reason to pressure warm, slow water. If your thermometer reaches the upper 60s, move to the colder West Branch Delaware tailwater or stop trout fishing for the day.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Current Catskill context supports Blue Winged Olives, fading sulphurs, Hebes, white flies, flying ants, Isonychias, Light Cahills, caddis, and spinner activity in the evening. On these freestones, the practical plan is small terrestrials, olives, and soft hackles through the day, then spinners or larger mayflies if the evening cools down.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Increasingly important in late August, especially in shade, broken light, or damp weather |
| Flying Ant | 16-24 | Useful along banks, foam lines, and quiet tailouts when trout ignore mayflies |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Fish dries, wets, or swimming nymphs in faster water and riffles |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Good searching dry in riffles and evening mixed activity |
| White Fly | 12-14 | Seasonal evening option; check softer edges and tails as light fades |
| Sulphur | 16-18 | Fading but still possible, especially during cooler evening water |
| Caddis | 16-20 | Fish pupa or soft hackles in riffles and pocket water when there are no steady rises |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | BWO Comparadun, CDC Olive, or Parachute Adams | 18-22 | Cover small olives in shaded seams and quiet tailouts |
| Dry | Flying Ant or small beetle | 16-24 | Use as a late-summer bank and foam-line pattern |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute, Light Cahill, or White Fly | 12-16 | Search riffles and be ready for the evening spinner or larger mayfly window |
| Wet | Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail, Partridge and Orange, or Isonychia Wet | 12-18 | Swing through riffles and pocket seams before or between surface activity |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, Hare's Ear, caddis pupa, or Isonychia Nymph | 12-20 | Keep rigs light and targeted in oxygenated pocket water |
| Streamer | Small Woolly Bugger or sculpin | 6-10 | Only worth a short test in shaded banks or slightly stained water |
Tactics
Start early with a small olive, ant, soft hackle, or light nymph in riffles and shaded seams. In low clear lanes, make the first cast count and avoid standing where fish should be holding. If trout start rising, simplify to one dry or a dry-and-emerger pair and lengthen the leader. If there is no surface activity, work a light nymph or soft hackle through oxygenated pocket water rather than slow pools. Check temperature often, stop trout fishing near 68 F, and leave the stream if Tuesday's storm pattern arrives early.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 273 cfs | 63.1 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 70.7 cfs | 59.2 F | USGS 01419500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01420500 and 01419500, plus the National Weather Service forecast for the Roscoe, 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, clarity, and safety context.