Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: August 29, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are dropping after yesterday's bump, with 378 cfs and 61.0 F at Cooks Falls, 60.6 cfs and 57.9 F on the Willowemoc, and careful temperature-aware trout fishing.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning, shaded riffles, and evening only if water temperatures stay safe
- Best methods
- dry flies, wet flies, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill-Willowemoc system is more settled than yesterday, but it is still a careful late-summer trout call. USGS showed the Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls at 378 cfs, 2.33 feet, and 61.0 F, while Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor was 60.6 cfs, 2.05 feet, and 57.9 F during the morning check. That is a meaningful drop from yesterday morning on both gauges, so wading is easier than it was after the storm bump, but the day still needs thermometer discipline. Fish the morning, shade, riffle edges, and evening only if water temperatures stay safely below 68 F; respect the Beaverkill Horton Brook thermal-refuge closure through August 31.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Flows and morning temperatures are fishable, but late-summer sun and warming freestone water keep this from being an all-day green light |
| Flow | 378 cfs at Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls; 60.6 cfs on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.33 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.05 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 61.0 F at Cooks Falls; 57.9 F on Willowemoc Creek near Livingston Manor |
| Clarity | Not reported by official gauges; Upper Delaware regional context says freestones are dropping and clearing after Thursday night's rain |
| Trend | Falling compared with yesterday morning on both gauges |
| Best Window | Morning, shaded riffles, and evening only if water temperatures remain safely below 68 F |
| Best Method | Small dries, terrestrials, wet flies, and light nymphs in edges, riffle margins, pocket water, and shaded runs |
| Wadeability | Limited to fair. Easier than yesterday's higher Beaver Kill, but still avoid pushy slots and questionable crossings |
Weather
For Roscoe, the National Weather Service forecast calls for patchy fog early, then sun with a high near 73 F and a light northwest wind around 0 to 5 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy with a low near 52 F. The cool morning is useful, but bright sun will push fish toward shade, broken water, and cover as the day develops.
River Notes
The freestones have dropped into more approachable water after yesterday's rise. The Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls is still carrying enough water to give trout cover, and the Willowemoc is cool enough during the morning check to be in play. The key is not to turn a decent morning into a stressful afternoon trout session.
Official gauges do not report clarity, but regional context says the other rivers are dropping and clearing after Thursday night's rain. Check the water before committing to tiny dries; if there is stain, a soft hackle, lightly weighted nymph, or small streamer can be useful. If clarity is good, terrestrials, small olives, Isonychias, Cahills, and caddis give you the better low-impact program.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. Current regional Catskills and Upper Delaware context supports late-summer Blue Winged Olives, flying ants, Isonychias, Light Cahills or Summer Stenos, tan caddis, and a few remaining Sulphurs.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-24 | Best in shade, softer riffle edges, and any damp or low-light window |
| Flying Ant or Beetle | 16-24 | Strong late-summer choice along banks, foam lines, and quiet pockets |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Fish dries, wets, or swimming nymphs along riffle margins and pocket seams |
| Light Cahill or Summer Steno | 14-16 | Useful as a searching dry and for mixed evening rise forms |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Fish pupa or soft hackles through riffles when no steady rises show |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Late and fading, but still worth having during cooler windows |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | BWO Comparadun, CDC Olive, or Parachute Adams | 18-24 | Cover small olives in shaded seams, riffles, and softer pockets |
| Dry | Flying Ant, foam ant, or beetle | 16-24 | Work banks, grass edges, and foam seams before changing flies repeatedly |
| Dry | Isonychia Parachute, Light Cahill, Summer Steno, or Sulphur | 10-20 | Search broken water and be ready for evening surface work |
| Wet | Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail, Partridge and Orange, or Isonychia Wet | 12-18 | Swing through pocket seams and riffle tails before or between rises |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, Hare's Ear, caddis pupa, or Isonychia Nymph | 12-20 | Use modest weight and target edges, plunge pockets, and oxygenated riffles |
| Streamer | Small Woolly Bugger or sculpin | 6-10 | Only worth a short test if stain remains; do not grind warm afternoon trout water |
Tactics
Start early and stay mobile. On the Beaver Kill, work from the bank first and fish softer margins before stepping into current. On the Willowemoc, cover small pockets and shaded edges with a terrestrial, olive, or soft hackle before adding weight. Carry a thermometer, stop targeting trout if readings approach 68 F, and avoid the closed Horton Brook thermal-refuge reach until the seasonal protection ends.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 378 cfs | 61.0 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 60.6 cfs | 57.9 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.