Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 7, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are cooler and still falling, with improving access but continued caution around Beaverkill crossings.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning and shaded afternoon water after checking clarity
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies, streamers
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc continue to fall and remain cool enough for trout fishing this morning. USGS showed the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls near 606 cfs, 2.91 feet, and 59 F. The Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was about 83.5 cfs, 2.18 feet, and 57.7 F. The Beaverkill is still above the locally published ideal general-wading range, while the Willowemoc is now below its ideal range. Check clarity and depth at the access, avoid ambitious Beaverkill crossings, and look for the best opportunity in shaded seams and deeper pools.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cool, falling water is fishable, but uneven access and limited current local detail reduce confidence |
| Flow | 606 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 83.5 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.91 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.18 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 59 F on the Beaverkill; 57.7 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported for today |
| Trend | Falling on both streams |
| Best Window | Morning and shaded afternoon water after checking clarity |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in riffle margins; small dries for visible feeders; streamers where stain remains |
| Wadeability | Limited. The Beaverkill still warrants conservative crossings; the low Willowemoc requires a careful approach to holding water |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for sunny skies, a high near 72 F, and northwest wind at 2 to 7 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear near 49 F, with patchy fog possible after 3 AM. The cool, dry weather should help both streams continue settling without creating an immediate afternoon temperature concern.
River Notes
Cooks Falls has fallen about 173 cfs since yesterday morning, and the Willowemoc has dropped roughly 20 cfs. The Beaverkill current remains strong enough to make long crossings a poor choice, but bank-accessible pools, inside bends, and riffle margins should be increasingly manageable. The Willowemoc is easier to inspect but is low enough that careless wading can disturb holding trout.
Today's detailed local river update was not available during the morning check. Begin with a visibility check rather than assuming the remaining storm stain has cleared. If the water is still colored, search close to soft banks with a compact streamer. In clearer water, fish Isonychia nymphs, caddis pupa, and wet flies through broken transitions. Reserve dry flies for observed ants, olives, or larger mayflies.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. The latest useful Catskills hatch context supports Blue Winged Olives, tan caddis, Light Cahills, Isonychias, rusty spinners, and flying ants. Because no detailed September 7 local river update was available at the morning check, treat these as patterns to carry and verify the actual activity before fishing them.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Check shaded margins and softer water |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Fish pupa and soft hackles through riffle edges |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Carry for larger late-day mayflies |
| Isonychia | 10-14 | Use a nymph or wet fly as a searching pattern |
| Flying Ant or rusty spinner | 10-22 | Inspect foam lines and quiet banks before selecting size |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or caddis pupa | 10-18 | Control the drift in riffle margins and slower current |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or partridge soft hackle | 10-18 | Swing through broken transitions |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 16-22 | Use only for consistent rises in sheltered water |
| Dry | Flying Ant, Light Cahill, or rusty spinner | 10-22 | Match the observed insect in quiet banks or evening slicks |
| Streamer | Black, olive, or white Woolly Bugger or sparse sculpin | 4-8 | Cover soft banks only where visibility and depth support it |
Tactics
Inspect color, depth, and current from shore before rigging. On the Beaverkill, work reachable edges and postpone long crossings while Cooks Falls remains above the published ideal range. On the Willowemoc, approach from downstream and avoid walking through shallow holding water. Use a compact nymph or wet-fly rig where the water is clear. If stain remains, fish a visible streamer close to banks and soft seams. Carry a thermometer later in the day and stop targeting trout if a shallow reach approaches 68 F.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 606 cfs | 59 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 83.5 cfs | 57.7 F | USGS 01419500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01420500 and 01419500, plus the National Weather Service forecast for the Livingston Manor and Roscoe, NY area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with local public conditions information reviewed separately for hatch, method, and safety context.