Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 8, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are cool and falling after rain, with the freestones still low and careful presentations needed in clear water.
- 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 494 cfs, 2.65 feet, and 58.6 F. The Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was about 72.4 cfs, 2.12 feet, and 56.8 F. A new late-morning Catskills update says recent rain lifted the rivers, though the freestones remain low. Check clarity and depth at the access, use conservative crossings, and approach the low Willowemoc carefully.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cool water and improving Beaverkill access are offset by low freestone flows |
| Flow | 494 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 72.4 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.65 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.12 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 58.6 F on the Beaverkill; 56.8 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 only where stain remains |
| Wadeability | Limited. Beaverkill access is improving; low Willowemoc water requires a careful approach to holding fish |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for mostly sunny skies, a high near 75 F, and northwest wind around 5 mph. A late-morning local update is cooler than the official forecast, calling for a breezy high near 62 F, so anglers should expect some temperature uncertainty. Tonight should be partly cloudy near 56 F. Dry weather should let both streams continue settling today, while rain showers are expected Wednesday night.
River Notes
Cooks Falls has fallen about 112 cfs since yesterday morning, placing the Beaverkill near the upper edge of the published ideal general-wading range. The Willowemoc has dropped another 11 cfs and is below its published ideal range. The new local update confirms that rain provided a modest rise without correcting the low freestone conditions. Reachable Beaverkill pools, inside bends, and riffle margins are increasingly manageable, but assess each crossing. On the Willowemoc, avoid walking through shallow holding water and use a longer leader in clear pools.
Begin with a visibility check rather than assuming the remaining storm stain has cleared. If color persists, search close to soft banks with a compact streamer. In clearer water, fish Isonychia nymphs, caddis pupa, and wet flies through broken transitions. The current local update favors nymphs and wet flies from morning through midday, then olives as evening surface activity builds. Larger Isonychia and Light Cahill dries can search riffles and pocket water during slower periods.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. A current September 8 Catskills update supports Blue Winged Olives, Hebes, flying ants, Isonychias, Light Cahills, rusty spinners, sulphurs, and caddis. Carry the reported patterns, but verify the insect and rise form before changing flies.
| 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 cross only where the depth and current are clear. 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 | 494 cfs | 58.6 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 72.4 cfs | 56.8 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.