Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 9, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are cool but falling, with low freestone water requiring careful approaches before afternoon storms.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning through early afternoon before thunderstorms
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are cool enough for trout fishing this morning, but both freestones continue to fall. USGS showed the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls near 426 cfs, 2.47 feet, and 59.9 F. The Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was about 65.5 cfs, 2.08 feet, and 57.7 F. A current Catskills update calls the freestones low and favors nymphs and wet flies before olives become more useful later. Fish before thunderstorms develop and use conservative crossings.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cool water is offset by falling, low freestone flows and storm risk |
| Flow | 426 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 65.5 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.47 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.08 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 59.9 F on the Beaverkill; 57.7 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported for today |
| Trend | Falling on both streams |
| Best Window | Morning through early afternoon before thunderstorms |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in broken water; small dries for visible feeders |
| Wadeability | Limited. Crossings are manageable in selected reaches, but low water makes trout vulnerable to disturbance |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for mostly cloudy skies, a high near 77 F, and south wind at 2 to 7 mph. Showers may develop after 1 PM, followed by a slight thunderstorm chance. Showers and thunderstorms become likely tonight. Cloud cover may help olives, but anglers should be off the water before lightning reaches the valley.
River Notes
Cooks Falls has fallen about 68 cfs since yesterday morning. The Willowemoc has dropped another 7 cfs and remains below its published general-wading range. Reachable Beaverkill pools, inside bends, and riffle margins offer the better depth. On the Willowemoc, avoid walking through shallow holding water and use a long leader in clear pools.
Start with a visibility check. Fish Isonychia nymphs, caddis pupa, and wet flies through broken transitions. The current local update favors subsurface fishing from morning through midday, then olives when surface activity develops. Larger Isonychia and Light Cahill dries can search riffles and pocket water, but do not blind-cast over every shallow lie.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. A current September 9 Catskills update supports Blue Winged Olives, Hebes, flying ants, Isonychias, Light Cahills, rusty spinners, sulphurs, and caddis. Verify the insect and rise form before changing flies.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | Clouds may improve afternoon activity before storms |
| 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 | 12-22 | 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 |
| 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 |
| Dry | Flying Ant, Light Cahill, or rusty spinner | 12-22 | Match the observed insect in quiet water |
Tactics
Approach from downstream and fish the near water first. Use a compact nymph or wet-fly rig in riffle margins and deeper slots. If fish begin rising, lengthen the leader and present one dry to a specific trout. Carry a thermometer later in the day and stop targeting trout if a shallow reach approaches 68 F. Leave the river immediately if thunder is audible.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 426 cfs | 59.9 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 65.5 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.