Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 10, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain cool but low, making careful approaches and controlled subsurface presentations the practical starting point.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning and shaded late afternoon water
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain cool enough for trout fishing this morning, but low freestone water limits the margin for careless approaches. USGS showed the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls near 409 cfs, 2.42 feet, and 61.5 F. The Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was about 65.5 cfs, 2.08 feet, and 60.4 F. The latest local report, dated September 9, favors nymphs and wet flies through midday, with olives useful when surface activity develops.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cool morning water is offset by low freestone flows and bright weather |
| Flow | 409 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 65.5 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.42 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.08 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 61.5 F on the Beaverkill; 60.4 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported for September 10 |
| Trend | Falling on the Beaverkill; stable on the Willowemoc |
| Best Window | Morning and shaded late afternoon water |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in broken water; small dries for visible feeders |
| Wadeability | Limited. Selected crossings are manageable, but shallow holding water should be avoided |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for mostly sunny skies, a high near 77 F, and northwest wind at 6 to 9 mph. Bright afternoon conditions will make trout more cautious in shallow pools. Friday turns cooler, with a high near 71 F.
River Notes
Cooks Falls has fallen about 17 cfs since yesterday morning. The Willowemoc remains near 65.5 cfs and below its published general-wading range. The Beaverkill offers the better depth in established pools, inside bends, and riffle margins. On the Willowemoc, use a long leader, stay out of shallow holding water, and avoid repeated blind casts over exposed fish.
Begin with Isonychia nymphs, caddis pupa, and wet flies in broken transitions. Small olives are more useful after finding consistent rises than as searching flies under bright midday skies. A larger Isonychia or Light Cahill can carry a light dropper through riffles where depth permits.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. The latest available Catskills report, published September 9, 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 | 18-22 | Use when fish establish a repeatable rise |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Fish pupa and soft hackles through riffle edges |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | A searching dry for deeper riffles and pockets |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Use a nymph or wet fly through broken water |
| Flying Ant or rusty spinner | 12-20 | Inspect quiet banks and foam lines before selecting size |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or caddis pupa | 12-18 | Control the drift in riffle margins |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or partridge soft hackle | 12-18 | Swing through broken transitions |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-22 | Use only for consistent rises |
| Dry | Flying Ant, Light Cahill, or rusty spinner | 12-20 | 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.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 409 cfs | 61.5 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 65.5 cfs | 60.4 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.