Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 11, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are cool but falling, with careful approaches, broken-water nymphing, and targeted late-day dry-fly fishing the practical plan.
- 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 are cool this morning, but both freestones have fallen since Thursday. USGS showed the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls near 353 cfs, 2.25 feet, and 61.9 F. The Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was about 59.0 cfs, 2.04 feet, and 59.4 F. Fish the morning and shaded broken water with nymphs or wet flies, and reserve small dries for trout that show a repeatable rise.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cool water is offset by falling freestone flows and bright weather |
| Flow | 353 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 59.0 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.25 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.04 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 61.9 F on the Beaverkill; 59.4 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling on both waters |
| Best Window | Morning and shaded late afternoon water |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in broken water; small dries for visible feeders |
| Wadeability | Limited. Crossings may be manageable, but avoid walking through shallow holding water |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for sun, a high near 72 F, and northwest wind at 5 to 8 mph. The cooler air helps hold trout-water temperatures down, but direct sun will make fish more cautious in shallow pools. Saturday is warmer with a chance of showers after 3 PM and thunderstorms possible overnight.
River Notes
Cooks Falls has dropped 56 cfs since Thursday morning, while the Willowemoc is down about 6.5 cfs. The Beaverkill offers more depth in established pools, inside bends, and riffle margins. The Willowemoc requires a longer leader and a restrained approach because its shallow holding water leaves trout exposed.
Begin with Isonychia nymphs, caddis pupa, and wet flies in broken transitions. Small olives are useful after finding consistent rises rather than as searching flies under midday sun. 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 useful local Catskills context supports Blue Winged Olives, Hebes, flying ants, Isonychias, Light Cahills, rusty spinners, sulphurs, and caddis. No fresh September 11 local update was available during the morning check, so verify insects 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 | 353 cfs | 61.9 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 59.0 cfs | 59.4 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 recent local public conditions information reviewed separately for hatch, method, and safety context.