Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 14, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc carry a useful rain bump with morning temperatures near 61 F and 59 F, making subsurface fishing practical before a late shaded dry-fly window.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning nymphing and the last shaded hours of the day
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are carrying a useful rain bump into a cool, clear day. USGS showed the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls near 445 cfs, 2.52 feet, and 61.2 F; the Willowemoc near Livingston Manor was 95.5 cfs, 2.24 feet, and 59.2 F. Both waters had started easing from overnight peaks by the morning check. Nymph or swing wet flies through broken water during the day, then look for olives, Isonychias, and terrestrials where evening shade reaches the river.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cooler weather and added flow improve the freestone options |
| Flow | 445 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 95.5 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.52 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.24 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 61.2 F on the Beaverkill; 59.2 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling from overnight rain peaks |
| Best Window | Morning nymphing and the last shaded hours of the day |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in riffles; small dries for established rises |
| Wadeability | Good in familiar sections, with care at deeper crossings after the rain bump |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for sunshine, a high near 65 F, and northwest to north wind around 7 to 10 mph with gusts as high as 22 mph. Dry air and cooler temperatures should limit afternoon warming, but gusts may make fine dry-fly presentations difficult in open pools.
River Notes
The Beaverkill gained about 130 cfs from Sunday morning, and the Willowemoc gained about 30 cfs. Their morning temperatures remained below the upper 60s, and the gauges indicated that the overnight crests had passed. This provides more depth in riffles and pool heads without putting either river at a high-water level.
Start with an Isonychia nymph, Pheasant Tail, Copper John, or caddis pupa through riffle margins and pool heads. Let an Isonychia nymph or soft hackle lift toward the bank at the end of the drift. Save fine dry-fly work for wind-protected water and the late shade.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches. The current September 14 Catskills update supports Blue Winged Olives, Hebes, flying ants, Isonychias, Light Cahills, rusty spinners, sulphurs, and caddis. Bright sun should push the more dependable surface opportunity toward late afternoon and evening.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Watch shaded foam lines late in the day |
| Hebe | 18-20 | Match only after confirming small mayflies on the water |
| Flying Ant | 16-20 | Carry for quiet banks and wind-protected flats |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | A searching dry in riffles and pocket water |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs, wets, and searching dries suit broken water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Copper John, or caddis pupa | 12-18 | Fish a compact rig through riffle margins and pool heads |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Allow the fly to lift toward the bank at the end of the drift |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-22 | Use for established rises in shaded, protected water |
| Dry | Flying Ant, Light Cahill, or rusty spinner | 14-20 | Match the observed insect and rise form |
Tactics
Approach from downstream and fish the near riffle edge before wading deeper. Keep the nymph rig short enough to control in added flow, and swing the final portion of each drift toward the bank. If the wind settles and trout begin rising in evening shade, lengthen the leader and switch to one small dry. The morning temperatures are suitable for trout, but carry a thermometer whenever fishing shallow freestone water late in the season and stop at 68 F.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 445 cfs | 61.2 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 95.5 cfs | 59.2 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 the September 14 local public conditions report reviewed separately for hatch, method, and trout-temperature context.