Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 20, 2026
The Beaverkill is near 216 cfs and the Willowemoc near 45.7 cfs with cool morning water, but low flow and a full day of rain make conditions changeable.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning before runoff changes flow and clarity
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 216 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc near 45.7 cfs at Livingston Manor. Morning USGS temperatures were 60.4 F and 58.1 F, but both streams remain low and the Beaverkill is still falling. Rain is forecast through the day, so the morning offers the clearest read before runoff changes flow or color. Fish nymphs or wet flies through broken water, carry a thermometer, and leave any crossing that begins to deepen or cloud.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Cool morning water is fishable, but low flow and rain make the day's clarity and level uncertain |
| Flow | 216 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 45.7 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.73 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.95 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 60.4 F on the Beaverkill; 58.1 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling on the Beaverkill; stable on the Willowemoc at the morning check |
| Best Window | Morning before runoff changes flow and clarity |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in broken water; small dries for established rises |
| Wadeability | Good at the morning level, but crossings require a new assessment after rain |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for rain, a high near 60 F, and southeast wind from 2 to 8 mph. Rainfall of one-quarter to one-half inch is possible. No active NWS alert covered the forecast zone at the morning check, but the small Willowemoc can respond before the larger Beaverkill gauge shows a clear rise.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has lost another 16 cfs since Saturday morning. The Willowemoc is essentially unchanged and remains low. At these levels, the Cooks Falls area offers more depth than much of the Willowemoc, but shallow approach lanes make trout easy to disturb.
The dedicated local Catskills report has not been updated since early September, so no hatch or method is presented as a same-day local observation. Start below the water you intend to fish, cover the nearest seam first, and avoid walking through shallow pool tails. Rain could add useful flow later, but improvement is not automatic: a quick muddy rise can make fishing and crossings worse before the streams settle.
Hatch Activity
Official gauges do not report hatches, and no current dedicated local report was available. Blue Winged Olives, caddis, Isonychias, and flying ants are reasonable September patterns to carry. Confirm insects or rise forms on the water before selecting a dry.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Check soft margins during rain; no same-day activity was reported |
| Flying Ant | 16-20 | Carry for protected banks and use only after seeing rises or ants |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa can search riffle margins and pool heads |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets 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 | Let the fly lift toward the bank at the end of the drift |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-22 | Use for established rises during cloudy or rainy periods |
| Dry | Flying Ant or Rusty Spinner | 16-20 | Match the observed insect and rise form |
Tactics
Keep the nymph rig compact and use a low approach. Swing a soft hackle toward the bank at the end of the drift, then move rather than repeating casts over shallow trout. Carry a thermometer and stop targeting trout at 68 F. Check both gauges during the day, and leave a crossing immediately if the water gains depth, color, debris, or speed.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 216 cfs | 60.4 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 45.7 cfs | 58.1 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. The local public report was checked separately but was too stale to support same-day hatch or method claims.