Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 21, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc received a useful rain bump and are cooling and beginning to fall, with good wading levels but no current local hatch report.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late morning through afternoon after runoff settles
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 332 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc near 74.2 cfs at Livingston Manor after Sunday's rain. Both streams peaked overnight and have begun easing, while morning USGS temperatures were 58.5 F and 57.0 F. The added water improves approach and holding depth, but no current dedicated local hatch report is available. Start with nymphs or wet flies in broken water and use small dries only for established rises.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cool water and improved flow are useful, but the Willowemoc remains below its typical ideal wading range and current hatch detail is limited |
| Flow | 332 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 74.2 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.18 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.13 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 58.5 F on the Beaverkill; 57.0 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling slowly after an overnight rain rise |
| Best Window | Late morning through afternoon after runoff settles |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in broken water; small dries for established rises |
| Wadeability | Good at the morning level; verify clarity and footing before crossing |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for partly sunny skies, a high near 65 F, and north wind around 5 mph. Tonight should turn cloudy with a low near 43 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast zone at the morning check.
River Notes
Sunday's rain lifted the Beaverkill from the low 200s into the 330s and the Willowemoc from the mid-40s into the mid-70s. Both gauges have started edging down. The Beaverkill now sits close to the low end of the locally published ideal wading range, while the Willowemoc remains below its published ideal range despite the improvement.
The dedicated local report has not been updated since early September, so clarity and hatch activity are not presented as current observations. Check the first pool from the bank before committing to a crossing. If visibility is reasonable, cover the nearest riffle seam and pool head with a compact nymph rig or soft hackle. Avoid repeated passes through shallow pool tails where trout have little cover.
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 and pool tails; no same-day activity was reported |
| Flying Ant | 16-20 | Carry for protected banks and use after seeing ants or rises |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa can search riffle margins and pool heads |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets suit the increased 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 in slower water |
| Dry | Flying Ant or Rusty Spinner | 16-20 | Match the observed insect and rise form |
Tactics
Approach from downstream and fish the edge before wading into the channel. Use a short, controlled nymph drift or swing a soft hackle through riffle margins. The morning temperatures are safe for trout, but continue carrying a thermometer and stop targeting trout at 68 F. Clarity is unconfirmed, so leave a crossing if depth, color, debris, or current speed changes.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 332 cfs | 58.5 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 74.2 cfs | 57.0 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.