Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 21, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are cooling and falling after a modest rain bump; fish nymphs and wets first, then watch for late-day olives, Hebes, ants, Isonychias, and Cahills.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening for rises
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 326 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 58.3 F and 56.8 F. The current 9 a.m. local report still characterizes both freestones as low and directs anglers toward nymphs and wet flies before late-day surface activity. Cover broken water first, then watch for olives, Hebes, flying ants, Isonychias, and Light Cahills during the late afternoon and evening.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cool water and improved flow are useful, but the Willowemoc remains below its typical ideal wading range |
| Flow | 326 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 74.2 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.16 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.13 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 58.3 F on the Beaverkill; 56.8 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling slowly after an overnight rain rise |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening for rises |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies through midday; dries for established late-day rises |
| Wadeability | Good at the morning level; verify clarity and footing before crossing |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for mostly sunny skies, a high near 65 F, and northeast wind around 5 mph. Tonight should turn cloudy with a low near 43 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast zone at the 9 a.m. 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 local report updated at 9 a.m. and continues to favor the tailwaters over these freestones for daytime fishing. For the Beaverkill and Willowemoc, check the first pool from the bank before committing to a crossing because same-day clarity was not reported. If visibility is reasonable, cover the nearest riffle seam and pool head with a compact nymph rig, Isonychia-and-dropper combination, or soft hackle. Avoid repeated passes through shallow pool tails where trout have little cover.
Hatch Activity
The 9 a.m. local report lists Blue Winged Olives, Hebes, flying ants, Isonychias, and Light Cahills for the late afternoon and evening. Larger Isonychia and Cahill dries can also search riffles and pocket water during slower periods, but use small dries only after checking the water for insects or rise forms.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Check soft margins and pool tails late in the day |
| Hebe | 18-20 | Carry for late-afternoon and evening surface activity |
| Flying Ant | 16-20 | Use along protected banks after seeing ants or rises |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets suit broken water; dries can search riffles |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Use a larger dry in riffles or match an observed late-day hatch |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, 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, Light Cahill, or Rusty Spinner | 12-20 | Match the observed insect and rise form |
Tactics
Approach from downstream and fish the edge before wading into the channel. Through midday, use a short, controlled nymph drift or swing a soft hackle through faster water, riffles, and pockets. Let Isonychia nymphs or wet flies lift toward the bank at the end of the drift. Late in the day, change to a dry only for an observed hatch or repeat feeder. 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 | 326 cfs | 58.3 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 74.2 cfs | 56.8 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 21 at 9 a.m. local public report reviewed separately for hatch and method context.