Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 22, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are cold but falling back into low water; fish broken water carefully and save small dries for established late-day rises.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening for rises
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 248 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc near 54.4 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both are falling after Sunday's modest rain bump, and the current local report again describes the freestones as needing substantial rain. Morning USGS temperatures remain safe for trout at 59.0 F on the Beaverkill and 56.7 F on the Willowemoc. Fish compact nymph or wet-fly rigs in faster water, then watch for a late-day olive, Hebe, ant, Isonychia, or Light Cahill window.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Cold water is helpful, but both freestones are low and falling |
| Flow | 248 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 54.4 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.87 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.01 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 59.0 F on the Beaverkill; 56.7 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling after Sunday's modest rise |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening for rises |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies; dries for established late-day rises |
| Wadeability | Good, but low water requires a careful approach |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for mostly cloudy skies, a high near 63 F, and east wind of 2 to 6 mph. Rain probability stays near zero. Tonight should remain mostly cloudy with a low near 40 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast zone at the morning check.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has fallen roughly 80 cfs from Monday morning, and the Willowemoc has dropped about 20 cfs. The current local report says both freestones still need significant rain and identifies the Delaware tailwaters as the stronger daytime option. Anglers choosing these streams should treat low flow as the main constraint even though morning temperatures are favorable.
Approach pools from downstream and remain on the bank long enough to check clarity, insects, and fish position. Start at riffle edges, pocket water, and pool heads where broken current gives trout cover. Avoid walking through shallow tails or making repeated drifts over the same exposed fish. A larger Isonychia or Cahill dry can carry a small dropper in riffled water, while smooth pools call for longer leaders and fewer casts.
Hatch Activity
The September 22 local report lists Blue Winged Olives, Hebes, flying ants, Isonychias, and Light Cahills for late afternoon and evening. Larger Isonychia and Cahill dries can search broken water during slower periods; use the small patterns only after finding insects or repeated rises.
| 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 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 hatch |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or caddis pupa | 12-18 | Use 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
Fish upstream with a low profile and cover the nearest broken water before stepping into the channel. Through midday, use a short nymph drift or swing a soft hackle through riffles and pockets. Let an Isonychia nymph or wet fly lift toward the bank at the end of the drift. Change to a dry only for an observed hatch or repeat feeder. Morning temperatures are safe, but keep carrying a thermometer and stop targeting trout at 68 F. Leave a crossing if depth, visibility, debris, or current speed is uncertain.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 248 cfs | 59.0 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 54.4 cfs | 56.7 F | USGS 01419500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01420500 and 01419500, plus the National Weather Service forecast and active alert feed for the Roscoe, NY area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with the September 22 at 9 a.m. local public report reviewed separately for flow context, hatches, and methods.