Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 23, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain cold but have fallen to low flows; 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 observed rises
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 212 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc near 45.7 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both continue to fall, and the current local report says the freestones still need substantial rain. Morning USGS temperatures remain safe for trout at 56.1 F on the Beaverkill and 53.6 F on the Willowemoc. Use compact nymph or wet-fly rigs in broken water, then watch for isolated olives, Hebes, ants, Isonychias, or Light Cahills late in the day.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Cold water helps, but both freestones are low and falling |
| Flow | 212 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 45.7 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.71 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.95 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 56.1 F on the Beaverkill; 53.6 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening for observed rises |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies; dries for established rises |
| Wadeability | Good, but low water requires a careful approach |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for mostly sunny skies, a high near 64 F, and east wind around 7 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear with a low near 37 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has fallen about 36 cfs and the Willowemoc about 9 cfs since Tuesday morning. The latest local conditions report again identifies low flow as the main constraint and points anglers toward the Delaware tailwaters for stronger daytime fishing. The Catskills freestones are cold enough to fish this morning, but exposed trout and limited holding water make the odds tougher.
Approach from downstream and inspect a pool before entering the water. Concentrate on riffle edges, pocket water, and pool heads where depth and broken current provide cover. Avoid walking through shallow tails or casting repeatedly over visible 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 23 local report supports 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 quiet periods. Use small olives, Hebes, and ants 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 isolated 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 carry 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 | 212 cfs | 56.1 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 45.7 cfs | 53.6 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 23 local public conditions report reviewed separately for flow context, hatches, and methods.