Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 25, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are cold but very low and still falling; concentrate on broken water 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 177 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc near 37.9 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both continue to fall and sit well below the local source's preferred wading ranges. Morning USGS temperatures are safe for trout at 53.4 F on the Beaverkill and 50.0 F on the Willowemoc. Fish compact nymph or wet-fly rigs through the limited broken water, then watch for isolated olives, ants, Isonychias, or Light Cahills late in the day.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Cold water helps, but both freestones are very low and falling |
| Flow | 177 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 37.9 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.54 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.89 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 53.4 F on the Beaverkill; 50.0 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 very low water requires a careful approach |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for mostly sunny skies, a high near 68 F, and northeast wind of 6 to 10 mph. Tonight should be mostly cloudy with a low near 49 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check. Rain chances increase Saturday, but anglers should confirm any flow response on the gauges before expecting improvement.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has fallen about 14 cfs and the Willowemoc about 2.5 cfs since Thursday morning. The latest useful local report remains dated September 21 and favored the Beaverkill over the Willowemoc because of flow. Current gauges reinforce that distinction: the Beaverkill retains more broken water, while the Willowemoc is especially thin. Cold mornings keep both fishable, but exposed trout and reduced holding water make the odds tough.
Approach from downstream and inspect each pool before entering. 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 21 local report is stale for current conditions but remains useful for seasonal hatch context. It supports Blue Winged Olives, flying ants, Isonychias, and Light Cahills, with the best dry-fly chance near dark. Confirm insects and repeat rises before choosing a dry.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Check soft margins and pool tails late in the day |
| 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 | 177 cfs | 53.4 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 37.9 cfs | 50.0 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 21 local public conditions report reviewed separately for hatch and method context and treated as stale for current flow details.