Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 27, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc have started rising after rain, with cold water, clouds, and improving flow creating a better fall fishing window.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Rainy and cloudy periods, with dries for observed rises
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill has risen to about 187 cfs at Cooks Falls while the Willowemoc is near 40.4 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both remain below the local source's preferred wading ranges, but the overnight increase and cold water improve the outlook. A new local report confirms that insects came off during Saturday's showers. Clouds favor olives, nymphs, and wet flies today, but confirm the gauge trend before crossing.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cold water and a modest rise help, but both freestones remain low |
| Flow | 187 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 40.4 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.59 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.91 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 55.6 F on the Beaverkill; 54.9 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Rising after rain |
| Best Window | Rainy and cloudy periods, with dries for observed rises |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies; dries for established rises |
| Wadeability | Good at the morning level, with crossings subject to change during rain |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for rain, a high near 60 F, and northeast wind near 12 mph with gusts as high as 33 mph. Rain continues tonight and Monday. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Since Saturday morning, the Beaverkill has gained about 21 cfs and the Willowemoc about 4 cfs. A new late-morning local report confirms that the freestones rose and produced insects during Saturday's showers. Both gauges remain below the latest published local ideal ranges. The Beaverkill still offers more broken holding water; the Willowemoc remains thin and requires extra care around shallow tails.
Approach from downstream and inspect each pool before entering. Focus on riffle edges, pocket water, pool heads, and any newly covered bank structure. Rain and clouds may bring small olives, while Isonychias and Light Cahills remain useful seasonal patterns in broken water. Watch the gauges through the day because additional runoff could add stain or make a familiar crossing less predictable.
Hatch Activity
A September 27 late-morning local report supports Blue Winged Olives, Isonychias, and Light Cahills, with the larger mayflies useful as searching dries in broken water and the best hatch window expected late in the day. Confirm insects and repeat rises before choosing a dry.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Rain and clouds may extend activity in soft margins and pool tails |
| 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 nearby broken water before stepping into the channel. Use a short nymph drift or swing a soft hackle through riffles and pockets. 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. Rain and runoff can change crossings quickly; leave the river if depth, visibility, debris, or current speed becomes uncertain.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 187 cfs | 55.6 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 40.4 cfs | 54.9 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 a September 27 late-morning local conditions report reviewed separately for hatch and method context.