Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 28, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc continue to rise modestly after rain, with cold water and clouds improving the fall fishing window.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Cloudy and showery periods, with dries for observed rises
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill has risen to about 216 cfs at Cooks Falls while the Willowemoc is near 54.4 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both have gained water since Sunday morning, though they remain low enough to require careful approaches. A new 9 a.m. local report confirms that cooler weather is helping fall hatches, with the most useful dry-fly window expected late afternoon into evening. Confirm the gauge trend before crossing because runoff is still working through the system.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cold water and improving flow help, but the freestones remain relatively low |
| Flow | 216 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 54.4 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.73 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.01 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 57.4 F on the Beaverkill; 56.1 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Rising modestly after rain |
| Best Window | Cloudy and showery 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 the continuing rise |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for showers likely before 5 p.m., cloudy skies, and a high near 62 F. North wind should remain near 7 mph. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 9 a.m. check.
River Notes
Since Sunday morning, the Beaverkill has gained about 29 cfs and the Willowemoc about 14 cfs. The Beaverkill offers more broken holding water and depth around riffles and pool heads. The Willowemoc remains thinner, but the added flow gives fish more cover than they had before the rain.
A fresh 9 a.m. Catskills report confirms Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-22, Isonychias in sizes 12-14, and Light Cahills in sizes 14-16 for the late-afternoon and evening window. Bug density can vary by reach, so move if a pool remains quiet rather than waiting on an absent hatch. During slower morning and midday periods, fish Pheasant Tails, Frenchies, soft hackles, and caddis pupae through riffles and pocket water. Approach from downstream and inspect each pool before entering.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Current local report favors late afternoon and evening; clouds and showers may extend activity |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets suit broken water; confirm adults before choosing a dry |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Use as a searching dry in riffles or to match observed insects later |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Fish a pupa through riffles before surface activity |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or caddis pupa | 12-18 | Current report supports these choices through riffle margins, pockets, 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 late-day rises in slower water |
| Dry | Light Cahill or Rusty Spinner | 12-18 | 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 for trout, but continue carrying a thermometer and stop fishing at 68 F. Patchy fog and rising water can obscure depth; leave a crossing if visibility or footing is uncertain.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 216 cfs | 57.4 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 54.4 cfs | 56.1 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 28 Catskills report reviewed separately for hatch timing and methods.