Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 29, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are falling from Monday evening peaks, with cold water and better freestone cover for a cloudy fall day.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 278 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc is near 59 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both streams are receding after Monday evening rises, with morning temperatures near 57 F and 56 F. The added water gives the freestones better cover than last week, and clouds should favor nymphs and wet flies before a possible late-afternoon dry-fly window.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Cold water and improved flow provide a useful fall fishing window |
| Flow | 278 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 59.0 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.99 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.04 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 57.4 F on the Beaverkill; 55.9 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling after Monday evening peaks |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies early; dries for observed rises later |
| Wadeability | Good at the morning level, with caution at unfamiliar crossings |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for morning fog followed by mostly cloudy skies, a high near 65 F, and northwest wind around 6 mph. Rain probability remains near 3 percent or lower through the fishing day. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
The Beaverkill rose from roughly 207 cfs early Monday to about 303 cfs Monday evening before receding to 278 cfs. The Willowemoc peaked near 69 cfs and has fallen to 59 cfs. The Beaverkill currently offers more depth and broken holding water, while the smaller Willowemoc still rewards a careful approach and short casts from downstream.
A current Catskills report lists Blue Winged Olives in sizes 18-22, Isonychias in sizes 12-14, and Light Cahills in sizes 14-16 for late afternoon and evening. Not every pool will receive the same bug density. Cover riffles and pocket water with Pheasant Tails, Frenchies, caddis pupae, and soft hackles during the slower hours, then move until you find insects or repeat rises.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Clouds support a late-day chance in soft seams and pool tails |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Fish nymphs and wets in broken water; confirm adults before choosing a dry |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Carry for scattered larger mayflies during the late window |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Fish a pupa through riffles and pockets before surface activity |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or caddis pupa | 12-20 | Drift 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 only after finding repeat rises in slower water |
| Dry | Light Cahill or Rusty Spinner | 12-18 | Match the observed insect and rise form |
Tactics
Approach from downstream and fish nearby broken water before entering the channel. Use a short nymph drift or swing a soft hackle through riffles and pockets. Change to a dry only after an observed hatch or repeat feeder. Temperatures are safe for trout this morning, but continue carrying a thermometer and stop fishing at 68 F. Morning fog and recently higher water can hide the bottom at crossings.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 278 cfs | 57.4 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 59.0 cfs | 55.9 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 29 Catskills report reviewed separately for hatch timing and methods.