Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 30, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are falling, with cold water, 220 cfs at Cooks Falls, and thinner cover on the smaller Willowemoc.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 220 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc is near 48.5 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both streams have receded since Tuesday morning, while water temperatures remain cold near 57 F and 55 F. The Beaverkill offers the better depth and cover; on the Willowemoc, use a quiet approach and concentrate on broken water. Nymphs and wet flies are the practical starting methods before a possible afternoon olive window.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cold water is favorable, but falling flow leaves thin cover on the Willowemoc |
| Flow | 220 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 48.5 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.75 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.97 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 57.0 F on the Beaverkill; 55.2 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling on both streams |
| Best Window | Afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies early; dries for observed rises later |
| Wadeability | Good at the morning levels, with a careful approach on thin water |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for fog before 10 a.m., then mostly cloudy skies, a high near 71 F, and light west wind up to 3 mph. A Special Weather Statement warns of visibility at or below one-half mile in patches before 9 a.m. Use low beams on the drive and wait for enough light to read depth at unfamiliar crossings.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has fallen from 276 cfs Tuesday morning to 220 cfs, while the Willowemoc has dropped from 59.0 to 48.5 cfs. The Beaverkill should provide more connected riffles, pool-head depth, and concealment. On the Willowemoc, avoid walking through likely holding water and fish upstream from farther back.
The latest Catskills-specific hatch report available at the morning check was dated September 29. It supports Blue Winged Olives, Isonychias, Light Cahills, and nymph or wet-fly fishing through the slower hours. A September 30 regional report also lists small olives and the same larger fall mayflies. Treat the dry-fly window as reach-specific and move if insects or repeat rises do not develop.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | The best afternoon prospect under cloud cover |
| 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 | 16-22 | 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
Start at pool heads, riffle margins, and shaded pockets with a short nymph rig or soft hackle. Keep casts short enough to control drag. On the Willowemoc, stay out of the channel when possible and lead with the fly rather than your boots. Change to a long-leader dry only when fish begin rising repeatedly. Morning temperatures are safe for trout, but continue carrying a thermometer and stop fishing if water reaches 68 F.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 220 cfs | 57.0 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 48.5 cfs | 55.2 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 September 29 Catskills and September 30 regional reports reviewed separately for hatch timing and methods.