Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 1, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc continue to fall, with cold water, 195 cfs at Cooks Falls, and increasingly thin cover on the Willowemoc.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 195 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc is near 43 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both streams continue to recede, while morning water temperatures remain favorable near 59 F and 57 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 start before a possible afternoon olive window.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cold water is favorable, but falling flow leaves thin cover, especially on the Willowemoc |
| Flow | 195 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 43.0 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.63 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.93 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 59.2 F on the Beaverkill; 56.8 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 a slight chance of morning showers, then mostly cloudy skies, a high near 71 F, and southwest wind from 1 to 5 mph. Rainfall should remain below one-tenth of an inch. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has fallen from 220 cfs Wednesday morning to 195 cfs, while the Willowemoc has dropped from 48.5 to 43.0 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 October 1 regional report lists small olives, Light Cahills, hebes, Isonychias, and tan caddis. It does not give stream-specific surface activity for the Beaverkill or Willowemoc, so treat the dry-fly window as reach-specific. Move if insects or repeat rises do not develop.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-20 | 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 | 195 cfs | 59.2 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 43.0 cfs | 56.8 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 an October 1 regional conditions report reviewed separately for hatch timing and methods.