Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 2, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc continue to recede, with cold water, 181 cfs at Cooks Falls, and thin cover that calls for a careful approach.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Afternoon around passing showers
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 181 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc is near 42 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both streams remain cold and continue to recede. The Beaverkill offers the better depth and cover. On the Willowemoc, approach quietly and concentrate on broken water. Start with nymphs or wet flies, then watch for olives as afternoon showers move through.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Cold water is favorable, but falling flow leaves thin cover, especially on the Willowemoc |
| Flow | 181 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 41.7 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.56 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.92 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 58.8 F on the Beaverkill; 56.5 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling on both streams |
| Best Window | Afternoon around passing showers |
| 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 partly sunny skies followed by likely showers after 1 p.m., a high near 74 F, and west wind from 3 to 8 mph. Less than one-tenth of an inch of rain is expected. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has fallen from 195 cfs Thursday morning to 181 cfs, while the Willowemoc has slipped from 43.0 to 41.7 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 current 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 opportunity 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 and passing showers |
| 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 | 181 cfs | 58.8 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 41.7 cfs | 56.5 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 2 regional conditions report reviewed separately for hatch timing and methods.