Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 5, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain cold but very low, with falling flow, bright skies, and gusty wind favoring careful subsurface fishing.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon in sheltered pools
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 152 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc is near 35 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both streams are cold, but the water remains very low and the Beaverkill is still falling. Northwest wind gusting to 25 mph adds another presentation problem. Choose deeper Beaverkill pools, keep out of the channel, and fish lightly weighted nymphs or wets before looking for sheltered late-day rises.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Cold water is favorable, but very low flow, bright periods, and gusty wind limit cover and presentation |
| Flow | 152 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 35.4 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.40 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.87 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 56.5 F on the Beaverkill; 54.9 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling on the Beaverkill; nearly stable at a very low level on the Willowemoc |
| Best Window | Late afternoon in sheltered pools |
| Best Method | Light nymphs and wet flies; dries only for observed rises |
| Wadeability | Good at the morning levels, but bank fishing and a quiet approach protect thin holding water |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for a high near 59 F with mostly sunny skies. Northwest wind should run 7 to 14 mph with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy with a low near 37 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has fallen from roughly 159 cfs Sunday morning to 152 cfs. The Willowemoc remains near 35.4 cfs. A current regional update characterizes the freestones as very low and directs anglers toward the better-flowing tailwaters. For anglers who stay on the Beaverkill-Willowemoc system, the Beaverkill offers the better depth and connected holding water.
Use the bank whenever possible and make the first drift count. Deeper pools, shaded pockets, and broken riffle margins offer the most cover. Small olives, Isonychias, and Light Cahills are current regional patterns to carry, but wind and sun may keep surface activity brief and localized.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | A reported late-day regional hatch; look for activity in sheltered soft water |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and larger dries can search riffles and pocket water |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | A sparse larger mayfly; confirm naturals before fishing the dry |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or Frenchie | 12-20 | Use a light rig through pool heads, shaded pockets, and riffle margins |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Swing through broken water without repeatedly covering one lie |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-22 | Use only after finding repeat rises in sheltered water |
| Dry | Light Cahill | 14-16 | Try as a sparse searching pattern in broken water |
Tactics
Favor deeper Beaverkill pools over the thinnest Willowemoc reaches. Approach from downstream or from the bank, use less weight than normal, and keep the indicator small. Shelter from the northwest wind behind bends and wooded banks. Change to a long-leader dry only for repeat rises. Temperatures are safe for trout this morning, but avoid redds and give spawning fish room.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 152 cfs | 56.5 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 35.4 cfs | 54.9 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 an October 5 regional update reviewed separately for low-water, hatch, and method context.