Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 6, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain cold but very low and falling, so deeper pools, quiet approaches, and light subsurface rigs offer the best chance.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 144 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc is near 33 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both streams are cold, but the already-low flows continue to fall. The Beaverkill offers the better depth. Stay on the bank when possible, fish lightly weighted nymphs or wets, and reserve dry flies for repeat rises late in the day.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Cold water is favorable, but very low and falling flows leave little cover |
| Flow | 144 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 33.1 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.35 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.85 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 52.0 F on the Beaverkill; 50.5 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling on both streams |
| Best Window | Late afternoon |
| 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 morning frost followed by sun and a high near 55 F. Northwest wind should hold near 8 mph. Tonight should be clear with frost developing and a low near 36 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has fallen from about 152 cfs Monday morning to 144 cfs, while the Willowemoc slipped from 35.4 to 33.1 cfs. A current regional update continues to characterize the freestones as very low. Anglers committed to this system should favor deeper Beaverkill pools over the thinnest Willowemoc reaches.
Cold water removes the warm-water concern, but low flow makes trout easier to disturb. Use the bank, avoid repeated casts over one lie, and keep clear of redds and spawning fish. Small olives, Isonychias, and Light Cahills remain the current regional mayflies to carry, with the best surface chance late in the day.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | The main late-day possibility; look for activity in 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 |
| Rusty spinner | 12-18 | Carry for isolated late-day spinner activity |
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 late in the day |
| Dry | Light Cahill | 14-16 | Try as a sparse searching pattern in broken water |
| Dry | Rusty Spinner | 12-18 | Carry for fish taking spent mayflies in slow margins |
Tactics
Favor deeper Beaverkill pools over thin Willowemoc reaches. Approach from downstream or from the bank, use less weight than normal, and keep the indicator small. Fish one or two careful drifts before moving. Change to a long-leader dry only for repeat rises. Water 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 | 144 cfs | 52.0 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 33.1 cfs | 50.5 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 6 regional update reviewed separately for low-water, hatch, method, and spawning-season context.