Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 9, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc gained a little water but remain low, calling for quiet approaches and careful use of deeper pools.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 149 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc is near 33 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both streams gained a little water overnight but remain low, with the Beaverkill offering the better depth. Fish lightly weighted nymphs or wet flies from the bank where possible, and reserve dry flies for repeated late-day rises.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Cold water is favorable, but low flow leaves limited cover and concentrates angling pressure |
| Flow | 149 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 33 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.38 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.85 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 51.1 F on the Beaverkill; 48.9 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Rising slightly on both streams after overnight water gains |
| Best Window | Late afternoon into evening |
| Best Method | Light nymphs and wet flies; dries only for observed rises |
| Wadeability | Good at the morning levels, though bank fishing better protects thin holding water |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for sun and a high near 63 F. West wind should run 2 to 12 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear with a low near 39 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
The Beaverkill increased from about 136 cfs Thursday morning to 149 cfs, while the Willowemoc moved from 32 to 33 cfs. That is a useful change in a few pockets, but it does not remove the broader low-water constraint. Deeper Beaverkill pools remain a better starting point than thin Willowemoc reaches.
No current local update replaced the older low-water guidance, and the official gauges still support a cautious approach. Cold morning water removes the temperature concern, but trout remain easy to disturb. Stay on the bank where practical, avoid repeated casts over one lie, and keep clear of redds and spawning fish. Small olives provide the most likely late surface activity, with Isonychias and Light Cahills available as larger searching patterns.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | The main late-day possibility; watch soft pool margins for repeat rises |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets 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 |
| Caddis | 16-20 | Pupa can produce in the remaining riffles and pockets |
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 |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 16-20 | Drift the deeper pockets without repeatedly covering one fish |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Swing through broken water with a quiet downstream approach |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-22 | Use only after finding repeat rises late in the day |
| Dry | Light Cahill or Rusty Spinner | 12-18 | Match isolated larger mayflies or spent adults when present |
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. Fish a few careful drifts before moving. Change to a long-leader dry only for repeated 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 | 149 cfs | 51.1 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 33 cfs | 48.9 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 the latest available regional update reviewed separately for low-water, hatch, method, and spawning-season context.