Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 10, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are falling again under low-water conditions, requiring quiet approaches, light rigs, and careful use of deeper pools.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon into evening
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 130 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc is near 30 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both streams are falling and 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 and falling flow leaves limited cover and concentrates angling pressure |
| Flow | 130 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 30 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.26 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.82 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 49.8 F on the Beaverkill; 48.2 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling on both streams since Friday morning |
| 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 partly sunny skies and a high near 64 F. North wind should stay near 3 mph. Tonight should be mostly cloudy with a low near 43 F. Rain is expected Sunday, with one-half to three-quarters of an inch possible during the day. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
The Beaverkill fell from about 149 cfs Friday morning to 130 cfs, while the Willowemoc moved from 33 to about 30 cfs. The Beaverkill remains the better starting point where deeper pools and shaded runs provide cover. Thin Willowemoc reaches call for extra restraint until Sunday's rain reaches the system.
No current local Catskills report replaced the older low-water guidance, but the October 10 Upper Delaware report confirms small olives, Isonychias, caddis, hebes, and Light Cahills in the regional mix. Cold morning water removes the temperature concern. Trout remain easy to disturb, so stay on the bank where practical, avoid repeated casts over one lie, and keep clear of redds and spawning fish.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | The main regional late-day possibility; watch soft pool margins for repeat rises |
| Hebe | 18-20 | A small fall mayfly to consider when olives are on the water |
| Isonychia | 14 | Nymphs and wets can search riffles and pocket water |
| Light Cahill | 14 | A sparse larger mayfly; confirm naturals before fishing the dry |
| Tan 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 | 14-18 | 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 | 14-18 | Swing through broken water with a quiet downstream approach |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 16-18 | Use only after finding repeat rises late in the day |
| Dry | Light Cahill | 14 | Match isolated larger mayflies 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 | 130 cfs | 49.8 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 30 cfs | 48.2 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 October 10 regional report reviewed separately for hatch context.