Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 11, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain low ahead of steady rain, with quiet subsurface fishing the practical start and olives possible under cloud cover.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Afternoon during lighter rain
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 125 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc is near 30 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both streams remain low this morning, but steady rain should begin changing the small tributaries before the larger Beaverkill. Start with light nymphs or wet flies, watch for olives during lighter rain, and leave thin Willowemoc water alone if runoff dirties or rapidly raises it.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Low flow still limits cover this morning, while substantial rain may change clarity and safety later |
| Flow | 125 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 29.8 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.23 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.82 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 52.2 F on the Beaverkill; 51.3 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Nearly stable to slowly falling before forecast rain |
| Best Window | Afternoon during lighter rain |
| Best Method | Light nymphs and wet flies; dries only for observed rises |
| Wadeability | Good at morning levels; reassess if runoff produces a fast rise |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for rain throughout the day, a high near 57 F, and southeast wind from 5 to 8 mph. One-half to three-quarters of an inch is possible today, followed by another one-half to three-quarters of an inch tonight. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
The Beaverkill has eased from about 130 cfs Saturday morning to 125 cfs, while the Willowemoc remains near 30 cfs. Those are still low-water levels at the morning check. The Willowemoc and small feeder streams may react first to today's rain; the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls may respond later. A rising gauge is useful after prolonged low water, but a quick rise can carry leaves, reduce visibility, and make crossings less predictable.
No new Catskills-specific shop report replaced the older low-water guidance. The October 11 Upper Delaware report supports small olives as the main regional hatch, with Isonychias, caddis, hebes, and Light Cahills also present. Cloud cover and rain can help olives, but fish remain easy to disturb until water actually rises. Avoid redds and give spawning trout room.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | The main regional possibility under today's cloud and rain |
| 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 deeper pockets without repeatedly covering one fish |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 14-18 | Swing through broken water during lighter rain |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 16-18 | Use only after finding repeat rises |
| Dry | Light Cahill | 14 | Match isolated larger mayflies when present |
Tactics
Begin on deeper Beaverkill pools rather than thin Willowemoc reaches. Approach from the bank, use a light rig, and make a few careful drifts before moving. Check both the gauge direction and water clarity as rain continues. Do not cross if depth is rising quickly or leaves and debris begin moving. Change to a long-leader olive dry only for repeated rises, and stay clear of redds and spawning fish.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 125 cfs | 52.2 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 29.8 cfs | 51.3 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 11 regional report reviewed separately for hatch context.