Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 12, 2026
Rain lifted the Beaverkill near 519 cfs and the Willowemoc near 120 cfs, restoring depth but leaving fast, recently peaked water that requires cautious wading.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
Sunday's rain lifted the Beaverkill to about 519 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc to about 120 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both gauges have turned down from overnight peaks, but the streams remain swift and recently disturbed. Start with nymphs or wet flies in softer edges and watch for small olives during the late afternoon.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Better depth follows the rain, but swift current, uncertain clarity, and recently peaked gauges constrain wading and dry-fly opportunity |
| Flow | 519 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 120 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.71 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.35 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 52.2 F on the Beaverkill; 51.4 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling slowly after overnight peaks |
| Best Window | Late afternoon, if clarity improves |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in softer water; dries only for observed rises |
| Wadeability | Limited. Avoid forceful crossings and reassess depth, color, leaves, and debris at the river |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for mostly cloudy skies, a high near 66 F, and northwest wind from 3 to 7 mph. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check. Patchy fog may develop after midnight.
River Notes
The Beaverkill climbed from about 125 cfs Sunday morning to an overnight peak near 536 cfs and is now near 519 cfs. The Willowemoc rose from about 30 cfs to a peak near 139 cfs before easing to 120 cfs. The rain restored depth after prolonged low water, but the morning current remains strong enough to make familiar crossings less predictable.
No new Catskills-specific shop report replaced the older low-water guidance. Current regional reports support small olives as the principal hatch, with Isonychias, tan caddis, hebes, and occasional Light Cahills also possible. Give the streams time to clear, work protected margins rather than the heaviest current, and stay clear of redds and spawning trout.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-18 | The leading regional afternoon possibility under cloud cover |
| Hebe | 18-20 | A small fall mayfly that may mix with olives |
| Isonychia | 14 | Nymphs and wets can search riffle margins and protected pockets |
| Light Cahill | 14 | A sparse larger mayfly; confirm naturals before fishing the dry |
| Tan Caddis | 16-20 | Pupa can produce where riffles retain useful clarity |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or Frenchie | 14-18 | Drift pool margins, inside seams, and protected riffle edges |
| Nymph | Caddis Pupa | 16-20 | Fish pockets with enough weight for control, without overloading the rig |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 14-18 | Swing across slower margins as visibility improves |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 16-18 | Use only after finding repeat rises |
| Dry | Light Cahill | 14 | Match isolated larger mayflies when present |
| Streamer | Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Search protected banks and deeper edges if clarity permits |
Tactics
Begin from the bank and fish softer margins before stepping in. Use a short, controlled nymph or wet-fly presentation where the main current meets protected water. Do not assume a usual crossing is safe after a fourfold flow increase. If clarity improves and repeated olive rises develop late, switch to a longer leader and a single dry. Avoid redds and give spawning trout room.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 519 cfs | 52.2 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 120 cfs | 51.4 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 12 regional reports reviewed separately for hatch and method context.