Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 13, 2026
Sunday's runoff has pushed the Beaverkill near 292 cfs and the Willowemoc down to 68 cfs, with both streams falling and clarity improving for a solid afternoon of fishing.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill has dropped significantly from yesterday's peak near 519 cfs to 292 cfs at Cooks Falls, while the Willowemoc fell from about 120 cfs to 68 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both gauges were lifted by Sunday's rain and are now falling into shape. The Beaverkill retains some color but the Willowemoc is clear enough for wading. Small olives, Sulphurs, and caddis are the leading hatches. Partly sunny with a high near 72 F in Roscoe, with patchy fog in the morning and only a slight chance of rain.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Both streams are falling well into wadeable range after Sunday's peak, with improving clarity and steady afternoon hatch prospects |
| Flow | 292 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 68 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 2.04 feet at Cooks Falls; 2.10 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 54.1 F on the Beaverkill; 52.7 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Some color on the Beaverkill, improving; Willowemoc clear |
| Trend | Falling. Beaverkill down from 519 cfs; Willowemoc down from 120 cfs |
| Best Window | Late afternoon |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies in the morning, dries for established olives and Sulphurs |
| Wadeability | Good. Both streams are falling into comfortable wadeable range |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for patchy fog clearing to partly sunny skies, a high near 72 F, and light south wind from 1 to 7 mph. A slight chance of rain showers is possible. Tonight brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then partly cloudy skies with a low near 62 F. No active NWS alert covered the Roscoe area at the morning check.
River Notes
Sunday's rain lifted the Beaverkill from about 125 cfs to an overnight peak near 536 cfs. By this morning it is at 292 cfs and falling. The Willowemoc rose from about 30 cfs to a peak near 139 cfs before easing to 68 cfs. The flow changes are significant, and the Beaverkill still carries some stain from the runoff. The Willowemoc, being the smaller system, cleared faster and should be in excellent condition.
Dette Flies reports that the freestones are in decent shape with the Beaverkill the better option due to improved flows. The report notes that dry fly action is best close to dark, and mentions the current hatch as BWOs, Sulphurs, tan caddis, Light Cahills, Isonychias, and Rusty Spinners. The report also notes that both streams received another round of storms late last night, bringing some color back to the freestones. The Willow is wadeable but still running slightly dirty, so streamer patterns or nymph rigs remain productive.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 16-22 | The leading afternoon hatch under improving skies |
| Sulphur | 16-20 | Mixed in with olives, especially in slower pools |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa can be fished through riffles and pockets |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Scattered larger mayfly; confirm naturals before fishing |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets can cover riffle margins and pockets |
| Rusty Spinner | 10-22 | Evening spinner fall; carry a range of sizes |
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 | 16-18 | 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 | 16-20 | Use only after finding repeat rises |
| Dry | Sulphur Dun | 16-20 | Key the slower water where Sulphurs tend to concentrate |
| 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. The Beaverkill is still falling and retains some color; give it another half-day if the lower sections remain too stained. The Willowemoc should be the better day-one wade option. If clarity improves and repeated olive or Sulphur rises develop late, switch to a longer leader and a single dry. Stay clear of redds and give spawning trout room.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 292 cfs | 54.1 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 68 cfs | 52.7 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 13 Dette Flies Catskills regional report reviewed separately for hatch and method context.