Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 26, 2026
The Beaverkill is falling through 202 cfs with 43 F water, while the Willowemoc remains very low near 49 cfs and calls for a careful fall approach.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Midday through late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is falling through 202 cfs at Cooks Falls with 43 F water. The Willowemoc remains much lower near 49 cfs, making the Beaverkill the better choice for depth and holding water. Let the cold morning warm before looking for small olives during the afternoon; nymphs and wet flies should be more reliable before fish begin rising. Brown and brook trout are spawning, so stay off clean gravel and leave paired fish alone.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair due to low freestone flows |
| Flow | 202 cfs at Cooks Falls at 7:00 a.m. EDT |
| Water Temp | 43 F at Cooks Falls at 7:00 a.m. EDT |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling slowly |
| Best Window | Midday through late afternoon |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies, with dries for steady rises |
| Wadeability | Good, but avoid shallow holding water and spawning gravel |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecasts patchy morning fog followed by sunshine and a high near 64 F. Northwest wind should build from 2 to 8 mph during the day, with little chance of rain. Tonight should be mostly clear to partly cloudy, with temperatures falling into the upper 40s by midnight. No active weather alerts were posted for the Livingston Manor area during the morning check.
River Notes
Cooks Falls has eased from 208 cfs Sunday morning to 202 cfs today. The Willowemoc remains near 49 cfs, nearly unchanged from yesterday. Both streams are low enough to concentrate trout and expose shallow approaches. Favor the Beaverkill's deeper runs, pool heads, and shaded banks. On the Willowemoc, fish from the bank where possible and avoid repeatedly working thin pools.
Current local context supports afternoon Blue Winged Olives, with occasional Isonychia and Light Cahills useful as searching patterns around riffles and pocket water. The cold start should keep most surface activity on hold until the stream warms. Brown and brook trout are spawning. Do not fish over paired trout, step on redds, or cross pale, freshly cleaned gravel.
Hatch Activity
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | The main afternoon surface opportunity |
| Isonychia | 14 | Use around riffles and pocket water during slower periods |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Possible late-season searching pattern in broken water |
| Tan Caddis | 16-18 | Pupa and wet flies remain useful below the surface |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymphs | Pheasant Tail Nymph | 16-18 | Fish lightly weighted through deeper runs during the cold morning |
| Wet Flies | Soft Hackle | 16-18 | Swing through riffle tails as the water warms |
| Nymphs | Caddis Pupa | 16-18 | Use as a trailer in pocket water and pool heads |
| Dries | Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Reserve for trout rising steadily during the afternoon |
| Dries | Light Cahill | 14-16 | Use sparingly as a searching fly in broken water |
Tactics
Begin on the Beaverkill with a small nymph or soft hackle in the deepest part of a run. Keep the rig light enough to avoid repeatedly hanging bottom in the low flow. Watch pool margins and tailouts after midday, then switch to a small olive only when trout rise consistently. On the Willowemoc, lengthen the leader, approach from downstream, and limit wading. Check the regulations for the specific stream section before fishing during the fall catch-and-release period.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls (01420500) | 202 cfs | 43 F | USGS |
| Willowemoc Creek at Livingston Manor (01419500) | 49 cfs | 42 F | USGS |
Sources
Official sources checked were the United States Geological Survey gauges at Cooks Falls and Livingston Manor and the National Weather Service point forecast and active-alert feed for Livingston Manor, New York. Gauge values are provisional and were checked at 8:03 a.m. Eastern.