Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: October 27, 2026
The Beaverkill is slowly falling through 198 cfs with 47 F water, while the Willowemoc remains very low near 49 cfs and requires 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 slowly falling through 198 cfs at Cooks Falls with 47 F water. The Willowemoc remains much lower near 49 cfs, leaving the Beaverkill with better depth and more dependable holding water. Nymphs and wet flies should cover the cold morning, with the best chance for small olives from midday through late afternoon. Brown and brook trout are spawning, so avoid clean gravel and leave paired fish alone.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair due to low freestone flows |
| Flow | 198 cfs at Cooks Falls at 7:00 a.m. EDT |
| Water Temp | 47 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 sunshine, a high near 56 F, and light north wind around 3 mph. Tonight should be mostly clear and cold, with a low near 31 F. Wednesday should become partly sunny with a high near 59 F. No active weather alerts were posted for the Livingston Manor area during the morning check.
River Notes
Cooks Falls has eased from 202 cfs Monday morning to 198 cfs today. The Willowemoc is nearly unchanged near 49 cfs. The Beaverkill warmed from roughly 43 F yesterday morning to 47 F today, which may bring subsurface activity forward, but the low flow still concentrates trout and exposes poor approaches. Favor deeper runs, pool heads, and shaded banks on the Beaverkill. Fish from the bank where possible on the Willowemoc and leave thin pools alone.
Recent late-season context supports small Blue Winged Olives during the afternoon, with occasional Isonychia and Light Cahills useful as searching patterns around riffles and pocket water. 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 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) | 198 cfs | 47 F | USGS |
| Willowemoc Creek at Livingston Manor (01419500) | 49 cfs | 46 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 8:02 a.m. Eastern.