Recent showers and thunderstorms have added some much-welcomed water to our rivers and streams - although we hope for more to keep up the good flows. On Sunday afternoon, June 9, 2024, the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls was flowing at 282 cubic feet per second, which is a hair above the median average flow of 280 cfs over 110 years of record-keeping. The highest flow recorded was 1520 cubic feet per second in 1973; and lowest recorded flow over 110 years was just 96 cfs back in 1936.
It’s been quite a week for trout fishers! Traditionally, the last two weeks of May/ first two weeks of June are anticipated as the best time for trout fishing and catching trout on our Catskill streams. The past week proved to be correct, as scores of cars lined the banks and Fisherman Parking Areas, and reports of good fishing continue to come in.
Even though it’s still early June, fishing seems to be the best in the evenings for dry fly fishing, probably due to temperatures and water levels. Fortunately we’ve had a few cool nights and some replenishing rain. Fly-fishers are reporting numerous types of flies about now, including some remaining Coffin Flies (these are the Spinners of the Green Drakes, and very large, in size #8 and #10) along with medium-sized Isonychias, Light Cahills, and Sulphurs. Tiny Blue-winged Olives are an important hatch, as well as various caddis flies: fly-fishers have a number of flies to choose from.