Beaverkill Weekly Fishing Report - August 9, 2026

After another week/weekend with more heavy rains, area rivers and streams have been replenished to above the average flow for early to mid-August. And despite some warm and humid days, water temperatures have thankfully stayed in the 60s on the Willowemoc, from a low of 60 degrees to a high of 69. Stream flows on Sunday afternoon registered 202 cubic feet per second, higher than the median average flow of 33 based on 40 years of record-keeping. The Beaverkill fared similarly as well - ranging mostly in the 60s, from a low of 62 degrees and just touching 70 degrees twice late last week. River levels registered 1020 cubic feet per second as compared to the median average flow of 130 cfs over 113 years of record-keeping.

However, fly activity has been limited, and streams still look scoured, almost “milky” in appearance, and fishing has been challenging, especially with changes in the streambottoms and access due to the flooding on July 29. Hatches have been disrupted, but for this early-to-mid period of August usually include Isonychia mayflies, that tend to hatch later in the afternoon, (which some imitate with Dun Variants in sizes #14 and even #12), various Caddis flies and possibly still some Light Cahills and Cream Variants in sizes #14 - #16, along with tiny Blue Winged Olives in sizes #18 - #22s. In addition, especially after high water and the floods which we’ve encountered, many like to use Terrestrial flies - such as ants, beetles and “hoppers” (grasshoppers and crickets) and others that imitate insects and inchworms that have been washed into the stream.

Anglers reporting success lately have been trying their luck over on the Tailwaters of the West and East Branches of the Delaware, as well as the Neversink. West Branch anglers are finding some fish in the afternoons, using lighter-colored mayflies, while the East Branch and Neversink are fishing better in the evenings up until dark.

For those who enjoy morning fishing, August is also traditionally the time to watch for Trichos to hatch. These are the tiny flies that appear on our rivers and streams early in the mornings. Short for the Latin name Tricorythodes, these miniscule mayflies, in sizes #20-24, can hatch for several weeks. They are a pale gray to olive color with light gray wings, and provide a good consistent food supply. Tricho hatches are generally prolific and as a result, trout are less cautious as they feed. And often, after feeding on the surface for these morning hatches, the trout will continue doing so for the rest of the day.

These tiny flies will require you to fish them on a very fine tippet – size 6X or 7x, in order to float the small fly properly without drag, which takes some skill. Make your presentation the best it can be with as little disturbance to the water as possible, and always strive to make your first cast the best.

Be sure to keep some tiny flies – Trichos and midges in size #20 and smaller - in your fly box from now on. The secret of success when fishing any of the midge-type flies is putting the fly directly in front of the rise – not inches away – as the trout, when feeding on these tiny flies, will not move very far out of position to take a fly. Try your luck with fishing tiny flies – you may find that it will make you a better fly-fisher.

Beaverkill Weekly Fishing Report - August 3, 2026

Torrential downpours that brought six inches of rain resulted in severe flash flooding in Livingston Manor, Roscoe, Liberty, Parksville and Callicoon. After reaching heights of more than ten feet, with the Beaverkill coursing at 60,000 cubic feet per second, and the Willowemoc just shy of 8,000 cubic feet per second early last Wednesday, floodwaters in both have receded.

Rivers and streams, even those that are well-familiar, have changed significantly. If attempting to enter a stream, be especially cautious and aware that there will be areas containing slippery deposits of silt, sand and mud, requiring the use of a sturdy stick or wading staff. Stream banks may have eroded, causing access areas to be heavily undercut and reconfigured.

Receding waters have left behind a maze of newly submerged brush, fallen trees, and trash piles. New slack areas of grassy or shallow backwaters have appeared, some which may contain fish that were displaced from the main river. As the rapid currents begin to slow, fish may have stacked up in these calm backwaters, side channels, and eddies to avoid remaining heavy flows while still taking advantage of passing food.

In some areas “mud lines” (distinct visible edges where murky, stained water meets cleaner water) provide an ideal location for predators to hide. And as muddy waters clear, the scouring of the stream that has occurred is readily apparent, with the stream taking on an almost “milky” appearance, in some areas with familiar moss-covered rocks now stripped clean, bare logs and trees uprooted and displaced.

Despite what some may think, adult trout are not usually swept downstream during a flood. Rather, they enter their survival mode and will instinctively ‘hold tight’ at the bottom, as friction against the rocky riverbed greatly slows faster-moving surface floodwaters. Trout may also seek refuge outward, along the edges of the stream or in sidestreams and newly-flooded grasses and bushy areas, where the currents are not as intense. As can be imagined, heavy downpours will wash tremendous numbers of worms, grubs, and terrestrial insects, such as ants, grasshoppers, crickets, and spiders directly into the water, providing plenty of food and nutrition for the fish. However, although most adult trout will survive, floods can be devastating to the next generation to come, with many young-of-the-year troutlings and fingerlings being swept away.

Here in upstate New York, where the rainbow trout have spawned and laid their eggs in late March through late April (and early May in colder waters) the tiny former alevins are still in a vulnerable stage and are very susceptible to flooding and being swept away. In addition to high mortality of the fry that would become next year’s rainbow trout, there is also the risk of trout being trapped in those temporary side pools and puddles off of the main streambank, leaving them vulnerable to predators or death as the backwaters and puddles dry up.

Beaverkill Weekly Fishing Report - July 26, 2026

After tornado warnings last week that resulted in downed trees and power lines, it’s been a week of welcome respite. Streams and rivers received some much-needed rain, and temperatures reverted to autumn-like 60s and 70s.

The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are about at the median average flow, with water temperatures in the low 70s. Fly hatches continue to be Blue-Winged Olives, Isonychias, Sulphurs and Light Cahills. Some anglers have done well with Rusty Spinners in all sizes, and tan caddis in sizes #16-#18.