A check with the USGS website on Sunday afternoon showed that the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls was flowing at 207 cubic feet per second, just above the Median average flow of 182 cfs but below the mean average flow of 271 cfs over 111 years of record-keeping. The water temperature was 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and heading up, as air temperatures were a muggy 79 degrees, predicted to reach the 80s by the end of the afternoon. The Willowemoc was faring a bit better, measuring at 67.2 cfs or slightly above the average flow of 65 based on 39 years of record-keeping, and water temperature of just about 69 degrees F.
However, those who fish for trout will realize that these are not conditions conducive for good fishing, as many of us have found out this past week with similar weather and stream conditions, with water temperatures in the high 60s to 70s and the Beaverkill in the 70s all week.
The best fishing to be found during these “dog days” of summer is in the Tailwater fisheries, where cold water bottom releases from NYC reservoirs provide a cooling respite for the trout as well as for the trout fishers! Many a hot day has been made much more comfortable after heading to one of these fisheries, suiting up on an 80-degree day only to step into cool water down in the 50-degree range!
Fly hatches have been of the mid-summer variety, such as small Sulphurs in sizes #18-20, tiny Blue-Winged Olives in sizes #20-24 and some Light Cahills. Isonychias have been reported sporadically, this is a favorite hatch that starts back up in September.