Heading soon into the last summer month of August, our rivers and streams have received a bit of replenishment from showers and thunderstorms. However, on Sunday evening, the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls was still flowing below the 112-year average flow, with water temperatures registering in the 70s much of the past several days; the next break in the weather is Thursday, with some rain and cooler weather predicted by the end of the week.
Beaverkill Weekly Fishing Report - July 20, 2025
Thanks to fairly consistent rains our rivers and streams are in reasonably good condition for trout growth, running just a bit below the average flow. Temperatures have been cool the last few mornings but by afternoon are reaching into the 70s, sending most who wish to fly-fish on to the tailwater streams, as is typical for mid-summer fishing.
Our morning walks up in the pasture are, as always, a wonderfully refreshing start to the morning. No matter the weather, we’re always uplifted by the cheerful chirps and calls of the songbirds, the bright colors of the meadow flowers dancing in the breeze, the sweetness of wild berries in the bushes and the thrill of watching an occasional bald eagle soaring overhead, its calmness easing the troubles of the world below. It’s a gift to be living in such a special place; and we are thankful every day for the beautiful balm of nature we are fortunate to be able to enjoy, just outside our windows.
Beaverkill Weekly Fishing Report - July 13, 2025
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.