For the flyfisher, the Beaverkill River is actually made up of two distinct rivers: The Upper Beaverkill, a smallish stream composed of mostly private, club-owned water; and, the "lower" Beaverkill (or "the Big River"), a medium-sized river that is one of the most famous trout streams in America. (See Map of Beaverkill.)

     The lower Beaverkill begins at "Junction Pool" in Roscoe, where the waters of the Upper Beaverkill merge with the Willowemoc. The river then flows westward for 15 miles, where it joins the East Branch of the Delaware at the village of East Branch. Along its way, the river offers some of the most storied trout water in angling literature:

     Barnhardt’s Pool.... Hendrickson’s Pool... Horse Brook Run... Cairns Pool... The Wagontracks... To step into these waters is to step into the history of flyfishing in America.

     Together with the Upper Beaverkill, these pools, runs and riffles were fished in the latter half of the 19th Century and the throughout the Twentieth Century by some of our greatest and best-known flyfishers and angling writers: Thaddeus Norris, Theodore Gordon, A. E. Hendrickson, George LaBranche, Sparse Grey Hackle, Red Smith, Charles Ritz, Lou Rhead, Dana Lamb...

     Even today, the Beaverkill retains its ability to attract the attention of flyfishing's elite. It's the home river of Joan Wulff and her late husband, Lee, two of the sport's best-known personalities.   And, it continues to attract other flyfishing stars, including former President Jimmy Carter and his angling partner, Rosalyn. The opening day of trout season in New York State would not be complete without a visit to the Beaverkill by the outdoor writer of The New York Times. On April 1, the attraction is due more to the magic of the river’s name than the feisty browns and rainbows the river holds -- most of which are still dodging flotsam from the winter’s run-off.

      While early April may not be the most optimum time to fish the Beaverkill, the river is generally at its best during the early season (late April, May and June), when the Hendricksons, March Browns, Grey Fox, Green Drakes and Cahills are coming off the water.   While it still produces its own natural population of trout, the river also is stocked extensively.  Throughout the river's length there are plenty of no-kill and fly-fishing only waters.

       Low water levels and rising temperatures can make fishing unsporting in the hot summer months, when trout are forced to seek relief in deep pockets and spring holes.  But, the fishing picks up again in the late summer and fall, when lower evening temperatures cool the water and put trout back on the rise.

     The Beaverkill is a freestone stream and can be easily waded throughout its length. The river’s scenic beauty and accessibility are major factors in its popularity. Because it is relatively easy to wade and fish, it can be an outstanding river for the beginner. Yet, its crystal clear waters and fly savvy trout can offer the expert a challenging outing. Whatever the attraction, this river is well worth an angler’s time.