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Another option is the Covered Bridge Campground on the Willowemoc in Livingston Manor. Terry's on the East Branch is another fisherman friendly campground. Late May is peak season so reservations are a good idea.

Late May/Early June is when the hatches on the freestone streams are at their peak. The tailwaters warm earlier and are cool in the summer, but late May is hatch time on the free stones. Where to go depends on weather, hatches, scenery, wind, time of day (direction of valleys matters - some parts will be in shade earlier than others) etc but here are a few comments. Beaverkill and Willowemoc No-Kill Sections are classics and are mainly brown trout water- the Willow is a little smaller and less crowded and I like it better. Cairn's Pool on the Beaverkill may be a zoo, but you have to stop there once. As always, a little walk can get you away from crowds. I like the lower No-Kill on the Beaverkill by Acid Factory and the Sunoco Station and Barnhart's at the top of the upper No-Kill. It's not hard to travel up and down the whole length of the No-Kill sections of the Willow and the Beaverkill. When you see a cloud of bugs - stop. By the concentrations of fly fishermen you may not think so, but the trout in the open areas will take flies too.

The upper parts of the Willow above DeBruce start to have more of a mountain feel, but the fish are smaller in the less fertile upstream areas (a 12" fish is a large one) and there are more brookies. A lot of public access up there, even though it may not seem like it (a notable exception is the DeBruce Club Water). There are other small streams around if you ask and don't mind exploring. That's where the brookies will be.

I like the Neversink Gorge - it is really special. I was a whitewater canoeist and the middle section is a Class V run. I also have relatives in the area and until the 1980's it was private club water - so the forbidden fruit attraction was there for me. There are a number of people that love it, but the walk in stops many. Occasionally there are trotliners down there. The gorge is right at the transition where it is about half browns and half smallies - and all grow big and tough. It's not stocked down there, so it is more a quality experience than a quantity experience. You head east on Rte 17 to the Red Hill exit to get to the most popular trail head. Upstream of Monticello along Rte 42 the Neversink is less scenic and is crammed with Orthodox camps, but doesn't draw many fly guys and does hold good fishing and a lot of public access. My TU chapter guys are slowly drifting to the Neversink due to the crowds on the Beaverkill and Willow. A section of the Neversink main stem called Camp Pines above the reservoir is going public and will give a taste of the Neversink of old (the main stem above the reservoir has been all private for generations).

Roscoe is full of fly shops with Beaverkill Angler, Baxter House, and Catskill Flies being good. All have character and have friends and detractors as a result. Stop in them all and make up your own mind - it's part of the experience. The Fly Fishing Museum in Livingston Manor is also a good stop when the fishing is slow. One of the few places you will get to see a Murphy fly rod. Last time I was there you could still buy materials from Lee Wulff's or Poul Jorgenson's stock. Check the events - they have a good slate of tiers with strong Catskill roots. The water right in front of the museum is also good fishing.

What to do if it rains? The small upstream areas like Mongaup Creek and the upper Willowemoc will clear earlier. Also, the top seven miles of the East Branch of the Delaware tailwater is mostly release water so it will stay clear. It is my favorite tailwater anyway. Most tailwater guys seem to like the West Branch more, but the upper E Branch is like a giant spring creek in a tight mountain valley. The WB is about an hour from Roscoe on 17 west. The upper East Branch is only 20 minutes away over Wildcat Mtn on Rte 206 North. The Neversink is about 45 minutes away from Roscoe on 17 east.

The temptation to stick with a spot may be strong, but I suggest exploring. You will learn new things and different spots will be better depending on time of day/hatches/conditions.