At this writing, Sunday evening, it’s raining steadily. After a number of showery days and nights, our rivers and streams are replenished and have been flowing at above average all week. The Beaverkill at Cooks Falls was recorded at 625 cubic feet per second, as compared to the median average flow of 118 over 111 years of record-keeping. 

The maximum flow recorded during this time period was 5090 cubic feet per second back in 1955; the lowest recorded was just 34 cubic feet per second in that drought year of 1962.

Heading into the end of August, the tiny Blue-Winged Olives are dependable hatches, as are Isonychias in the afternoons. But with the high and rising water, streamers should be effective.

Streamer flies imitate young-of-the-year “troutlings” and are often favored for use in late summer/early Autumn, especially in a good water year; consistent higher water levels result in favorable trout growth.

Streamers are larger flies that can entice a hungry trout looking for minnows or young-of-the-year fish, even during a hatch.

Our friend John was anxious to go fishing last week, despite the high water conditions. Seeking water that wasn’t too roily, muddy or discolored, he traveled upstream and decided to fish the headwaters of a small tributary stream. Using a Bivisible dry fly, he started catching brook trout that were so beautifully colored it made his trip even more special. 

He mentioned one brookie whose “amber flanks were visible even under the cloudy water” and whose fins were “glowing orange.” Despite the relatively small size of the trout, it made for a memorable day, adding to one of the pleasures of fishing.

Another noteworthy day occurred this past week, when Agnes Van Put, of Livingston Manor, turned 108 years of age. Agnes is known for her sunny personality and for the more than forty years she has spent as Hostess at the Catskill Fly-Fishing Center & Museum. 

On Opening Day of the Trout Fishing Season, she can be found at the CFFC ladling out her famous home-made soup. Fittingly, her birthday party was held at the Pavilion, on the grounds of the CFFC&M, with 58 family and close friends attending. Despite predictions for heavy rains all afternoon, the weather was perfect and the rain held out until after the party had finished. 

In lieu of flowers, guests were asked to bring along a photo of themselves along with a printed memory of Agnes, or a sentiment they would like to express to her. At the party, photos and memories were collected and put into a notebook. After a champagne toast, with all singing Happy Birthday, Agnes blew out the candles on her birthday cake and was presented with the memory book. 

As the party ended, everyone promised to meet back at the CFFC next year to celebrate Agnes’s 109th.