In our busy, increasingly worrisome world, we frequently find ourselves seeking solace. For many who are fortunate to reside in this cosy corner of creation, far from the despair of day-to-day drudgeries, it is often in Nature that we find our comfort in the countryside; with sights and sounds that soothe the stresses of the soul.

Millie and I began the morning by traveling our timberland trail, crossing through the thicket, and emerging into the misty meadow before the sun rose high enough to cause the fog to fade. All was quiet, and we savored the stillness. Soon the songbirds commenced, a continual chorus of cheerful chirps and calls announcing their presence, and adding additional enjoyment to our morning walk. Millie was busy sniffing, (as beagles do) seeking wild strawberries - those bright red jewels of June hidden among the greenery underfoot.

A few hours later we packed up and headed to the stream to check out the fishing conditions. It was already 80 degrees at 10 a.m. when we arrived. A short time later, standing in the stream, the water registered a cooling temperature of 58, and the din of troubles and traffic dissipated, replaced by the experience of soaking up the scenery. The landscape was lush with the verdant greenery of moss-covered boulders and fronds of ferns peeking out from rows of rhododendrons and hemlocks; with the sounds of the stream rushing over the rocks, and winding its way down past the pool. There was not another soul in sight; the sweet songs of the birds crescendoed with the bright trilling of American toads. Suddenly there was a crash across the stream coming from up on the hillside - surely not an angler daring to make that dangerous descent, or a deer (too nimble for such a noise) - when a bewildered-looking woodchuck burst out of the bushes and landed on the bedrock overlooking the stream! It rested there and remained for quite a while, as I began to cast my line, focusing on the flies, before it bustled away. It was just the sort of respite that was needed, and reflecting on that brief but memorable outing provided a great sense of gratitude, and fulfillment of the desire for rest and rejuvenation.

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum has been alive with activities over the past few weekends; with the Annual Members and Boardmeetings in the Wulff Gallery this past Saturday, followed by guest fly-tyer Mike Stewart of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild demonstrating his tying skills for visitors in the Museum.

And last weekend a sizable crowd of about 100 fly-fishers, fly-tyers, friends and family filled the Gallery to share in A Celebration of Ed Van Put, with fond memories and recollections, fine food and beverages, photo board displays, a powerpoint and live music.

CFFC&M President, Anthony Magardino, recognized Director of Operations, Laura Colangelo, and Director of Facilities, Seth Cavarretta, for their tireless work in facilitating the memorable events of that weekend, including the Annual Dinner and Catskill Legends Awards, and on behalf of the Van Put family, thanked all those who were in attendance “as a testament to the deep impact Ed had on so many lives, as a friend, a mentor, a conservationist and a legendary fly fisherman.” He described Ed’s love for the rivers and streams of the Catskills as being “matched only by his passions for sharing that love with others through his decades of work with the DEC, his writings, his tireless advocacies, and his help in preserving the beauty and vitality of our waters for generations to come.”

Joe Ceballos, President of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, unveiled an exquisite custom-built frame of “An Adams For Ed - from his friends of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild” an artistically creative display of dozens of Adams flies, (Ed’s favorite dry fly to fish with) mounted around the colorful Catskill Fly Tyers Guild patch. All flies were tied by 58 members of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild - each of whose name appears on the back of the frame corresponding with the placement of the fly they tied. This stunning and historic collection was framed by Peter Leitner, and was presented to Judy, after which it will eventually reside in its permanent home at the CFFC Museum.

Joan Wulff, First Lady of Fly-Fishing and creator of the Lee and Joan Wulff School of Fly Fishing, spoke of her close friendship with Ed, stating “no one has contributed more to our knowledge of trout fishing in the Catskills and beyond than Ed, by his books, his personal teaching, and his new book coming out.” She reminisced how, during the 5-6 years she was widowed, Ed would take her fishing, “always in the last hour or two before dark, the best time of the day, and he was teaching me the whole time we were fishing together. That’s the kind of person he was, and I’m delighted we are here remembering him.”

And Nick Lyons, long-time friend, editor and publisher, described how for years he encouraged Ed to write a book of his memoirs - “and he finally did.” Nick said he was delighted to come out of retirement to be the editor of his new book that has just recently been published, and ended with a few humorous fishing stories involving his experiences fishing with Ed.

Judy Van Put is a long-time member of the NYS Outdoor Writers Association, and is the recipient of the New York State Council of Trout Unlimited’s Professional Communications Award.