The old adage “April showers bring May flowers” certainly rang true this spring. After what seemed like an interminable period of dark wet, gloomy weather we are now basking in the sun and thoroughly enjoying the cheerful blossoms lighting up the countryside. Apple, pear and wild plum trees are in full bloom, and the mountainsides are resplendent with color – from the deep dark hemlocks and spruces to the red maple buds, bright yellow forsythia, pale green tree leaves and delicate whites and tans of the shadbush. It’s amazing what a difference a few degrees of warmth and sunny weather can do!

Trout fishers were out in good numbers this past weekend despite higher-than average stream flows, especially along the Willowemoc, where cars were parked along a number of our favorite pools and runs, and fly-fishers were casting their dry flies with some success.

The sunshine returned on Saturday – a beautiful Spring day, befitting of a poignant and bittersweet occasion – a Celebration of Life for Cyrus Ward Blade, who passed on Dec. 21, 2022 at the age of 84. We drove over to the Neversink Firehouse Pavilion where the service was held and were touched by the great number of family and friends who came from near and far to pay their respects and participate in the service.  

Ward was a true gentleman, cherished by all who knew him. He and his wife of 61 years, Sandy, lovingly raised four children in the family home he built and were blessed with eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He graduated from Liberty High School, where he was a noted athlete, excelling in all high school sports. He attended SUNY Delhi and was employed by the New York City Board of Water Supply as an assistant civil engineer for more than 30 years. He was devoted to his family and friends, and was a pillar of the community, serving for many years on the Tri-Valley Board of Education.

Ward loved spending time out of doors, whether planting and tending his apple orchard and blueberry bushes, or gardening, coaching little league games, or playing golf with his friends. He enjoyed photographing animals and nature, was an avid sportsman of hunting and fishing, and was an excellent fly-tyer, having learned to tie flies as a youngster from Roy Steenrod, the beloved NYS Conservation Department Game Protector and DeBruce Conservation Camp instructor, who lived nearby in Liberty. Ward’s skills grew under the tutelage of Roy Steenrod, who was believed to be the “best-known fly-tying instructor in the Catskills,” according to his friend and fellow fly-tyer, Harry Darbee.  

The Celebration of Life featured bible readings and songs performed with guitar and voice, including a song dedicated to Ward by his grandson. A number of family members, friends, and co-workers came forward to speak of their love and respect for this extraordinary man, sharing their precious memories and admiration. It was a true testament to the idyll of living in the country - gathering together, helping family, friends and neighbors - and demonstrated country life at its best.

The service concluded with the entire assembly singing Amazing Grace. A sizeable contingent from the Catskill Fly-Tyers Guild traveled over from Livingston Manor to attend the service, after which they reconvened at the Catskill Fly-Fishing Center’s Heritage Craft Center for an impromptu session of tying flies and sharing memories of Ward Blade. Many of the Guild members had last seen him when he participated in the Fly-Tyers Rendezvous at the CFFCM on September 27, 2022, where he made a number of new friends and admirers. 

Ward will be sorely missed; his knowledge and wisdom kept alive now by those stories and connections that are so important as the years go by and we lose more of these esteemed people with ties to the great fly-tyers and fishermen of the past.