Streamside - Sullivan County Democrat

An 11-inch brook trout that filled the net.

Late Season Fishing, Dry Droppers, Beamoc News

At this writing, the last weekend in September, our Catskill rivers and streams are in fine condition heading into Autumn. Despite a somewhat dry start to the fishing season in spring and early … more

Judy Van Put | 9/29/26

Evie enjoyed helping her dad carefully release the wild rainbow he caught on an Olive Elk Hair Caddis.

Rodmakers Reunion, Reel Roots, and Releasing a Rainbow

The bamboo rodmakers were in town for the 32nd Annual Catskill Gathering. Beginning Thursday, September 10, a small group of about 20 gathered at the CFFC&M bridge and caravaned over the … more

Judy Van Put | 9/22/26

One of the tiny Sulphur Spinner flies with a waxy cream body and brownish amber tip that was hatching toward evening on the lower Beaverkill.

The Cusp of Autumn and the Black Leech

Mid-September, and we are on the cusp of Autumn: that beautiful vibrant season is about a week away, and there are changes in the air. We’ve noticed a subtle shift in temperatures, especially in … more

Judy Van Put | 9/15/26

The placid Pepacton Reservoir on an early September day!

The Times They Are A Changin’, Ashokan Farewell, Catskill Jewels

September brings a time for change, with new beginnings as well as endings. This week my 4-year-old granddaughter accompanied me on a journey up to Prattsville the day before she started Kindergarten … more

9/4/26

Standing on O’Brien’s Bridge, the historic 2-arch limestone structure, under which flows the River Corrib, home to prime salmon fishing.

Ancestry Identity, the Streaming Shannon, Corrib Currents and a Creel Full of Memories

Streamside will have a bit of a different flair this week - having just returned after 8 days in Ireland it is heartening to see our rivers and streams in such great shape for these last two days of … more

Judy O'Brien Van Put | 9/1/26

The beautiful crystal-clear waters of the West Branch Neversink under the hemlocks.

The Sweetness of Summer, Looking for Brookies, and The Sweet of the Year

August has continued to grace us with favorable weather, water and wonderful bounty! Our gardens are now bursting with the fruits of summer - red ripe tomatoes, beans, squashes, herbs and colorful … more

8/25/26

An Isyonychia nymph on the rocks along the stream.

The Sweeter Side of Summer, The Joys of Fishing, and Looking for Brookies

After a few weeks of violent weather, we’ve experienced a bit of August’s Alms, golden gifts of brightness, breezes and bliss; warm and welcoming with the promise of crisp and cooler evenings, … more

Judy Van Put | 8/18/26

Leiser tells the wonderful story of the Dette family in his book, which includes patterns for Tricho flies tied by Walt and Winnie Dette.

August Averages, Tiny Flies, Time for Trichos

After another week/weekend with more heavy rains, area rivers and streams have been replenished to above the average flow for early to mid-August. And despite some warm and humid days, water … more

Judy Van Put | 8/7/26

Jeffersonville was overwhelmed with muddy, fast-moving runoff after intense summer rainstorms.

The Flood of July 28-29, Largest Trout on the Beaverkill

Torrential downpours that brought six inches of rain resulted in severe flash flooding in Livingston Manor, Roscoe, Liberty, Parksville and Callicoon, resulting in the tragic death of a Livingston … more

Judy Van Put | 8/4/26

A well-cast, well-tied fly with a beautiful brook trout caught by "Catskill John" Bonasera.

Welcome Respite, Favorite Flies and Confidence in Fishing

After tornado warnings last week that resulted in downed trees and power lines, it’s been a week of welcome respite. Streams and rivers received some much-needed rain, and temperatures reverted to … more

Judy Van Put | 7/28/26

NYS DEC Region 3’s Fisheries Manager, Ryan Coulter, was the guest speaker at the recent meeting of the Beamoc Chapter of Trout Unlimited held at the Red Rose in Roscoe.

Streamside: Wild Weather, Beamoc Business, Fishing Forges Fellowship

We’ve certainly experienced some powerful forces of nature this past week - with smoke from widespread wildfires in Canada blanketing much of the Midwest and Northeast, causing health issues and … more

Judy Van Put | 7/21/26

A fine, fat 20-inch brown caught by Barbie Griffin on a size #20 Pheasant Tail nymph rig (tied on to a size #12 Isonychia dry fly). Barbie is 91 years young and still catching prize-winning fish.

Coolwater Casting Gals Did Great - ‘Gillfriends’ Take Trout, Find Fishing Reel-y Good

Mid-July, the “dog days” of summer. Thanks to frequent rain showers, area streams are at or just below the average flow. The Beaverkill at Cooks Falls was flowing at 175 cubic feet per second … more

Judy Van Put | 7/14/26

Isaac Gross and the first trout he caught on a fly - while fishing with his friend Diane. Isaac was fly fishing for the first time, using a Sulphur Dun, when he caught this nice brown trout that measures 19 inches in length.

Fireworks! Family, Friends, and Fishing

The 4th of July has come and gone, and many of us have experienced wonderful time spent with family and friends celebrating the 250th Independence Day milestone of our nation. Undaunted by the … more

Judy Van Put | 7/7/26

Beautiful 21 1/4-inch brown trout caught by Steven Makky on a Rusty Spinner fly size #16.

Fancy Fly and the Magic of Mentors

It’s the end of June/beginning of July, and we enjoyed a wonderful two weeks of cool temperatures and some ample rain showers heading into the heat of the summer. Water temperatures on the … more

Judy Van Put | 6/30/26

A spectacular wild brook trout that measured 14 inches, caught by Seth Cavarretta on an Atherton #3 nymph Seth had tied. Seth said it was the largest brook trout he’s ever caught. Note the beautiful red spots encircled with blue, and the white leading edge on its fins.

Father’s Day, Family Days, Fishing Diaries

Sunday, Father’s Day as well as the first day of Summer, brought picture-perfect weather - sunny, bright blue skies with puffy white clouds and temperatures in the low 70s, and just enough of a … more

Judy Van Put | 6/23/26

Tiny, beige-colored Caddis flies, possibly a size #28, seen swarming by the thousands just above the water’s surface on the Willowemoc this week.

Fishy Fun

Saturday June 13 was Livingston Manor’s 20th Annual Trout Parade, and hordes of supporters descended upon the town to celebrate and enjoy some “fishy” fun under summery sunny skies. Local … more

Judy Van Put | 6/16/26

Seth Cavarretta on another successful fishing trip, shown with a beautiful rainbow trout ready to be released back into the water.

Life in June, Legends in the Catskills

The first week of June arrives with a profound stillness, yet the natural world is bursting with new life. Everywhere around us we are reminded of these precious days of June: a child’s delight in … more

Judy Van Put | 6/9/26

A group of students and their mentors from the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock Campfire Event, staying at Timberlake West, Livingston Manor, visited the Catskill Fly Fishing Center on Saturday.

Flies Hatching, Fish Catching; Passing Along the Legacy

Despite a weekend that felt more like the last week in April than the last week in May, with 40-degree morning temperatures and gusty, blustery winds, area rivers and streams are in excellent shape, … more

Judy Van Put | 6/2/26

The Catskill mountains offer clean air, beautiful landscapes, forested mountains, and the cold, pure, highly oxygenated water required by trout.

Trout Fishing - and What Makes The Catskills Special

Recently, students from the Salisbury School, Connecticut traveled to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum to learn more about the history and culture surrounding fly fishing in the … more

Judy Van Put | 5/26/26

Pammie Pacciocco catching the fish that won the Joan Wulff Special One-Fly Contest.

Mid-May Magic and the Joan Wulff Special

Mid-May - and fishing is on the minds of many …..although the catching has been slow until just this past weekend, with the return of the sunshine and warmer weather. By Sunday our rivers … more

Judy Van Put | 5/19/26

Mid-May, Nymph Fishing, Beamoc Update

After receiving more than an inch of rain this weekend, our rivers and streams have been replenished and are running high; and most of the Catskill reservoirs are overflowing. A check with the USGS … more

Judy Van Put | 5/12/26

Beautiful brown and rainbow trouts caught by Seth Cavarretta. Notice the striking lateral stripe on the rainbow trout.

The Sweetest Month

At last - it’s the merry month of May, often referred to as “the sweetest month”. The earth is humming with new life: the birds seem to be singing a little more melodiously, the landscape … more

Judy Van Put | 5/5/26

Beautiful Quill Gordon fly tied by Seth Cavarretta with which he had successful fishing.

Streamside: Wild Weather, Waiting for Hendricksons

It’s been a wild weather week - with temperatures reaching into the high 70s and even 80s last Tuesday/Wednesday - and on Sunday at this writing, snow/sleet mixed with rain and hail...which is … more

Judy Van Put | 4/21/26

Pictured is 12-year-old Cole Reynolds with a beautiful female trout he caught in Cairns Pool. Cole was fishing with his father, Hugh, and guide George Glantzis, and had hooked 2 smaller fish before landing this 18” rainbow using a pheasant tail jig.

The Promise of Spring!

Conditions on our trout streams during this first half of April have been easier for fishing access than expected, especially after such a long, cold, and snowy winter. With water levels below the … more

Judy Van Put | 4/14/26

Manny Zanger, of Roscoe, moved here many years ago because of the trout fishing. He is a passionate conservationist and activist for our rivers and streams, was a past President of the original Beamoc Chapter of TU, and now serves as Advisor for the newly relaunched Beamoc Chapter.

High Rivers, High Spirits

After a week of stream levels that were below average, the heavy rain and downpours on March 31 made fishing conditions more typical of April 1, the official Opening Day of the regular trout … more

Judy Van Put | 4/7/26