Streamside - Sullivan County Democrat

A beautiful brown trout caught by Seth Cavarretta while fishing the lower East Branch Delaware on Saturday evening. Seth said he was using an Adams, and that the trout were rising steadily to Olives, Sulphurs and Cahills with a few Isonychia as well.

Father’s Day, Fishing, Fortunate, and a Fond Farewell

The middle of June - that lushest month - is upon us. Thanks to consistent rain showers our rivers and streams are in great shape for a Farewell to spring, heading into the summer. This much-welcomed … more

Judy Van Put | 6/14/25

Joan Wulff, First Lady of Fly Fishing, views the exquisite frame of An Adams For Ed, shown to her by CFTGuild Vice-President John Apgar.

Seeking Solace, Finding Fulfillment, A Celebration of Ed

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 … more

Judy Van Put | 6/10/25

A Gray Fox mayfly, as photographed by Seth Cavarretta. Gray Foxes are among the many flies hatching for the past couple of weeks and into Bug Week.

Bug Week Blown Out, But Celebrations Surmount

The last weekend in May/first weekend in June, under normal weather conditions, kick off what is often referred to by fly-fishers as the widely-anticipated “Bug Week.” These are the … more

Judy Van Put | 6/3/25

The DEC Catskill Trout Hatchery set up a display of the cycle of life for the brown trout that the Livingston Manor elementary students released.

For Trout Fishers, The Flies Have It!

Just as our rivers and streams had settled down to a very fishable level, the forecast called for more days of rain at the end of last week. As of Thursday, May 22 when this was written (prior to the … more

Judy Van Put | 5/27/25

Children learned how to draw and paint trout at the art table.

Classroom Trout! In and Out!

Last week Mrs. Wendy Schwalb’s 4th graders at Roscoe School enjoyed a special day they had anticipated since the beginning of the school year: “Release Day” for the … more

Judy Van Put | 5/20/25

Female Beaverkill fly, tied by Ed Van Put in the style of its creator, George W. Cooper, with the yellow chenille that represents the distinctive yellow egg sac. Cooper created this fly to imitate the Hendrickson, a favorite hatch on the Beaverkill.

“High Flows, Anglers’ Woes, the Blacksmith Rose”

Heavy rains filled area rivers and streams this past week; the Beaverkill crested Friday evening at just below 7000 cubic feet per second, dashing the hopes of all who had planned to celebrate at … more

Judy Van Put | 5/13/25

A nice brown trout caught by Phil Street during a sparse Hendrickson hatch last Monday. Phil caught his first fish of the season on an Adams dry fly.

Hoping For Hendricksons, Catching on Caddis!

Finally, it’s the “merry month” of May - serenading us with the sweetest sounds of the songbirds, the lovely light green landscape dappled with fragrant flowers and bright blossoms … more

Judy Van Put | 5/6/25

Tom Mason fishing a stretch of the Willowemoc.

Seeking Salmo, Seeing Some Success

This weekend’s April showers added some much-needed rain to our rivers and streams and contributed a growth spurt to the parched lawns and gardens. Seemingly overnight the trees and shrubs are … more

Judy Van Put | 4/29/25

A beautiful Iron Blue Dun tied by Seth Cavarretta.

Wonderful Weather, Finicky Fish!

What a difference a week makes - from last week’s heavy snow (one friend reported seven inches of snow that had fallen at her house last Tuesday/Wednesday!) to Saturday’s sunny warm … more

Judy Van Put | 4/22/25

In the Catskill Fly Fishing Center’s Museum on Saturday afternoon, Christina Muller, guest fly-tyer, explains to Ed Walsh how she ties her special “guide” flies using natural feathers and fur, along with some special “sparkle” mixed in.

Waters are Warming, Trout are Taking!

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center had a banner weekend, with its third annual F3T fest (Fly Fishing Film Tour 2025) on Friday night. The sold-out event was held in the Wulff Gallery, and filled with … more

Judy Van Put | 4/15/25

A quiet corner with CFTGuild Tyers Tom Mason, Phil Street, and Ed Walsh busy at their craft.

Opening Day! Today

Today is the dawning of the new Trout Fishing Season in New York State! A much-anticipated date especially during these difficult times; no matter what the weather conditions are, Opening Day of the … more

Judy Van Put | 4/1/25

Getting Ready for Trout Season

After this long, cold winter, April 1 seems more like the “official” beginning of spring - and the official opening of the trout fishing season can’t arrive soon enough! On … more

Judy Van Put | 3/25/25

Joe Fox and Seth Cavarretta, of Dette Flies, hosted the Catskills Fiberglass Rod Gathering. Rodmakers Dusty Smith, of Livingston Rods (Montana) and Mike McFarland, of McFarland rods (Pennsylvania), brought rods and materials and gave presentations to the group that gathered on Saturday.

Fiberglass and the End of the Season

I t certainly felt like Autumn this past weekend - with chilly morning temperatures in the 30s, light frost and cold rain on Sunday causing us to don jackets and sweaters and look forward to making … more

Judy Van Put | 10/15/24

Young Jacob, in attendance with his brother and parents, was all smiles after tying his first fly, a buck tail streamer, with the assitance of John Apgar, Guest Fly Tier from the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild.

Streamer Flies

October weather continues to be exceptional - with chilly mornings warming up to beautiful sunny days. We do need rain, as our rivers and streams have been well below average for several weeks. Water … more

Judy Van Put | 10/8/24

Midges are very tiny flies that make up an important part of the trout’s diet and are popularly used to fish in low water conditions.

Low Water and Midge Fishing

What had been a fairly rainy July and August, with a total of 11.6 inches of rainfall as compared to the historical average of 8.68 inches, turned into a dry September. September closed out the month … more

Judy Van Put | 10/1/24

Isonychia!

I t’s the beginning of Autumn: the end of September heading into October, when the air is cooler, skies are clearer, trees start to color up, chilly mornings turn to warm sunny afternoons and … more

Judy Van Put | 9/24/24

Tom Smithwick, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, winner of the Demarest Competition, which required entrants to design a 3x3x3 rod - a three-piece rod designed to cast a three-weight line that weighs less than 3.0 ounces. Photo by Munsey Wheby.

Big Weekend for Livingston Manor and the Catskill Fly Fishing Center

Big Weekend for Livingston Manor and the Catskill Fly Fishing Center Saturday’s heavy rains and deluges replenished our rivers and streams, which are in good shape heading into the middle of … more

Judy Van Put | 9/10/24

Seth Cavarretta, guest fly-tyer at the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild Saturday series, teaches 6-year-old Ira how to tie a fly.

End of August fishing and fly tying

The end of August/beginning of September tends to be a slow period for fly-fishing. Despite having some mid-August rainfall keeping rivers and streams at just above average flows, water levels are … more

Judy Van Put | 9/3/24

New book on Catskill Fly-Tyer Reuben Cross!

Just hot off the press is the long-awaited book on the legendary Catskill fly tier, Reuben R. Cross, by Richard Lodge. (Richard is a veteran daily newspaper editor at publications in Massachusetts … more

8/27/24

Agnes Van Put with some members of the Van Put family along with Joan Wulff with her two sons.

Memorable fishing, memorable birthday - Agnes Van Put turns 108!

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 … more

Judy Van Put | 8/19/24

Waterfleas contaminating a fishing line - notice how tiny the fleas are, and the barbs sticking out.

Water Floods, Waterwheel, Water Fleas

What a difference a week makes. Last weekend our rivers and streams were hovering at just about the average flow, but following Friday’s arrival of Hurricane Debby our area experienced … more

Judy Van Put | 8/13/24

CFFC Hall of Famer Hoagy Carmichael casts a rod at Summerfest.

Summerfest - a highlight of the summer

The fly-fishing community gathered together at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center this past weekend for its annual Summerfest celebration. It was a gala two-day event, from 10 am to 5 pm on both days, … more

Judy Van Put | 8/6/24

A cluster of tiny midge flies and a spool of 7X tippet, as fine as a human hair. (The spool of tippet is about 4 inches in diameter).

Midge fishing and Summerfest Fly-Fishing Festival

After a brief uptick in water levels during the middle of last week, area rivers and streams are back down to below-average flows. However, the past weekend’s cooler nights and beautiful days - … more

Judy Van Put | 7/30/24

Dave passed around a number of historical flies for attendees to look at during his talk, including this Stonefly Nymph, tied by Edward R. Hewitt.

Dave Catizone on Nymphs

Summer’s heat continues to keep many trout fishers indoors to give the trout a respite. On Sunday afternoon, July 21, 2024, the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls was flowing at 143 cubic feet per … more

Judy Van Put | 7/23/24

Heat wave, Tom Mason and the Olive Badger

At this writing on Sunday afternoon, July 14 (Bastille Day) it is 90 degrees outside, and it’s only noon! Our rivers and streams are low, as is pretty common for mid-July, with the Beaverkill … more

Judy Van Put | 7/16/24