Fly or Hook?

By Autumn Schanil

The Catskills are well known as being the birth‑ place of American Fly Fishing, attracting people not just from all around the country, but often from around the globe. Some of the best fly fishing spots in the Northeast are right in our backyard, especially with plentiful bodies of water like creeks, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs that provide NYC with much of its drinking water. And it’s all thanks to a man named Theodore Gor‑ don, otherwise known as the Father of American Dry Fly Fishing. It was Gordon who set fly fishing into motion in the 1890s, developing new fly patterns and designing flies specific to the region.

First Cast at the beginning of April officially opens the season for new and seasoned anglers who wade out waist‑high into the cold waters that are home to a variety of trout species as well as pike, bass, brookies, pickerel and more. Whether you’re fishing with a fly, or with hook and reel, some of the best spots to fish are right here in Sullivan County.

• Roscoe is a small town with a big name ‑ ‘Trout Town USA.’ It’s close to the East & West Branch of the Delaware River, as well as the Main Stem, but that’s not why its famous. Roscoe is home to Junction Pool, where the Willowemoc and Beaverkill Rivers come together. Anglers from far and wide come to fish the pool filled with strange currents and eddies that cause migrating trout to linger before deciding which stream to swim. Local legend has told of a “two‑headed trout” caught by a fisherman who soaked some bread in scotch to lure the fish to his net.

• The Neversink River, which is the river that started it all, and the Delaware River, contain anything from Small‑ mouth Bass, Shad, and Walleye to Brown, Rainbow, and Brook Trout. Fishing spots can be found along the Upper Delaware river off of Route 97 near Narrows‑ burg, Callicoon, and Lordville as well as the West Branch near Hancock. • Multiple small pull‑offs along the North Branch Callicoon Creek between North Branch and 17B offer quiet refuge for fishermen who prefer the bubbling creek and surrounding woods over the faster moving river. There are plenty of spots on the Callicoon Creek as well, on the winding road of 17B/State Route 52 that runs between Callicoon and Jeffersonville.

• You can spend the day at Lake Superior State Park, located in the town of Bethel, and fish the calm, quiet lake where you just might hook a Largemouth Bass or various types of Panfish.

• The Beaverkill Trout Hatchery in Livingston Manor has a stocked pond in the summer months where you and the kids can bring your own gear and do some easy fishing. The Trout Hatchery has been family owned and operated since 1963, stocking trout for private clubs, landowners, as well as providing locally raised fish to restaurants all over the county and beyond.

• The Swinging Bridge Reservoir has a great habitat for Bass and Walleyes, as well as Brown Trout and Yellow Perch. Or you can spend a little time fishing at White Lake in Bethel for Lake Trout and Chain Pickerel, and afterwards head to one of the great restaurants on Kauneonga Lake.

• Mongaup Pond is not only a place to fish for Brook Trout, Bluegill and Pumpkin seed but it’s a quiet area deep in the countryside of Sullivan County where you can camp with family or friends.

Wherever you decide to cast your fly or hook, make sure you are aware of any special fishing regulations for the area by visiting the DEC website: www.dec.ny.gov. Lastly, admire the beauty, enjoy the peace, and leave nothing behind.