Trout 2016

“To fish opening day on the Beaverkill is like celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem.”

Red Smith New York Times Sportswriter

A publication of the

Sullivan County Democrat

• Section T • April 2016 • Callicoon, NY

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CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Junction Pool, Roscoe, NY, opening day. The fly fisherman is in the waters of the Beaverkill, the shore fishermen are casting into the Willowemoc Stream.

Get Ready for NY Trout

By John A Punola

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f you live near or in the New York State Catskills region, there are two opening days everyone looks forward to, the first day of hunting, and the first day of trout season. The countdown is under way for April 1st, the traditional opening day for trout season, and during the waning days of another cold winter it’s nice to know trout season will soon be here.

Not only do local sportsmen get excited for the annual ritual of trout season, so do large numbers of distant anglers count the days before their annual trip to the Catskills for opening day, their number one target is Roscoe, NY, otherwise known as “Trout Town USA.” From Roscoe you are within easy distance of anglers’ favorites, BEAVERKILL, EAST

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A fascination with

Trout Published by

Catskill-Delaware Publications, Inc. Publishers of the

(845) 887-5200 Callicoon, NY 12723 April 1, 2016 • Vol. CXXV, No. 83

845-434-8926

dition and if you don’t catch a single trout, so what, you are there greeting the arrival of a new season, and you are fishing.

THE BEAVERKILL Unquestionably not only the most known and talked about trout stream in the East, but CONTINUED ON PAGE 4T

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BRANCH and WILLOWEMOC, and vehicles from a countless number of distant states will park along these streams.

April 1st is not springtime in the Catskills, it’s the end of winter. The weather will be cold and windy, the water will be frigid, and the trout will be sluggish. The conditions do not keep the trout anglers away, it’s a tra-

Scott Gaebel Route 52, Youngsville, NY Publisher: Senior Editor: Editor: Sports Editor: Editorial Assistants: Advertising Director: Advertising Coordinator: Advertising Representatives: Special Sections Coordinator: Business Manager: Business Department: Telemarketing Coordinator: Classified Manager: Production Associates: Distribution:

Fred W. Stabbert III Dan Hust Carol Montana Ken Cohen Willow Baum, Kaitlin Carney, Kathy Daley, Alex Rau, Richard Ross, Jeanne Sager, Autumn Schanil Liz Tucker Sandy Schrader Cecilia Lamy, Barbara Matos Susan Panella Susan Owens Patricia Biedinger, Joanna Blanchard Michelle Reynolds Janet Will Nyssa Calkin, Petra Duffy, Elizabeth Finnegan, Ruth Huggler, Rosalie Mycka, Tracy Swendsen Billy Smith, Richard Stagl

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one of the nation’s most historic streams. The fabled Beaverkill has been the subject of many books and magazine articles and is the birthplace of the artificial angling cult. The stream is an attraction for dozens of outdoor writers who will flock to make their first cast of the season into the Beaverkill. Although it is publicized as a Mecca for fly fishermen, there are many sectors that are open to conventional fishing.

By far, the most popular gathering place for trout fishermen is Junction Pool at Roscoe, where the Willowemoc joins with the Beaverkill to create Junction Pool. It’s very large, very deep, and consistently holds many fighting Brown Trout. Due to the size of the pool and the depth of the frigid water, it is ideally suited for successful bait fishing on opening day. Junction Pool attracts large numbers of both fly fishermen and bait, or spinner advocates. Fly fishermen will catch a few trout, but the bait and/or spin anglers will catch more.

The Beaverkill is well stocked from Junction Pool downstream until the

stream eventually flows into the East Branch of the Delaware River.

Between these points are about fifteen miles of prime trout fishing waters, and Old Route 17 will parallel the stream all the way. Some parts of this section of the Beaverkill are fly fishing only, no kill.

THE WILLOWEMOC CREEK The Willowemoc ranks a close second in national reputation as one of the East’s top-flight trout streams, surpassed in New York State only by the Beaverkill. Each season, thousands of anglers descend upon this beautiful stream and it’s known for attracting many celebrity fly fishermen to fish its waters. Although generally publicized as a fly fishing stream, it is also an excellent stream for the lure or spinner fisherman.

From Junction Pool at Roscoe, and upstream, there are prime fishing waters, very well stocked, extending upstream to Livingston Manor.

Check the spots at, above and below the covered bridge located on old Route 17, just West of Livingston Manor. Old Route 17 closely parallels the stream, thus follow Old 17, not the Route 17 Expressway. From Liv-

point to stop and visit the museum, plus you can also enjoy fly fishing this nice part of the stream. Plenty of parking.

A fly that produces under any condition, is a Hornberg, size 8 and is good for trout and smallmouth bass.

ingston Manor upstream, there are some access areas at scattered locations, to the vicinity of Parkston. You will also note some posted lands. Be sure to exit and fish only at approved sites, or ask permission from owners of private, posted properties.

The part of the Willowemoc downstream to Roscoe, flows thru the property of the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum, and this section is designated as “Fly fishing only.” Make it a

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EAST BRANCH DELAWARE RIVER Many anglers, including myself, prefer to drive a few extra miles beyond the Beaverkill and Willowemoc streams to fish another that offers more fishable water, easy access, an abundance of both Brown and Rainbow Trout, and…..fewer anglers. That stream is the East Branch of the Delaware River. The stream is spacious, easy to reach via the Exit from Rte. 17 at East Branch, and holds a large holdover population of feisty Brown Trout, some could be trophy size. Begin fishing at the Covered Bridge, Downsville, NY and you can fish down stream, about 27 miles until the stream merges with the West Branch Delaware at Hancock, NY. The East Branch Delaware River is the recipient of generous in-season stockings and for the section of the river from Downsville, NY to Hancock, NY about 16,000 Brown Trout are released each season that will average about 8 inches in length, with final stocking about the end of May.

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT As warm days arrive, trout streams will drop to lower levels making the trout spooky and more difficult to catch.

Average size means just that. There will be some trout smaller than 8 t inches and some larger. Since the l East Branch Delaware is rich in food, h trout will grow rapidly and those that survive will attain an average size of 12 inches by the next spring. Only Brown Trout are stocked, however wild Rainbow Trout from the main Delaware River will also travel upstream and will travel as far as Downsville, NY. There are NO SPECIAL REGULATIONS on the East Branch Delaware.

In addition to your time fishing the stream of your choice be sure to visit the friendly town of Roscoe. There are good fishing stores that will satisfy your tackle and equipment needs, and numerous eateries will serve you good meals at reasonable costs, and service stations to keep your gas tank filled for your departure to home.

Fishing legally begins on April 1st, but there are the official ceremonial “First Casts” that open the season. The first one happens at 7:00 am at Junction Pool, Roscoe on Friday April 1st and the other one will be at 9:00 am, Saturday, April 2nd on the Willowemoc Stream at the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum property.

CALLICOON CREEK Callicoon Creek is a delightful small trout stream which is formed by its East and North Branches, offers many miles of scenic and productive trout fishing. The East Branch Callicoon Creek begins East

of the town of Jeffersonville and flows in a meandering manner Southwesterly, where it eventually merges with the North Branch at the town of Hortonville, thus forming the main stream. The East Branch is classified as a small stream and can easily be fished and crossed using hip boots. As the stream winds its way thru Jeffersonville, many good fishing spots are available and accessible from Route 52, which closely follows the flow of the stream. It continues downstream past the Stone Arch Bridge, and onward to Hortonville.

Callicoon Creek, East Branch, receives a generous stocking of Brown Trout and with the exception of some private lands, will be released throughout its length. Water quality has been judged to be excellent and a population of wild trout flourish in the upper reaches. With the exception of Rainbow Trout that enter from the main Delaware River, the stream is well populated with hatchery and wild Brown Trout….I have caught Rainbows in the 14 -16 inch range.

The prime waters of Callicoon Creek system is the North Branch, offering more than nine miles of quality fishing with a variety of constantly changing conditions. The North Branch begins just North of Callicoon Center, flowing South thru the town of North Branch, finally merging with the East Branch at Hortonville. The entire stretch is well stocked with Brown Trout. Some public parking areas exist and are clearly marked with NY State posters.

When you fish the streams featured in this article remember you are a guest. NEVER litter or cause physical damage. I have always made it a point to release all trout I caught, especially the smaller natural browns. Be a good sportsman and respect the rights of other anglers you meet along the stream. Have a VALID New York fishing license and observe all rules and regulations.

John A Punola japunola@aol.com

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Beaverkill Trout Hatchery a real family affair Story and photos by Fred Stabbert lll T he Beaverkill Trout Hatchery is a fisherman’s paradise. As you drive up Alder Creek Rd. in Lew Beach, a big red barn greets you on the right.

The barn has a family tree – or more precisely a family fish – displayed above the door listing the generations of Shavers.

On the left are 10 growing ponds, each filled with hundreds of thousands of trout ready to be shipped off to lakes, streams and rivers in a fourstate region.

“This order is going to the Town of Woodbury,” owner Sherry Shaver said Monday morning. “They are getting 330 rainbow trout.”

Each of the ponds contains a specific species of trout as well as a certain size, from fry right on up to 20 inchers and are fed with water from wells, underground springs and Alder Creek.

Sherry is the fourth generation of

It’s a coordinated effort when it’s time to round up fish, grade them and get them ready for delivery. Here Mike Logothety, left, and Gary Tyler Shaver move a load of trout over to the holding tank so they can measure and count them. Sherry Shaver and Chris Shaver work on loading their trout box in the background as their German Shepard, Zena, looks on.

Shavers to run the 53-year-old hatchery, believed to be one of the oldest and largest private fish hatcheries in the state. And the fifth generation is already on board.

“This was all started back in 1963

by Fred D. Shaver,” Sherry said.

“Then there was Edwin D. and then my father and mother, Gary D. and Betty.”

Sherry, who has been working at the hatchery since she was a girl, took over after her parents passed away.

Today, many family members still help out, including cousins Frank Shaver, Terri Lockhart and Rube

Smith, second cousins Chris and Gary Tyler Shaver and Mike Logothety and Ashlynne Ratner, trout wrangler.

Frank and Rube do many of the deliveries, while Terri is the bookkeeper and the rest of the gang keeps busy wrangling trout and getting order out of the ponds.

“It’s a real family business,” she said. “We really work well together and have a lot of fun.”

Things pick up for the hatchery when the calendar turns to March.

Calls come in from around the CONTINUED ON PAGE 8T

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The Shaver family tree has spawned many generations, with the fouth generation – Sherry – now running the show and the fifth generation alongside her learning the trade.

Beaverkill Trout Hatchery

Sherry empties “an order” into a holding tank which will go out the next morning. The holding tanks are surrounded by an electric fence to keep the bears and other predators out. At right is the fully-stocked fishing pond open to the public on weekends.

Fishing Preserve Open 8 to 5 Saturday & Sunday, April - Labor Day

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Circa 1963 – 5 Generations

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LIVE DELIVERY GUARANTEED Frank Shaver, left, returned from Beaverkill’s Tunkhannock, Pa. hatchery with a load of 12inch Brook Trout. Here he get help unloading them from Mike Logothety.

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Get Ready for Fishing Season!!

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LOST STREAM MAP The STREAM & LAKE MAP OF NEW YORK resembles another map-known to Pennsylvania anglers as the “Lost Stream Map.” It was completed in 1965 after a 30 year effort by Howard Higbee, a former Penn State Professor.

Professor Higbee painstakingly plotted by hand, the location of 45,000 miles of streams onto the map. It sold extremely well - until the printer declared bankruptcy and hauled Higbee’s work to the landfill.

But reprints were impossible because the maps were printed in non-photographic blue. Higbee was even offered $400 for one of his last maps. And state agencies were forced to keep their copies under lock and key.

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Catskills and beyond, from sportsmen’s clubs to private people wanting to stock their ponds and lakes. They also receive calls from municipalities and chambers of commerce as well as some of the finest restaurants in the Catskills and vicinity.

“March is Christmas for us, it just lasts a little longer,” Sherry said.

Frank, who makes a lot of the deliveries, said, “Whiteface Mountain and the Magic Mile in the Adirondacks are really beautiful. They are just a long ride.”

And as the Shavers begin grading, counting and separating its fish, their delivery trucks start heading out to various locations using aerated tanks and tender loving care.

“We rarely lose a fish in transport,” Sherry said. “We take very good care of them.”

The hatchery has many different sizes and varieties of trout available, including Brook, Brown, Rainbow, Golden Rainbow and Tiger Trout.

They sell trout beginning at 6 inches, which cost $170 per hundred or 1,000 for $1,600.

You can buy trout right on up to 14 inches long – with the 14 inchers costing $6 each for 100 or $5.50 each for 1,000.

Larger trout are also available – 15 to 20 inches, and prices range from $11 each to $31 per fish.

Go for a Visit But if you want to get a taste of the Beaverkill Trout Hatchery in person, there is no better way then to visit its private fishing preserve, which is open Saturdays and Sundays, from April 1 through Labor Day. No license is required to fish there and the ponds are open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Smoked trout are also sold and you must bring your own fishing equipment and a cooler with ice is recommended to keep your catch fresh all the way home.

“There will be 100 people around that pond on April 2,” Sherry said.

“It’s really unbelievable.”

In addition to its location in Lew Beach, Beaverkill also has a hatchery in Tunkhannock, Pa., which is run by family friend Charles Greenley.

You can reach Sherry on Facebook and Instagram, email her at troutlady61@gmail.com or call 845-4394947.

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Roscoe - It’s more than fishing Story and photos by Willow Baum

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rout Town USA is much more than its nickname suggests.

Nestled at the union of the Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek, Roscoe, NY has “arrived” as a Catskill Park destination. It’s not just the world famous thick French Toast at the Roscoe Diner that lures travelers off Route 17B. Craft beer, fine spirits, and artisan pasta made from local farm-fresh ingredients, invite Roscoe visitors to slow down, stay awhile and savor the southern Catskills.

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1. Just 3 miles past the Roscoe Diner, Hazel Bridge Pool on the Willowemoc Creek is a picturesque, productive place to pull trout.

2., 3., & 6. Established in 2011 as a small family owned artisan pasta shop

by Bob (pictured) & Jennifer Eckert, Northern Farmhouse Pasta crafts dried & fresh pasta, using local and organic flour and local cheese. Their location at 65 Rockland Road in Roscoe is open for Dinner 5 - 9 Fridays and Saturdays.

4. Assistant Distiller Eric Schwartz walks Prohibition Distillery visitors like Sherry and Andrew Jackson of Walton, NY, through the process of distilling spirits.

5. Anthony Vallone draws a refreshing glass of artisan beer for a customer at The Roscoe NY Beer Co.

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8 7.Chris Tanis, an Apprentice Distiller at Prohibition Distillery, relocated from North Carolina to his wife’s hometown of Roscoe.

Coriander, juniper berry, orange peel bitter, and lemon verbena are a few botanicals macerated to make Prohibition’s gin.

8. A new T-shirt design at the Roscoe Beer Co. 9. The exterior of Prohibition Distillery, converted from a classic old firehouse.

10 & 11 April marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of The Roscoe NY Beer Co.’s 1,600 sf store where visitors can view the brewing process and enjoy a selection

of craft beers, including their flagship brew, Trout Town American Amber Ale. 11. Leslie Huppky, of Neversink, shares a flight with daughter Danielle and friend Joe Sodaro of Vernon, CT. 12. A family-owned landmark just minutes from renowned fishing on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc rivers, The Rockland House offers 23 rooms for overnight lodging, and a dining room famous for prime rib, steaks and locally-raised Beaverkill brook trout.

13. Built in 1964, the Roscoe Diner is regarded as one of the busiest and best known restaurants along Route 17.

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Calendar of Events The following events are being held in conjunction with trout season: Friday, April 1 • 7:30 a.m.

Junction Pool, Roscoe Everyone is welcome to join the Roscoe Chamber of Commerce and friends at Junction Pool in Roscoe for Opening Day of fishing. Refreshments will be served. Rain or shine.

Saturday, April 2 • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Catskill Fly Fishing Center, Livingston Manor

Saturday, April 2 • 10 a.m.

Book Signing, Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum Livingston Manor Ed Van Put is doing a book signing this Saturday, April 2 at 10 a.m. at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum, Livingston Manor, for its Opening Day celebration. The new book is called: The Beaverkill: The History Of A River and Its People, 2nd edition, published by Stackpole in January 2016.

Annual Two-Headed Trout Dinner Saturday, April 2 • 6 p.m.

Rockland House, Roscoe The Roscoe-Rockland Chamber of Commerce will be holding its Annual Two-Headed Trout Dinner which will be held at the Rockland House, Roscoe, on Saturday, April 2 starting with appetizers at 6 p.m. Delicious prime rib dinner to follow. Raffles, 50/50 tickets, Silent Auction, door prizes, Guest speaker.

Tickets $45 each, contact Marge at 1-607-498-5464.

Roscoe Kiwanis Annual Pancake Breakfast Sunday, April 3 • 7 a.m. - noon Roscoe Community Center, Roscoe Go have breakfast at the Roscoe Kiwanis Club’s Annual Pancake Breakfast at the Roscoe Community Center (Roscoe-Rockland Fire Dept.), Roscoe, on Sunday, April 3 from 7 a.m. until noon. There is a free will offering for pancakes, eggs, sausage, real local maple syrup, OJ, coffee or tea. All proceeds benefit the youth of the community.

Anglers Market Saturday, May 28 Rosoce-Rockland Fire Dept.

The Anglers Market will be held on Saturday, May 28 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Please stop by the Roscoe-Rockland Fire Dept. Community Center and come visit the vendors. There will be fishing gear to purchase, great conversation and local authors selling books. For more info, call Manny at 1-607-498-5464 or Judy Smith at 1-607-498-6024.

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The 15th Annual Fly Tyers Rendevous, sponsored by the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, will be held on Saturday, Aprl 2 at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Please enjoy a day of camaraderie, reunion and fly tying.

Come hang out with some of the most talented fly tyers in the Northeast.

There will be over 40 tyers present. If you are interest in tying, contact Judie DV Smith at darbee@juno.com to sign up. Silent auction from 10 - 2 with unique items such as flies, tools, books, etc. Special item is an 8 foot, 5 weight bamboo rod by Chuck Neuner. Benefits the Education Programs Fund, donations welcome. Everyone is welcome, free of charge. Lunch available.

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Fly-Fishing the Delaware River Watershed: a lifetime pursuit “T

rout don’t live everywhere,” says Evan Lavery, a lifelong angler and proprietor of Beaverkill Angler.

“The unique draw for hundreds of years to our fishery – The Delaware River Watershed – is the tremendous amount of accessible water that hold trout,” says Lavery all within 45 minutes of his Roscoe, NY store.

The Delaware River Watershed spans 12,800 square miles and parts of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

According to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, roughly one-fifth of the upper watershed lies within New York State. Headwaters originate in the Catskill Mountains and eventually flow into Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Conditions that exist in “our enormous fishery” – comprised of the East Branch, West Branch, main stem of the Delaware, and all the tributaries that feed them in Sullivan and Delaware counties -- are “not common,” says Lavery.

Waters stay cold enough during summer months to support trout and the aquatic life on which they feed.

Enter the fly The dizzying varieties of flies available at Beaverkill Angler prove the elusive “best fly” is a constantly moving target, changing with the seasons, contingent on weather and even size of the quarried trout.

At the end of April, three Mayflies typically hatch in our fishery. A hatch is when Mayflies begin transforming

A Numbers Game “Fishing is all about probabilities,” says Lavery. “You increase the likelihood you’ll see what you want to see, catch what you want to catch if you increase the probability of meeting variable conditions.”

Beyond flies, a few factors Mother Nature has a hand in are water temperature, river flow levels, time of year, time of day.

Just as deer are less likely seen roadside in the middle of the day, trout tend to surface feed when birds of prey are less likely to spot them – in early morning and evening as sunlight plays differently on the water.

Fishing fish from 9 to 5 may be convenient – especially as days grow progressively warmer toward high season of May and June – yet that’s the worst time to be out there, probability-wise.

Lifelong Pursuit For Lavery, fishing is a lifelong love – and lesson. Out on the weekend with his Dad, Lavery pulled trout and bass from Michigan waters as a child. As a teen, he had a first taste of fly-fishing for trout, steelhead, salmon also in Michigan, before delving into Eastern seaboard salt water of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, fly-fishing for striped bass and bluefish.

When Lavery grew tired of the suitand-tie rhythm of commercial real

estate in Manhattan in the late 90s, he decided to make his home – then a business – near the Delaware River Watershed where he loved to fish on weekends.

Fly-fishing is like golf says Lavery.

“You have to enjoy learning. If you only fly fish a couple days a year, you’ll only scratch the surface.”

That’s not to say one must practice 50 years before catching something, just that the long learning curve of fly fish-

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The dizzying variety of flies available at Beaverkill Angler prove the “best fly” is an elusive, moving target – changing with the seasons, contingent on weather and even size of the quarried trout.

Excellent Trout Fishing on premises.

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from an aquatic insect into winged adults that live a short life expressly to reproduce. As they swim to the surface during the reproduction process, the nymphs lure trout.

Light Hendrickson, Quill Gordons and Blue Quills are three popular early season flies, impressionistic interpretations of insects found in nature.

Made from natural fibers and tied by hand, Beaverkill Angler features assorted flies; many tied locally and named after famous anglers on the region.

Catskill Fly Fishing Center Season Opener April 2, 2016 Celebrate Members First Cast - Join us at the DEC pull-off just upstream of the Center at 9AM for our Official First Cast of the 2016 NYS Trout Fishing Season. All are welcome as we usher in the Center’s 35th year of trout fishing. Character actor Olec Krupa and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther will be on hand to celebrate with us. Join us back at the Center for an open house featuring soup and goodies made by Agnes Van Put, a book signing with Ed Van Put, The Beaverkill A History of a River and Its People in the Museum. The Catskill Fly Tyers Guild Rendezvous is back for the second year in the Wulff Gallery. Stop in, chat and learn from some of our greats in fly tying. Can your Bamboo Rod be Repaired? Bring your rods in for assessment by Mike Canazon in the Heritage Craft Workshop. Kids Crafts in the Tying area in the Heritage Craft Workshop. Introduce a kid to fly tying! Also the kids can decorate a trout, cookie that is! A chance to make a trout look like the real thing or be imaginative and make any color of the rainbow trout they would like. Museum Tour with Terry Shultz. Join Terry on an interactive walk through the history of fly fishing. Mike Canazon Bamboo is back in the workshop for a Rod Building Demonstration. Wonder how the bamboo rod is made, ever think about making your own? Join Mike back in the Heritage Craft Workshop for splitting cane, staggering nodes, roughing and planning strips.

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The Museum, Gallery and Heritage Craft Workshop are open for Self-Guided Tours throughout the day. A full schedule is available on our website www.cffcm.org or you can find us on facebook.com/CFFCM

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ing is on par with taking golf lessons, expecting to get on the course and have a “bad” day.

“This sport is about looking at things differently. It’s about challenging yourself,” says Lavery. “It’s about looking at the river differently, engaging the environment at a much higher level than you would with other forms of fishing.”

Beaverkill Angler offers a free class Saturdays and Sundays to anyone interested in learning about fly-fishing.

For all anglers, the popular Catskill fly shop is a full-service outfitter, river guide and more. Plan a visit at: beaverkillangler.com.

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Spring 2016 Trout Stocking for Sullivan County

BEAVVERKILL,, DELAWAARE, KAUNEONGA

The following listing reflects the anticipated number of yearling and older trout to be stocked into listed waters during spring 2016. Actual numbers and stocking times may vary depending on fish availability and weather conditions. The fish are stocked with help from County Federated Sportsmen.

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Water Town Number Beaver Brook Highland 52 Beaver Brook Highland 470 Beaver Kill Rockland 692 Beaver Kill Rockland 2970 Beaver Kill Rockland 3280 Callicoon Ck North Branch Callicoon 67 Callicoon Ck North Branch Callicoon 1290 Callicoon Ck North Branch Callicoon 172 Callicoon Ck North Branch Callicoon 470 Callicoon Ck North Branch Callicoon 130 Callicoon Ck North Branch Callicoon 260 Callicoon Creek Delaware 95 Callicoon Creek Delaware 690 Callicoon Creek Delaware 170 Callicoon Creek East Branch Callicoon 52 Callicoon Creek East Branch Callicoon 390 Callicoon Creek East Branch Callicoon 90 Callicoon Creek East Branch Delaware 301 Callicoon Creek East Branch Delaware 170 Callicoon Creek East Branch Delaware 2070 Callicoon Creek East Branch Delaware 300 Callicoon Creek East Branch Delaware 170 Chestnut Creek Neversink 72 Chestnut Creek Neversink 520 Chestnut Creek Neversink 130 Fir Brook Neversink 33 Fir Brook Neversink 220 Fir Brook Neversink 90 Halfway Brook Highland 1030 Halfway Brook Highland 138 Halfway Brook Highland 220 Lake Huntington Cochecton 1900 Little Beaverkill Liberty 1640 Little Beaverkill Liberty 239 Little Beaverkill Liberty 520 Loch Sheldrake Fallsburg 860 Mongaup Creek Rockland 24 Mongaup Creek Rockland 170 Mongaup Creek Rockland 220 Mongaup Falls Reservoir Lumberland 1290 Mongaup River Bethel 72 Mongaup River Bethel 650 Mongaup River East Branch Fallsburg 860 Mongaup River East Branch Fallsburg 95 Mongaup River Middle Branch Bethel 950 Mongaup River Middle Branch Bethel 134 Mongaup River Middle Branch Bethel 260 Mongaup River West Branch Bethel 29 Mongaup River West Branch Bethel 260 Neversink Reservoir Neversink 3190 Neversink River Fallsburg 1040 Neversink River Fallsburg 1120 Neversink River Fallsburg 680 Neversink River Fallsburg 600 Neversink River Thompson 1290 Neversink River Thompson 730 Sandburg Creek Fallsburg 950 Sandburg Creek Fallsburg 86 Sandburg Creek Fallsburg 310 Ten Mile River Cochecton 43 Ten Mile River Cochecton 300 Ten Mile River Cochecton 90 Ten Mile River Tusten 57 Ten Mile River Tusten 430 Ten Mile River Tusten 90 Ten Mile River East Branch Tusten 260 Ten Mile River East Branch Tusten 29 White Lake Bethel 4310 Willowemoc Creek Neversink 285 Willowemoc Creek Neversink 1550 Willowemoc Creek Neversink 1030 Willowemoc Creek Rockland 424 Willowemoc Creek Rockland 4310 Willowemoc Creek Rockland 148 Willowemoc Creek Rockland 1290 Willowemoc Creek Rockland 1380 Willowemoc Creek Rockland 573 Willowemoc Creek Rockland 3360

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Date April April April April May - June April April April April May May - June April April May - June April April May April April April May May April April May April April May - June April April May - June May April April May - June April April April May May April April April April April April May - June April April April April April May - June May - June April May - June April April May - June April April May - June April April May - June April April May April April May - June April April April April May May - June May - June

Species Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brook Trout Brown Trout Brook Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout Brown Trout

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Early season angling looks promising across New York State

“N

ew York is home to some of the best fishing in the country and through our NY Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative, we are making it easier for anglers to enjoy this proud tradition,” said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. “I encourage residents and visitors alike to take advantage of these opportunities ... right here in New York State.”

“I’m excited to announce the opening of the 2016 trout and salmon season, and celebrate the success of our efforts to sustain our popular and economically important recreational fisheries," said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Through Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Ini-

tiative, we are making important investments to improve access to fishing opportunities and upgrade our fish hatchery system, and combined with the current favorable weather conditions and stream flows, 2016 should be a great fishing year.”

Unlike last year, when most of the state was languishing through an extended winter with much ice and snow, prospects for the 2016 opener look very promising. Even with the expected fishable stream flows, trout will still be relatively lethargic until stream temperatures warm. Anglers will have best success using bait and lures such as spinners that can be fished slow and deep. Fishing will improve markedly once water temperatures move into the sixties later

in the spring. The warming also encourages aquatic insect activity, which improves opportunities for those preferring to use fly fishing gear.

Stocking efforts on track DEC plans to stock over 2.3 million catchable-size brook, brown and rainbow trout in 314 lakes and ponds and roughly 2,850 miles of streams across the state. Spring stockings will include 1.76 million brown trout, 431,555 rainbow trout and 130,000 brook trout. Approximately 97,000 two-year-old brown trout 13-14 inches in length will also be stocked into lakes and streams across the state.

Nearly two million yearling lake trout, steelhead, landlocked salmon,

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New investments in fish hatcheries and fishing access points open new opportunities for state anglers and visitors splake, Chinook salmon and coho salmon will also be stocked by DEC this spring to provide exciting angling opportunities over the next several years.

New investments in hatcheries and fishing access Under the New York Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative, DEC recently announced significant improvements to DEC’s fish hatchery system and waterway access facilities. In 2014 and 2015, a total of $8 million in NY Works funding was proCONTINUED ON PAGE 18T

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vided for hatchery improvements.

Over $6 million dollars have been invested in boating and fishing access facilities over the past 5 years.

Anglers urged to help stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species The DEC reminds anglers to be sure to take appropriate measures to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species in New York State. Boats, boating accessories and fishing gear should be completely dried and/or disinfected with hot water before being used in a new body of water. Methods to clean and disinfect fishing gear can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50121.html.

Boaters should take the following steps to ensure that their boat, trailer and equipment are free of aquatic invasive species: Visually inspect the boat, trailer and other fishing and boating equipment and remove all mud, plants and other organisms that might be clinging to it. Dispose of the materials in one of the Nuisance Invasive Species Disposal Stations installed at many DEC boat launches, in the trash or at an upland location away from the launch ramp.

Drain the boat's bilge and any other water holding compartments such as live wells, bait wells and bilge tanks.

This does not apply to water associated with sanitary systems or drinking water supplies.

DEC also highly recommends drying boats. Boaters who are unable to dry their boats between uses should flush the bilge and other water holding compartments with water, preferably at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Microscopic larval forms of aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and spiny waterflea, can live in as much as a drop of water. Anything holding water should be dried, flushed or disinfected with hot water to ensure that these aquatic invasive species are not spread.

Fishing license requirements Anyone 16 years of age and older who desires to fish in New York must have a New York State fishing license.

Sullivan County Anglers can purchase their license at any town hall, as well as many local businesses.

APRIL, 2016

Fishing licenses are now valid for one year from the date of purchase.

When buying a fishing license, please consider also purchasing a Habitat/Access Stamp to help fund important access and habitat projects. For more information on the Habitat/Access Stamp Program go to www.dec.ny.gov/permits/47452.html Free Fishing Weekends and Clinics available To further encourage fishing in New York State, Governor Cuomo signed legislation in 2012 expanding the opportunity for free fishing clinics, allowing more New Yorkers to experience fishing for the first time by enabling DEC to increase the number of free clinics that can be held throughout the state. The Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 to allow all people the opportunity to sample the incredible fishing New York State has to offer.

In addition, New York State residents and visitors may fish for free without a fishing license in any of the state’s 7,500 lakes and ponds and 50,000 miles of rivers and streams during the weekend of June 27-28.

For additional Upcoming Free Fishing Dates, visit DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/898 21.html.

Governor Cuomo has expanded recreational opportunities for residents and tourists, positioning New York State as a recreation destination, connecting communities to state lands, and improving the quality of life. Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State. Under the initiative, the 2015-16 Enacted Budget included an additional $8 million for state land access projects and an additional $4 million for the state's hatcheries in NY Works funding.

The DEC operates 12 fish hatcheries and raises and stocks more than 15 species of fish into New York waters. Visit the Fish Hatcheries webpage for more information on DEC's website.

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