Trout 2020

Take One Free

Trout

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

Red Smith New York Times Sportswriter

A S u l l i va n C o u n t y D e m o c r at p u b l i c at i o n • S p r i n g 2 0 2 0

38496

2 TROUT

Spring 2020

Mike Canazon – Fishermen are M born, not made

Working at a table where guides are added by winding with thread. Mike uses bamboo imported from the Gulf of Tonkin, cork from Portugal, and makes his own fittings (guides and ferrules.) It takes 100 hours in-between - the rod is constructed, then has to dry let the glue harden; then the varnish needs to cure for an entire month.

ike Canazon became a Sullivan County resident early in life, growing up along the North Branch Callicoon Creek, where he learned to fish as a youngster, and having STORY AND PHOTOS BY JUDY VAN PUT spent his high school years in CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Spring 2020

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On Beautiful 9 Mile Swinging Bridge Lake

Enjoy Great Food & Beverages on the Deck Overlooking the Lake!

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Spring 2020

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Delaware Valley Central School, Callicoon. He moved on to fishing the Delaware where his brother took him bass fishing.

Soon Mike was fishing for bass on his own; but within a year switched to trout. It wasn’t long before he gravitated to fishing with flies; passing Brewster on his way to work in New York, he noticed all the cars parked along the East Branch Croton and would observe the fly-fishers: “I was kind of amazed by the whole thing!” He picked up a fly rod and flies and tried to catch fish – and eventually, was successful and found his niche.

Fly-fishers are known for carrying boxes of different flies – and one can only wonder if they have a favorite. Mike does, and reveals that the fly he fishes with most is a Blue-Winged Olive. The fly can be tied in different sizes and can be fished throughout the season; he explains that there are almost always Olives coming off the water somewhere nearby. He also fishes the fly in Colorado, especially on the Roaring Fork, which he considers his favorite stream: “It’s right by Aspen, beautiful, with just Livingston Manor resident Mike Canazon, fly-fisher, rod wild fish, no stocking at all. A maker and fishing guide, holding one of the beautiful rocky, freestone stream where the bamboo rods he makes. fish are just hot!”

Browns, rainbows and cutthroat trout are use an 8.5-foot rod for a 6-weight line. Mike found in the river that is similar in size to is one of a talented and dedicated group dethe Willowemoc Creek –– not too large, and voted to the art of making bamboo rods: “I was up in Deposit probably 22 years with lots of public fishing access.

Fly-fishers also tend to own several differ- ago sitting on the (stream)bank and talking ent flyrods, and Mike’s favorite happens to to a guy who had a bamboo rod. I asked if I be one of his own making: a fast-action 8- could cast it… I couldn’t really cast it well, foot taper for a 5-weight line, that is versa- but it felt very alive in my hands and I just tile and can be fished it many streams, became obsessed!” He started researching whether in the Catskills or out west. How- and found that the cost of a bamboo rod ever, when he’s on a larger river, such as the was more than he could afford, so he deEast Branch and main stem Delaware, a longer rod is more appropriate; and he’ll CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Spring 2020

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cided to gather materials and learn to make his own.

“The rods have so much more feeling than graphite rods; when I hook a fish with a bamboo rod it’s almost as though we’re talking to each other,” he said. “I can feel every move he wants to make, where he wants to go. They’re so sensitive, and the softness and suppleness of the rod tip will save you from breaking off fish because there’s a little bit of a bounce to them, on the take especially, and it’s such a pleasure to cast them. You can go out on CONTRIBUTED PHOTO a river and enjoy casting even if Photo of Mike Canazon and a beautiful brown trout he caught there’s nothing going on.” on a size #22 Blue-Winged Olive, his favorite fly, while fishing He attended the Catskill Rod the Frying Pan river in Colorado.

Makers Gathering at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in considered one of the greatest living rod 2001 and became inspired, meeting Bobby makers.

Bobby became Mike’s mentor and fishing Taylor, of Hobart, New York, a master rod maker at the Leonard Rod Company and partner and he sees him on a regular basis.

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Spring 2020

80993

Since then, Mike has made more than 100 rods; he takes orders and sells rods and donates one every year to the Brothe –– a group that sponsors campfire weekends for youngsters and their dads, teaching and encouraging young people to fish.

Mike enjoys passing on his love of fishing: in 2000 he became a licensed guide, and he enjoys introducing newcomers to the sport, starting them off right on the water, often his home waters of the Willowemoc and Beaverkill. Clients have the opportunity to cast a bamboo rod so they can feel the action of the rod bending and yielding to the fish; they also use flies he ties himself for guiding.

He explains that one of the benefits of living close to the river is that you don’t have to drive all day to fish: “you can just go out whenever the hatch is going to start and get a couple hours of fishing in.”

“Fishermen are born, not made” a statement that certainly applies to Livingston Manor resident Mike Canazon, self-taught fly-fisher, rod maker, fly-tier and fishing guide.f

Rt 97 Barryville, NY 70207 69713

Spring 2020

OPEN MAY THROUGH OCTOBER T RO U T 7

Fly Fest fun

PHOTOS BY NICOLE MARCH

59866

Fly Fest is a great annual event put on by the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM). Last month’s event featured several anglers at all skill levels tying flies together and enjoying a day of fun. Check out the museum’s website, https://cffcm.com, to learn when they will be opening for the season.

982 DEBRUCE ROAD

8 TROUT

STAY | EAT | FISH

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Spring 2020

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ullivan County is the home of many bodies of water, from lakes, the Delaware River to what we’re about to give you a sneak peek of … some of our region’s reservoirs.

These places are not only a source of natural beauty but also provide great fishing opportunities for anglers.

Here’s some info about four of them!

N E V E R S I N K R E S E RVO I R

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his beautiful reservoir, which you can drive by on Route 55, is located approximately five miles northeast of the Village of Liberty and more than 75 miles from New York City. According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), the Neversink Reservoir was formed by the damming of the Neversink River, which continues south and eventually drains into the lower Delaware River. It holds 34.9 billion gallons at full capacity and was placed into service in 1954.

Neversink Reservoir is one of four reservoirs in the Delaware Water Supply System, the newest of the City’s three systems. The water withdrawn from the reservoir travels six miles in the Neversink Tunnel to Rondout Reservoir. There it mixes with water from the other two Delaware system reservoirs, Cannonsville Reservoir and Pepacton Reservoir, before heading south via the 85mile-long Delaware Aqueduct, which tunnels below the Hudson River. Neversink water ordinarily makes its way

to West Branch Reservoir and Kensico Reservoir for further settling. At Kensico Reservoir, it mixes with Catskill system waters before entering the two aqueducts that carry Catskill/Delaware water to Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers, at the City’s northern boundary, where it enters the water supply distribution system.

The Neversink watershed’s drainage basin is 92 square miles and includes portions of six towns: Fallsburg, Liberty and Neversink in Sullivan County, and Denning, Hardenburgh and Shandaken in Ulster County.

Fish species include landlocked salmon, brown trout, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, smelt, chain pickerel, black bullhead, rock bass and pumpkinseed sunfish.

Boating for the purposes of fishing is allowed on all NYCDEP reservoirs in-season as long as there is no ice. Anglers are required to obtain a free DEP Access Permit and all boats, oars and paddles used on the reservoirs must also be steam cleaned by one of the DEP-Certified Steam Cleaning Vendors located across the watershed.

For more info, visit www1.nyc.gov/site/dep/recreation/boating-for-anglers.

CONTINUED TO PAGE 12

Relax and fish at our local reservoirs

BY JOSEPH ABRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROL MONTANA

The Neversink Reservoir is a great place to take in our region’s natural beauty. Sit back and look at the clouds or catch a sunrise or sunset.

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Spring 2020

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S

ullivan County is the home of many bodies of water, from lakes, the Delaware River to what we’re about to give you a sneak peek of … some of our region’s reservoirs.

These places are not only a source of natural beauty but also provide great fishing opportunities for anglers.

Here’s some info about four of them!

N E V E R S I N K R E S E RVO I R

T

his beautiful reservoir, which you can drive by on Route 55, is located approximately five miles northeast of the Village of Liberty and more than 75 miles from New York City. According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), the Neversink Reservoir was formed by the damming of the Neversink River, which continues south and eventually drains into the lower Delaware River. It holds 34.9 billion gallons at full capacity and was placed into service in 1954.

Neversink Reservoir is one of four reservoirs in the Delaware Water Supply System, the newest of the City’s three systems. The water withdrawn from the reservoir travels six miles in the Neversink Tunnel to Rondout Reservoir. There it mixes with water from the other two Delaware system reservoirs, Cannonsville Reservoir and Pepacton Reservoir, before heading south via the 85mile-long Delaware Aqueduct, which tunnels below the Hudson River. Neversink water ordinarily makes its way

to West Branch Reservoir and Kensico Reservoir for further settling. At Kensico Reservoir, it mixes with Catskill system waters before entering the two aqueducts that carry Catskill/Delaware water to Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers, at the City’s northern boundary, where it enters the water supply distribution system.

The Neversink watershed’s drainage basin is 92 square miles and includes portions of six towns: Fallsburg, Liberty and Neversink in Sullivan County, and Denning, Hardenburgh and Shandaken in Ulster County.

Fish species include landlocked salmon, brown trout, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, smelt, chain pickerel, black bullhead, rock bass and pumpkinseed sunfish.

Boating for the purposes of fishing is allowed on all NYCDEP reservoirs in-season as long as there is no ice. Anglers are required to obtain a free DEP Access Permit and all boats, oars and paddles used on the reservoirs must also be steam cleaned by one of the DEP-Certified Steam Cleaning Vendors located across the watershed.

For more info, visit www1.nyc.gov/site/dep/recreation/boating-for-anglers.

CONTINUED TO PAGE 12

Relax and fish at our local reservoirs

BY JOSEPH ABRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROL MONTANA

The Neversink Reservoir is a great place to take in our region’s natural beauty. Sit back and look at the clouds or catch a sunrise or sunset.

10 TROUT

Spring 2020

Spring 2020

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

R I O R E S E RVO I R

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n southern Sullivan County in the towns of Forestburgh, Lumberland and Deerpark, you’ll find the 422-acre Rio Reservoir. It is part of the Mongaup River Hydroelectric facility owned by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, LLC. Gas powered motors are not allowed.

According to the NYSDEC, remains of an old bridge offers good structure for bass fishing.

While fishing keep your eyes open for bald eagles. Fish species you’ll find there include brown trout, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch.

The NYS DEC boat launch is off of Old Plank Rd. Parking for 15 cars and trailers, open April 1 to November 1. Hand launch located off of Rio Dam Rd with parking for 10 cars.

NYS fishing regulations apply.

CONTINUED TO PAGE 14

NOTE: Information from this article was taken from the websites of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

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PHOTOS BY KAITLIN CARNEY | DEMOCRAT

Located in the southern part of Sullivan County, the Rio Reservoir has a boat launch off Old Plank Road. They open on April 1.

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Spring 2020

1031 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor, NY www.cffcm.com 845-439-4810 80835

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The Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum • See the history of fly fishing • Learn to fly fish with your family • Learn to tie flies and build rods

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S W I N G I N G B R I D G E R E S E RVO I R

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our Sullivan County towns –– Bethel, Forestburgh, Lumberland, and Thompson –– border the 889-acre Swinging Bridge Reservoir.

The reservoir is a great place to camp out at, so visit the park’s campground. Boat rentals and

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

a marina are also available to the public.

According to the NYSDEC, boat access is provided by Alliance Energy. A concrete boat ramp is located on the east shore off of Starlight Rd. Parking for 30 vehicles. Free to public with no restrictions on boat type.

Species you’ll find in the lake are Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Brown Trout, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Common Carp, Brown Bullhead and White Perch.

The NYDEC says, “The walleye fishery in Swinging Bridge Reservoir is great. Anglers regularly take fish in the 5-pound range, and walleyes up to 10 lbs are caught each year. To catch these walleye, head out to 20 to 30 feet of water. Troll with a deep diving crankbait or drift with a minnow.

Anglers also have success fishing with a jig tipped with a nightcrawler along the drop offs. With old house foundations, masonry walls, gravel mounds, as well as the old road beds Swinging Bridge Reservoir has a great habitat for bass. A great spot for Bass is fishing off the dam on the Reservoirs south shore. Try fishing with a jig or a spinning bait.”

NYS Fishing regulations apply.

CONTINUED TO PAGE 16 PHOTOS BY PATRICIO ROBAYO | DEMOCRAT

A concrete boat ramp is located off Starlight Road. This reservoir is a great place to camp.

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Spring 2020

(845) 292-3455 • www.spineinorder.com T RO U T 1 5

T O R O N T O R E S E RVO I R

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he Town of Bethel is home to this 833acre Reservoir where reports of 10-lb Walleye and 2-3 lb Smallmouth bass have been caught. One third of the reservoir is owned by a private club that’s marked by buoys and is not open to public fishing.

According to the NYSDEC, boat access is provided by Alliance Energy. A concrete ramp is located off of Moscoe Rd. on the north side of the lake. Free to the public with no restrictions on boat type.

While there’s no trout at this reservoir, fish species include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Panfish, Walleye and Brown Bullhead.

The NYSDEC says, “A good place to start looking for smallmouth bass is the southern shore of Toronto Reservoir. Try fishing with a bright colored spinnerbait fished up to 20 feet. Another good technique to use for smallmouth

EAGLE VALLEY REALTY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

is fishing with a tube jig in a green pumpkin color. You may also have success fishing the shallow water at the north end of the lake near the boat ramp.”

NYS Fishing regulations apply at the Toronto Reservoir.

PHOTOS BY PATRICIO ROBAYO | DEMOCRAT

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16 TROUT

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Delaware River

Spring 2020

Enjoy this gorgeous reservoir, not far from the site of Woodstock.

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T RO U T 1 7

COVER AND ABOVE PHOTO BY AUTUMN SCHANIL | DEMOCRAT

Though the First Cast event has been postponed (check the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum website for more info), anglers can still begin fishing on April 1.

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18 TROUT

64 Ferndale­Loomis Road, Liberty, NY 12754 845­292­6552 â&#x20AC;˘ sullivanswcd.org

Landowners who would like to stock their pond with bass, minnows and trout; the District will be selling ďŹ ngerlings of large mouth bass, fathead minnows, rainbow trout and brook trout. The Bass and Minnow program is run from April thru June and the Trout and Minnow program is run from July thru September.

Anyone interested in purchasing ďŹ ngerlings can call the Conserva on District at (845) 292­6552 and request an order form to be mailed to you or go online at sullivanswcd.org for more informa on.

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'RQ¡W *HW 7LFN¡G E\ 0\WK-Information MYTH: Ticks will jump m off of trees.

FACT: Ticks cannot fly, jump, or fall out of trees. Ticks live 18-24 inches off the ground on tall grass, bushes, or leaf litter. They will attacch to their host and crawl upwards until they find a fee e din d g spot.

MYTH: All ticks cause Lym y e Disease.

FACT: Only the black-legged, or deer tick, transmit the bacteria that can cause Lyme Disease. And, not all deer ticks are infec e ted witth Lyme bacteria. However, other types of ticks can carrry bacteria that cause infec e tions such as Anaplasmosiis and Babesiosis.

MYTH: There are ma any effec e tive ways y to remove an attached tick including petroleum jelly y, tap pe, matches, nail polish, insect repella ant, or olive oil.

FACT: All of these meethods can actually irritate the tick, causing increased sa alivation and an increa ased risk of disease transmission. The easiest, and mosst consistent, way to remove a tick is with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp p the ti t ck as close to the skin n as possible and gently pull the tiick straight out, without twisting or jerking.

MYTH: We only need to worry about ticks in the summer.

FACT: Adult deer ticks begin their fee e ding activity in October and will latcch onto a larger host (like humans) any day the temperatture is above freezing.

For more infor o ma ation about ticks or Lyme Disease prevention, please a call Sullivan County Publicc Health Services at: 845.292.5910, Ext. 0 Spring 2020

T RO U T 1 9

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20 TROUT

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