The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Ed Mitchell

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum: In the previous post, we visited Roscoe, NY -Trout Town USA. Well nearby, on old route 17 in Livingston Manor, is another spot you’ll want to check out.  The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.  It’s a “must-see” when in this neck of the woods.

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum

Originally located in Roscoe, it opened its doors in 1981 as the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum. A year later it moved to a piece of property in Livingston Manor where it changed its name and has grown in size and scope ever since.

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum

The exhibits run the gamut from great old photographs, to art work, fly fishing gear, and fabulous fly collections. Its easy to spend some serious time here. Plenty of well thought out displays, and a mammoth amount of information on the history of fly fishing in the Catskills and beyond.

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum

Along with its annual dinner, CFFCM hosts special events every year. Among them are Opening Day Celebrations at the Junction Pool on the Beaverkill; Rod Maker Gatherings including the Cane Rod Makers School; the Summer Fest which includes an Anglers Market, The Hardy Cup, and the TU Beamoc Pig Roast; the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame inductees ceremony; and the Catskill Legends Ceremony and Dinner. Did I miss any?

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum

I’ve given you plenty of good reasons to pay a visit to this fine place. So next time you’re up this way, whether fishing the Beaverkill, Willowemoc, Neversink or the Delaware, be sure to take a ride over. You’ll find them about 5 miles south of Roscoe at 1031 old route 17.  And if you have any trouble locating the CFFCM or just want more information, reach for your cell phone and call 845-439-4810! Or email them at office@cffcm.com

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum

 

Posted in Fly Fishing in Freshwater, On the Road | Leave a comment

Roscoe NY: Trout Town USA

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Ed Mitchell

Roscoe NY: Trout Town USA   Been up in the Catskills for a few days. Naturally I had to swing into Roscoe NY: Trout Town USA. Ever been there? If not you’re missing out.

Considered by many to be the birthplace of fly-fishing in America, it’s neighboring waters have been drawing avid anglers for well over a 100 years. And many of those anglers were instrumental in the development of the sport including Theodore Gordon, AE Hendrickson, Rube Cross, Art Flick, Lee Wulff, Joan Wulff, The Dettes, The Darbees, Poul Jorgensen, and too many others to name. So deep is Roscoe’s connection to fly-fishing, the late great sportswriter Red Smith said “To fish opening day on the Beaverkill is like celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem.” Amen, brother.

Roscoe NY: Trout Town USA

The most notable waters near town are the Beaverkill and the Willowemoc. These two rivers, filled with fly-fishing history, join at the Junction Pool. Be sure to wet a line there. Why? In this pool resides the legendary Beamoc, a two head trout known far and wide. If you’re lucky enough to hook the beast, let it go! Otherwise the town folk will tar and feather your arse.

The Two Headed Trout

To my eye the town looks largely same as when I last saw it 25 years ago.  One exception is the Antrim Lodge which has yet to reopen after many years. Hopefully the Antrim will be back in business soon. The other exception is the sad closing of the “Little Store”. In business since April of 1945, this variety store carried everything from clothes and boots, to archery and ammo, to muzzle loading supplies, fishing supplies, gifts, books, toys and camping gear. An amazing cornucopia. Perhaps someone with vision can bring that place back to its former glory. The “Little Store” was an amazing Catskill gem. No trip to Roscoe was complete without a visit there.

Roscoe NY: Trout Town USA

There are still more places in town to buy fly gear than bread. True! In fact there are 3 fly shops on the main drag, and the famous Dette fly shop around the corner on Cottage Street. Founded in 1928 by Walt and Winnie Dette, it is the oldest family run fly shop on Mother Earth. Eighty-nine years and going strong.

Dette Trout Flies

Always a treat to pick through the Dette fly bins. Believe me, great fly selection, great place, great people. Bought a few nicely tied soft hackles, one of which ( see photo below) hooked a heavy fish later that day on the Willowemoc. By the way, if you’re coming up this way the shop offers an invaluable daily river report.

Soft Hackle from Dette Trout Flies

Posted in Fly Fishing in Freshwater, On the Road | Leave a comment

The Paddlesports are Alive and Well

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Ed Mitchell

The Paddlesports are Alive and Well: Recently I drove by Collinsville Canoe & Kayak  in Collinsville, Connecticut. Had to swing in and look around. Its was a major treat to see all the different paddle craft being offered and their assorted goodies. Man oh man, the paddlesports are alive and well!

When I was young, the only recreational paddle craft around was the canoe. For the outdoor enthusiast, it was the most revered way to travel lakes and streams. And it is still held in high esteem  today. Canoes are cool. As we moved into the 1980’s, however, the self-propelled paddlesports began to slowly evolve with the growing popularity of the kayak. Now kayak are everywhere. Everywhere!

The Paddlesports are Alive and Well

Like canoes, kayaks are ancient craft first used by native people for survival. Today, however, both boats are extremely popular for all sorts of recreational reasons – including fishing, camping, touring, hunting, photography, and good old relaxation. Get this: in the USA over 300,000 kayaks are made each year, and over 100,000 canoes! Crazy! We love our paddle craft. Got one yet? What are you waiting for? Believe me there is one out there just for you.

Naturally with that expansion came a lot of innovation. The variety of hull materials grew. Of course, some wood hulls are still available, but we now rely mainly on fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon-fiber, rotomolded polyethylene, and thermal formed plastics such as ABS. Each has its own pros & cons & price point. Hull designs have advanced too, as has styles, paddles, pedal drives, electric motors, sails, technical wear, and accessories. You can outfit your craft in endless ways. Soon we’ll have cabins, bunks, a galley, and a toilet aboard. LOL

The Paddlesports are Alive and Well

The Paddlesports are Alive and Well

Then around 2005 we even witnessed the birth of another paddle craft – the standup board. Man, those things have caught on. Across the country, standup boards are rapidly growing in popularity. Between 2010-2014 there was a 3 fold increase in interest. We now produce roughly 50,000 boards a year. And there are upwards of 3 million people using them. Yes, the paddlesports are alive and well. And there is no end in sight…..

The Paddlesports are Alive and Well

The Paddlesports are Alive and Well

Posted in Kayak / SUP Fishing | 2 Comments

Irma Cometh

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Ed Mitchell

Irma Cometh: Well, I got out of Dodge..make that Punta Gorda. Flew back to Connecticut last night. Hurricane Irma cometh to town.

She just looked too big, too strong, and too aimed at Florida for me to ride it out here. Started getting ready three days ago. Taped up the windows, dropped the shades, dragged the kayaks inside, emptied the furniture out of both lanais, carried in the grill, took down the art work, hid all the valuables in the strongest room, chucked out the food in reefer, chucked out everything in the freezer, shut off the water, secured a plane reservation, and packed a bag.

Irma Cometh

Meanwhile, outside there was a shit load of patio furniture around the community pool. In a hurricane, they were all potential missiles. Not as dangerous as North Korean missiles, but dangerous, believe me. Unfortunately, there was no place to store that gear. So I got the green light from the property manager to sink the stuff. No choice, really. Had too. Put on a bathing suit and went to work. The photo above show the project about halfway done. Eventually I got it all scuttled.

At that point the stores were out of water, the gas stations out of fuel, the highways gridlocked, and some flights being cancelled. I’m praying no one gets killed, and my adobe survives.

 

 

Posted in Environment, On the Road | 2 Comments

The Joe Brooks Documentary Trailer

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Ed Mitchell

The Joe Brooks Documentary Trailer: In July of 2015 I told you about the efforts underway to document the life of legendary angler Joe Brooks. Joe is often called the father of modern fly-fishing, and for good reason. He is that important, and I’m sure Lefty Kreh would back that statement up. Whether you wet flies in fresh or salt, you owe Joe a debt of gratitude.

Well I just got notice that the Joe Brooks Documentary Trailer is up and available for viewing. Good news. Below you will find links to see view it. Check it out. Enjoy!

 Here’s a few more links from my original post.

Posted in Fly Fishing in Freshwater, Fly Fishing in Salt Water | 2 Comments