CMTU October Meeting

Wednesday, October 15

Residence Inn by Marriott

Kingston 800 Frank Sottile Blvd

6:30-8:30

This months presentation and speaker will be speakers will be:

Partnerships to Protect Watershed Health: Insights from the Upper Raritan River of New Jersey. 

Kristi MacDonald, PhD, Science Director at Hudsonia.

Kristi MacDonald will discuss the challenges faced by communities, non-profits, and agencies in protecting the health of our watersheds, rivers, and streams. Science is key to informing policy, planning and restoration. Kristi will discuss her work at Raritan Headwaters, a non-profit in NJ, where she built and led a long-term, regulatory level volunteer stream monitoring program, including the training and coordination of over 100 community scientists collecting annual biological and chemical data at more than 80 sites. Under her leadership, the program’s high-quality data directly supported multiple stream reclassifications for increased protections by NJDEP. She also led the design and implementation of several watershed restoration and protection plans informed by water quality data that incorporated green infrastructure, riparian buffers, stormwater controls, and dam removals to address pollutants and impacts from extreme storms and built multiple partnerships to implement these plans.

Esopus Creek Trout Spawning Survey Fall 2025

Saturday, November 8th, 2025

Since the new New York State trout stream regulations opened Esopus Creek to year-round fishing, there’s been a lot of talk about the need to educate anglers about trout spawning beds, also known as redds, and to learn more about the distribution of redds on Esopus Creek.

And as DEC’s new Esopus Creek Fisheries Management Plan makes clear, there’s a crucial need to understand spawning practices on Esopus Creek.

As a result, CMTU will be conducting a spawning bed survey this fall. Knowing the location of spawning beds and habitat will allow us to prioritize conservation projects and to educate anglers so they don’t disturb the beds, ensuring healthy populations of wild trout for years to come.

We need as many members as possible to come out for this conservation event!

Date:  Saturday November 8th

When:   9:00AM – 12:00PM

Please register ahead of time at the following link so we can organize survey teams.

Registration Link: https://tu.myeventscenter.com/event/Catskill-Mountains-Tu-Esopus-Creek-Redds-Survey-117568

We will meet at 9:00 AM at the NYS DEC fishing access point on Mount Pleasant Road, behind the Emerson, where Bert Darrow’s bench was dedicated, to sign in and distribute assignments to survey teams. We will then divide up the reaches across teams of 2 or 3 people. Maps will be provided.

Bring your waders and boots in case you need to wade some sections.

A post-survey event will be held at Westkill Brewery after noon for all that are interested. A special thank you pint for all volunteers will be waiting.

https://www.westkillbrewing.com/

Location: 2173 Spruceton Rd, West Kill, NY 12492

In case you missed it past events, here is a link to the online training. This training gives instruction on how to use the TU  Red Survey app: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdAKhp2HT6 that will be use in the survey.

Note that Red Survey App is not a mobile app itself, but rather is a ‘Survey’ within the mobile app called Survey123 for ArcGIS.

Here’s how to prepare your phone for the survey:

From your iPhone’s App Store or your Google Play Store download and install ArcGIS Survey123.

When you open ArcGIS Suvey123 login using the option “Continue without signing in”

On the next screen in the ArcGIS Sruvey123 app use the search window to input this: https://arcg.is/0u5vm

This will import the TU Redd Survey into your phone.

Please do this before the day of the event.

If you need assistance loading the ArcGIS Survey123 app or the TU Redd Survey after watching the online training and/or reading these directions, email catskillmountaintu@gmail.com

On the day of the event, we will have printed survey sheets in case that are needed but prefer to assign survey teams with at least one person that can use the app.

Note that you will not need a cell signal to use the app. A cell signal is not needed for GPS to map the locations.

In the unfortunate event the weather makes the rivers and tribs unsafe we will cancel the event.   Any cancellation will be posted on the web site cmtu.org and email provided when you register.

2025 CMTU Conservation Sweepstakes

Join the 2025 Conservation Sweepstakes!

The Catskill Mountains Chapter of Trout Unlimited is excited to launch our annual Conservation Raffle — culminating in a grand prize drawing at our year-end celebration on December 13th, 2025.

Enter now for your chance to win premium fly fishing gear!

Secure your tickets today:

https://go.tulocalevents.org/cmtu2025conservationsweepstakes/

Support Local Watersheds & Wild Trout

Every ticket helps fund vital conservation efforts across the Catskills — from stream restoration to habitat protection — ensuring healthy fisheries for generations to come.

Whether you’re an avid angler or simply passionate about preserving our natural heritage, this is your chance to make a difference and reel in something extraordinary.

Prizes

1st Prize: Custom built, 9ft 5wt Fly Rod by BKD Custom Rods

2nd Prize: 8′ 6″ 2pc 5wt Bamboo Rod  with (2 tips)

3rd Prize: A fly box filled with hand-tied flies crafted by local Catskill fly tiers

Ticket Pricing:

• 10 entries for $10
• 30 entries for $25
• 50 entries for $40

Buy your tickets now at https://go.tulocalevents.org/cmtu2025conservationsweepstakes/  for your chance to win!

The winners will be drawn at our chapter event, but you don’t need to be present to win. Thank you for your support, and good luck!

CMTU September  Meeting

Wednesday, September 24th
Residence in by Marriott Kingston
800 Frank Sottile Blvd
6:30-8:30

Summer Time is the Right Time for Beer
 


With the temps so high, it’s hard to find good water for trout. So why not spend an evening with West Kill Brewing’s Brookie Lager instead?

CMTU will be holding a Pint Night on Wednesday, July 30 from 6:30 until…well, they close at 10:00.

This will be a relaxed evening with good friends, excellent beer, and more than a few fish stories.

Westkill Brewing usually has a food truck available for those who are hungry.

Hope to see you there!

Go Fishing on Wednesday, June 18th

Our June meeting will take place on Esopus Creek. All chapter members and friends are invited to come out for an evening of fishing followed by refreshment at Brios in Phoenicia.

We will meet at Catskill Outfitter’s parking lot  at 6:00 PM. From there, we’ll head out to fish, and we’ll meet back at Brios at 8:30. 

Meetup location : 5579 NY-28, Phoenicia, NY 12464. ( next to Woodstock Brewing) 

Saturday’s weather includes rain and a threat of thunderstorms again.  We have decided to cancel the cleanup on Saturday.   We will plan one for the fall.

Esopus Creek Earth Day Stream Cleanup

CMTU is hosting its annual stream cleanup event for the Esopus and its tributaries on Saturday, May 3rd April 26th between 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.  All are welcome to come to help out!  There is still a lot of trash out there along the streams due to the winter flooding.

Volunteers should meet out in front of Catskill Outfitters along Route 28 in Phoenicia to get trash bags and a map.  Everyone will then head out to clean up a section of stream.  When you are finished, bring your trash back to Catskill Outfitters so that it can be taken to a transfer station.  If you have a truck and would be willing to help out with the trash delivery, please email catskillmountaintu@gmail.com.  CMTU will have gloves, trash bags, and water available for volunteers.

Date:  Cancelled

When:   10:00AM – 12:00PM

CMTU April  Meeting

Wednesday, April 9th
Residence in by Marriott Kingston
800 Frank Sottile Blvd
6:30-8:30

April’s chapter meeting is coming up. Our speaker this month is Rich Liptak.

FLY FISHING FOR TROUT ON THE DELAWARE’S “OTHER HALF”: CALLICOON NY TO PORT JERVIS NY.

When most people think about fishing the Delaware, they think about fishing the hallowed waters of the West Branch, from Deposit to Hancock. Or maybe the highly technical waters of the East Branch, from Downsville on down. Occasionally, people fish the Main Stem below Hancock. But there’s a lot more to the might Delaware than those famous waters.

Rich Liptak has been fly fishing the Delaware, and other rivers and streams of the Catskills and Poconos fror 47 year. In this presentation, he’ll show us a side of the Delaware that most trout anglers overlook, the lower main stem. He’ll take us on a 45-mile float from Callicoon to Port Jervis. He’ll It will discuss trout fishing on the Delaware Rivers little known Trout zone , offering a fantastic alternative to the upper reaches of the river. Characteristics, Techniques, Access sites, and Expectations will be covered.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Rich Liptak has been flyfishing the Delaware for 47 years as well as other rivers and streams in the Catskills and Poconos. Additionally Rich has fished many other area throughout the country and out of the country in both fresh and saltwater.

Those wishing to access via WebEx can do so using the link below.

CMTU April Chapter Meeting
Hosted by Catskill Mountains Trout Unlimited

https://catskillmountainstu.my.webex.com/catskillmountainstu.my/j.php?MTID=mf5848f9ba32996f65176456e3a21749d

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 6:30 PM | 2 hours | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Meeting number: 2864 206 2046
Password: wildesopus (94533767 when dialing from a phone or video system)

Join by phone
+1-650-479-3208 United States Toll

Access code: 286 420 62046

Family Day with Catskill Mountains Trout Unlimited

When:   Saturday April 5th, 2025

Time: 1-5 PM

Location:

Arrowood Farms Brewery & Distillery

236 Lower Whitfield Rd.
Accord, NY 12404

https://arrowoodfarms.com/

Join Catskill Mountains Trout Unlimited for an afternoon at Arrowood Farms

Family and Friends Welcome!

Here are some of the activities at the event:

• Food and drinks served throughout the event
• Bucket Raffles (Items not limited to fishing only)
• Silent Auction
• Casting demos/contest weather permitting
• Fly tying demos
• Fun for the whole family
• Room for kids to run around outside
• Cash bar for adult beverages

List of the menu items:

• Braised short rib French dip sandwiches
• Assorted quesadillas (including vegetarian)
• Assorted Flat Breads (including vegetarian)
• Macaroni and cheese (vegetarian)
• Beef chili with beans
• Chicken wings (buffalo and BBQ)
• Garden Salad
• Elote style corn salad

Plus food for the kids:

• Chicken tenders and French fries
• Hot dogs
• Burgers will be upon request and cooked to order

Salted chocolate chip cookies and brownies for dessert

Lemonade, iced tea, and assorted canned sodas

Tickets can be purchased directly at the following link:  https://tu.myeventscenter.com/event/Family-Day-With-Catskill-Mountains-Trout-Unlimited-105726

For those that are unable to purchase tickets online, please contact Ron Urban 914-388-3878 for tickets.

Esopus Creek Trout Spawning Survey – Spring Edition

We need your help!

Over the last two years, the Catskill Mountains chapter of TU has organized a trout spawning survey on Esopus Creek to help us better understand and protect spawning trout on Esopus creek and its tributaries. We are organizing a spring survey for March 15th. Please see below for details, registration link, and online training.