CATSKILL MOUNTAINS TROUT UNLIMITED

This month after our regular chapter meeting, Pat Crisci, Mid-Hudson TU Chapter Member and Regional VP on NY State Council will Speak about NY State Council Trout Unlimited Activities.

Please note we have a New Temporary Location for the in person Meeting!

Courtyard Marriott is remodeling our regular meeting room. In the meantime, we’ll meet across the street at the Residence Inn by Marriott.

Address: 800 Frank Sottile Blvd, Kingston, NY 12401 

Online link
https://catskillmountainstu.my.webex.com/catskillmountainstu.my/j.php?MTID=m3bf6f976c631487226b9c6bf54152b41

When: Wednesday, Feb 15, 2023 6:30 pm EST
Meeting number: 2633 244 6177
Password: wildesopus (94533767 from phones and video systems)

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

In conjunction with the Hudson River Maritime Museum, CMTU will be holding a fly tying class this spring. It will be a two-day class on March 4-5 from 10AM to 4PM. The course is designed for people who are just starting out tying or who have never tied before. You will learn the basic techniques for tying a wide range of flies, including dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, and streamers. We will discuss how flies imitate certain insects, and you will learn about material selection, tool use, and a wide range of techniques.

All tools and materials needed for this class will be supplied. If you already have a fly-tying vice and tools, you are welcome to bring them.

The course will be taught by Andrew Higgins and will take place at the Hudson River Maritime Museum. 

The cost of the course is $100, but CMTU members can sign up at a significant discount. To get the discount, contact Andrew Higgins at andrewhiggins@protonmail.com.

https://hrmm.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/hrmm/event.jsp?event=5405&

Wednesday, January 18th
Courtyard Marriott Kingston
6:30-8:30PM

(Online option below)

This month’s featured speaker will be..

Todd Spire, fly fishing guide and founder of Esopus Creel, will give his presentation on The Mighty Esopus

The Mighty Esopus examines the unique history, geology, and fishing heritage of Esopus Creek in the Eastern Catskill Mountains. The creek’s ideal geological environment for trout, formed millions of years ago and perfected by the last ice age, has made it a popular destination for anglers. The introduction of American dry fly fishing in the early 1900s further established the creek as a top-rated fishery in the Northeast. In addition to exploring the creek’s fishing history, The Mighty Esopus also discusses the construction of the nation’s largest all-natural reservoir system, which supplies New York City with 40% of its water, and the efforts of local anglers to conserve not only their home waters, but nearly every river of the Catskills. Presented by Esopus Creel founder Todd Spire, the stories of the Esopus are woven together to create a snapshot of how geology, history, conservation, and a profound love of rivers have helped maintain a vibrant fishery in the face of countless obstacles.

If you cannot make in person, you may also attend online:

Webex Link: https://catskillmountainstu.my.webex.com/catskillmountainstu.my/j.php?MTID=me7a8308bdd7aab5315aa91e05c3db2fb

When: Wednesday, Jan 18, 2023 6:30 pm | 2 hours | (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Meeting number: 2633 746 7750
Password: wildesopus

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

Access code: 263 374 67750

 CMTU is hosting its annual stream cleanup event for the Esopus and its tributaries on Saturday, April 23rd between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.  All are welcome to come to help out!  There is still a lot of trash out there along the streams due to the Christmas 2020 flood.  Volunteers should meet out in front of Esopus Creel 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 fishing, bring your trash back to Esopus Creel 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.  

Volunteer with CMTU and Win an Abel Reel!

Christa Whiteman Speaks about Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

At this month’s meeting Christa Whiteman will be speaking about Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the fastest growing conservation organization on the block. Christa will talk about what makes BHA unique, what the New York chapter is working on & how TU can benefit from collaboration with BHA.

Christa is the Vice Chair of the Board of the New York Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and enjoys the additional challenge of bowhunting with little more than stick & string and trout tickling with mere feathers, a little thread & a (barbless) hook. (And she loves to nerd out about plants too.)

Here is the call in info for those that want to use webex.

CMTU April Chapter Meeting
Hosted by Catskill Mountains Trout Unlimited

https://catskillmountainstu.my.webex.com/catskillmountainstu.my/j.php?MTID=m33010664611cdef63e75f2b86f60be10
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2022 6:30 pm | 2 hours | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Meeting number: 2631 375 4005
Password: wildesopus (94533767 from phones and video systems)

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

Access code: 263 137 54005

Come on out for CMTU and New York Backcountry Hunters & Anglers spring celebration!

John Shaner, a noted expert on the history of fly fishing will be speaking on wet flies. If you’ve gone to the fly show at Edison, you may have heard one of Shaner’s excellent presentations on wet flies or seen him evaluating vintage fly fishing gear at the Hardy’s booth–Shaner recently retired as a long-time representative of Hardy of Alnwick. As always, John is engaging, affable, and interesting.  

The meeting will begin at 6:30, but join us at 6:00 to see John demonstrate how to tie some famous wet flies.

Why wet flies? The humble wet fly has been producing trout since fly fishing began. Over the centuries, other methods have been developed that have pushed this ancient type of fly to the sidelines. The time honored wet fly is not only still relevant but is often the most productive way to take trout. In his presentation Shaner will focus on the simplest style of wet fly, the Spider or Soft Hackle. He will cover the history, development, tying, and fishing methods of this elegant and productive trout fly style, from its roots in 18th Century England to its use on today’s trout rivers world-wide.