Thank you to everyone that participated in the stream clean up on the Esopus on May 21st. Attached are some pitcures. As you can see we had a very productive day.
I would also like to extend a thank you to Liz Higgins and her team at Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program for helping organize the event.
Ted Hoover
The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP) Stream Stewards and the Catskill Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited invite volunteers to a stream cleanup they are hosting together on the Esopus Creek in Shandaken on Saturday, May 21from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. A barbeque will follow immediately after the cleanup at 12:30 pm for volunteer clean-up crews at the AWSMP Main Office located at 6375 Route 28 in Phoenicia (across from the former Margo’s Restaurant). Volunteers will meet at the AWSMP Office at 9:00am and carpool to cleanup stream access sites. Please RSVP by Thursday, May 19 to Gretchen Rae at 845-688-3047 or email Gretchen.rae@ashokanstreams.org. AWSMP is a partnership between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District and New York City Department of Environmental Protection.
Gloves and trash bags, donated by the Catskill Watershed Corporation, will be provided for the cleanup. Participants are asked to wear boots or sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for a rain or shine event. Bring hip waders if you have them. Prizes will be awarded to everyone with special prizes awarded for the most unique trash items found!
Here is a google map link of the locations.
by Ryan Williams
Hendrickson Nymph
Hook – 2XL Nymph Size 14
Thread – 6/0 Dark Brown Uni-thread
Bead – 2.8mm (7/64) Black Tungsten
Leadwire – .015
Tail – Speckled brown hen hackle fibers
Abdomen – Brown Lifecycle Nymph Dubbing
Rib – Black Krystal Flash
Thorax – Brown Lifecycle Nymph Dubbing
Wingcase – Brown Thin Skin
Collar – ChocolateBrown Ice Dub
This is a pattern that I like to use as a dropper in a multi-fly set up. The tungsten bead and lead wire produces a nymph that sinks fast and gets to where it needs to be. It is simple to tie which is fine with me because I don’t mind if I lose a few during the course of a day. The beauty of this fly is that it pulls double duty, serving as a hendrickson in the spring and an Iso later on in the summer. I have found it to be productive in many local streams and use it frequently as a general prospecting pattern. One of the keys to this fly is the Krystal flash rib. Tie in a folded over piece of krystal flash and twist it with your hackle pliers before winding it forward. It creates a very eye catching rib. I am particularly fond of pearl krystal flash wound through my standard hare’s ears nymphs. Go ahead and give it a try.
Meeting- The Regular Meeting will begin at 7:15 PM. This month we will have two speakers which relate to each other. At 6:30 PM we will have Samantha Root an Intern working with Biology Professor Catherine O’Reilly of Bard College. She has been doing research on decontaminating fishing gear for didymo, she will come talk to us at our meeting? We are asked to be interested to be willing to fill out a survey about didymo she is utilizing for her studies and will have some available at the meeting. The survey is also online http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G2C8T36 if you wanted to fill it out and email the link to other fly fishermen you know. She will also discuss with us on best strategies we might think of for didymo decontamination. Followed by Mike Courtney of CCC discussing the Esopus Watershed and how we can become volunteers to help studies and work on the same with possible grants for kiosks and cleaning decontamination wash stations.
The World Fishing and Outdoor Exposition Show- March 3 to 6 in Suffern, NY- This annual event is a great show for all outdoorsmen. You can also to see retailers, new equipment and possibly meet old friends. Also, there are seminars, of which some are for strippers and bass as well as fly casting demonstrations. It is on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is held at the Rockland Community College Field House in Suffern. For more information and directions you can go to www.sportshow.com. Show Hours: Thur. 2p-9p, Fri 1p – 9p, Sat 9:30a-7p, Sun 9:30a -5p. Admission: Adult: $13 for one day. Order ticket(s) online and save $2. Why not get a few friends together and carpool down next week.
Conservation Committee- Ted has several people step up to help and the chapter is hopeful that we are getting back to conservation issues and protection of our resources. We have set up a stream clean up date in April and possibly another in June to comply with the national TU requests. Contact the Conservation Chairman Ted Hoover at: thoover@hvc.rr.com if you can help. We will also have a sign up sheet at the meeting for upcoming events.
Newsletter- I mentioned this last month and 5 of you responded. Some of you receive this newsletter by electronic emails. Others still receive by regular mail. We would like to streamline the newsletter to as many email addresses as possible to save on rising postage costs. The monies saved could be used for more conservation work or activities. Therefore, I am asking all of you once more to help us reduce costs if possible. At this time to send me an email with your name and email address so you can be added to our list. Only those needing regular mail then will receive a hard copy. To get on the email list and help your chapter save mailing finances, send to me Ron Urban at: Ronsgonefishing@aol.com If you get both ways this message, then also send me your name and email address so you can be removed from the regular mailing. For those of you that contacted me last month, Thanks.
New Website in Progress- Reminder about web site. Here’s how to get there: Go to www.cmtu.org . On the right half of the page you’ll see User Interface, click Register and enter your name and email. Use a name you feel comfortable posting comments with, and will be recognizable for us to speed approval.
A message will be sent to Frank Baker, who will approve registration as soon as he can. After that you’ll get an email including your login information. Please take a minute and review your settings under Site Admin and change your password, and then take a few more minutes to get to
know the site – we’ve already done quite a bit of work on it! Feel free to contact Paul Cowell at cmtu@paulcowell.com or Frank Baker at; frbaker@thorcs.com. With the next Fly of the Month coming up and you’d like to share with members and visitors to the site contact Frank also. Something that can be used on local streams or in near by states that work.
Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you at our meetings and online!
Annual Banquet- At he last meeting we discussed the date of this years Annual Conservation Banquet Fund raiser. It will be on November 5th. This meeting time we need to decide on a location or receive suggestions. Your voice is important and hope to have your input. Several have suggested again to StoneHedge as last year. Facility accommodations were terrific and attention to our needs was met. Dates get taken fast so we should proceed to narrow this down.
Team Spirit- That is what we’re calling the idea discussed at the January Meeting and accepted by all in attendance. A motion to purchase a fly rod and reel to be raffled off in November at the banquet was passed. The president will seek out these items from several sources and a limit of $400 was motioned and passed. When you attend any activity of the chapter like, stream clean ups, youth fishing day, banquet planning, etc. your name will get a ticket into a bucket for the raffle.
TU Veteran Service Program- On January 11 Trout Unlimited (TU) announced its new Veterans Service Partnership program that will serve U.S. veterans throughout the country through conservation projects and fly fishing instruction. Alan Folger as a disabled veteran and lifelong fly fisherman has experienced firsthand the therapeutic value that fly fishing can bring to those suffering the traumas of war. Two years ago he was introduced to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF), the national non-profit dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military service personnel and veterans through fly fishing, fly tying education and outings. That introduction changed his life, just as it has thousands of disabled veterans and TU members across the country. Trout Unlimited has been actively involved with PHWFF since its beginning. With this program, TU hopes to exponentially expand our involvement with PHWFF and other like-minded groups. Today, there are more than 3.25 million veterans in the United States with a service-connected disability, and of those, nearly 1 million are from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan
With your help, I will engage our network of volunteers to introduce injured and returning veterans from past and present conflicts to TU’s conservation work through fly fishing and fly tying. Through our partner organizations we can teach the basics of fly casting and fly tying, and provide an introduction to conservation issues and on-stream outings throughout the country. Alan Folger, Veterans Service Program Coordinator, afolger@tu.org
Weather Related Cancellations- In case of possible weather conditions preventing a meeting, contact Ron Urban, President at: 845-339-5938 or at Ronsgonefishing@aol.com to find out if a cancellation is in order. Also, we will notify Gander Mountain of our cancellation for that meeting night.
Tying and Fly Fishing Classes- We are planning these classes. Tying will be held at Gander Mountain Lodge beginning Tuesday the 15th (night before meeting) @ 6:30 pm and the Fly Fishing Schools will be held at UCCC tentatively set for March 14th, 21st, 28th, April 4th and 11th. As always, our qualified chapter staff will instruct both classes. For tying you can still contact Ed Meyer at: 339-3655. If you know anyone interested in the Fly Casting class, contact either Bob Sills at 338-4292 or Ron Urban at: Ronsgonefishing@aol.com or 845-339-5938. 7 weeks until Opening Day
To make it easier for members to keep in touch I’ve set up a page at Facebook. Posts from this site should automatically appear there under the blogs tab.
Catskill Mts. Trout Unlimited
Meeting Wednesday January 19, 2011
Gander Mountain Lodge, Kingston
Meeting- The Regular Meeting will begin at 7:15 PM. A tying demonstration will be by Ryan Williams of the chapter as he prepares for his winning trip to Patagonia in a few weeks. Ryan will demonstrate two flies, the Fat Albert’s (larger size) and Charlie Boy Hopper. An expert tyer he is one to not miss. Afterwards a quick regular chapter meeting will begin at about 7:15 PM. Following that, we will have two representatives to talk about issues with the current media articles on the Esopus Creek. Amanda LaValle is the Director of the Department of the Environment for Ulster County. Liz Higgins is the Program Coordinator for the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County. Amanda will be able to talk about what is happening with the Lower Esopus. Liz will talk about the projects that they are working on in the Upper Esopus particularly that deal with the turbidity situation. Let’s welcome them and show our concerns with courtesy and respectability.
The Fly Fishing Show- January 21st, 22nd and 23rd in Somerset, NJ- This annual event is a great show to learn and pick up new ideas in the industry by some of the world’s best tyers including several from our area. You can also to see retailers, new equipment and possibly meet old friends. Also, there are seminars, tying classes and book signings authors that will be there to answer your questions or help you with innovative ideas. It is on Friday, Saturday and next week in Somerset, NJ and is held at the Doubletree Hotel at the Convention Center. For more information and directions you can go to http://flyfishingshow.com/Somerset__NJ.html. Show Hours: Fri 10 – 6; Sat 8:30-6:00; Sun9-4:30. Admission: Adult: $15 for one day, $25 for two-day pass, $35 for three-day pass. Every year this show is the largest all fly fishing show in the world, but this year it’s not unfair to call it the best, too. Just consider that the exhibit hall is packed with industry manufacturers, the largest dealers, the best guides and lodges in fly fishing, great artists, nearly every fly tying material invented, all the books and DVD’s, and all the best rods, reels, lines, waders, and accessories the sport has to offer. They’re all here for you to try and buy. Why not get a few friends together and carpool down next week?
Conservation Committee- During some of my time off, I have been looking at some of the training materials on the TU National web site to help me generate some ideas as conservation chairman. So far limited out reach for volunteers has not generated a working committee and therefore it has not got started. As Chairman, I plan to be more proactive in 2011.There is one presentation in particular I found very interesting. It was put together by a chapter in Wisconsin.
http://www.tu.org/sites/www.tu.org/files/documents/tacklebox/Workdays-June2010.pdf
It may be a good topic/ presentation for a monthly chapter meeting to kick start interest and activities for the chapter. I’ve learned that we are a proud and past, very active conservation chapter and I want to lead us back to that respectability in the future. I do need help and committee members to do so. I’d like to challenge everyone to try to participate in one work activity per year and doing so, I think we could accomplish a lot in 2011. Contact me or talk to me at the meeting. thoover@hvc.rr.com Ted Hoover, Conservation Chairman
Newsletter- Some of you receive this newsletter by electronic emails. Others still receive by regular mail. We would like to streamline the newsletter to as many email addresses as possible to save on rising postage costs. The monies saved could be used for more conservation work or activities. Therefore, I am asking all of you at this immediate time to send me an email with your name and email address so you can be added to our list. Only those needing regular mail then will receive a hard copy. To get on the email list and help your chapter save mailing finances, send to me Ron Urban at: Ronsgonefishing@aol.com If you get both ways this message, then also send me your name and email address so you can be removed from the regular mailing.
Chapter Receives Award– On December 16th, Chapter President Ron Urban, received from Ulster County Big Brothers and Big Sisters the 2010 Ulster County Community Service Award. Presenting the award to the Catskill Mts. Chapter for continued support by staging Fishing Days each summer for the organization. Several kids were actually in attendance at the awards presentation and expressed their enjoyment and gratitude to the chapter. As the President, Colleen Mountford, made the presentation she stated that it is the most sought after activity each year and that the children ask in the spring if the date has been set. Many Thanks must go to other chapter members that through the years have paid an important role in the success. Pat Mulligan, Frank Baker, John Janso, Ron Urban, Ted Hoover, Jim Littlefoot, George Fischer, Harry Newton and Tom Emerick who now resides in AR. If I forgot anyone, my apologies. They were assured that we would be there again in 2011.
New Website in Progress– We at CMTU are inviting you to register at our website. This will help us reduce the time and costs of mailings, greatly increase everyone’s ability to share news and events, stories and tips. The forum is running and active, there are postings of scheduled meetings, local news, and a growing selection of links to peruse. The website is iphone friendly!
Here’s How: Go to www.cmtu.org . On the right half of the page you’ll see User Interface, click Register and enter your name and email. Use a name you feel comfortable posting comments with, and will be recognizable for us to speed approval.
A message will be sent to Frank Baker, who will approve registration as soon as he can. After that you’ll get an email including your login information. Please take a minute and review your settings under Site Admin and change your password, and then take a few more minutes to get to
know the site – we’ve already done quite a bit of work on it! Feel free to contact Paul Cowell at cmtu@paulcowell.com or Frank Baker at; frbaker@thorcs.com.
Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you at our meetings and online!
Weather Related Cancellations- In case of possible weather conditions preventing a meeting, contact Ron Urban, President at: 845-339-5938 or at Ronsgonefishing@aol.com to find out if a cancellation is in order. Also, we will notify Gander Mountain of our cancellation for that meeting night.
Tying and Fly Fishing Classes- We are planning these classes to see if we have students. Tying will be held at Gander Mountain Lodge and the Fly Fishing Schools will be held at UCCC when schedules are determined. As always, able qualified staff from the chapter will instruct both classes. Look for more information later. If you know anyone interested in either class, contact either Bob Sills at 338-4292 or Ron Urban at: Ronsgonefishing@aol.com or 845-339-5938.
11 weeks until Opening Day
Colleen Mountford presents Ron Urban with the Ulster County Big Brothers and Big Sisters the 2010 Ulster County Community Service Award
On December 16th, Chapter President Ron Urban, received from Ulster County Big Brothers and Big Sisters the 2010 Ulster County Community Service Award. Presenting the award for the Catskill Mts. Chapter continued support by staging Fishing Days each Summer for the organization. Several kids were actually in attendance at the awards presentation and expressed their enjoyment and gratitude to the chapter. As the President, Colleen Mountford, made the presentation she stated that it is the most sought after activity each year and that the children ask in the Spring if the date has been set. Many Thanks must go to other chapter members that through the years have paid an important role in the success. Pat Mulligan, Frank baker, John Janso, Ron Urban, Ted Hoover, Jim Littlefoot, George Fischer, Harry Newton and Tom Emerick who now resides in AR. If I forgot anyone, my apologies. They were assured that we would be there again in 2011.
Muddy water from the Shandanken Tunnel as the cause for issues on both Upper and Lower Esopus.
From The Daily Freeman:
Problems with muddy water releases from the Shandaken Tunnel have been the focus of lawsuits since 2001. The environmental watchdog group Riverkeeper, which has described the Esopus as “Yoo Hoo Creek,” was part of a coalition including the Catskill Mountains Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers and other environmental organizations that won a $5.7 million judgment against the New York City Department of Environmental Protection in 2003 over releases from the tunnel into the Esopus Creek. The award, though, remains in litigation.
And from the Save The Esopus Facebook page:
Senator Bonacic calls for an end to DEP turbid wastewater releases
by Save Esopus Creek on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 11:09am
Last night met with a Rep. from Senator Bonacic’s office. I am thrilled to report that Senator Bonacic is in FULL SUPPORT of our position that DEP Turbid waste water releases must stop immediately. Senator Bonacic- personally called DEC Region 3 Director Janeway to request an immediate moratorium on Turbid releases into the Esopus Creek. THANK YOU SENATOR BONACIC!!! Senator Bonacic will also be sending reps from his office to tour our area & assess the damage caused by DEP & attend the scheduled meeting with DEP on 1/14.
Our website could use some sprucing up as regards photographs. I’ve added some of mine and will continue to as time passes, but am sure there’s much more to be found on everyone’s hard drives … and waiting to be taken with your cameras! We could especially use shots of members in action, both fishing and during club activities. Anything of nature could be useful though.
Also, fly tying photos are a must – especially if we are posting fly recipes.
Requirements: While the image size itself can be fairly small (it’s for web), it must be a “good” photo. Clarity, focus on the subject, law of thirds, etc … ultimately there’s no rule to what makes a good photograph but everyone knows one when they see it. Try to judge your own photos objectively. That said, an underexposed shot of you holding a monster steelhead is acceptable 🙂
What photos to use? It would be best if we use our own work, or at least that of a friend who was on the trip with us. Photographic copyright laws are fairly clear but there is legal wiggle room that would cause trouble, so it’s best to have explicit permission before using an image. I do have model and other legal forms we could use if necessary, but it’s best to keep it simple and stick to our own stuff.
It’s been suggested that we use images from the DEC website. After long consideration I can’t agree with that. Ideally, yes, the public should be able to use any image generated by a government agency – after all we paid for it. But the DEC isn’t NASA: NASA makes it very clear that images generated by Hubble and their various agencies are open for public, non-commercial use. I haven’t seen anything that says the same on the DEC website, and while most photos are probably taken by on-the-job agents and biologists I suspect many are submitted by individuals without any thought as to copyright on theirs or DEC’s part. That could get sticky.
From the Times Herald Record
New York City has agreed to make clean water releases from the Ashokan Reservoir for the first time ever, following a meeting Friday in Kingston.
The agreement between city, state and local officials comes after months of turbid releases from the Ashokan that turned the Lower Esopus Creek a hue of brown.
Spokesman Farrell Sklerov said the city will establish a working group with state regulators and local officials to determine how much clean water is released. Those releases are aimed at curbing turbidity after storms and putting more water into the creek during summer droughts.
The parties are expected to meet again early next year to discuss the agreement in more depth, Sklerov said.
