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
Fly Tying and Beer Sundays at West Kill Kingston Taproom Beginning this Sunday (the 15th), CMTU will be holding a weekly fly tying circle at the West Kill Kingston Taproom (602 Broadway in Kingston). Tyers will meet from 1:00 to 3:00. Bring your vice and tie some flies, or just join us for good conversation and good beer. (The Fresh Coat Oatmeal Stout is especially good!)
Tying at the Veterans Office CMTU will also be organizing a tying circle on Sunday afternoons at the Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration at 101 Enterprise Drive in Kingston. (That’s Tech City.) Tyers will meet from 1:00 to 4:00 each Sunday starting February 19th. For more information, contact Don Stauss (sootdigger1@aol.com).
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.
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:
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.
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
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.
Jacob Fetterman to Speak About Battenkill River Restoration
Trout Unlimited’s Project Coordinator of the Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative, Jacob Fetterman, will be the guest speaker at our January 19 meeting. Jacob’s passion for restoring and conserving fisheries and natural places is rooted in an outdoors upbringing and a deep connection to trout through fly-fishing. This presentation will discuss the early successes of the Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative, volunteer opportunities, and of course, some insider knowledge of the fishery. Come prepared to ask questions about getting involved or anything restoration/Battenkill related.
Our next chapter meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 1st, at 6:30 PM.
Note that the meeting will be held in person and available to attend online. We ask that you do wear a mask if you attend in person.
After a brief business meeting and our yearly elections we have a featured speaker, Jeff Yates, author, guide and Trout Unlimited staff member as we explore the Housatonic River in Connecticut.
Jeff will lead us on a journey from the tumbling native and wild trout headwaters of this fabled freestone stream, through the more than seven miles of fly fishing only trout water where large buttery browns lurk in the depths. The trek will continue downstream through some incredible smallmouth habitat – where it’s rumored some big carp and pike cruise the shallows – all the way down to the Long Island Sound where striped bass can be targeted on flats at the river’s mouth. You’ll never look at the “Housey” in the same light. Jeff is the national Director of Volunteer Operations for Trout Unlimited and has held nearly every volunteer TU position on the board of his local Mianus Chapter and the Connecticut Council. He has been fishing the waters of Connecticut for more than 30 years and has been guiding for nearly two decades. His book, Fly Fishing Fairfield County:” Secrets of Suburban Streams, details the great trout fishing available in the southwest corner of the state. Learn more at www.flyfishingct.com. Here are the meeting details.
When: Wednesday, December 1st at 6:30 PM
Where: Courtyard by Marriott, Kingston NY 500 Frank Sottile Blvd, Kingston, New York 12401
If you are not able or ready to make it in person, you may also join online using Webex Meeting link:
WildEsopus (94533767 from phones and video systems)
Join by phone +1-650-479-3208 United States Toll
Election Notice Our annual election will be held at the December meeting. The following officers’ terms are ending: President: Ted Hoover (Jan 2020-Dec 2021) Vice President: Art Christensen, (Jan 2020-Dec 2021) Treasurer: Mike Malloy, (Jan 2020-Dec 2021) Secretary: Christa Whiteman (Jan 2020-Dec 2021)
Art Christensen and Mike Malloy have been nominated for re-election. Christa has decided not to run for re-election. Ethan Ely has been nominated to become our Chapter Secretary. Ryan Williams, Ron Urban, and Ed Meyer have been nominated for another term on the board.
Based on the term limits in our chapter bylaws, after four years as president, my second consecutive term will end at the end of the year and I will need to step down. Please let the board or myself know if you are interested in this position. Here is the slate for officers and board members put forward by the Nominating Committee:
President: Open Vice President: Art Christensen Treasurer: Mike Malloy Secretary: Ethan Ely Board Member: Ryan Williams Board Member: Ron Urban Board Member: Ed Meyer
Finally, thanks to all the volunteers who put in the time making the chapter work, and a special thanks to Christa for being our chapter Secretary over the past couple years.
Please also consider becoming active in helping or leading our committees. It is a great opportunity to get involved.
Here is a list of committees that you may join. Membership Advocacy (chair open) Women’s / Diversity Initiative (chair open) Conservation Veterans Initiative Event Speakers
