Sports Columns - Sullivan County Democrat

PA Allows Sunday Hunting!

On July 9, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed the bill allowing Sunday hunting in the Commonwealth. Don’t rush out and start hunting on Sundays quite yet, there is now a 60-day window … more

John Van Etten | 7/18/25

Laura Colangelo busy at her vise tying the Joan Wulff Special.

Warm Weather Woes, Where a Female Fly Fisher Goes

A check with the USGS website early Monday morning showed that the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls was flowing at 1010 cubic feet per second, and heading straight up the scale after Sunday night’s … more

Judy Van Put | 7/15/25

Bobcats

I will never forget the first time I heard that sound. I was 16 years old and had been hunting ducks with my friend Eric and his father. I was in hip boots in the water, at the end of the day, … more

John Van Etten | 7/11/25

Youngsters from the Bill Canfield FUDR Camp are shown around the Museum at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center on Saturday by CFFCM Docent Ed Walsh.

Warm Weekend, Cool Camp, Trib Tribute!

July dawned bright and sunny, with temperatures that rose throughout the week. Fireworks flashed throughout Friday evening, their beautifully colored bursts lighting up the sky; a welcoming warm … more

7/8/25

Scoring Better with your Wedges Part 3

If you want a sure way to lower your scores, practice with your wedges. Chipping, Pitching and Full wedges are used on almost every hole for your average golfer. Full Wedge Swings: Most players … more

Matt Kleiner | 7/7/25

Little Brown Bats (With White Noses)

Yes, they really are officially named Little Brown Bats. That name was likely chosen because of their small size (adults weigh less than half an ounce). They are common in our area although their … more

John Van Etten | 7/7/25

The original founding members Charter of the Beamoc Chapter of TU.

Celebrations Abound; Fishing’s Coming Around, Helping Beamoc ReFound

It’s been a busy week in all our local towns; the last weekend in June is typically Graduation time. Teachers, students, and parents have been bustling around getting ready for the big day. … more

Judy Van Put | 7/1/25

NY Crossbow Bill Sent to Governor

S6360A/A8330A is a bill that would allow crossbows to be used during any season that a longbow can. The legislation aims to redefine the definition used for bows to make it all inclusive and allow … more

John Van Etten | 6/28/25

Today, Sanders serves as Deacon at Friendship Baptist Church in Ferndale.

Where are they now? Sam Sanders

LIBERTY – Sam Sanders is working on his passion, not far from where he began. As a man of faith and Deacon at Friendship Baptist Church, Sanders has spent his life giving back to his community. … more

Crystal Tweed | 6/27/25

John Apgar tied these Isonychia Ermerger flies and had good success fishing them on the Willowemoc and Beaverkil this past week.

Summer Sweetness, Recurring Rainstorms, and the Beaverkill Behemoth

Anglers were out in droves over “Freedom” weekend beginning Thursday, Juneteenth and going into the first days of Summer. With reports of plenty of water in all our rivers and streams, … more

Judy Van Put | 6/24/25

Timberdoodles (American Woodcock)

I have honestly never heard anyone around here refer to our American Woodcock as a Timberdoodle, although I see it in the literature all the time. Perhaps that nickname is a regional thing, like our … more

John Van Etten | 6/20/25

Scoring Better with your Wedges Part 2

If you want a sure way to lower your scores, practice with your wedges. Chipping, Pitching and Full wedges are used on almost every hole for your average golfer. Pitching: A pitch shot in … more

Matt Kleiner | 6/20/25

A beautiful brown trout caught by Seth Cavarretta while fishing the lower East Branch Delaware on Saturday evening. Seth said he was using an Adams, and that the trout were rising steadily to Olives, Sulphurs and Cahills with a few Isonychia as well.

Father’s Day, Fishing, Fortunate, and a Fond Farewell

The middle of June - that lushest month - is upon us. Thanks to consistent rain showers our rivers and streams are in great shape for a Farewell to spring, heading into the summer. This much-welcomed … more

Judy Van Put | 6/14/25

Eastern Screech Owls

The most common owl species here in Sullivan County is the Eastern Screech Owl. They are a small owl, with adults being roughly six and a half to ten inches tall and weighing between four and eight … more

John Van Etten | 6/13/25

Joan Wulff, First Lady of Fly Fishing, views the exquisite frame of An Adams For Ed, shown to her by CFTGuild Vice-President John Apgar.

Seeking Solace, Finding Fulfillment, A Celebration of Ed

In our busy, increasingly worrisome world, we frequently find ourselves seeking solace. For many who are fortunate to reside in this cosy corner of creation, far from the despair of day-to-day … more

Judy Van Put | 6/10/25

Golf Etiquette

For the past few years golf has seen a growing number of new players. Unfortunately, most are not being taught the rules and etiquette of the game. In this week’s article I’m going to go … more

Kleiner's Korner | 6/6/25

On Wednesday, May 14 at a recent Federation of Sportsmen Club meeting, Michelle Poprawski and Logan Grishaber gave a 30 minute presentation of the DEC’s fish stocking program. Pictured Left to right: Co-Chair’s of the Federation’s Fish Committee, Bruce Terwilliger and Seymour Streigold, DEC Fish Culturist’s Logan Grishaber and Michelle Poprawski, Bud Flotard, Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs volunteer, and current President John S. Van Etten.

NY Deer Harvest Report 2024-25

It’s estimated that hunters took 223,304 deer in New York State this past season. That number is up from 209,781 the previous season and is slightly below the five year average. There were … more

John S. Van Etten | 6/6/25

A Gray Fox mayfly, as photographed by Seth Cavarretta. Gray Foxes are among the many flies hatching for the past couple of weeks and into Bug Week.

Bug Week Blown Out, But Celebrations Surmount

The last weekend in May/first weekend in June, under normal weather conditions, kick off what is often referred to by fly-fishers as the widely-anticipated “Bug Week.” These are the … more

Judy Van Put | 6/3/25

Aquatic Invasive Species

It’s that time of year again when everyone is hitting the water for recreation. The NYS DEC wants to remind everyone to “Clean.Drain.Dry” all boats, trailers, and gear before … more

John Van Etten | 5/30/25

The DEC Catskill Trout Hatchery set up a display of the cycle of life for the brown trout that the Livingston Manor elementary students released.

For Trout Fishers, The Flies Have It!

Just as our rivers and streams had settled down to a very fishable level, the forecast called for more days of rain at the end of last week. As of Thursday, May 22 when this was written (prior to the … more

Judy Van Put | 5/27/25

Trout Stocking and Public Access

Representatives of the NYS DEC Bureau of Fisheries gave a presentation at the most recent Federation meeting about their Trout Stream Access Verification Plan. They need our help to ensure that our … more

John Van Etten | 5/23/25

Swing composition

Keep Your Head Down, keep your left arm (for righties) straight and bend your knees. These are three helpful tips that golfers often share with other golfers to help improve their game. They … more

Matt Kleiner | 5/23/25

Children learned how to draw and paint trout at the art table.

Classroom Trout! In and Out!

Last week Mrs. Wendy Schwalb’s 4th graders at Roscoe School enjoyed a special day they had anticipated since the beginning of the school year: “Release Day” for the … more

Judy Van Put | 5/20/25

NY Hunter Education Program Celebrates 75 Years

I received an envelope in the mail the other day from the NYS DEC. Inside was a window sticker for my car. The NYS Hunter Education Program (HEP) is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Congratulations! … more

John Van Etten | 5/16/25

Female Beaverkill fly, tied by Ed Van Put in the style of its creator, George W. Cooper, with the yellow chenille that represents the distinctive yellow egg sac. Cooper created this fly to imitate the Hendrickson, a favorite hatch on the Beaverkill.

“High Flows, Anglers’ Woes, the Blacksmith Rose”

Heavy rains filled area rivers and streams this past week; the Beaverkill crested Friday evening at just below 7000 cubic feet per second, dashing the hopes of all who had planned to celebrate at … more

Judy Van Put | 5/13/25