It's been exactly 35 years to the day of this writing that former U.S. President and First Lady, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, traveled to Sullivan County to fly-fish our trout waters…and yet it seems as though it was just yesterday; the wonderful memories of this significant event are etched in my mind.

In 1984, the Carters were invited by Frank Polanish, a director of the newly-formed Catskill Fly Fishing Center, to spend time fishing the Beaverkill and Delaware River, along with raising money for a museum and fly-fishing center to be constructed along the banks of the Willowemoc, midway between the fishing towns of Livingston Manor and Roscoe.

The fledgling organization was formed back in the late 1970s by a small group of dedicated area residents; and the idea of a museum celebrating the Catskills' rich fly-fishing history was the dream of the late Catskill fly-tier, Elsie Darbee, who, along with her husband, Harry, were passionate about preserving our Catskill streams.

Arrangements for the historic trip were made by Livingston Manor's Dr. Alan Fried and Attorney Joe Horak; President and Vice-President of the CFFC at the time. President Carter stated that he found the letter of invitation “so enticing” that he “couldn't resist.” He had been fly-fishing for 15 years, and he agreed with the CFFC's goal of preserving the history and heritage of the Catskill region; but the thought of fishing these special waters that he had read about (he referred to them as “the Mecca which draws other fly-fishermen”) made it impossible to turn down.

The Presidential couple arrived at the Sullivan County airport on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 19, 1984, were met and greeted by Sullivan County dignitaries and representatives; then traveled to the Beaverkill Valley Inn, where they stayed for the remainder of the 5-day trip. There was to be a dinner to meet the Carters at 7 p.m. that night for about two dozen Catskill fly-fishing celebrities and officers of the CFFC; and organizer Joe Horak was startled when Mr. Carter arrived and stated that he wished to get right out on the stream and start fishing, rather than resting before the dinner!

We were anxiously looking forward to meeting the Carters; as my husband Ed had been asked to be their fishing guide, we were both invited to the dinner. We had no idea what to anticipate but were quite excited at being included in this momentous occasion.

The President arrived at the vestibule of the Beaverkill Valley Inn a little late, attired in blue jeans and a plaid shirt, and still clad in his waders! He was enthused at having just caught almost a dozen trout in the upper Beaverkill, and entered the dining room, greeting everyone warmly.

I was nervous as I saw him making his way around the table to meet us, until he said that he'd heard we were married on the banks of the Beaverkill, and that we had two small children. I managed a couple of “yes!” replies, and then he surprised us even more when he asked when he would be able to meet our boys and said he'd like to have his picture taken with them! I felt dazed at having not only met a former President of the United States but was amazed at his warm personality and his ability to make people feel instantly at ease.

The next four days were a flurry of activities, involving a good amount of fishing and traveling around the county, visiting several area attractions such as the North Branch Cider Mill, the Livingston Manor sawmill, and the fly-fishing shops in Roscoe; as well as dining in restaurants in Livingston Manor, Roscoe and Callicoon. Next week -- Part 2!

Judy Van Put is a long-time member of the NYS Outdoor Writers Association, and is the recipient of the New York State Council of Trout Unlimited's Professional Communications Award.