What a difference a week makes! The Beaverkill received some much-needed rain last Wednesday which brought levels up to about 800 cubic feet per second in the wee hours of Thursday morning; but by Sunday midday water levels were just below the median average flow of 142 cfs. (This is still noticeably above the historic low of 29 cfs back in 1964)

It’s surprising to see many of the trees on the hillsides fairly bare - hardly any colorful leaves at all, for the first time in recent memory - many of which remain are drying out and turning brown.

However, Autumn is in full swing as far as calendar dates and events: Saturday evening’s Catch & Conserve Fund-raising dinner at the CFFC was a resounding success - well-attended by 164 enthusiastic supporters. 

It was an elegant affair - the open bar cocktails began with the Junction’s special toast to Mike Canazon and featured “The Last Cast,” made with Pinhook bourbon, along with drinks by Cottage Wines and West Kill Brewery - and provided “Oystertainment” by Red Oyster Shuckers donned in their white leather aprons and mesh gloves opening fresh oysters, courtesy of Randy Lewis; a “grazing table” fabulously setup by Sullivan Sundries, with fine cheeses and crackers, flavored honey/chutney/jams adorned with dried and fresh fruit and herbs; and tasty hors d’oeuvres brought around by Brushland Eating House.

 Attendees enjoyed watching Pat Cook, Fly Shop Manager of Dette Flies, tying flies on-site, (in fact each place setting included a box with one of Pat’s custom-tied trout flies and signature card); Steven Weinberg painting his exquisite trout en plien air; and casting demonstrations by Mark Wilde and Matt Hart of the Wulff School of Fly Fishing, which was honored at the dinner. 

Guests were seated under the billowy white tent at tables adorned with forest green tablecloths, perfectly setting off the white chairs and vases of beautiful flowers donated by Jill Borenstein, and lovely “Catch & Conserve” glass jars of candles made especially for the dinner by Christina Mueller.

 Dinner co-chair Rachael Yaeger, hostess extraordinaire, welcomed all to the event, along with CFFC Board President Anthony Magardino. Johnene Loverich, CFFCM Trustee and President of the Heritage Committee, spoke from her heart of the importance of preserving the CFFC and the need for volunteers. 

Paul Barnett, co-owner of the Wulff School of Fly-Fishing, gave an eloquent speech about how he came to the area and his interaction with Lee and Joan Wulff, and graciously accepted the honor given to the Wulff School. 

Judy Van Put addressed the relaunching of the Beamoc Chapter of Trout Unlimited and invited all to join and participate, then introduced the Guest Speaker, Trout Unlimited Engagement Manager Jesse Vadala. Jesse described his passion for protecting the wonderful natural resources we all enjoy, and read a lovely short story describing the delights of catching a trout. The delectable meal was prepared by Brushland Eating House and Rock Royal Farm, with a memorable dessert by Cait’s Key Lime during the exciting live auction. 

Andy Jenkins played guitar and sang as the evening ended - on a high note - as guests said their goodbyes and recounted the wonderful evening, with appreciation for the dedication and hard work of Rachael, Laura, Jill, Randy, and the rest of the Dinner Committee.

And mark your calendar for this coming Saturday, October 4. The Beamoc Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host its first Work Bee - clearing tributary mouths of obstructions - branches, rock dams and the like - to facilitate trout spawning. Also planned is monitoring/identifying trout spawning beds (Redds) as it is time for Brook and Brown trout to spawn. We will gather at 10:00 am outside the Roscoe Diner and then move to various sites to begin our work.

This will be just the first of a number of work bees to be held; plan to bring boots (hip boots or other boots to enable you to work alongside or in the stream, if necessary) work gloves, pruning shears etc. For those who wish to participate and for additional information, please email: 

beamoctroutunlimited@gmail.com

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.