The first week of June arrives with a profound stillness, yet the natural world is bursting with new life. Everywhere around us we are reminded of these precious days of June: a child’s delight in finding a fragile half-shell of robin’s egg blue; a newly-born fawn lying still in the grass; an ancient turtle lumbering slowly as it navigates through the meadow.  We arrive at our destination, our senses filled by the vibrant green canopy filtering the early morning sun; the refreshing mist rising above the river, its banks lush with greenery; the dawn symphony of warbles and melodies; a mother goose and her fuzzy goslings gliding by.  Stream flows begin the quiet ebb of their seasonal shift, and beneath the glassy surface the trout await. Standing knee-deep in the cool mountain stream offers a tranquil, meditative environment; witnessing nature at its vibrant yet peaceful state.

 These are the days of a rich diversity of aquatic insects that thrive in a healthy ecosystem:  the tiny Blue-Winged Olives, large March Browns and giant Green Drakes, the deep dark Blue Sedge caddis flies and light-colored Sulphurs. The arrival of “Drunella cornutus”, similar in appearance to large Blue-Winged Olives, has been heralded early in the mornings. Choosing flies that may be productive, in addition to imitations of those hatches, include the Adams, Elk Hair and dark Caddis, White Wulffs and Coffin Flies, which imitate the Eastern Green Drake mayflies in their final, spent stage, referred to as spinners. 

The spinner stage of mayflies, also called the “imago”, is the final mature phase of the adult mayfly’s life cycle, having molted for the last time from its “dun” or “sub-imago” state. Observing the gracefulness of these flies that are now emerging to fulfill their procreative cycle adds to the experience, as spinners are identified by their clear, glass-like wings and elongated body. 

Trout fishers have traveled from far and near to enjoy this most productive week of the year - which some refer to as “bug week” - due to the proliferation of fly hatches. Old friends meet on the banks or in the water, sharing those strong bonds of camaraderie and enthusiasm for the sport that tie them to these hallowed rivers. Despite lower-than-average stream flows, the cool evenings and mornings have maintained water temperatures in the 50s and 60s, which encourage the trout to feed actively, whether below or above the surface, and seasoned anglers have not been disappointed in the results.

A friend wrote of his wonderful experience fishing nearby on Thursday evening after closing up shop, and arrived to catch the last 45 minutes of light. “The (flies) were so thick they almost eclipsed the little light that was peeking through the trees. Caddis of various sizes, lots of Cahill spinners, a few March Browns and quite a few Coffin flies. These were mixed in with gnats, mosquitoes and other not so useful insects that reside in or near water.” Typically preferring to target faster water, he started back behind the long pool and worked his way up through two plunge pools located right below the flat water. His efforts were rewarded with two brook trout and a 10” wild brown, all caught on a Catskill March Brown dry fly tied in the Art Flick dressing. He noted that the darkness came quickly, these fish were caught in just  25 minutes of fishing. He went out again early on Friday morning, noting that before the sunlight hit the water the fishing was decent, and “broke off a good one in the first five  minutes, then hooked and landed around five trout, 4 browns and a brookie, all under 11”.  When the sun finally covered most of the water, it just completely turned off.” Returning the next day to fish a run where “almost the entire flow is under a canopy of hemlock and deciduous trees, completely shading both banks”, he enjoyed the best fishing he had so far, landing six trout  in 45 minutes: 4 brook trout and two browns, on a Dun Variant. But as soon as he reached  the sunny area above, the action just stopped. He confirmed with a few friends who were also out at the same time, realizing that the best fishing during this seasonal shift occurs by fishing very early in the morning, or very late in the evening.

Catskill Legends 

Induction

On Saturday evening, June 7, members and supporters of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum filled the Rockland House to capacity for the Annual Dinner and Catskill Legends ceremony. Since 2014, the CFFC&M has honored individuals who have contributed their time and expertise to educate and promote the history and knowledge of the Catskills. In addition to awards given at the Annual Dinner, their names are engraved on brass plaques located on the wall outside the CFFC Museum. The prestigious group includes conservation stewards, authors, historians, fly-tyers and rod-makers. 2026 inductees included John Apgar, Steward of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center’s Garrison-Carmichael Bamboo Rod Making Shop and President of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild; Seth Cavarretta, Director of Facilities at the CFFC&M, professional fly tier at Dette Flies, Vice President of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, and Treasurer of Beamoc Chapter of Trout Unlimited; Ted Patlen, national and international award-winning fly tier; and Joe Rist, proprietor of Trout Town Flies, Roscoe, New York Outdoor News “Person of the Year”, and former president of Mid-Hudson Chapter of Trout Unlimited, who teaches free Ladies’ Fly Fishing Clinics, Therapeutic Fly Fishing Classes for Veterans and Orange County Veterans Suicide Prevention Coalition. Catskill Legends continue the traditions of the pioneer Catskills fishing community, imparting their love of these historic waters and volunteering their time, effort and expertise.