We are desperately in need of rain, raising concern about the water table - many wells and springs are dangerously low. The NYC DEP website shows that as of September 19, our Catskill Reservoirs are at 76.5% capacity, as compared to the “Normal” storage of 79%. 

Although this doesn’t appear to be too great of a difference, mostly due to an extremely rainy July, we have seen less than half the amount of average rainfall in August and so far in September.

But the lack of rainfall is obvious in our rivers and streams. Driving along the Beaverkill and Willowemoc on almost a daily basis causes one to wonder how the trout are faring. On Sunday evening, September 21, the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls registered 53.2 cubic feet per second. This is in comparison to the Mean average flow of 320 cfs based on 112 years of record-keeping. 

The Willowemoc registered a paltry 13.7 cfs as compared to the Mean average of 110 cfs based on 47 years of record-keeping. And yet, these figures are above the all-time low back in 1964 of just 28 cfs on the Beaverkill and 7.6 on the Willowemoc. 

I remember, as a young child back then, how important it was to conserve water, and our family filling pots and pans and whatever containers we had at the “water pipes” along the Willowemoc and other places, and my mother then filling the bathtub with water, as our spring was dangerously low.

Fishing in our free-flowing rivers and streams is not even on the radar for the time being; except for fishing lakes, ponds, reservoirs or the tailwaters below the reservoirs.

Seth Cavarretta had some success last week fishing a tailwater stream, but reported that most of the rivers are low and shouldn’t be fished…he mentioned that the West Branch of the Delaware needs to be floated, as the Rivermaster is still releasing extra water from the reservoir to meet the quota.

Hatches have been small Blue-Winged Olives in sizes #20-28, small Sulphurs in sizes #18-20, sporadic Light Cahills in sizes #14-16, and Isonychias in size #14. In addition, there have been some ants, and tan caddis flies in size #16. Seth added that fishing has been tough with the small flies and late-season low water, but that yellow streamers in the West Branch have been productive with the increased releases and off-color water.

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The new Catch & Conserve “Night at the Museum” Dinner is coming up this Saturday, September 27 - mark your calendar and make your reservations now for this exciting event! A major fund-raiser for the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum, (and formerly called “Emerging Anglers”) the dinner has been completely re-formatted with exciting new elements. Located on the grounds of the CFFC and beginning at 5:30 pm, the “Night at the Museum” will feature special cocktails by Pinhook and The Junction, with a toast on the deck of the Museum in honor of the much-beloved Mike Canazon, bamboo rodmaker extraordinaire. 

Beverages also include drinks by Cottage Wines and West Kill Brewing. Showcasing the elegant evening is Oystertainment by the internationally-known Red Oyster USA, made up of highly trained roving oystershuckers, dressed up “to the nines” in their oyster shucking uniform (complete with a steel mesh glove and cream leather uniform) personally opening oysters on the spot for guests. 

Live music is courtesy of Andy Jenkins, with artist Steven Weinberg painting en Plein Air near the pond; Pat Cook of Dette Flies will be tying flies. The Wulff School of FlyFishing, which is being celebrated during the dinner, will provide fly-casting demonstrations. 

Brushland Eating House and Rock Royal Farm are preparing a cheese and meat “grazing table” and dinner, with dessert by “world famous” Cait’s Key Lime Pie. Jesse Vadala, Trout Unlimited’s Northeast Coldwater Habitat Team Engagement Manager, will be the Guest Speaker, in addition to a (surprise) short video message by a well-known actor and conservationist.

Following the speaker during coffee and dessert is the much-anticipated Live Auction, with many exciting items to be auctioned off, including a special Fishing Trip and 4 nights at the Heidarvatn Icelandic Lodge, which includes a guided ½ day’s fishing on arrival, 3 full days’ fishing and ½ day fishing on departure day; a Wulff Fishing School weekend; a Mike Canazon-made bamboo rod; an exquisite Trout Fly frame; a Montana Float Trip; a “Catskill Six-Pack” of six dozen premier trout flies; a Patagonia Package (“Black Hole” duffel, nano sleeping bag and wool cap); a full day Delaware River Float Trip on the upper Delaware with actor and fishing guide Brian Sheppard - and more!

The dinner will be one-of-a-kind and no doubt the topic of conversation for a long time to come, don’t miss out! For more information and to order tickets, please visit cffcm.com or call 845-439-4810. Hope to see you there!