We’ve certainly experienced some powerful forces of nature this past week - with smoke from widespread wildfires in Canada blanketing much of the Midwest and Northeast, causing health issues and urging residents to limit their time outdoors, to the tornado warnings and violent storms in our immediate area. After days of heat and dry conditions, an extreme and rapid-moving storm on Saturday resulted in “Critical Alerts” of a possible impending tornado, instructing local residents to immediately seek shelter in basements. Within minutes, the calm skies darkened, the wind arose with thunder and heavy downpours - resulting in widespread power outages and a tornado that touched down in Hancock, causing downed trees and power lines - and reports that Peas Eddy and Cadosia along the East Branch in Delaware County appeared to be clear-cut of all the trees along the river.

Area streams and rivers received downpours that resulted in some relief. On Sunday, the Willowemoc, which had been flowing just above or below 30 cubic feet per second all week, had risen to just above 50 cfs and by noon measured 44.2 cfs, above the Median average flow of 39 cfs over 40 years of record keeping. The water temperature was 67 degrees F; temperatures this past week had reached a high of almost 76 on Tuesday afternoon. The Beaverkill at Cooks Falls measured 260 cfs, which is above the Median average flow of 147 cfs based on 112 years of record-keeping; the water temperature, which had exceeded 79 degrees last Tuesday afternoon, was 69 degrees. Fortunately, cooler temperatures in the 70s are predicted for this week that will provide a welcomed respite. 

Fly hatches continue to be lighter-colored, such as Sulphurs and Light Cahills, in addition to Blue-Winged Olives, Isonychias, and various colored Caddis.

On Thursday, the Beamoc Chapter of Trout Unlimited held its summer meeting at the Red Rose Tavern & Motel, Roscoe. The evening’s Guest Speaker was Ryan Coulter, NYS DEC Region 3’s Bureau of Fisheries Manager, who gave a presentation on the DEC’s work in our area and conducted a question-and-answer session. 

Ryan described the work that is being done on the Willowemoc, whose fishery appears to be in good shape. Interestingly, the DEC has been stocking a new strain of brown trout, the Romiskany strain, which they developed to increase post-stocking survival rates in local streams and lakes. These fish act more like wild trout - which may initially result in less fish being caught despite high stocking levels. (more on this will be discussed in an upcoming Streamside column) Also addressed was questions on Public Fishing Access; questions on access or PFR rights or any other fisheries topic can be sent to Ryan at ryan.coulter@dec.ny.gov or by calling 845-256-2204. 

The meeting concluded with distributing water testing kits to those who volunteered to conduct weekly water tests on a stream or tributary of their choice:  the Neversink, Willowemoc, Beaverkill, and tributaries of those rivers throughout the summer and into the fall. 

Beamoc welcomes new members and volunteers who are interested in protecting and preserving our clean waters and the trout that reside in them. For more information,  please visit beamoctu.org. The next meeting will be held in September at Upward Brewery, Livingston Manor. 

July is a slow-down month, time to “stop and smell the flowers.” Just this morning while walking along the river with a friend, we witnessed small songbirds, colorful wildflowers waving in the breeze - and then were stopped by the sight of a majestic (and rare) Golden Eagle perched on a branch observing the river below.  It waited for some time before slowly unfolding its magnificent wings and gracefully soaring out in front of us - truly a memorable moment.

We have much to be thankful for: stunning scenery, sparkling streams teeming with trout, woodland wildlife havens. Gatherings filled with family, friends and fun. The love, loyalties and friendships that have been forged through fishing, hiking, camping, canoeing, whether learning or mentoring, sharing pastimes and pleasurable experiences are an important part of these special days of summer here in the Catskill Mountains.