The past few cooler nights have provided a bit of a respite in water temperatures, with a welcomed (though short-lived) spike in water levels Thursday evening through the wee hours of Friday morning, thanks to some brisk rain. However, for the next week as temperatures rise again, trout fishers would do well to carry a thermometer and check water temperatures before going fishing, or plan to head to the cooler tailwater fisheries.

The typical lighter-colored mid- summer hatches of Sulphurs and Light Cahills are about, along with Yellow Sallies and tiny Blue-Winged Olives, in addition to the darker Isonychias starting up again. Tricos have not been very prolific these past couple of weeks, but August is a good time to use terrestrials. Joe Rist, owner of Trout Town Flies, reported that “Hoppers” are working in the mornings on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc, and fly fishers should also carry some Beetle and Ant patterns. Trout Town Flies’ fly-fishing guide Rob Eggleton reported on a productive fishing outing this past week. He had a customer use “hoppers” - or grasshopper imitations, and was happy to report on his success in catching some nice trout.

This first week of August has welcomed us with not only cooler weather, but the most beautiful weekend of the year. Trout fishers and fishing enthusiasts were out in droves, rejoicing in the chilly mornings, sunny and breezy afternoons, and many visited the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum during their Summerfest celebration. CFFC Director of Operations Laura Colangelo and Director of Facilities Seth Cavarretta worked tirelessly to prepare for the two-day event, which included dozens of tables, vendors, activities and food at the free fly-fishing festival, which was well-attended by enthusiastic crowds. 

Fly-casters, both novice and experienced, lined the Center’s spacious field casting rods old and new, with the Hardy Cup Competition at the back of the field captivating spectators as well as competitors.

The beautiful silver Hardy Cup was awarded this year to Masaki Takemoto, who flew out from his native Japan to participate in the event (which he has won over the past couple of years). 

Mr. Takemoto also won a Hardy Rod & Reel outfit as the First Prize winner. His longest cast was 78 feet, 8 inches; adding in points for the accuracy competition he earned 2451 points. Second Prize was taken by Frank Payne, of Fairport, New York, who cast 81 feet, 4 inches, but failed to beat Mr. Takemoto in the accuracy competition, ending with 2433 points.

 Mr. Payne was delighted to win a Hardy Reel. And the Third Prize was won by Akinoni Fujii, of New York City. Mr. Fujii’s best cast was 74 feet, 10 inches, tallying 2361 total points. Mr. Fujii won a beautiful Payne rod.

Raffle sales did well, with the 50/50 prize won by Pete, a Connecticut fly-fisher. The remaining money was raised for the HVAC system Fund.

The CFFC&M has just launched, as of August 1, 2025, the “$60Ks in 60 Days” campaign, to raise funds to replace their failing HVAC Systems. These systems are responsible for protecting the archives, the Wulff Gallery, the Garrison-Carmichael Rod Shop, and all public exhibition areas - and without immediate replacement, more than 50,000 priceless artifacts are vulnerable to irreversible damage.

 The Center must raise $60,000 in just 60 days to preserve their collection, which is among the most comprehensive in the country, containing irreplaceable items such as: 

· Flies tied by Theodore Gordon, the “Father of American Dry Fly Fishing.”

 · Handwritten letters and original tackle from Lee and Joan Wulff.

· The Ed Van Put Collection, documenting stream ecology and fly tying.

. Rare rods from Payne, Leonard, and Winston workshops. 

· Early photographs of Catskill stream restoration efforts Each artifact is a story. Together, they represent generations of conservation, craftsmanship, and community. And with every passing day under unstable conditions, their future becomes more uncertain.

 CFFCM President, Anthony Magardino, writes that “the CFFC is an active center for learning, with its collection fueling:

 · School tours and hands-on workshops.

 · Public exhibits that explore ecology and history.

 · Lectures from conservationists and fly fishing legends.

 · A growing digital archive, projected to reach 50,000+ items. This isn’t just about rods and reels. It’s about preserving the soul of a uniquely American tradition. 

Your Help is Critical 

With $60,000, we can: 

· Fully replace the failing HVAC systems. 

· Stabilize climate conditions in the archive and exhibit spaces.

 · Continue digitizing the collection for global access.

 · Meet professional preservation standards essential for museum accreditation. 

Time is Short. The Need is Real 

Without climate control, even acid-free containers and custom mounts can’t stop the deterioration of delicate paper, wood, feather, and fabric artifacts. UV exposure, humidity, pests—all threaten a legacy we cannot afford to lose.

 Make a Gift Today. Help Us Protect What Can’t Be Replaced

Donate now at www.cffcm.com/donate Or mail a check to: Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, PO Box 1295, Livingston Manor, NY 12758.

Questions? Call us at (845) 439-4810 or visit www.cffcm.com. Thank you for helping preserve the history of fly fishing—and the values it teaches—for generations to come.”

The Beamoc Chapter of Trout Unlimited had its official launch at Summerfest. Jesse Vadala, TU’s Engagement Manager (NY/CT) of the Northeast Coldwater Habitat Program, manned a booth along with Roscoe’s Manny Zanger, longtime President of the original Beamoc TU Chapter, and a few other Trout Unlimited officers, were successful in signing up a couple dozen new members, in addition to those who signed up at the informational meetings at both the Livingston Manor and Roscoe Libraries last month. Watch for news of our first official meeting (in September) along with a “Work Bee” scheduled for later in September!