On Friday we enjoyed a pleasant day at the “Little World’s Fair” in Grahamsville, watching the 4-H horse show, walking through the barns and seeing the animals and agricultural exhibits. Being a former 4-Her and member of Sullivan County’s Cooperative Extension, the Fair was always greatly anticipated, one of the highlights of the summer. We took the long way home, along the Neversink Reservoir and up Aden Hill Road, passing Chandler’s Cove on the way, and thought of William Chandler, the superb fly-fisherman and model citizen who was much beloved for his kindness, good character, and contributions to his community.

Born on his father’s farm near Rensselaer on July 4, 1883, William Chandler worked on the farm as a youth; after graduating Rensselaer High school in 1903, he was manager of a Troy sporting goods store; later joining Abercrombie & Fitch in New York City, then becoming associated with the nationally known firm of William Mills & Sons as a fishing tackle specialist. In 1916 he and his wife, Martha, came to this area and purchased a small farm situated on a little bluff overlooking the Neversink, whose crystal clear waters provided delightful fishing and soothing lullabies to those who stayed at the farm, eventually including fishing tourists (often well-known fly-fishers, writers and innovators) whom the Chandlers catered to at their “Neversink Lodge,” and friends Theodore Gordon and Roy Steenrod. Although familiar with all the Catskill trout streams, it was the beauty and charm of the Neversink that lured him, with its clean, cold waters, lively trout, fauna and flora.

William Chandler was a contributor to early American dry                                                     fly-fishing and is credited with the development of the world-famous Light Cahill dry fly around 1916, which by the 1920s was a favorite of Catskill fly-fishers. He was active in conservation issues and worked on uniting the sporting clubs throughout Sullivan County, believing that there was a need for input from hunters and fishermen on matters relating to wildlife and fisheries.  Known for his tireless service to the people of Sullivan County, William Chandler became the first President of the Sullivan County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs on December 10, 1936. He was also a charter member of the Liberty Rod & Gun Club, the Neversink Rod & Gun Club, and the prestigious Anglers’ Club of New York City. He served as President of the Liberty Farm & Garden Club, treasurer of the Liberty Grange, and trustee of the Mongaup Lodge and the Liberty Methodist Church. 

Popular with his community, he was elected Town of Neversink Magistrate from 1924 – 1932, Town of Neversink Supervisor from 1932 – 1936, served as Deputy Treasurer for Sullivan County for 12 years, and was elected Assemblyman to the NY State Legislature in 1937. 

While serving as Assemblyman, William Chandler introduced legislation that was popular with sportsmen state-wide, such as imposing a bag limit for trout, and improving trout stocking policies by arranging to distribute trout into streams throughout the summer months, rather than releasing all trout in one springtime period as was the current practice; efforts to ensure that future generations would still be able to enjoy the pleasures of hunting and fishing. His lobbying for a trout hatchery in Sullivan County led to the eventual acquisition of the Catskill Trout Hatchery in DeBruce. And during his first year in office, he authorized a bill which enabled public fishing on waters impounded by a dam which stated, “any waters hereafter impounded by any dam shall be impressed with the public interest and open to fishing” that was held in high regard by sportsmen. Some years later, in an ironic twist of fate, the City of New York took his property by eminent domain for the impoundment of the Neversink River and construction of the Neversink Reservoir. An excellent writer, he reminisced:

“The Neversink that we knew with the wildlife, birds and flowers is gone. It has been taken for a thirsty horde in a far off city. For us, the sun has set to rise no more on the River of Our Dreams.”

William Chandler relocated to Liberty, where he lived for the rest of his life, until his frailty retired him to the Roscoe Nursing Home, where he passed away in 1974 at the age of 91.

Leaving their estate and possessions to charity - church, school, and the Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps - William and Martha Chandler are buried side by side in the 1848 Claryville Reformed Church Cemetery, behind the white green-shuttered church with the fish weathervane atop its steeple, close enough to his cherished Neversink to hear the soliloquy of its sparkling waters.