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NEW YORK STATE — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the adoption of several changes to streamline use and reporting of … more

10/2/25

Below the yellow phase female adult rattlesnake in this image is the partial head of one of several neonate rattlesnakes found at this maternal basking site. There were two females here and they both had young. Notice that the young have back markings similar to the adult, but the lighter patterns are gray in color. The gray will start to change to either the yellow or black phase after the young emerge from the den next spring.

Indian summer’s young are of the slithery type

We often think of this time of year—call it “Indian summer” if you will—as the time when plants and animals are winding down as colder weather is approaching. Bird breeding … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 10/1/25

6 and 7 weight rods, strong leaders and large streamer flies, are necessary to hook and land lake-run spawners.

Some interesting developments in Catskill reservoir trout fisheries

Early last spring, perhaps it was late winter, I heard some interesting and exciting news through the ever-active fishing grapevine. At that time, fellow anglers reported that some catches of … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 10/1/25

Milkweed plants are vital to the survival of monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars depend solely upon milkweed plants for their food source, and monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on this essential plant.

Make it milkweed

Fall is upon us, presenting the perfect opportunity to support the well-being of the beautiful but threatened monarch butterfly (featured in my previous column) by planting milkweed. The … more

9/24/25

Beware the snakeroot

The final flowers of summer and fall are coming and going fast in the wake of this drought we’ve been having. By the time this prints, however, we may finally have a drink to sustain the … more

By HUNER HILL | 9/24/25

Jamie Novak has the tricks and tools to help you get organizized.

Decluttering, making fish prints and more at the library

REGION — The community is invited to join the National Park Service on Wednesday, September 24 at 4 p.m. at the Narrowsburg branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library to learn about fish … more

9/17/25

This image was taken on July 20. This mantis does not show any evidence of wing development yet and is at an intermediate stage of development. Mantises can be green, brown, or both colors.

Mantises are easier to spot now

When spring arrives, so do a variety of insects. Many are small early on and hard to see. There are exceptions, such as the mourning cloak butterfly; it winters as an adult, and may even be seen … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 9/17/25

Anglers should not forgo the use of wet flies, nymphs or streamers when the flies don’t hatch and the trout don’t rise.

Are fly fishers becoming one-dimensional anglers?

It was not so very long ago in the annals of American fly fishing history that dry fly fishing was not the preferred method of angling. In those days, which encompassed the 1930s into the ‘60s, … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 9/17/25

The chrysalis is a delicate and beautiful jade capsule dotted with gold spots. Within it, the larva will transform into a monarch butterfly.

Miraculous monarchs

To a Monarch Not many more days like this, sitting by the garden we built on the hill, checking the pumpkins that spilled through the fence toward freedom, toward risk. You flew today, … more

By SANDY LONG | 9/10/25

Songbirds have such fine details that it is a privilege to witness them in close proximity.

A weary waxwing

My family puts a lot of miles into the logbooks each week: Running here, running there, school, work, errands, family, church, the list goes on. To be clear, this isn’t a complaint, gripe or … more

By HUNTER HILL | 9/10/25

This European mantis was found in the meadow; the most prominent identifying feature for this species is the black-ringed white spot at the base of each foreleg. This mantis was imported from Europe to control garden pests. This species is smaller than the Chinese mantis, which is another introduced species of mantis.

Late summer bug walk

[Ed. note: This column was originally published in 2019. But we still see insect life in abundance. Have you seen any of the species mentioned here?] Late August and early September give us a … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 9/3/25

‘A Fly Fisher’s Revelations’

That’s the title of a new book, written by Ed Van Put, and released by Skyhorse Publishing in June of this year. Sadly, Ed passed away in December 2024, so this was his last. Like most of … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 9/3/25

While we might not appreciate the offensive odor wafting from the smelly slime of a stinkhorn mushroom, many insects find it irresistible. Stinkhorn mushrooms produce a gooey substance with a strong unpleasant odor reminiscent of rotting flesh or feces. Mixed into the slime are mushroom spores. The odor attracts flies and other insects, which feed on the stinky stuff and unknowingly transport the spores to other locations. To each its own!

Something stinky this way comes

Okay, the quote is actually, “Something wicked this way comes.” A witch first said it in Shakespeare’s play, “Macbeth.” Later it became the title of Ray Bradbury’s … more

By SANDY LONG | 8/27/25

Where mules once pulled boats, so now do my boys pull us by the hand.

To walk where the mules once passed

We live in an extraordinarily rich historic corridor of our nation, which holds deep ties to the first days of our great country and tell-tale reminders of the industry born from the ingenuity of … more

By HUNTER HILL | 8/27/25

Some common milkweed plants were nearby and blooming at the same time. They were also attracting similar species of butterflies. Given a choice, it is said that monarch butterflies prefer common milkweed to butterfly weed when it comes to laying eggs. Common milkweed is much taller—a couple of feet high—than butterfly weed.

Milkweed of a different color

In our region, the mention of milkweed brings to mind monarch butterflies. Monarch butterflies are very dependent on milkweed plants for food during their caterpillar stage; it is the only plant they … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 8/19/25

Old friends, fishing the East Branch, years ago when the flows were stable.

No fishing

2025—and for that matter, 2024—have not been good years for trout fishing in Catskill rivers, especially the tailwaters. So far this year, I’ve been to our camp on the East Branch … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 8/19/25

This is one of more than a hundred locks that allowed canal boats to navigate changing elevations, and it can be crossed on a pedestrian bridge for a closeup view.

Travel back to the canal era on August 16!

SUMMITVILLE, NY — On Saturday, August 16, enjoy Cliff Robinson’s presentation of “The D&H Canal: Port Jervis to Phillipsport” at Sullivan County’s D&H Canal … more

8/15/25

Not the raccoon in question. But no matter how cute the wildlife is, please be careful and keep back.

Take care in the Delaware Water Gap

BUSHKILL, PA — A raccoon tested positive for rabies last week after being reported for strange behavior near the Smithfield Beach commercial launch. The park urges … more

8/13/25

Eastern garter snakes are commonly encountered throughout the Upper Delaware River region. This one was resting in a pile of wood in my Pike County, PA yard. Though variable in color and size, these reptiles are typically less than four feet in length and have three yellowish stripes running from head to tail down both sides of the body and the center of the back. Body color can range from black to brown to pale green. Like other non-venomous snakes, the pupils are round rather than elliptical, and their heads are slender rather than triangular.

Slithering snakeskin!

Have you found yourself feeling that nagging sense of constriction that points to the need for expansion or growth beyond your current limits? If so, you’re not alone. The lushness … more

By SANDY LONG | 8/13/25

Grandparents Wayne and Julie Bianucci, son Sherab and his six-year-old son August from Monticello, NY enjoyed their first time paddling from Barryville, NY to Pond Eddy, NY on the Upper Delaware Council’s 37th annual Family Raft Trip on August 3.

UDC raft trip hosts 38 paddlers

UPPER DELAWARE — The Upper Delaware Council’s (UDC) 37th annual Family Raft Trip attracted 38 guests on August 3 to paddle the Upper Delaware River from Barryville to Pond Eddy. The … more

8/13/25

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
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