With fall just around the corner, most animals are preparing for the long cold season ahead. A few early broad-winged hawks have started their migration south, bears are eating as much food as they … more

A very long time ago, in what seems like another life, I had the opportunity to fish the Bitterroot River in Western Montana for most of one summer. At the time I was a student enrolled in the School … more

While rambling along a country road recently, a flash of bright orange emanating from the dark forest floor caught my eye. The source of the vibrant color turned out to be a chicken of the woods … more

Most of us are familiar with the seasons as they are presented in an elementary classroom: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Fewer of us are as familiar with the micro-seasons that pass within and … more

For those involved with the effort that led to the adoption of the Water Releases Legislation, Part 671 of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), none of us knew, back in 1976, the dilemma that … more

About a week ago, I was getting ready to start the day on an ongoing research project, and temperature and relative humidity are required to be taken and recorded at the start. It takes a few minutes … more

A northern snakehead (Channa argus) was recently caught in the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River near Callicoon, NY. This is of great concern because these non-native invasive fish are predators that potentially threaten important native species and recreational fisheries in the Delaware River. These fish are native to Asia but have been showing up with increasing frequency in other parts of the world. more

What do snakes, insects and mushrooms have in common? For starters, each shares habitat with us here in the Upper Delaware River region and are active at this time of year, making it more likely we … more

Out here, there are a few things that we take very seriously—as seriously as religion or a fiscal promise in business. I’m speaking to the ritual that is fall hunting season. Most of us … more

Back in the days when the Baby Boomer generation were kids, it seemed like every pet store had “baby turtles” for sale. Our parents brought home a couple as they were seemingly easy to … more

A few months ago, an old friend suggested that my writing style was a bit too technical and professorial for a fishing column, so for this piece, I decided to lighten things up a bit. While the event … more

These days, there seems to be a “National Day” for just about everything, ranging from the righteous to the ridiculous. Many serve as motivators to celebrate something worthwhile, such as … more

There are a few constants when living in the woods of Northeastern PA. The first is that there will be trees. The second is that said trees will grow and at least some will need to be cut down. When … more

As August arrives, you may have noticed some purple flowers starting to pop out from road-sides, or perhaps along your favorite fishing lake or pond. You may even spot a few in a field by your home. … more

Fly fishing is a fragile and fickle sport. By that, I don’t mean to imply that rivers are fragile, or that trout are fragile, although, in some instances, both are. What I do mean is, unlike a … more

Are you (like me) one of those folks who find themselves traipsing around the Upper Delaware River region, capturing its countless natural charms with a digital imaging device? Have you discovered … more

My father will likely scold me for publicly admitting we ever went out fishing and failed to catch something. So for the sake of his pride, I will explain right up front that it was a last-minute … more

There are about 20 or so species of snake that inhabit the region, depending on the habitat. Two, the timber rattlesnake and the Northern copperhead, are venomous, but you usually have to go out of … more

Some of my angling friends call this time of year “The Dead Time” because hatches of mayflies and other aquatic insects are on the wane. For the most part, they are absolutely correct in … more

The flagstone walkway surrounding our house is a favored place for the eastern American toads (Bufo americanus) that share our forested yard. At this time of year, knobby toads of various sizes and … more