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Catskill Legends fly-tier Dave Catizone explains the intricate process of fashioning a realistic replica of an insect to convince a trout to rise to the surface of the local pristine waters.
Legendary fly-tiers share their knowledge
LIVINGSTON MANOR., NY — Back on May 23, 2023, three notables in the world of fly fishing were inducted into the honor rolls of Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum’s (CFFCM) Catskill … more
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The life cycle of the little sulphur mayfly has been changed, due to the increase in the release of cold bottom-water.
Aquatic insect decline
NATIONWIDE — For those of us who regularly fish the fabled rivers of New York’s western Catskills, the issue began early in the summer of 2016. That’s when anglers started reporting … more
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Opening Day 2024
LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — As Opening Day of New York State’s trout fishing season officially kicked off on Monday, April 1, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum (CFFCM) geared up for … more
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A photo of Uncle Elery during a fishing trip
A tribute to Elery
My uncle Elery was born October 16, 1936 as one of what would eventually be 11 children. He grew up in a different time in far northern Maine, a place so remote it almost seems like another world. He … more
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This bufflehead is also black and white, but with more subdued plumage Females have smaller head spots. ..When swimming, the females show dark wings and an off-white breast and flanks. If they are not flying, buffleheads dive for food (mainly aquatic invertebrates). The dives are shallow and rarely last more than 15-25 seconds. Buffleheads like quiet, flat water in lakes or quiet stretches of rivers. When up in the Canadian breeding grounds, buffleheads use an old nest cavity. (Northern flicker cavities are their favorites.).
Snowbirds are returning north
Soon after the ice broke on the area lakes, I spotted signs of the coming of spring. Tiny black-and-white ducks were present on the lakes in Shohola, PA. At first, it was only a couple of ducks … more
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A nice opening-day brown trout, ready for release.
Opening day 2024
As a long-time angler/fly fisher and columnist for this newspaper, I’m compelled to write a few words about the upcoming trout season. That is, if there is such a thing given the implementation … more
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While walking our dogs (on leash) along a rural road in Pike County, PA, we encountered this porcupine. At our approach, the “quill-pig” froze and assumed the protective pose depicted here. A porcupine might also flail its quill-studded tail at a potential predator, giving the false impression that it can throw its quills. ..Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot throw quills. Their best defense involves assuming the stance in which they raise their quills so that, if bitten, the predator receives a mouth full of barbed needle-like spines. They can also thrash their tails, so keep a respectful distance and enjoy their delightful demeanor. ..This passive and slow-moving woodland inhabitant is a treat to see, as its inability to escape in haste allows for study of its unique characteristics. ..
A waddling wonder
Myths and misunderstandings abound in the natural world and can lead to undesirable outcomes.  Such is the case when it comes to the quill-pig, more commonly known as the porcupine (they … more
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Nothing puts you in a good mood like the first big chores outdoors.
Spring cleaning
Spring has sprung! And then it sort of fell on its face, rolled over, laughed and got up again before tripping over its shoelaces and jovially zig-zagging into a wall.  It was at this point … more
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This wood frog is in the breeding pond and is probably a male (the males are darker and smaller than females). The sound of calling males in an active breeding pool resembles off-tune quacking ducks. Males call for receptive females, and successful males will grasp a female from behind (amplexus) to mate. Females deposit about 1,000 eggs on vegetation in deeper parts of the pond. Wood frog egg masses are frequently visible after breeding is over.....
Singing wood frogs mean the end of winter
As I write this (11 March), the temperature is in the 30s with a brisk NW wind that is gusting over 40 miles per hour—but I am thinking of spring. Someone who lives near Stroudsburg, PA told me … more
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Buddhawg was a big fan of the fluffy white stuff, often sporting a fetching snowbeard after a romp outdoors...
The sorcery of snow
To see the writing on the wall is to predict some potentially unpleasant outcome on the near horizon. But following a light snow that dusted my walkway recently,  I was treated to an artful … more
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The sparks of progress.
A new post
I do. That was the contract that resulted in a thousand “do’s” since. Careful, young fellas: you want to be mighty sure of the lady to whom you give the power of the … more
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..This is the Sawkill Creek, taken upstream of the Mott Street Bridge on Glen Trail within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Fresh snow still covers the trees and branches. This is part of a short-loop trail that takes 15 minutes or so to hike. At the upstream end of this trail is a trail that cuts to the left and leads up to the top of High Knob, which offers a good view of Milford and surrounding countryside...
Late-winter snow
We are about a month from spring, or the vernal equinox; it occurs this year on March 19. Some people might have thought that we would have an early spring. Our winter has been somewhat of a mild … more
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An angler fishing in Skwala waders, the most recent company to make quality waders and add short sizes to its line.
My great fishing wader dilemma: an update
A few years ago, I vented my frustration in the River Reporter over not being able to find a pair of bootfoot waders in my size. In that column, I explained that no manufacturer of premium chest … more
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The Eastern cottontail rabbit enjoys a wide field of vision due to eyes set on either side of the head. Sharp hearing, a keen sense of smell and quick bursts of speed in zigzag patterns help them to evade predators...
Who goes there?
While walking around my yard the other day, I came upon evidence that some unseen guest had been snacking on bark and defecating on the lawn. It didn’t take long to figure out who the culprit … more
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Who has time for that?
[Editor’s note: This column originally ran on February 4, 2021.] As the snow continues to fall and freeze and swirl around outside, I can’t help but feel as though I’m inside a … more
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Two prince nymphs, rigged for deep water fishing.
Nymph fishing in the Madison River, West Yellowstone, MT
My diary tells me the last time I fished the Madison River, near West Yellowstone, MT, was in late August. As with the Catskills, Montana rivers have their own sequence of hatches—when they … more
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Downy woodpeckers are attracted to feeders, either seed or suet. About the size of a sparrow, downy woodpeckers are the most commonly seen and heard woodpeckers in many areas. The drumming from a downy woodpecker is a series of rapid beats. The species that is often confused with the downy is the hairy woodpecker. Its drumming, however, is more rapid.
Nature’s drummers
Most of us at one time or another in our lives banged on a toy drum, tambourine, or some sort of percussion instrument in the high school band—or even played a full-fledged set of drums for a … more
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Raven investigates the interior of the mysterious orb and its hexagonal cells.
A find in the forest
A find in the forest Walking our dogs the other day, allowing a wander to settle the way, when what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a papery orb on the forest floor near. The sun cast … more
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Thought for the day: Make sure you have a spare key.
It happens to everybody
You can have sanity or children, but you can’t have both. One can argue I gave up on sanity long before my children but nevertheless, they’ve cemented that decision every day since. … more
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A large, fat rainbow trout, much like those now being caught in the Ashokan Reservoir. Link to file: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
A change in feeding behavior of Ashokan Reservoir rainbow trout
Rainbow trout were first stocked in tributaries of the Esopus Creek in 1883, taken from California stocks.  As those fish matured and reproduced, offspring spread throughout the watershed. … more
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