by John Krutz

Created on: May 31, 2008

For most fly fishermen the Catskills streams of New York hold a special place. They are both the birthplace of American fly fishing and were home to many of the legends that made our sport what it is today. From the most historic waters like the Beaverkill River and the Neversink to the recently developed Delaware River system their is an abundance of fantastic trout rivers along with to numerous small streams to even be named.

The Beaverkill is the most famous of all the Catskill rivers and still flourishes today with an abundance of both wild and stocked fish and possibly the greatest hatches of all the Catskill Rivers. Just taking a trip to this historical river is worth it from all the named pools and a chance to fish the same waters that the legends of fly fishing fished.
Many of the other Catskill Rivers have been turned into cold, tail-water fisheries and they have flourished. The Delaware system, which consists of the East Branch, the West Branch, and the Main Stem of the Delaware, is widely considered the best wild trout fishery west of the Mississippi. With great hatches, large wild fish, and an abundance of brooks,browns and rainbows the Delaware system is hard to beat. With fish averaging between 12-14 inches and plentiful fish above 20 inches most fisherman who travel to the Delaware system are hooked for life.
There are also two tail-waters in the eastern Catskills, and while they may not be as big as the western waters, the fish don't know that. First is the Neversink River, along with the Beaverkill this is the birthplace of American fly fishing. This is a moderate sized river that lacks some of the famous Catskill hatches. However this is probably the least pressured of the Catskill rivers and still holds a large population of wild fish. Every year numerous 20 inch fish are produced by this river. A little further to the east is the Esopus Creek. This stream is dominated by large boulders and fast moving deep pockets, which is perfect for the wild rainbows that inhabit it. This stream holds the most dense fish population of all the Catskill streams, although most are small wild rainbow averaging about 8 inches. Don't worry there are large fish in here as well, especially during spawning runs when fish come up from the reservoir.
For any Fly Fisherman a trip to the Catskills is a must. Although things have changed most would agree the quality of fishing has changed for the better. With all the rivers so close together their always seems to be plenty of opportunities for the fish of a lifetime in some of the most historical water in America.

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