Trout Unlimited Ashokan Pepacton Watershed Chapter
Meetings, News and Events
Upcoming Chapter meetings and events:
The July 28 Chapter fishing outing has been cancelled due to high water temperatures on the Esopus Creek. However, chapter members are invited to meet at the Boiceville Inn at 8:30 PM for pizza.
For information about Chapter speakers and events, please contact Chapter Vice President Kathy Nolan at info@catskillslive.org. To catch up on other goings-on in the Chapter, visit our facebook page.
Esopus recreational releases
The DEC has announced four recreational releases (1000-1100cfs) on the Esopus Creek for the following events or purposes:
- June 5-6 for the KCCNY Whitewater Funfest & Slalom / July 17-18 for AMC Whitewater Instruction
- Sept.4-6 for the Town of Shandaken / Oct. 2-3 for the ACA Esopus Slalom
Trout everywhere! The Leaping Trout Art Project
You may have noticed that trout are popping up in Phoenicia, Woodstock, Mt. Tremper and elsewhere! The Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited is undertaking a volunteer community art project celebrating the 50th anniversary of Trout Unlimited, entitled "The Leaping Trout Art Project." This project involves the creation, display, and ultimate sale at auction of original artworks executed on 36" X 19" aluminum sheeting silhouette shapes of leaping trout. 29 artists in the local community have enthusiastically donated their time, energy and talents to create their own unique vision of The Leaping Trout. The resulting collection of artwork is remarkable for both its diversity of style and media; participating artists have created works using pencil, oils, acrylics, glass, photography and sculpture, to name a few. The trout will be on display throughout the community and available for online bids during the fishing season until September, when they will be gathered in The Arts Upstairs (Main St., Phoenicia) for a group show. (Trout pictured above are the works of Dave Channon, Mary Certoma, Anique Taylor and Robert Selkowitz.)
For more information on the project, the artists and where to find the Leaping Trout, visit www.theleapingtrout.com or download the "Leaping Trout Art Trail" map and guide. Online bids can be placed via the website or directly by email.
West Point Fly Fishing Day on the Esopus
On May 2, the Chapter hosted the West Point Cadet Fly Fishing Club to a day of fishing on the Esopus Creek and tribs. Future get-togethers are in the planning stage. To participate or for more information, contact Roger Walters at (845)-657-8882 or rewalt@hvc.rr.com.
Opportunity to take action against hydrofacking
Catskill Mountainkeeper has created an online “common sense” petition demanding that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation wait to issue any permitting guidelines until the federal Environmental Protection Agency completes its Hydrofracking Study, which is currently underway. To sign the petition, visit www.catskillmountainkeeper.org.
Chapter Awards go to Jody Hoyt and Dan Davis
Chapter Awards were presented at the annual banquet on March 27, 2010. Two individuals were recognized for their outstanding and continuous contributions in the conservation and preservation of our coldwater resources. A well-deserved Rainbow Trout Award was presented to Ashokan-Pepacton Chapter Treasurer Jody Hoyt, and the Silver Trout Awar (for non-Chapter members) was given to DEP's Dan Davis, currently Project Manager of the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program. Nominations for next year can be sent to Roger Walters at: rewalt@hvc.rr.com, or 845-657-8882, or 1629 County Road 2, Olivebridge, NY 12461.