Memorial Day, the peak of our spring dry fly season, and perhaps the hunt will be for a few damp stones along the river banks, rather than the trout of our dreams.
This is not the first time we have been hit with the season’s first heat wave beneath cloudless skies on this most popular weekend for the Catskill angler, yet it may be the first time that much of the damage has been so easily avoidable.
New York City is about to begin their drawdown of the reservoirs tributary to the damaged Delaware Aqueduct. Though the details still seem to be shrouded, commencement seems eminent on June 1st, three short days hence. With afternoon water temperatures reaching from 69 to more than 70 degrees yesterday on the tailwater rivers below those three dams, common sense, decency, and at least some appreciation for the wild trout and the anglers who flock here to Mecca, one would like to think that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection would move their valves from this morning’s minimal release flows and give the rivers and their permanent and temporary inhabitants a break.
Friday would have been a good time to raise the flows enough to counteract the heat wave and welcome the thousands of hopeful anglers. I am not demanding high flows for boating, for most of these anglers prefer to wade the rivers and experience the special magic of bright water and wild trout close to their hearts. Another 150 to 200 cfs of flow from Cannonsville, Pepacton and Neversink would have created near perfect fishing conditions, thanks to the cool nights we may thankfully continue to enjoy – just a mild preview of the higher flows planned to accomplish their drawdown.
Our ten-day forecast promises not a drop of rainfall, with highs reaching 90 degrees by Friday. Fly fishers know this time of the season affectionately as “Bug Week”, and it is sad that the greatest sport of the season will be diminished by, what, avarice? Come on New York, protect the environment, and give is a drink!
Bright Waters Catskill 