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So what's a Fish-In?
This all started purely by accident. Four years ago when FAOL was pretty
new, I mentioned in the Chat Room we needed to catch some trout. We were
going 'home.' Granted, Montana is our adopted home having been born and
raised in Michigan, but for us fly fishing is Montana. Both of us were licensed
guides there, we know where to fish and when. FAOL folks asked when we
were going, where were we going to fish, and the first FAOL Fish-In was born.
Nothing very organized, folks just met up with us in West Yellowstone and we
fished mostly the park, (Yellowstone National Park.)
Even before we got back, Al Campbell decided the next Fish-In was going
to be in the Black Hills in South Dakota. Keep in mind here, my husband JC and
I had nothing to do with this! Folks who read this website wanted to get together
and fish - catch some fish, have fun and put some faces on the names they knew
from FAOL. It was great fun, 37 people showed up from all over the country!
We had a blast. (You can read about it
here.)
It didn't take long before we heard from the east coast. Let's do a Fish-In
next spring in Pennsylvania. State College was chosen and about the same
number of folks showed up for that one. (You can read about that one
here.)
While it was still happening, Ron Kusse said we really should fish the
Catskills, and offered to head up Fish-In 2001.
As always, this is not a group grope like a TU or FFF conclave, there are a
few organized activities, but no registration (or fees) and FAOL does not get paid
to do anything involved with the Fish-In. That might change this year since we
have already had some inquiries about T-shirts. At any rate, we all try and stay
at the same place, since not everyone can camp we need a combination of facilities.
It works out better if people aren't strung out all over the region and end up
feeling left out.
The FAOL Fish-In is a loose annual gathering of the folks who read this website,
EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND INVITED!
We do not make reservations or airline arrangements for you. You are on your own
hook. Some will come in early and stay the whole week, others will show up for a
weekend or a couple of days. Whatever works for you.
The object is to come fish and have fun.
Fish-In 2001
We have a place, a date and best of all GREAT FISHING! July 22 - 29th,
Delaware River Club, (DRC) Hancock NY. While the mailing address
is New York, the DRC is located in the northeastern most part
of Pennsylvania, only one mile upstream from Hancock, New York
on the Pennsylvania side of the West Branch of the Delaware
River. You can get a feel for the DRC on their
website.
We had hoped to have this years Fish-In at Roscoe NY. It didn't work out for
several reasons. This year's organizer Ron Kusse (Host QC from our Chat Room)
decided there were more and better fish to be had a short distance away - still
in the Catskills.
We will put up a full information page on the details soon, but so you can make
some plans, here's the scoop.
The West Branch of the Delaware is considered one of the countries best tailwater fisheries. Those staying at the Delaware River Club will have access to two and a half miles of Private Water. Prime fishing for WILD FISH, not stockers. The average size for the trout is 16 inches. We know most easterners think fine fishing is over by the first of June - but it's not true! This may be the best kept secret in the east.
The DRC has a wide variety of accommodations, including camping, cabins and
rooms. This Catskill resort is in the mountains, it is not hot there
in July, and there are tremendous hatches and willing fish. Al Caucci,
co-author (with Bob Nastasi) of Comparahatch, Flytyers Color Guide,
Instant Mayfly ID Guide,Hatches, and Hatches II,
will be there from the 24th through the week (he is the co-owner of the DRC).
The great thing about the West Branch of the Delaware is there are
hatches all day long, not just swarms of caddis, but great mayfly
hatches - morning to night! Most anglers will be rewarded with
16 - to 20 inch trout - the lucky ones will measure
their catch in pounds! Night fishing is also legal and recommended, and QC
has offered to lead a night fishing expedition. A new adventure for
those who haven't tried it - it can produce monsterous fish.
I realize some of you may have planned for a late May gathering, but we think
you will be delighted with the quality of the fishing at the DRC in late July. After
all, the whole idea here is to put our FAOL folks onto fish! That's where the fun is. Besides the West Branch of the Delaware at the DRC, there are over
200 miles of Blue Ribbon trout water within a half hours drive! The Beaverkill, Willowemac, the East Branch of the Delaware, or (an extra ten minutes)
the Neversink, Esophus, plus numermous less known streams. These are
the fabled streams of the great writers. These are not crowded water
like many of the western waters - you can fish all day to rising
wild fish and not see anyone except your own party.
Ron Kusse has some special things planned for those interested, like a cane day,
a trip to see the former Leonard and Payne factories and the grave sites of those
legends. Or a hike into the famous beaverponds. Stay tuned for details.
Since there are so many possibilies of where to fish, we will have guides
available to direct (or guide, or float) as well as maps of the region.
There is some information on the Bulletin Board under 'Fish-In 2001' with links
to the accommodations at DRC and the hatches we can expect (lots). We will
put up an "I'm Going" list as well, and if you would like to share a room or campsite, we have plenty of time to post those requests on the Fish-In 2001 section of the Bulletin Board.
There will be other accommodations available and we will have those too, but
if you wish to stay or camp at the DRC, you should make your reservations
NOW - BUT make sure you tell the folks there you are with Fly Anglers OnLine.
They do take credit cards.
More to come, JC and I are excited to be going on this trip, and we look forward
to meeting new folks and renewing old friendships. Yes, you really are invited to
join us! ~ The LadyFisher
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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