A Fishing Guide Walks Into a Bar…

HANCOCK, NY--It sounds like the start of a joke: Guy walks into a bar. But the punch line didn’t seem so funny. 

 

The story began when I got a call on the morning of April 26 from Jim "Coz" Costolnic, a board member of Friends of the Upper Delaware River and the owner of Border Water Outfitters, a fly shop and guide service in Hancock.

 

Coz was a little perturbed.

 

He said, “Hey, Dan, I hear they’re shutting down the Cannonsville flow to zero today. What’s up with that?”

 

Costolnic is among hundreds of people—guides, shopkeepers, motel and resort owners, restaurateurs, waitresses, etc.--who make a living from the Upper Delaware River fishery. Fish and fishermen/women had been abundant in April.

 

And now Coz was hearing that water releases from the Cannonsville Reservoir on the West Branch of the Delaware, were going to be completely stanched for some sort of dam repair.

 

Oh, great. To boot, this was happening on the weekend of FUDR's 5th Annual One Bug fishing fundraiser, which raises much-needed funds to protect the local rivers, streams and communities.

 

I asked Coz about the source of his information.

 

He said, “A guy in a bar was talking to a river guide, over wings and a beer. A very reliable source. The guy works up at the Cannonsville dam.”

 

FUDR seems to get a lot of tips about things like this from guys in bars.

 

I told Coz I would make some calls, and I started with Tom Murphy, a division chief with New York City’s Bureau of Water Supply. I consider Tom an ally, after years of working together to get a better water-release plan in place from Cannonsville and the other New York City-owned reservoirs that feed the Delaware River system.

 

Murphy confirmed that there would be a shutdown.

 

He explained that an 18-inch pipe in the dam release chamber had developed a crack and needed repair. This required the line to be drained and dried so it could be welded. Releases were being suspended so the stilling pool, to which the line discharges, could be emptied to below the pipe’s elevation. This exposed the pipe so the welding could be done.

 

Murphy said the work was scheduled to be done that day to take advantage of favorable natural stream flows as a result of recent heavy rains.

 

I told Murphy that a complete and sudden shutdown of Cannonsville releases didn’t make any sense because it could strand fish in the shallows. Nobody wants to see that.

 

He and I discussed the need for water releases be ramped down gradually to give fish a chance to find refuge in deeper pools. I didn't expect Murphy completely understand all this, but I wondered who from the state Department of Environmental Conservation would have authorized this work, knowing that fish and the ecosystem that depends on these cold-water releases could be left high and dry.

 

Murphy said he had been speaking with Brenan Tarrier of the DEC. I got him on the phone and repeated the concerns of the conservation groups I was speaking for. I asked him who authorized the water shutdown. You won’t be surprised to know that no one wanted to take credit. I wouldn’t want to own up to it, either.

 

Norm McBride, a DEC Region 4 biologist, normally would have been our man, but he was unavailable, using up vacation time before retirement. Due to DEC cutbacks, Norm's position has yet to be filled.

I asked the DEP and DEC to give me a couple of hours before beginning the shutdown so we could find an expert for advice. Pete Bousum, another FUDR board member, jumped in his truck and intercepted Mark Hartle from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, who was floating the main stem of the Delaware River with Lee Hartman, Delaware River committee chairman for Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited. We also contacted Dr. Robert Bachman, a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commissioner.

 

These conservationists all agreed that the following day, April 27, would be a better time to repair the pipe. The weather forecast called for overcast skies, light precipitation and a high temperature in the 40s.

 

After more conversations with Murphy and others, the DEC agreed the work would begin with a gradual ramping down of releases starting at 4 a.m. April 27.

As a consolation, I asked that the amount of water that could not be released from the Cannonsville Reservoir during the shutdown be released from the Pepacton Reservoir into the East Branch of the Delaware River, which helped the main stem downstream of Hancock. Murphy agreed to do this for us and assured me that the repair crew would work as quickly as possible. Responding to our concerns, the DEC also had a crew and tanker truck on hand to rescue any fish that got stuck in the shallows.

 

In the end, the modified repair plan went off without a hitch—and without any fish drama.

 

Peter Innes, a DEC supervisor, told me, “By all accounts, it was a successful operation.”

 

A few people deserve credit, including Murphy and state DEC staffers Tarrier, Dave Cornwell and Dan Zielinski.

 

So why should we care?

 

I care because I am deeply committed to protecting our precious rivers, as board chairman of FUDR and spokesman for the Delaware Watershed Conservation Coalition.

 

Putting off this necessary repair could have created a more serious problem—and a longer shutdown—somewhere in the future, perhaps at a time with less favorable weather conditions. The city and DEC did the right thing.

 

I am grateful that the government agencies involved responded to our concerns, and we are pleased at the growing sense of cooperation between these agencies and the private-sector conservationists who dedicate our time and money to protect this resource.

 

So the story has a satisfying ending. I just hope that next time we don't have to find out about consequential water-flow plans when a guy walks into a bar.

Dan Plummer

Chairman of the Board

Friends of the Upper Delaware River

catskilldan@mac.com 

607-363-7848  office

607-363-7975  fax

www.fudr.org

Environmental Quality Board Gives DEP the Green Light to Further Study Delaware River Upgrade Petition

This morning the Environmental Quality Board at their regular meeting voted 13-5 to give PA DEP the green light to further study an upgrade petition for the Delaware River that was submitted by 24 organizations and 150 watershed citizens on December 9, 2011 to upgrade the Delaware River and tributary streams to Exceptional Value.

DEP presented to the Board that the petition was administratively complete, therefore requesting the Board vote to move the petition through the next regulatory step of review. Kelly Heffner, PA DEP, presented a map of the proposed upgrade area that includes over 1,600 square miles of the Basin, of which the majority of those streams have high quality designation currently and are located in mostly forested and rural areas of Wayne, Pike and Monroe counties.

Petitioners include a broad array of organizations and several were present at the meeting to answer questions from the Board before the vote was taken. Petitioners also delivered additional letters of support from the community, including another 27 businesses and organizations and more than 80 citizen letters that were gathered over the weekend. Petitioners highlighted the science, diversity, water quality, and national recreational significance in this region that they say merits the upgrade.

"The upper reaches of the Delaware River and the tributaries that feed it are irreplaceable sources of clean, fresh and healthy waters, with an enviable natural beauty. Despite all the good intentions and good rhetoric, if we don't apply the laws we have on the books to protect them from pollution and harm, then we cannot honor our commitment to present or future generations of children and families of passing on a resource that is as healthy as it was when delivered into our hands. Ensuring Pennsylvania's Exceptional Value Status is given to those reaches of the Delaware and tributaries we have petitioned for is a vital step in ensuring all of our communities can continue to benefit from these waterways and the healthy drinking water, sustainable jobs, and unparalleled family fun they provide," said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.

Exceptional Value status makes sense on so many levels," said Dan Plummer, Board Chairman of Friends of the Upper Delaware River. "The fishery and habitat of our streams and rivers will benefit, and local economies will see a payoff from any increased recreational usage and tourism generated by these pristine waters. Plummer says he has found unanimous community support along the Upper Delaware for EV status. "Everyone seems to see this initiative for what it is: another level of protection to keep these valuable natural resources clean, cold and pure forever," he said.

“Exceptional value protection in the Delaware Basin will ensure the opportunities of clean water: vibrant livelihoods, safe recreation and healthy drinking water. These are values consistent with national and state investments that help communities thrive,” said Liz Garland, American Rivers.

"By upgrading the status of the Upper and Middle Delaware to Exceptional Value, we are making a smart investment in the protection of this critical resource, as well as in the future of the 22 billion dollar a year recreational tourism industry that it supports", said Cathy Frankenberg, Appalachian Mountain Club.

"The Clean Streams Law of PA was written to protect streams from further degradation from the moment the law was passed. If data shows that the Upper Delaware watershed meets the criteria for Exceptional Value status, then under the law it should receive that designation in Pennsylvania's environmental rulemaking. We know that Clean Water Action members will support DEP when, after its review, they find that the Upper Delaware should have received this status long ago," said Brady Russell, Eastern PA Director, Clean Water Action.

Upper Delaware River Fishing Reports 2012

This year we're once again providing the fishing reports for the Orvis Fishing Report Page for the main stem of the Upper Delaware, the East Branch of the Delaware and the Neversink River.  These reports will be updated at least weekly, more frequently when anything changes.  Just click on the link above and then go to the New York page.

All the best on the water!

Help designate the Upper and Middle Delaware River to Exceptional Value

Help designate the Upper and Middle Delaware River to Exceptional Value by writing a letter and being part of the original submission to the PA Department of Environmental Protection. This designation is reserved for the state’s cleanest and healthiest streams.

Your support will strengthen the power of the petition and increase the likelihood that the PA DEP will grant it. We need to let them know that we care about this special watershed, and that we want it preserved with the strongest protections under the Clean Water Act.

Click on this link: Go to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network’s website and send a letter of support

April 2012 Upper Delaware River Fishing Report & Forecast

Another season is about to begin on the Upper Delaware with this Sunday, April 1st as the official start.  Technically, the season never closes on much of the system. But on the official New York trout season opener of April 1, all stretches of the East, West and Main Delaware become legal.

This year we've been seeing some of the earliest hatches ever starting with early stone flies and moving into olives, Quill Gordons, blue quills, caddis and Hendricksons. Yes, Hendricksons were seen hatching in March on the Upper Main Stem and on some days the numbers of insects were much more than just a scattering.  The stone fly hatch was/is impressive this year and in mid March with much warmer water temps than usual the fish were very active and keyed in to them well providing some excellent dry fly action.

As April opens up you can expect some unusually low water conditions for this time of year. Cooler nights have brought the water temps back down to the 40's which will slow the insect hatching and fish activity from what it was.  Who know, maybe even bring things back or nearly back on track.

This is a time of year that typically has rising water and ice cold water temps from the influence of snow pack melt. We don't have any snow pack and what we are seeing is something very close to the opposite. Rain hasn't helped. We're currently in a deficit of of about 4 inches for the year which is near half of normal and it's only March. But no need to for panic, yet.  April and May, our wettest month, are still ahead and a good dumping of rain could see us complain the rivers are blown out for a couple of days. At least I hope so.

To see how low the water is right now look at the mean flow for the date and compare it to the current flow. The USGS gauges important to the Upper Delaware can be found here: Delaware River Water Flow Data As an example, the mean flow at Hale Eddy on the West Branch for this date is 2,070 CFS. The current flow is just 264 CFS.  Throughout the system water levels are 15% to 25% of what they normally are. What's important now is that the cool early Spring temperatures are keeping the fish safe.  Or are they really safe?

Low water will concentrate the fish. Simply, there is less river for them to spread out in. This concentration makes them easy pickings for the kill 'em and grill 'em crowd. You know, those people who have no respect for wild fish and who will rape the resource for the ill founded thrill of fulfilling some bizarre and perverse urge to destroy rather than build up and support. It's hard to believe in this day and age there are so many ignorant fisherman out there and even harder to believe that the state agencies in charge allow such mayhem to go on.

In a perfect world there would be enough clean water to produce an abundance of fish to feed anyone who wished to take them. In the real world that's not the case. We need to stop pretending that killing the brood stock of wild fish is good for the fishery. It's not. Any state fisheries biologist who says that a pressured wild trout fishery can support a harvest should be fired. He's not doing the fish any good.

Anyway, I'm off of that rant... for now.

Now, as far as the rest of the season is concerned, will we be looking at very low water conditions? I can only say it would be best to consult a crystal ball or local psychic for that answer. Too many times over the past decade we've seen extremes in weather cause complete flip flops in conditions. Sometime these reversals are for the worse, sometimes for the better. Let's hope for the better.

 

NY State Trout Season Opening Festivities April 1, 2012

Sunday, April 1, 2012 is the 130th Trout Season opener in NYS.

Celebrating the 130^th Season Opening With an All Star Cast

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) will officially launch the 2012 season with an All Star Cast at 9:30 AM on Sunday April 1. This year’s ceremony will be held in front of the CFFCM on the fabled Willowemoc Creek (Located at 1031 Old Rte. 17 between Roscoe and Livingston Manor, NY, accessed at either exit 94 or 96 on NYS 17/86).

This year’s celebration will be bigger and better than ever before with the return of Actor Olek Krupa, and a few others to cast in a new season. Hosted by the CFFCM’s 1st Family of Fly Fishing: Jeff, Erin, Alicia and Allie Phelan along with Aileen Gunther, Sullivan County Assemblywoman. Everyone is invited to participate in this First Cast of the season and all are encouraged to bring their own rod and waders to make it a memorable moment.

Following The All Star Cast, visitors can cast the bugs out after a long winter with some fine bamboo fly rods (no experience necessary). Bring your own bamboo rods or try what is there, everyone of all ages is welcome to join Mike Canazon and the Bamboo Boys, from 11 AM until 1 PM at the Livingston Manor High School Gym. This annual event is sponsored by the Livingston Manor Rotary Club.

In the museum, Ted Patlen will welcome in the new season with a fly tying demonstration and session though out the day and Agnes Van Put will ladle out her famous soups in the Gift Shop.

At 1:30 PM everyone will gather downstairs to officially cut the ribbon to the new Agnes Van Put Kitchen, followed by a ‘shovel in the ground’ ceremony for the construction of the Catskill Rodmakers Workshop and Heritage Craft Center. This construction will add 5,000 square feet to the Paul Dahlie Education Building and house The Wulff Gallery on the upper level.

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum is recognized as the center of the fly fishing community. It’s all about fly fishing.

First Cast ceremonies have usually been the weekend after April 1st . This year it was determined to make it official on April 1st , the real ‘opening day’, considering it falls on a weekend and will not do so again for 5 years. The CFFCM welcomes all, fishermen or not, to visit this very special day in the Catskills

Discovering the Delaware River Youth Enrichment Program

The Hancock Community Education Foundation, in a partnership with Hancock Central School, is beginning a new program called “Discovering the Delaware River Youth Enrichment Program” for all students in grades 5 through 12.

The objective of this program is to educate students about fisheries, ecology and the natural resources in their own community. The program will provide an opportunity for children and their families to learn new skills and introduce them to a lifetime sport.

The Fly Rods used for instruction and fishing for this new program have been provided by the New Your State Department of Environmental Conservation. Mr. Gregory Kozlowski the Fisheries Outreach Coordinator for the NYSDEC was instrumental in making sure that the students had the proper equipment needed for this program.

In April 2012 the entire HCS middle /high school students will receive casting instruction during their regular physical education classes. These lessons will be taught by Mr. Matthew Mastropietro the elementary Physical Education teacher from Deposit Central School. He will spend five days working with Mrs. Julie Cornwell, Mr. Brandon Olbrys and the students at HCS in a fly casting unit.

In addition to volunteers the following community partners have committed to providing the following classroom presentations and resources for our students at no cost. The National Park Service and Friends of the Upper Delaware FUDR.

                       

Thank you to all of the volunteers and community partners who have committed in helping with this program and making it a reality.