"A wild trout in its native habitat is a compact example of the earth doing well, of the deep ecology of things taking its course, of sustainability in action. Fishing is not an escape; its a way of engaging everything that matters." Christopher Comuto, Trout Magazine
What's on this page:
Mid-Hudson TU Guide ordering instructions Mid-Hudson TU Shirts and Hats ordering instructions Czech Nymphing Spring is coming/ Volunteer Check and inspect now! A Summary of Fly Casting Technique PFR MAPs (Public Fishing Access) Reporting problems to the DEC
TU Fishing Guide
Mid-Hudson TU Volume 2 Fishing Guide 20 new pages and new places to find fishing access.
Pick one up at the monthly membership meeting or send a check for $15 to Mid-Hudson TU TU Guide/JW 47 Church Lane Stanfordville, N.Y. 12581
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Mid-Hudson TU Shirts and Hats
There is a limited number of Mid-Hudson TU logo shirts and hats still available. If you are interested in purchasing one send an email to info@midhudsontu.com and we can arrange a delivery. The shirts are $35 and hats are $15 USD. Click on the shirt images to enlarge and see colors. The logo on the shirts (not shown) is the same as the hats and is above the left pocket.
Inventory as of 3/3/2010
Shirts XL 2-Light Olive 1-Light Tan XXL 1-Light Olive 1-Light Tan 1-Dark Olive 1-Dark Khaki
One size fits most hats still available in Orange, Navy and Olive.
Hats in Orange, Navy and Olive
Currently Planned Outings
May 7 & 8 Beaverkill Trip:
We will be staying at the Riverside Motel in Roscoe Friday and Saturday nights and we currently have rooms reserved for ten people (5 rooms/double occupancy). Cost per person is $65.00 for the trip. Meals are not included. Spots will be filled on a first come basis. 50% deposit is required to hold your spot but payment in full would be helpful if you can swing it. Make payments to Steve Dolce.
June 11 & 12 West Branch Delaware Trip:
We will be staying at the West Branch Angler's house on Friday and Saturday nights. We currently have room for 14 people. Cost per person is $95.00 for the trip, breakfast is included. Final price may be more if we do not get 14 people. Spots will be filled on a first come basis. A 50% deposit is required to hold you spot but payment in full would be helpful if you can swing it. Make payments to Steve Dolce.
Czech Nymphing
A good summary of the Czech nymping technique as well as the basics on tying Czech numphs can be found by clicking on the the following URL:
Spring is approaching!Walking my mail route and feeling wiped out by this winter, I passed the side of a house and looked at the ground near the foundation and saw a wonderful sight, the crocuses are breaking ground.The robins are more abundant, and the birds are singing to attract a mate.At the general meetings and the local fly shop there seems to be enthusiasm that soon we will be laying our lines upon the water once again. We are anxious to try the flies that we have tied all winter long.And I, for one, have begun to put away my ice fishing equipment which gave me peace of mind over the winter.But I’m ready to start cleaning my fly line and restocking my vest of needed gear.As should you, leaders, tippet, floatant.You should check your fly line for cracking, just take your fingers and slide them along the line.Did you loose any gear last season that needs replacing? Get this done now and not later, for later is the time to fish!Think of it, soon 55 – 60 degrees, Quill Gordon’s, Hendrickson’s, Blue Quills.I’m starting to drool.Some will venture to start nymphing stoneflies and pheasant tails, and hares ears nymphs.Do you have sufficient split-shot?Are your boxes organized?This is the time now to do the above mentioned.
Opening day is a special time to start getting out there, even though it could be crowded or the water conditions may be off, it is tradition.Father and son, or daughter moments, best friends, it is a time to rekindle memories or start new ones.It is a good time laugh, share a moment or share a tip.It is also a good time to belong to a fishing club, such as Mid-Hudson Trout Unlimited.This is where you could meet that person who you could bond with for future fishing trips or to grow in the sport together.I may not know everyone yet in the club, most I do, but if you’re new and want to share a day on the water with me, just introduce yourself and we could work something out.As a board member I feel it is important to share my experience with new members.Or maybe you have something you can teach me.And perhaps we can hit it off, but just approach me and ask.I also know there are a few other members who would do the same. The Mid-Hudson TU is not just a club for fishing.It is a conservation organization.Yes we offer tying seminars before meetings, we have guest speakers for general meetings within our budget; we do try to please the membership.But our first duty is to be stewards of our streams.Giving back and protecting our streams is our number one goal.Stream clean-ups make you feel like your giving back to the stream that you love to fish.It is rewarding!We have started a conservation committee and we are looking for non-board members to help with research, such as stream readings of water temperature, or temperature readings of tributaries.So if this looks like where you could fit in just contact Don Jiskra. Trout Unlimited anywhere is a great organization, but it takes volunteers to make it work.Volunteers are the bloodline that fuels the heart of Trout Unlimited to do the conservation that is needed to protect our fishing waters we love so much! “On the water” - Spring is coming! Joe Rist
The stream banks will come alive once again!
Trout once again being netted!
Anglers will be smiling!
Rods will be bent over!
Volunteers will appear!
Volunteers are always needed!
Spring means Volunteering to give back to our streams.
Now's the time to check and inspect gear!
Check your fly line and Lube your reels.
Inventory of gear and replenish!
Organize your fly boxes and replenish!
Lets take care now of our gear, Check, inspect and replenish it now, for later you want to spend the time fishing and not shopping or fixing! Spring is near, it'll be time to be on the water.
A Review of the Elements of Good Fly Casting
Fly casting is an acquired skill as well as it is an art when it is done correctly. It takes practice and attention to detail. There is more than one way to do it, but the majority of good casters will employ most of the elements that are listed below. This list is from a summary of the techniques that we teach our students at the adult education Fly Fishing course that our chapter runs at Arlington High School every winter. You may find it helpful to review them.
When holding the rod keep your thumb on top of the grip, not down on the side. If you are a right handed caster your left foot should be forward, or your right foot if you are left handed. As you cast always keep the reel under your wrist; do not swing it out to the side.
Before you begin the back cast, with the line in the water and in front of you, strip in any slack line; there should be line tension against the tip and the tip should be low. Normally your rod tip and the line beyond your tip should be in a straight line, and the end of your line should start to move towards you as you begin the back cast. If the end of the line doesn’t start moving, you still have slack which first needs to be removed. Not removing it will decrease the efficiency of the back cast.
When casting, whether forward or back, start slowly and move the casting hand smoothly with increasing speed throughout the stroke beginning from the first movement, and then end with a decisive snap of the wrist to an abrupt stop. The length of the stroke will depend upon the distance you you want to cast. It is important to begin the stroke slowly. The rod will continue to load as long as you continue to accelerate throughout the length of the stroke. The more quickly you stop at the end of the stroke, the tighter and more efficient the casting loop will be. Tight, efficient loops enable you to cast farther and with less effort because there is less air resistance against the fly line.
As you complete the forward cast do not drop the rod tip and pull the line down. Instead, follow the line down with your rod tip thereby allowing it to gently land on the water.
It is primarily the application of the forearm that moves the rod through the casting stroke. In most situations there should be relatively little movement of the upper arm. Other than performing the wrist snap there should also be little movement of the wrist. The more you pivot your wrist during the casting stroke the greater the width of your casting loop and the greater the inefficiency of your cast.
Keep your back cast up! Don’t drop the tip low as you reach back. And don’t start the forward stroke until the line has just about straightened out behind you. Executing your back cast properly is an essential step in setting up a good forward cast.
During the forward cast you can avoid the problem of opening up a well formed loop by waiting until the loop is at least a rod’s length in front of you before you begin to drop the rod tip.
Move your rod in a straight plane when casting. Imagine that you are casting between two walls eight inches apart. The rod may be held at any angle but the stroke must move along a straight path.
Keep in mind that the line will always go in the direction that the rod tip was moving before the rod straightened out at the end of the forward stroke.
When casting to a fish aim at a point that is at eye level above the water. Then, as the line drops at the completion of the cast, follow it down with the rod tip allowing it to land gently on the water.
Hitting your rod with your line or hooking your fly on your leader when casting results from a problem called a tailing loop. These result from several casting problems. Most common are: Do not accelerate too quickly at the beginning of your casting stroke. Do not push your hand and forearm forward at the completion of the forward stroke. Don’t allow your hand to creep forward as you wait for the back cast to complete. Holding your rod tip too high at the end of a forward cast will also cause this problem; this can be corrected by pushing your thumb down slightly and pulling your little finger up as you complete the cast.
When executing a roll cast cant your rod out to the side, bring your rod tip up and well behind you, come to a full stop allowing the line to drape behind the rod. When the line has stopped moving hold your hand somewhat higher than normal and execute the forward stroke, but don't drop the rod tip below a forty-five degree angle. The more quickly you stop the rod tip at the end of the stroke, the more quickly the line will shoot forward.
Public Fishing Access Maps (PFR's)
For the most comprehensive information about pfr's (public fishing easements) consult our Fishing Guide which is discussed towards the top of this page.
Forest Protection & Fire Management (845) 256-3025
Law Enforcement (845) 256-3013 Fax (845) 255-9249
Hudson River Estuary (845) 256-3016 Fax (845) 255-3549
Freedom of Information Legislation (FOIL) (845) 256-3052 Fax (845) 255-3414
1-800-TIPP DEC or 1-800-847-7332
TIPP DEC is available 24 hours a day to report Environmental Conservation Law violations. It's toll free and confidential.You can also report a violation by email to our regional dispatch office and someone will get back to you promptly.The identity of all TIPP informants is kept confidential.
