Legendary Catskills Trout Fishing | Birthplace of American Fly Fishing

The Catskills region is considered the birthplace of fly fishing in America thanks to Theodore Gordon in the 1890's. The trout fishing today is still fantastic which is why Tom Rosenbauer and Mark Melnyk have come to do some early season fly fishing in the numerous rivers and streams the region is blessed with. They even visited and fished at DeBruce Fly Fishing Club, to angle on some of their waters. Wonderful walk & wade fly fishing throughout the region for trout using dry flies, nymphs and streamers. Lots of great information on this region and the fishing in this video. Tom & Mark are the guests of The Rose Cottage in De Bruce ( www.therosecottagebnbinn.com ) centrally located in De Bruce NY, located in Sullivan Catskills.
To learn more about The Rose Cottage in De Bruce : sullivancatskills.com/busines...
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Or call Marilyn at: 845-439-3643 or 845-439-4905
Sullivan Catskills County: sullivancatskills.com
DeBruce Fly Fishing Club: www.debruceffc.com
@orvis @orvisguidetoflyfishing @sullivancatskills
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#sullivancatskills #troutfishing #orvisflyfishing

[@reserrvoirman]

My self and two of my flyfishing buddies fished there memorial day week for years.I think they call that week bug week.We used to camp on the river and live it up.Their now fishing together in heaven I hope.Sure do miss it.The fishing is so good that week if you haven't got too much rain,Its an enchanted area for sure.

[@jackkatzman1116]

Grew up in Sullivan County. My wife was the tourism director and invited President Carter and his wife to trout fish these streams. He loved the fishing and couldn’t stop raving about how fantastic the fishing was.

[@ernsthorn2788]

I expected to see crowded water, technical fishing, and small fish but wrong on all counts! Beautiful. Now I think this area will be on my bucket list.

[@gregmartin1757]

I lived in the catskills for 12 yrs .fly fished those rivers and many others in the area delaware,neversink.and dozens of others. This brings back many fond memories. These rivers are heavily fished but 95% of the fishermen fish right by the parking areas.just walk a bit and you can have plenty of water to yourself.

[@nicolelewis1828]

When the border finally re-opens, these rivers are on my list!

[@jimr5000]

Grew up in Pa fishing the famous limestone's. In the late 80's, a guy took me to the Beaverkill to fish / golf / turkey hunt. I found myself fishing less in my area and making the 200 mile drive to the Catskills more and more often. At this point, the Catskills account for 95% of my fishing. Some of the most amazing casters I've seen have been on those river systems. Beautiful place even after all the changes from the biblical floods over the last few years. Amazing place and you are walking in the footsteps of fly fishing legends. I feel lucky to have been given the chance in life to experience these legendary / hallowed waters.

[@PooRadley]

So many tasty fish in there !

[@David-Lips]

I started fly fishing this spring and watched lots of Orvis Guide and New Fly Fisher videos to learn. While visiting a local used bookstore I found a copy of Tom’s book from 1984 and had to take it home. Lo and behold, it’s even signed by the legend himself! Thank you Tom and Mark for sharing your craft.

[@newflyfisher]

Thanks for letting us know this, wonderful story. Enjoy your continuing discovery and education of fly fishing. You will learn that there so much to know, which is a part of the joy of this outdoor activity!

[@chasinbowsnbrowns3652]

Great video guys ! Love the Catskills! Caught my first brown on the Willowemoc ! Such a vast area to fish and only 90 miles from my doorstep! Tight lines !!

[@travisdecapite229]

I fished all through there last year. Quite a place to visit, got into some nice browns on dry flies

[@bobdaniel5367]

Great episode! Can’t wait to get out there!

[@anthonygregorio2208]

Thank you for this video so much!! I actually caught my first brown trout on the Beaverkill River, which happened to be the first fish I ever caught for the first time using my new fly rod. And you are so right about talking to the local shops. I went to the Orvis shop and the guide recommended a specific dry fly in a specific size and color. Glad I listened to him.

[@paulhayward3403]

Thank You Mark and Tom Great work on the Editing and the Tips on presentations and Rigs .

[@chrisauer9234]

Great episode guys. I love the Catskills. I grew up close to there but never had a real appreciation for the region until I started to fly fish. There are some great little streams in the mountains for brook trout, which is what I focus my time on when I'm down there. I live in the greater Rochester N.Y. area and we have some really great fisheries for rainbow and brown trout, but it's hard to find brookies in this area.

[@dankochanek8056]

Bucket List. Thanks for posting

[@fishingwithmakarony7]

Such a beauty land, river, forest and trouts!! Cheers from Poland!

[@dominiqueleblanc2193]

It's good to see Tom! Great vid!

[@brianpitts310]

So cool to see this on KZbin. I live in this area and fish it often! Great video's!

[@wingman8447]

Great vid. Great water, great fish. Great tips, as usual.

[@andykjohnsonjohnson7622]

Spectacular video guys 👍🎣🎣. With spectacular fish to-boot 👍👍👍AWESOME 😉

[@billedwards2657]

Lots of great tips here. Great video.

[@jeremiahhedeen3879]

Great fishing trip!!! Makes me want to head that way and fish a WORM "fly" if it's on a fly rod it's a fly!!! Love the videos keep it up

[@Creek_Hunter]

Wonderful video. Miss NEPA, I was very close to the Catskills. Nothing like that in Texas where I live now....

[@RCSTILE]

Hats off to Tom Rosenbauer. Every video he has ever made actually gives the viewers usable information to improve their fishing enjoyment regardless of their skill level.

[@newflyfisher]

Glad you like them!

[@tinagray7652]

Harry Gray: One of the most beautiful and informative videos I've seen and with clear details. I fish the Driftless Region of NE Iowa for trout and look forward to a Catskill trip in the next few years. Keep them coming men!

[@badvenomoutdoors6666]

I love it up north so much!

[@mattokeefe691]

My goodness it’s beautiful there. Different than here in Alberta. Hmmmm- a new place on the bucket list I think

[@joyofishingchannel9519]

Amazing fishing skills

[@traviscraven4934]

Nice video to see during such a stressful time.

[@newflyfisher]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@thibod07]

I live 5 hours North of New-York! This mean that those rivers are about two hours straight south from where I live. Thank you for your recommendations Tom about using a floating fly as an indicator with a bead head nymph. I make my own flies so I can pretty well prepare a nice floater fly.

[@mungo911]

Must be nice to be able to access that private water on the Willowemoc.

[@buixrule]

We had a home in Sullivan County seconds walking distance from Little Beaver Kill and 5 minute drive to Willowemoc. There's something about fishing for these wild beautiful trout that transcends time.

[@loungecrew1720]

beautiful fish! cant wait to fish up there

[@samizzle11]

Thanks guys.. super awesome! chillin on the beach in Socal yet super stoked to fish this spring,, cheers

[@newflyfisher]

Sounds great!

[@troutman68]

i love the place!!! Nice episode!

[@SufferingOutdoors]

Great video men! I really appreciated the improvements over previous seasons. Loved the music choices and camera shots.

[@ricklent6561]

Great Show!!

[@TopSecretVid]

I was just up there...so cool!!!

[@shawnpirson1401]

Fantastic episode!! Don't believe it gets much better than wadding in a mountain stream! Reminds me of the Tellico River in East Tennessee. Keep up the great work.

[@thatguy22441]

It's also reminiscent of some of the trout streams I fish in north Georgia, which is indistinguishable from Tennessee (since it borders it). I've heard really good things about Tennessee if someone is willing to do some hiking.

[@Laminarman1]

Bravo!!! My home water : )

[@Sailor-Dave]

I love the trout streams, mountains, and woods of the Catskills and Adirondacks. If life got any more beautiful than these, my heart couldn't hold it all.

[@Sailor-Dave]

Please go to the Adirondacks/Ausable River again. Possibly the most beautiful fishing area in the world. I can't tell you how many times I've viewed your previous episode there. Truly a magical place.

[@newflyfisher]

Hopefully we can again in the future, thanks for the recommendation

[@uni_shadow164]

Want to go this year!! Great Video!

[@craigphillips7258]

Thanks for the excellent information. I really appreciate the use of a variety of flies and changing tactics to adapt. Learned a lot!

[@guyinpajamapants6892]

Tom is everywhere!

[@teacreek1377]

So much value in each of these videos, great stuff!

[@newflyfisher]

Glad you think so!

[@ocsteved]

@@newflyfisher FOR MARK: A little tip, don't hold your rod so far back when playing a trout...chances of breaking the tip increases....

[@garyslade6509]

Great episode and great show. Tom and Mark are seasoned and conscientious anglers. However, I still think it’s better for the fish to use a net.

[@romtome]

What a great episode! The place is beautiful and so are the fish. To bad it's not anywhere near me. I'm in Colorado and I'm only 30-45 minutes from all the river and streams. I do make my monthly visit to the Dream Stream over at Eleven Mile. Tight lines!

[@newflyfisher]

You're living in a great place too and glad you have access to some nice waters like out here in the East. Have a good season of fishing!

[@alsamaraakbar3059]

The scenery in America is beautiful

[@bauhausoffice]

Awesomely awesome

[@dennishedgepeth9682]

goodness what a great video.

[@sailfishfishingknots2267]

This video is very entertaining thank you

[@straubdavid9]

I've driven through the Catskill region on my way to upstate New York numerous times. I have fished the upper Delaware, but it's been many many years now. I've been reading about this region, and the tiers and and historical fishers since the mid 60's. I hope to visit again one day. I still have many streams in my home state of Pa. that I need to get to first. Thanks for the vid .... tight lines everyone.

[@newflyfisher]

David we are shooting a show in PA this May in PAGO. Hope you like it!

[@FishingknotsChannel]

OMG 😱😱😱It's a very nice video for the viewers

[@eckhal2]

Thanks grew up fly fishing there in the 60s and 70s not been back since 80s. Lots of great memories. Used traditional Catskills nymphs, wet flys, and drys then no indicator fishing. 👌💯

[@eckhal2]

FYI There were old timer purists back then that fished bamboo and dry /wet fly only. Nymph and streamer fisherman were frowned upon like me at times.. Met Ernest Schwiebert one day at Hendrickson Pool during a major hatch, who helped me out.😉. Still remember the big rainbow I lost at dusk on the West Branch at Fishes Eddy or Pond Eddy on a Gray Ghost streamer. Still can feel and vision when he broke me off as I just him downstream.😉😩

[@newflyfisher]

Thanks for sharing Hal....and we've all broken off a big fish at some time too so know your pain!

[@FlyFishingwithLadin]

I would love to fish there someday. Looks like an amazing stream!

[@timothyburman2300]

This is where I learned to fly in early seventy's! Miss it a lot!

[@screwedagain1]

I hope Heaven looks just like that!

[@travisrowsell3054]

I find this so cool when I first got into fly fishing living in Montreal my very first road trip was to the Catskills and to see my favourite fly fishing program fishing Waters I've fished the Catskills are the most breathtaking places I've ever seen

[@sarhengchannel5843]

beautiful tehnique fishing... good

[@newflyfisher]

Thanks 👍

[@cachi-7878]

Been there done that! 😊

[@Art3m1s_98]

Are you guys doing something different? The cinematography is more amazing than ever in this! Love it.

[@newflyfisher]

Diana, thanks for kind words. The difference is this season we are uploading full-length TV shows instead of regular versions. So now we can put up more of the great visuals, better story-telling, more how-to, etc... Appreciate your feedback and will pass to everyone involved. You will love some the videos coming soon!

[@GeorgeSemel]

I fished that area a lot over the years. Mostly in the fall after my work season is over. I will go and fish from Monday thru Friday Morning and have a lot of places to myself. It's just a 3-hour drive from my home in CT.

[@billedwards2657]

George Semel that’s my home area, I make the trip up from Tennessee every fall to fish the last weekend. Same sentiments. Worth it!

[@suvsans9614]

This is crazy I live in Athens 10 min away from catskill, never woulda thought there would be such good fishing in catskill

[@brianbr13]

suvsan S They are talking about the Catskill Mountains General area, specifically down in the Roscoe/Livingston Manor areas in Sullivan County....not the Village of Catskill. You can catch small stocked browns in the Catskill Creek...upstream

[@gregmartin1757]

Totally different area.catskills as in Sullivan county not village of catskill.

[@paulallen7651]

Tom Rosenbauer (sp?) always a gentleman naturalist and most self deprecating angler - acknowledging a holdover over a wild brown. Either is a fine catch on hard pressed water.

[@SleepHarbor]

You guys should used barbless hooks. Great video though and keep inspiring us.

[@ianatkins1213]

Another fantastic video. Catskills has been on my “bucket list” (from Australia) and this video has impressed. We will be visiting our daughter in NY soon and I need to slip away for a few days. The Rose Cottage looks the perfect base. Love how your videos also cover techniques and gear used.

[@shawnlyndon6714]

Great video. The two guides provide some great details on different rigs. Thank-you. One other comment. The commentator (around 17:12) says that you can use dry flies much easier in the Catskills than say out west like Colorado where the water flows faster... Sure. Sounds about right. Then he says that out west you are basically fishing from the banks? That is simply wrong. We wade, we float and we get into the streams in the West all the time (Colorado, NM, Wyoming).

[@newflyfisher]

Thanks for the tips and correcting us, appreciated!

[@keiranrooker7981]

I lost the tip of my fly rod and found a st croix 3 weight rod tip on my way home of course I’m mad I lost it but I did luck out

[@daddymcsnacks_561]

Alright, so I did some reading and there is a bit of a debate about the birth place of fly fishing in the U. S. From what I read Brodhead Creek in PA claims the same thing as the Catskills... I don't know, I was born in Florida. Either way, I'm taking my ass to both places when the world OPENS up again! 😎😁🎣

[@flyfishingworldwide4589]

stocked browns very easy to catch but it's fun

[@bentpolski]

My Favorite 2 fly setup is a size 8 or 10 March Brown Emerger with a size 16 Green Caddis Pupa of the bend on 5x Flouro.

[@newflyfisher]

Good suggestion, thanks

[@billedwards2657]

Green caddis pupa is my goto on the Willow but tan/orange is my goto on the Beaverkill. They will eat anything resembling a March brown until mid summer.

[@jamesdietz5977]

Where exactly would I drive to if I was driving up for the day to do some fishing coming from the island thanks in advance like where to park and what not

[@thomasstackhouse8778]

According to Ernest Schweibert in his two volume text "Trout" the Brodheads River in the Poconos was the real birthplace of American fly fishing.

[@newflyfisher]

Thanks for that feedback Thomas, we will look into it.

[@thomasstackhouse8778]

@@newflyfisher Nonetheless, enjoyed the video. I have fished both the Willowemoc and the Beaverkill many times. Regards.

[@andrewwebster13]

How are the little tribs to these waters? I'm always wanting to grab the short 3wt and head up the hills in search of wild brookies.

[@newflyfisher]

We hear they are good and a 3 weight would be an excellent choice and lots of fun!

[@umbellus]

Yes, there are several. You can fish upstream of the DeBruce Club water on the Willowemeoc where it looks like they were fishing. It's smalll water and you'll find small brookies. Also, you can try Russell Brook above the campground. A lot of the upper Beaverkill is private but the sections above Junction Pool are public water.

[@edwardrolle7723]

They fished a private stretch of the river and showed clips of public access sites downstream. Almost seems a bit deceptive haha

[@pedromonti7227]

I’ve fished these waters for years and when they mentioned debruce it told me they were fishing private property on accessible by the de Bruce club

[@beo77]

Wild rainbows join the party when the willow becomes the beaverkill.

[@nickviviano4486]

Where along the willow are you boys?

[@danielcannaday2207]

Just curious are most of those streams your fishing in this video and speaking about stock trout or a mix between natives and stocked

[@newflyfisher]

Daniel, good question. Like much of upstate NY waters, there is a fair amount of fishing pressure so the state does stock many rivers and streams. Usually if you catch brook trout, they are often wild, especially in small streams and creeks. In this video mark and tom fished both public and private waters (DeBruce Fly Fishing Club) and had varied success everywhere (lousy cold weather when they were visiting last spring, should have been warmer and hatches coming off). Like most stocked river systems, you will catch bigger fish that survive from year to year and in many ways I consider these "wild" because of the fact they have lived to grow to large sizes. Hope that fairly answers your question.

[@danielcannaday2207]

Thank you so much for answering my question and I agree with you that makes perfect sense where I live in Virginia we have only a few native where they stopped the lower end of the but you can tell the natives in these streams they have a different look and I also agree if a fish is survived the year in a river or stream it is wild great videos I'll be looking into more of y'all's stuff thanks a bunch

[@jimmysegovia146]

Quick question.....can you keep those fishes to have a nice meal...or do you have to release them back to the water??? Thanks

[@spinfish99]

Another great episode Mark & Tom. What month was that?

[@newflyfisher]

They were there in May. Great fishing all through the Spring into early summer.

[@aaronmiller6118]

I fish in the Catskills and the mongaup is one of my favorite spots. I never knew about the junction of it and the willowemoc. I might go fishing sometime soon and I was wondering, if I look at the area on google maps, is the junction where it looks like the mongaup opens up and gets wide, or is it where the wide part meets the rest of the willowemoc? also, how can you access the junction?

[@newflyfisher]

Aaron I will see if Mark or Tom can answer your question

[@mungo911]

It's private water there.

[@FISHNFISHONLY]

Mannn....awesome fishing... നമ്മുടെ സാബികി ആണോ ith🙄

[@user-kf8qc7cx4n]

Gosh that looked like fun. Were you using barbless hooks?

[@newflyfisher]

I believe they were but will check

[@shanghunter7697]

21:46 mark, did you even watch the video ?....clearly stated. An ethical fly-fisherman WILL always crimp the barbs.

[@lorimeyers3839]

Only thing is, most of these fish are stocked. They stock the hell out of the beaver kill and willowemoc several times a year. Still a great video. Not to take anything away from it.

[@Vegard-Driving-Somewhere]

Wow! Some really nice rivers and great trout fishing you have there! Greetings from a Norwegian Subscriber! P.s I got some fishing vids up to, If you want to see how fishing is in the wild remote areas I come from ;)

[@mikdin1]

Is that the Hydros reel on the 4 wt? Which size?

[@newflyfisher]

It should be a Hydros II reel for a four weight

[@koowaalskiopcje5576]

What tube diameter should be used for yarn indicator (like at 5:00)

[@User-es2yz]

Koowaalski Opcje search up New Zealand strike indicator

[@rk-em4ir]

Except the plunge pool and the waterfall are both in waters "owned" by the DeBruce fishing club and are off limits to local fishermen who aren't members. There is plenty of water to show up here, but why fish an area not everyone can access. Tom Rosenbauer videos have helped me get better, but I walk past these pools often during the season but must heed the "no trespassing" signs. If I bring a camera, can I get in?

[@newflyfisher]

craig, we did mention in the video and description that some of the show was shot at the club. tom and mark were invited to visit one day by the club, that is some of the content we included. thanks for your feedback

[@crazylarry7315]

All those rivers are private clubs... don’t bother with the scant public water, fished out...... head to PA the fishing is WAAAY BETTER!!

[@barchetta7559]

is the streams open to the public or do you have to be a guest of the lodge??????????????????

[@petergeoghan7241]

When was this filmed?

[@newflyfisher]

Last May in Sullivan Catskills region

[@notmissingout9369]

Do you ever get sea trout running the river

[@newflyfisher]

Not here!

[@0augustwest]

Occasional Striper though on the branches of the DE

[@alsamaraakbar3059]

The water is clear like white water

[@christomczyk8200]

the rivers look so pretty. the fish are sizable. the crowds minimum. why tf does everyone come out to Utah to wait in line to fish for over pressured small fish on the green and provo?

[@harleyjune1233]

where do the willowemoc and mongaup meet up. @15:30 " fishing the confluence ..."

[@newflyfisher]

Good question, I believe Mark was told that is where they were. They did much jumping around due to the cold weather trying to find good locations.

[@dmopa1]

Stockie heaven

[@spinfish99]

Is that true? Do you know the % of wild vs stocked fish caught?

[@Laminarman1]

Yeah. The Delaware system is easy, that's why I go out West to get my confidence back up.

[@NickAndCaroline]

They’re calling them wild so I guess check the DNR website for trout stocked waters if that’s what you’re looking for 👍 oops edited, 22:50 questionable stockie. Looks fun anyway lol, beautiful place!

[@dmopa1]

spinfish99 they were all stocked. The willow and beaverkill are stocked heavily with thousands of browns every years. The Delaware is a different story but since they clearly didn’t fish there and the nubby fins and blotchy spots on the browns they caught indicate stocked fish.

[@alsamaraakbar3059]

I am from Indonesia

[@steveg8322]

Hallowed water.

[@alcapilit196]

Beautiful area. Perfected my FF skills up there 20 years ago. Unfortunately, middling fish the whole time I would go up there. The West Branch of the D was way better. But, yeah, fantastic place worth a pilgrimage for the historical aspect of the art.

[@alsamaraakbar3059]

Where is this fishing?

[@daddymcsnacks_561]

Me at 9:16 "Holy shit!"