On the Ice and Under the Ice

Just saw this online....sounds really cool. If anyone goes please post a comment here on what you thought. Thanks....JB

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12
4TH ANNUAL FLY FEST & ICECAPADES
10:00AM - 4:00PM
CATSKILL FLY FISHING CENTER & MUSEUM
LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM), in cooperation with sponsors Catskill Flies and ClassicTrout.com will host the Fourth annual Fly Fest and the second IceCapades.

Fly Fest is a gathering of 50+ fly tyers who get together every year in the CFFCM to tie flies and minimize cabin fever and mid winter blues. Both professional and amateur tyers from all over the Northeast come to share their latest patterns, swap stories and tie flies for the upcoming season. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the warmth of the day inside and pick up some pointers from the group. On this day, Fly Tyers are sure to see their shadow and return to their basements for another 6 weeks of fly tying, just in time to return for the 2011 Trout Season Opener at Junction Pool in Roscoe, NY. Volunteer Coordinators for this event are JB Martin, Jack Ganz, and ‘Catskill John’ Bonasera.

For those who enjoy the cold and the excitement of ice fishing, the CFFCM will host the second IceCapades. IceCapades is an open day to all to fish on the CFFCM Pond. Last year a number of large yellow perch and brown trout were caught. Participants will be encouraged to donate $5 to fund the spring pond stocking for children’s fishing educational programs, on pond demonstrations and for those physically challenged. A member will be on hand to drill holes and those wishing to make their own can take advantage of a hand ice auger that will be available. Hot dogs and warm drinks will be available and fun will be had by all. IceCapades is coordinated by Mike Canazon, Jan Weido and CFFCM friends from the Mid Hudson Trout Unlimited.

For more information call: The CFFCM at (845) 439-4810

Curly Fry-Free Zone

Two words that make me shiver? Not “below 10.” No. Lodge Food. You know, burgers that taste of cardboard – or sawdust – and curly fries that may or may not have any actual potatoes in them. Or, might simply be potato dust and red-brown food coloring.

I can count the decent meals I’ve had skiing on one hand. On less than all five fingers. And all of them were west of the Continental Divide. In fact all of them were in one state. Not NY, not till this ski season, that is. I’ve been known to subsist while skiing on peanut M&Ms. Fast, nutritious (better than a cardboard burger. They’ve got sugar, chocolate, peanuts – genuine protein – while the green ones must count as a vegetable). Now, I’ve got a new ski meal. In fact, two of them. The bean burrito and the veggie quesadilla in the bistro at Plattekill. There are also chicken burritos and nachos, steak sandwiches and fresh (yes, not from a tin and made that morning) soup.

All this is due to Nate Batthany – and if you see the tiny corner where he gets to cook (everything is prepared to order) – you’ll see a miracle. He works in a space about the size of my desk. That is to say 2 X 5 feet. Maybe. He has a griddle and microwave. No stove.

He’s been running the bistro for a couple years – but his first job was at a ski center when he was 11 washing dishes for a ski pass (which might well have violated child labor laws…). He went to school in Delhi doing a degree in culinary arts then traveled around, cooking and waiting tables. He lived in the Yucatan and Chiapas and Costa Rica. Now his food reflects this. It also reflects the fact that he has a largely vegetarian family (step dad, girlfriend and three of her siblings…). Which makes Plattekill one of the few mountains to actually be veggie friendly.

But there are problems. One, the cocoa. I’ve said this before and will say it again. The only thing Alta has on Platte is the cocoa. Made to order on a cappuccino machine with real Dutch chocolate. (Consider this my attempt at lobbying for the bistro to get a cappuccino machine. Who wouldn’t like a real coffee or a proper cocoa?). While Nate insists he needs a stove. Then there’s Nate himself. He’s not the problem, but I found him outside last Friday on a powder day wondering if he could get a run in. Last year he had one hour of skiing. This year he’s determined to better that. But a line is waiting for him in the lodge…

Big Pond and Little Pond - Ice Fishing the Western Catskills

Yes, this winter has certainly been complete….with plenty of snow that is. But winter is never truly complete - in the western Catskills anyway - without a little bit of ice-fishing. So where does one go ice-fishing in the tranquil western Catskills? Well….it is usually Big or Little Ponds, silly. Both are located along Barkaboom Road, near the Ulster-Delaware County line in the Beaverkill Valley.

Little Pond is of course a popular NYSDEC campground – operating from Memorial through Labor Day. In the winter though, there is no entry fee, certainly no camping, and a long walk in (the entrance gate is locked) greets the die-hard fisherman.

Big Pond, located adjacent to “the Barkaboom”, is deeper, larger, and like Little Pond, but unlike most of the waterbodies throughout the Catskill Mountains in winter - allows for trout fishing year-round. Even more importantly, well sometimes anyway, is that after you shut the door on your truck (usually at around 4:30am if you are a die-hard), you are on the ice in under 60 seconds. Don’t be worried about the ice thickness this year either. NYSDEC recommends a minimum of 2” to support a person – the pond is at least 6 to 7 times that now…and getting thicker.

To ice-fish, you need a few things. Aside from the obvious things like tons of warm clothes, a fishing license, and something to drill a hole in the ice, you need to know the regulations. Many waterbodies in the Catskills have specific regs that are important and necessary in order to protect and preserve the fishery. Abiding by the minimum length, type of species and numbers taken is so critical to keep the fishery intact for others to enjoy next year – or even in the following Spring. Some regs also limit the number of lines in the water per fisherman - each person can have 2 jigging rods (a mini fishing pole) and up to 5 tip-ups. A tip-up consists of a spool of fishing line attached to wooden crosspieces that sit over the hole in the ice, and a flag that pops up when a fish takes the bait.

I know what most of you are thinking….ice-fishing is like what happens in that movie Grumpy Old Men; A wooden shanty that blocks all of the wind, however this is not exactly like most ice-fishing in the Catskills. Sure, some folks have collapsible shanties, but ‘warm’ is not the wod I’d use to describe them. Then there is the issue of piercing the ice. I use a hand ice auger to make that 6” hole, others splurge for a gas powered one, making quick work of even the thickest ice.

So, just before the sun begins to rise, the typical fisherman loads up a plastic sled (or sleds) with his gear, pulls it all out on the ice - heading to an open, but ‘lucky’. Then, it is ‘drill baby drill’ - drilling holes (up to 7) with the ice auger, setting up the tip-ups – baited with live minnows, and affixing your ‘best guest’ of tackle to the jigging rods (usually flashy lures or mealworms). Turn over a 5-gallon bucket for a seat, sit down……and wait.
And wait…..
And wait…..

Would you believe me if I told you that ice fishing certainly can be fun? Well next time I’ll do my best to convince you.

Aaron Bennett

Southern Comfort

Does this look like Southern Comfort to you? Nah, bet you were thinking it was Sundown.. but shortly after the triple chair was installed Sundown had a different name. Southern Comfort. And a story behind it.

A Roxbury businessman, also a skier, also a fan of Plattekill was a bit over the edge on Southern Comfort – and fell and broke his leg, hence the name. North Face was originally Barney’s Bluff named for Plattekill’s original owners golden retriever, Barney, yes. And, Barney was quite a dog – and quite a drinker …. He’d also sit at the bar and lap up beer. Indeed.

Shredded Mozzerella has a far more recent name. For the shredders. It was the terrain park’s original location when it was first installed and the name? That we can thank Danielle for…

The stories about the trail names are all from Macker, the man in charge of mountain ops… Now it’s up to you to draw your version of Plattekill’s trails with or without their original names. Or, new names that you think fit. Oh, and yes, routes through the trees are all welcome too.

The prize is a pair of tickets to Plattekill this season or next. And there are two age groups. Under 14. Over 14. No cheating and lying about your ages, now.

Platte Trail Map Competition

Inspired by the awesome hand drawn trail map hanging in Platte's bar, Winter in the Catskills in conjunction with Plattekill are having a competition! Draw Your Own Trail Map. All you have to do is draw your version of Platte's terrain. Best interpretation wins. There are two age groups: Under 14 and Over 14. The prize for each category is a pair of lift tickets good this season or next.

So, you can find drawing supplies -- crayons and paper at Plattekill. Or else, do it at home and email it to me jenkabat@gmail.com. I also promise to post more inspiring stories about Platte's trails and how they got their names. Anyone know why North Face was originally called Barney's Bluff? Or the first name of Sundown...

The best entries will appear on WITC and also be framed and hung at Plattekill.

It is Never Too Cold for Western Catskills Eagles

Okay, so it is going to be damn cold this weekend.

I know - I know, it is winter in the heart of the Catskill Mountains after all, what else should I expect? The forecast I have seen for Sunday is a high of 7 (that ain’t Celsius folks…) and get this – a low of -12 degrees below zero.

Now, I have camped at 20 degrees below zero in the Catskills -something I am not too anxious to repeat. Of course I have also sat through frigid days at Big Pond ice-fishing – highs around 10 degrees and windy (sitting still in the middle of a wind-tunnel-like vast open space).

So what is there to do when it is this frigid? Knowing the Ski Plattekill die-hards, well they will be out there having a blast - but what should the rest of us sane folks do?

Obviously the answer for western Catskills’ residents and visitors is not to stay indoors. On Sunday the Jets aren’t on stage until 6:30 so there is plenty of time to get out of the house. In fact, the Jets are really the lucky ones - they will get to play outdoors in balmy (predicted to by 15 degrees) Pittsburgh!

If downhill, cross-country, snowshoeing, or ice-fishing isn’t your cup of tea this weekend, I can’t blame you. What will I do? Well, after attending a birthday in appropriately-named “Winter Hollow” in New Kingston – I plan on taking a drive with the wife and kids down along the East and West Branches of the Delaware River.
Why? Every winter 150-200 bald eagles visit the Catskill Mountain region. The southern and western Catskills are like the Florida Keys for eagles. Bald (and some Golden) eagles from Canada seek a reliable food source (meaning partially-thawed waterbodies) and undisturbed habitat so they can survive the cold winter months. Open water on the Delaware and Hudson Rivers provides a source of fish and the vast expanse of forested landscapes provide a great habitat. Apparently some bald eagles travel 900 miles to winter in this region! That is similar to tourists coming from Madison WI, Atlanta, GA, or Nashville, TN to over-winter the Catskills. That’s dedication; however if I had to live in Georgia I would surely make the 900-mile trek each year!

Over the last decade I have seen a ton of bald eagles – and the vast majority right here in the Western Catskills. I will say that my “at one time” record for eagle sightings was 20 – which occurred in Sullivan County at the Mongaup Falls Reservoir. While this area is certainly a hotbed for eagle sightings, you not need to venture that far.

Between Fleischmanns and Margaretville along the Bush Kill (in the sycamore trees by the Delaware & Ulster RR – see image) is a great place to see them. Even by the Freshtown supermarket in Margaretville, and certainly driving around the Pepacton Reservoir (NYS Route 30 west towards Downsville) will serve you just fine. One winter I drove from Downsville to East Branch (along the East Branch Delaware River) and spotted no less than five mature bald eagles perched above the river.

Or course driving along NYS Route 10 between Walton and Deposit will surely work too. A couple pairs even make this portion of the Catskills their permanent home. If you are truly dedicated to eagle-spotting, I am confident that you’ll see them – especially this time of year.

There are numerous breeding pairs all throughout the Catskills that remain year-round for residents to observe. To learn more about the winter eagles that visit the Catskills, check out the NYSDEC 2008 NY Bald Eagle Report at: www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/baea2008.pdf and for upcoming events and do’s and don’ts for eagle observation, visit the nearby Eagle Institute’s website.

So, if you deem it too cold to be out, why not take a drive spot this majestic creature? Be sure to bring a camera, but more importantly the binoculars. If you are lucky enough you’ll get to see this comeback species not only in flight, but also pick off an un-suspecting trout. Happy hunting!

- Aaron Bennett