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‘CATSKILL LEGENDS’ HONORED
Dinner to Recognize Kris Lee, Ed Ostapczuk and Jack Yelle
LIVINGSTON MANOR – The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) will recognize three fly fishing individuals from the area as “Catskill Legends” during a ceremony at The Arnold House in Shandelee on Saturday, April 7, 2018. The 2018 “Catskill Legends” are Kris Lee, Ed Ostapczuk and Jack Yelle.
“Catskill Legends” are the fly fishing pioneers who discovered and appreciated the richness of the rivers and streams in the Catskills. They receive a plaque stating: “In grateful appreciation for your contributions to the life and traditions of fly fishing in the Catskills, we recognize you as a Catskill Legend.” Since 2014, only twelve individuals have been honored a “Catskill Legends”.
Kris Lee was born in Schenectady, NY and worked as an administrator at Elis Hospital in the hematology department. Kris had a love of the outdoors and had a photogenic eye to share the natural world with others. She was the principle person behind the lens for many angling articles written by her husband, Art. Together, they traveled the world and Kris documented their angling adventures. The beauty of the Catskills and other areas that were well documented in the many featured photographs in The Fly Fisherman magazine were photographed by Kris. She was one of the first incorporators of the Center. Her attention to detail and capturing many angling moments is what makes Kris Lee a Catskill Legend.
Ed Ostapczuk, or Esopus Ed, or Eddie O, has been fishing the fabled Catskill waters for over 40 years. His intuitive knowledge of the local area is resounding, his passion for angling and conservation are ingrained in his spirit and he can often be found writing and speaking on these topics. Ed is a N.Y. licensed guide, published author and conservation advocate. He has also received multiple awards including the Trout Unlimited National award in Conservation and the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers Salmo Award. Ed continues to teach and enrich those around him through his written words on fly tying, fly fishing and cold water conservation and because of this, Ed is a Catskill Legend.
Jack Yelle was born in Brooklyn in 1934. He could find beauty anywhere and often said, “There is never a wrong sky.” Jack and his wife Pat discovered Roscoe, NY in the early 1980s as part of their lifelong enthusiasm for nature and camping. It was here he discovered the streams, meadows, waterfalls, canoes, trees and barns that would dominate his art for the rest of his life. Upon his retirement, Jack and Pat moved to Roscoe to make it their permanent home where they operated Morning Star Creations, an art studio and gallery. From here, he began a 30+ year, second career, as an artist, teacher and community volunteer. For this and his contributions to the preservation of the history, beauty and vibrancy of the Catskill spirit, we are honored to call him a Catskill Legend.
The previous Catskill Legends are:
- 2014 – Phil Chase, Austin “Mac” Francis, Floyd Franke
- 2015 – Francis Davis, A.E. Hendrickson and Sam Hendrickson, Frank Kuttne
- 2016 – Stan Cooper, Jr., Tom Satterthwaite, Ray Smith
- 2017 - Dave Brandt, Sue Post, Ralph Graves
The event reception and silent auction begin at 5:00 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The recognition ceremony immediately follows dinner. Cost is $50 for CFFCM members, $60 for non-members. Reservations are required. For reservations, a complete list of Season Opener activities, or more information about fly fishing, call CFFCM at 845-439-4810 or go to www.cffcm.com.
https://marylandflyfishingshow.com/
The Second Annual Fly Fishing Show brings together fly fishing enthusiasts and high quality fly fishing dealers for a day of tackle review and conversation. The Show has been set for March 17, 2018 from 9am to 4pm. Due to the large crowd that attended our first show, we have moved the show to Towson University’s Potomac Lounge. The University has easy access from Rt.95 and the Baltimore 695 beltway. The Potomac lounge is in the University Union and has ample free garage parking right next to the building.
Presently, we have tripled the vendors committed from last year (check our vendor page) and have added fly tyers, artists, guide service and numerous nonprofit fishing organizations. Check out our vendor page.
One of the main draws this year will be the number of exclusive vendors that are well known for their bamboo rod workmanship. Most of these cane rod makers do not often attend fishing shows but will be at our show for you to meet!
Items for purchase will include; a variety of new and used classic tackle, all types of fly rods, including classic bamboo, glass and graphite, classic fly reels, color prints, custom flies, custom made wood fly tying items, clothing, jewelry and you can even rent a house that sleeps 10 in Montana! Our 5 fly shops attending will have an assortment of gear and products for sale.
Here’s the details again:
- Date: March 17, 2018
- Time: 9am to 4pm
- Tickets: $7 cash, credit cards accepted $7.50, under 12 free
- Location: Towson University’s Potomac Lounge, Union Building (map on left column of home page)
- FREE garage parking right next to the building.
- Items for purchase include: new and used quality tackle, all types of fly rods, including classic bamboo and classic fly reels, color prints, flies, custom-made wood fly tying items, guide services, clothing, jewelry and a variety of items from all the fly shops.
- Door prizes all day long!
- Some awesome raffle prizes including rods and reels!
- Catered with great food and drink!
Traveling a distance? Stay on campus at our Marriott Hotel-click to review hotel and special Show rate (right column on the home page)
Join us for a very entertaining day!
The Catskills Fly Fishing Museum is proud to present Volume 14, Issue 1 of Castabout. Please click here to read the latest edition of our esteemed newsletter.
FLY FEST ON FEBRUARY 3
13th Annual Event Celebrates the Middle of Winter
LIVINGSTON MANOR – The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) will host the 13th annual Fly Fest in the Wulff Gallery at the center in Livingston Manor on Saturday, February 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Over 40 tyers are expected to participate from inside and outside of the area. Individuals who want to learn how to tie are also invited. The event is sponsored by Catskill Flies of Roscoe.
Fly Fest marks the middle of winter and is the first CFFCM event of the new year after. It is a great opportunity to tie flies with a group. The day is not formal, but offers a chance to tie, socialize and have a look at the exhibits.
“For those needing an outing after being cooped up in the house, this is a sure cure for the winter doldrums,” said Rick Fischer, who organizes the event. “It’s also a reminder that whether or not the groundhog saw his shadow two days earlier, there are less than two months before a new trout season begins in New York.”
Participants are asked to make a $5.00 donation to CFFCM. Tyers should bring a lunch or make arrangements to go out to get it. If the weather looks too unsafe for travel, Catskill Flies will post on www.catskillflies.com in the stream conditions section that Fly Fest has been cancelled and CFFCM will post a notice to our Facebook page.
For Fly Fest information, contact coordinator Rick Fischer at fischington@hotmail.com; or Catskill Flies at flyshop@catskillflies.com or 607-498-6146.
For more about CFFCM, call 845-439-4810, email office@cffcm.com or go to www.cffcm.com.
CFFCM will be closed to the public for the month of January. We will re open in February. You can leave us a message on our voicemail at 845-439-4810, email at office@cffcm.com or just leave us a note here and we will get back to you.
Thank you for your understanding.
Members have meet the “Executive Director’s Challenge” securing the final piece of funding for Project Accessibility 2017. The work is currently in progress and expected to be completed by the end of December, 2017.
The project will make the CFFCM buildings and grounds ADA accessible to individuals with disabilities.
· Nationwide Lifts will furnish and install a vertical platform lift with a hydraulic drive system to travel the 12 feet between the Wulff Gallery upper floor and the Heritage Workshop on the bottom floor.
· Arrow Brook Construction will construct an elevated four-foot wide walkway from the existing museum porch to a new 36-feet by 12-feet deck on the front of the Wulff Gallery. The walkway will be placed on pre-cast piers and comply with ADA slope requirements.
Funding for the almost $55,000 project comes from the following: $37,500 from a USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant; $7000 from a Sullivan Renaissance Phase 2 Community Grant; $5000 from a Sullivan County Plans and Progress Grant; and $5500 from members of CFFCM.
Thanks to Ted Barnhart, Eric Beeby, Bob Colson, Wendy Finney, Jerry Girard, Glenn Pontier, Charles and Kathleen Previti, Ted Rogowski, Marlene Wertheim and Robert Yunich for their generous contributions.
The next project is construction of a wheel-chair accessible casting platform at the pond. Contact the office to help, office@cffcm.com or call (845) 439-4810.
Help support the next generation of fly anglers by joining CFFCM in #GivingTuesday.
The CFFCM is dedicated to the preservation of fly fishing as well as introducing new anglers to the vast and rich history of the sport. Centered in the beautiful Catskill mountains and waters, we celebrate the uniqueness of the Catskills – the birthplace of American dry fly fishing. Taking part in #GivingTuesday will assist CFFCM in providing numerous programs throughout the 2018 year. Each year the Center hosts educational programs, events and activities linked to the fly fishing community.
As the center grows, we need your support to make it all happen. Members are the heart of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum. We look forward to seeing you in 2018 across the bridge.
To participate in the #givingtuesday movement, go to our website www.cffcm.com and click on the donate button.
To learn more about #GivingTuesday visit:
Website:
http://www.givingtuesday.org
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/GivingTues
Give big or give small
Be a part of it... Make a difference
Alicea Charamut is Keynote Speaker at November 4th Dinner
DANBURY, CT – The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) hosts its 10th Annual “Arts of the Angler” show on November 4 and 5 at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury, Connecticut. The hotel is located just off Exit 4, of I-84 in Danbury CT (Lake Avenue Extension).
Show hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 4 and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 5. Cost is $12 per day or $20 for the weekend. Children are free.
The show features the finest vendors of collectible and contemporary fishing tackle, equipment, books, tying materials and accessories.
Over 35 tables of fly tyers will provide nonstop tying demonstrations of the latest, as well as proven patterns. CFFCM will have a table of fly fishing books, both new and slightly used, as well as a table from the center’s gift shop. A silent auction will take place on Saturday.
Saturday’s dinner program features keynote speaker Alicea Charamut, the River Steward for the Connecticut River Conservancy since 2015. She will speak about “Giving Back to Your Waters: from Novice to Expert - What you can do to help keep our waters clean, clear and free flowing.” The silent auction conclusion will be announced at the dinner. Cost is $25 per person. Reservations are suggested for this event which has limited space.
Programs and seminars throughout the weekend will focus on the “how to,” “where to” and “what to” in fly fishing. Presenters include: Catskill Legend Dave Brandt, Nicole Marsh, Steve Culton, Nick Rubicco, Scott Biron, Captain Mark Dysinger and Mike Hogue.
Class of 2017 to be Inducted on October 7 at CFFCM
LIVINGSTON MANOR – Four remarkable individuals will be inducted into the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum on Saturday afternoon, October 7. The new Hall of Fame members are: Vernon S. "Pete" Hidy, Theodore “Ted” Niemeyer, Steve Rajeff and Theodore “Ted” Rogowski.
The induction ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. It will be followed with a casting demonstration by Steve Rajeff. The dinner and auction will be held at the Villa Roma Resort in Callicoon beginning with horsd’oeuvres at 5:00 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Transportation will be available from the center for $15.00 per person.
The following individuals were nominated by members of the fly fishing community and selected by the Hall of Fame Committee. They are being recognized for their significant contributions to the world of fly fishing.
Vernon S. "Pete" Hidy – produced “The Art of Tying the Wet Fly” with James E. Leisenring in 1941, and coined the word "flymph" in 1963. He wrote articles for “Sports Illustrated,” edited “The Creel” between 1961 and 1982, and founded The Flyfisher's Club of Oregon in 1960. He was a founding member of the Federation of Flyfishers. He influenced the creation of the Silver Creek Preserve in Idaho in 1976. He died January 24, 1983 in Boise, Idaho.
Theodore “Ted” Niemeyer — was a renowned fly tyer, fly fisherman and historian. He had a true love of the sport, was passionate and generous with his knowledge of fly tying, wrote for “Fly Fisherman Magazine” and "Art Flick's Master Fly-Tying Guide." Many of his flies have been distributed to collectors and museums. The “New York Times” called him a notable collector of prize fishing flies. He died on September 24, 2016 in Seattle, WA, at the age of 87.
Steve Rajeff — born and raised in San Francisco, he has been involved with numerous fly casting schools since the 1970’s and has conducted fly casting demonstrations around the world. He is a life member of the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club, and a Hall of Fame member of the American Casting Association (ACA). He has been a dominate presence in competitive casting for over four decades, winning the ACA All Round Championship 42 times and 14 World All-Around Championships. He lives in Washington State.
Theodore “Ted” Rogowski — has a noted career as an environmental attorney, cinematographer, fly tyer and fly fisherman. A long-time advocate for clean water, he helped draft the Clean Water Act while at the EPA. He was a was a co founder of the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, and is a member of many fishing organizations. He was behind the camera for classic footage for “The American Sportsman” that popularized the sport. He is married to Joan Wulff and lives in Lew Beach.
Tom Zacoi donates flies to Catskill Fly Fishing Center
LIVINGSTON MANOR – The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) is the recipient
of a major collection of flies, tied by the world’s pre-eminent fly tyers, past and present.
“The Masters Fly Collection” has been a three-decade-plus project curated by Tom Zacoi of
Venetia, PA. It includes over 2000 flies in nine museum-quality fly cases. Three hold 48 vials of
preserved entomological specimens (representing the major hatches throughout North America) with flies tied for each life cycle stage of the insect’s development. Three more boxes house realistic and salmon flies, saltwater and bass bugs, and caddis flies.
The collection was tied by 575 people representing 32 countries, including: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Wales.
Eleven-year-old Anton Rist from Claverack, NY is the youngest boy tyer; 13-year-old Amalie Nielsen of Silkeborg, Denmark is the youngest girl. The eldest tyer is 97-year-old George Grant
from Butte, Montana. “There are talented fly tyers throughout the world – innovative men and women who have practiced the craft, honed their skill and are able to transform a utilitarian object into a work of art,” said Zacoi. “They are gracious people who willingly share their knowledge and generously donated one of their beautiful creations to this collection.”
CFFCM received half the collection last fall and displayed it at an event in December. The remaining flies are scheduled to be delivered in September. The collection is housed in the museum’s archive with a major exhibit scheduled for 2018.
In the past, the collection has been displayed at the Federation of Fly Fishers Conclave, regional Trout Unlimited meetings, the yearly Masters School of Fly Fishing, Penn State’s Great Insect Fair, local and regional Boy Scout and Girl Scout Jamborees, Trout in the Classroom and many other events.
“It is no secret there are fly fishers worldwide who have amassed extensive collections of beautifully tied and handsomely framed flies. Many hang where they can be privately viewed. Sadly, my friends, the day will come for all of us when our collection will need to be dispersed. My hope is you will consider bequeathing your collection or, for that matter, any historically significant fly fishing tackle to the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum or any accredited organization where your donation can be an inspiration and enjoyed by those of prominence as well as the masses in perpetuity,” Zacoi said.
Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) was awarded second place in the Community Grant Division of Sullivan Renaissance on August 7 for its “Environmental Beautification” project. The award carries a prize of $7000, which CFFCM will use to help make the center ADA accessible.
Hundreds of people attended the Awards Ceremony at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, as over $500,000 in grants and scholarships were awarded to communities throughout Sullivan County. The ceremony was the culmination of months of work – not only at CFFCM – but also on the part of many volunteers, municipalities and community organizations to enhance gateways, public spaces and main streets. Monetary prizes were awarded in several categories.
First prize of $12,000 in the Community Grants Division went to St. Peter’s Church in Liberty. Third place of $5000 went to Neversink Renaissance.
CFFCM’s “Environmental Beautification” project installed a new bluestone walkway to connect the museum and gallery buildings, and restored the property’s main walkway with native plants and natural gardens. Annuals in baskets and a learning garden were added for color, beauty and instruction.
Central to the project was developing sustainable ways to beautify and maintain a natural setting that compliments the culture of fly fishing, while inviting the public to enjoy the Catskill Mountains in all their majesty. Fly fishermen and women have been leaders in the environmental movement. Indeed, the “catch and release” ethic is central to the sport.
This CFFCM initiative built on the center’s love and harmony with nature, by:
• Installing a bluestone walkway to connect the museum with the Wulff Gallery;
• Restoring the main walkway landscaping installed by Mary Fried, whose original work created natural garden areas that fit well in a campus that sits on an old homesteading farm surrounded by forest (most of the thousands of anglers and visitors who come to the center annually are seeking just this authentic and historic “mountain and fishing camp” look); and
• Replanting the entrance sign garden on Old Route 17 – and inventing a unique environmentally-friendly way to have it watered.
These efforts joined with the larger property enhancement plan that included:
• Field and pond restoration through mowing and cutting for knotweed eradication. CFFCM has received a grant from the Theodore Gordon Fly Fishers to construct a handicapped accessible platform for casting by individuals in wheel chairs at this site in the future.
• Monitoring canopy and bank stabilization plantings along the Wulff Run section of Willowemoc Creek for future additional plantings, and conducting several litterplucks to keep these trout waters clean and pure.
Replacement of the foundation plantings on one side of the museum was superseded by pending construction this fall of an ADA accessible elevated walkway to connect the museum with the Wulff Gallery. This new initiative will receive $37,500 in funding from the USDA and the $7000 award from Sullivan Renaissance will be used as part of the match. CFFCM still needs to raise an additional $5500 for this project.
All in all, the “Environmental Beautification” project helped take this rustic site to a new level of beauty and care. Total cost of purchased and donated serves was $11,439.72. Twenty different organizations participated. Some 57 named and 30 unnamed individuals contributed 763 hours of their time.
2017 Casting Competitions Awards
Thank you to all the casters that came out to support this event! Thank you to all the volunteers that helped out during the event!
Thanks to our sponsors Hardy Fly Fishing, Royal Wulff Products, Dette Trout Flies, Fenwick Fishing, Pflueger Fishing,
Dette Youth Contest 1st: Lucien Fried/88’. 0”
Longest cast (regardless of overall place): Lucien Fried-37ft, 5in
Dette Teen Contest 1st: Jesse Ouimet/ 108’. 8”
Longest cast (regardless of overall place): Jesse Ouimet- 49ft, 5in
Hardy Fiberglass Challenge – Men’s
3rd: Bryn Bode/195’. 3” 2nd: Isak Kulalic/197’. 1” 1st: Mike McFarland/211’. 10”
Longest cast (regardless of overall place): Mike McFarland- 101ft, 5in
Hardy Fiberglass Challenge – Women’s
3rd: Diane McCabe/117’ .7” 2nd: Nina Daley/119’ .1” 1st: Hyun Kounne/127’. 2”
Longest cast (regardless of overall place): Hyun Kounne- 65ft, 2in
Hardy Graphite Classic – Men’s
3rd: Isak Kulalic/214’. 10” 2nd: Bryn Bode/218’. 3” 1st: Mike McFarland/222’. 2”
Longest cast (regardless of overall place): Mike McFarland- 114ft, 3in
Hardy Graphite Classic – Women’s
3rd: Nicole March/127’. 8” 2nd: Nina Daley/137’. 0” 1st: Hyun Kounne/151’. 4”
Longest cast (regardless of overall place): Nina Daley- 77ft, 4in
Hardy Cup (bamboo) – Men’s
3rd: Derek Eberly/238’ .6” 2nd: Bryn Bode/241’ .2” 1st: Mike McFarland/243’ .6”
Longest cast (regardless of overall place):Isak Kulalic- 120ft, 5in
Hardy Cup (bamboo) – Women’s
3rd: Nina Daley/129’ . 7” 2nd: Ruth Moase/155’ .3” 1st: Diane McCabe/ 191’ .0”
Longest cast (regardless of overall place): Diane McCabe- 80ft, 9in
SUMMERFEST AT CFFCM
Over 1000 people are expected to attend the 2017 Summerfest and Anglers Market on August 5 and 6, sponsored by Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM). There is no charge for admission or parking.
This is the 36 th year for the free event, which celebrates this “land of little rivers” and the people
who live here. It is open to fishing enthusiasts, local residents and visitors looking for shopping
bargains, and individuals interested in visiting the center. Summerfest begins at 9:00 a.m. each day; the casting competitions start at 10:00 a.m.
Attendees who “cross the bridge” will enjoy the many festivities:
- Angler’s Market, filled with all kinds of items about angling, lifestyle, arts, crafts and more
- Bamboo, fiberglass, graphite and youth casting competitions, including the Annual Hardy Cup
- Casting demonstrations held on the pond
- Children’s arts and crafts
- An exhibit of paintings of trout by watercolorist Steven Weinberg
- Presentations in the Wulff Gallery
- Jubilee Day celebration on Sunday, noting member milestones
- Hot dogs and hamburgers will be available throughout the day to benefit Manor Ink and CFFCM.
Catskill Distillery and Roscoe Beer will each have tasting tables. The Beamoc TU Chapter is
sponsoring a pig roast at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Cost is $10.
Live music entertainment will include:
Saturday AM – Justin Sutherland
Saturday PM – Those Guys
Sunday AM – Nick Roes
Sunday PM – Danny J
CFFCM is located at 1031 Old Route 17 in Livingston Manor, NY. For more information about
Summerfest and CFFCM, call at 845-439- 4810 or go to www.cffcm.com.
LIVINGSTON MANOR – An exhibit of paintings of trout by watercolorist Steven Weinberg will have its opening reception on Saturday, July 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Wulff Gallery of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) in Livingston Manor. The event is free.
Visitors will be able to view the paintings during Summerfest on August 5 and 6. The exhibition will remain through September 5. CFFCM is located at 1031 Old Route 17 in Livingston Manor, NY.
“Most are brook trout I catch in the West Kill right behind the Spruceton Inn, where I live. A few others are brown trout from the rest of the Catskills. Most of these paintings are in the life-size AKA 8"-18"; range,” Weinberg said about the trout exhibit.
“When I'm not painting trout, I paint landscapes,” he added.
He lives in the Catskills with his wife Casey Scieszka, his dog Waldo, and runs the bed and bar called the Spruceton Inn in West Kill, NY.
“Some days, walking out my door at the Spruceton Inn, I think: why isn't everybody else painting landscapes too?” he said. “It's just so drop-dead beautiful up here. And always changing. And, really, the way the clouds drape shadows across the mountains.”
Steven Weinberg also writes and illustrates kids’ books when he’s not fly fishing in the Catskills. For more about his work, go to stevenweinbergstudio.com and @steven_draws.
For more information about CFFCM, call at 845-439- 4810 or go to www.cffcm.com.
‘7 GOTTA HAVE FLIES’ Three session class at CFFCM By Pete Jacques, AKA “E Pluribus” “Many years of fly fishing, tying, teaching (the above, river ecology, aquatic entomology (bugs), etc. has finally implanted in this rock filled brain of mine the truth that simple is better.” “Most of us with family, work and community demands have little time for tying flies. That occasional half hour can either get me part way through a complicated fly or allow me to put 3-4+ simple flies in the fly box.” “Much time in the rivers has likewise shown me that there are basic groups of insects and minnows that are with us all or most of the season and can provide action in between the storied hatches (‘tween time = most of the time).” “In the upcoming three session at CFFCM, I’ll talk about the “7 Gotta Have Flies,” how and when they work. Then we’ll tie them. The criteria, simple to tie, effective in all trout (bass, carp) rivers, most of the time, throughout all or most of the season. Cost is $15 each session, materials included. Bring tying gear, lights if you got ‘em. ‘SEVEN GOTTA HAVE FLIES’ SERIES July 1 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 8 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 15 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pete is be available for school and camp groups during the week. Contact the office for information about costs and dates
Many volunteers will be needed for the planting and weeding day on Saturday June 17. Tasks will include: removing old growth from planting beds, trimming more trees and shrubs, planting the garden at the entrance sign, planting several hanging baskets, spreading crusher run in the driveway, raking leaves and painting trim. Several big jobs are also on the list, including repair to gift shop porch, planting trees along the Willowemoc, and mowing more knot weed.
If interested, give the center a call or email office@cffcm.com
An exhibit of outdoor paintings by local artists will have its opening reception on June 10 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Wulff Gallery of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) in Livingston Manor.
The free community event follows right after the annual Trout Parade, a street fair celebrating the arts and community produced by the Catskill Art Society in partnership with the Livingston Manor Chamber of Commerce.
“Adventures En Plein Air Event” is sponsored by the Barryville Area Arts Association (BAAA) and includes an art exhibit, a presentation on the environment and history of the region, and complimentary refreshments. The work of local artists is being exhibited alongside prints of such classical plein air artists as Winslow Homer, Albert Bierstadt and Oscar Claude Monet.
“The reception will showcase local artists that painted along the Delaware River in Callicoon, and met the challenges of the waning evening light,” said event curator Ari Mir-Pontier.
Doors open at 2:00 p.m. The exhibition will remain through June 24. CFFCM is located at 1031 Old Route 17 in Livingston Manor, NY.
In the 1800s Western art was dominated by a few salons and academies, and painting was taught according to tried and true formulas. But English painter John Constable had a radical idea: forget formulas, find the truth in nature, and trust one’s own vision.
People have been painting outdoors since the caveman days, but painting “en plein air” has gotten so popular now, it’s being referred to as “the new golf.”
This event is one of six “Plein Air Adventures” scheduled throughout Sullivan County. It is made possible, in part, with funds from the 2017 Arts for Sullivan Decentralization Program, administered by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.
For information about BAAA, visit www.barryvilleareaarts.org/AdventuresEnPleinAir.html
For more information about CFFCM, call at 845-439- 4810 or go to www.cffcm.com.
PAINT AND SIP
Back by popular demand, this class offers would-be artists a chance to learn how to paint in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, while having a glass of wine and celebrating Earth Day.
Students will create an acrylic masterpiece to bring home on a subject that relates to the center (such as a river scene or trout).
The class will be on Saturday, April 22 at 1:00 p.m. Instructor is Gina Kaufman of the Enchanted Easel in Damascus, Pennsylvania.
$40 cost includes painting materials, wine and snacks. Call 845-439-4810 to reserve a space.