A Weekend of Introducing New Anglers to the Art of Fly Fishing - by The Catskill Angler

Nick Rubicco, also known as The Catskill Angler, is the Inn’s fishing guide. Learn more about his Saturday fishing instruction at the Inn and other available tours here.

Memorial Day weekend was the first annual Beaverkill Mountain Club Members’ Rendezvous. It started Friday night with the first of many Live Fire Fridays to come. Chef Galen debuted the newest addition to his cooking arsenal, a Northfork Iron Works Argentine style Parrilla. It brought out the foodie in all of us and the live fire had everyone’s attention. Members and their guests gathered around to watch the spectacle and feed the fire.

Saturday began with lessons around the pond, an entomology talk down at the river, and fishing: lots of fishing. With several members trying their hand at fly fishing for the first time, it was very exciting. There is something very rewarding for me as an instructor and guide to help people accomplish what they previously thought to be a difficult and long process. By the afternoon everyone was suited up ready to start catching fish. Armed with new knowledge and brimming with confidence, it wasn’t long before I was netting fish and handing out flies all up and down the river. Hendricksons, March Browns, a few Olives but the fly no fish could resist was the Rusty Spinner.

Sunday was a continuation, a quick brush up on the casting pond, and then everyone to the river. As the anglers dispersed to their new favorite fishing holes there was chatter about what fly they would use first, would it be a nymph or dry. I felt that we have accomplished what we set out to do. Introduce new anglers to the sport in a way that they want to continue …. Ah, Success !