The arrival of April means only one thing to the fly angler: trout season! Not long after opening day, several members of NYC TU made their way to the Regional Rendezvous in Roscoe, a gathering of angler-conservationists from all over the Northeast. Enthusiasm carried from the meetings to the water, and after two days of tough fishing our group began pulling browns, ‘bows, and brookies from the Beaverkill and the Willowemoc. Yours truly was not one of those anglers, mind you, but the season is young. Speaking of beginnings, the chapter’s year is just ramping up. We’ve got an action-packed calendar, starting with this Saturday’s tree planting at the Amawalk/Muscoot River. Many hands make light work. Many hands also means lots of fellow anglers to trade stories with. Bonding and laughing while telling fishing stories is half the fun of any conservation event. We hope to see you out there!
Tight lines,
D. Barb Hooks |
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| | | Casting in Color: In the Stream with Steven Weinberg |
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| NYC TU chapter member Lydia Goldbeck recently spoke with Steven Weinberg, a writer, illustrator, and painter based in New York’s Catskill Mountains. They chatted about Steven’s journey as a painter, the overlap of art and fly fishing, and the many hats he wears these days. Steven’s work has appeared everywhere from books to beer cans to the Smithsonian. His newest book, The Fly Fishing Book: An Artful Guide to Angling, is out May 5. “Suddenly it clicked: I wanted to paint landscapes. I started fishing a whole lot more, and I wanted to paint fish, too. With watercolor, what you’ve got is what you’ve got. It’s like a cast. You mend it a little here and there, and overworking is not good. Same as overworking is not good when you’re fishing.” —Steven Weinberg |
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| | | | Register for NYC TU’s Amawalk River Restoration |
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| In partnership with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and Kinfolk Hunting Collective, NYC TU is returning to the Amawalk/Muscoot River to plant trees on the banks above the Wood Street Bridge. The annual tree planting is a cornerstone of NYC TU’s conservation initiatives, and this year we’re also conducting a macroinvertebrate survey. The survey will roll into the NY DEP’s WAVE program, and we plan to conduct an annual survey going forward. The event is a great chance to make a significant impact on NYC TU's home water and hang with fellow anglers and conservationists. After the planting, you'll have the opportunity to fish what's proving to be a great wild trout stream. We hope you'll pitch in. What to bring: Work clothes and gloves, sturdy boots, bug spray (for ticks), sunscreen, and lunch. Please bring tools you think might be helpful. We have shovels and pry bars, but it’s always good to have a few more. Note: you’ll need a NYC DEP Access Permit to enter the watershed. These are free online. How to get there: We will meet at the parking areas by the Wood Street Bridge. From Katonah, take Route 35 west. After passing the entrance to the Lasdon Park Arboretum, turn left (south) onto Wood Street. Park in the areas before the bridge. If you cross the bridge, you've gone too far. Transport: Please let us know if you need a ride or can drive others, and we can help coordinate carpools. If you plan on taking public transit, the 9:09am Metro North from Grand Central is a 71-minute trip to Katonah. The train would arrive just after 10:20. From there, it's a 10-minute (~$15) Uber ride to the meeting point.
ℹ️ What: Amawalk tree planting
📅 When: Saturday, April 25, 10:30am
📍 Where: 55 Wood Street, Katonah, NY 10536
Sign up today |
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| Volunteer for Trout in the Classroom Releases |
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| Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is a unique, hands-on program for pre-kindergarten through high school students. In New York, TIC is run by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with support from Trout Unlimited and the NYC and Croton Watershed chapters of TU. It reaches more than 30,000 students from over 200 schools, including 65 schools in all five boroughs of New York City. Volunteer registration is now open for this year’s TIC releases. Your participation will make the difference for countless NYC students. This year, in partnership with the Croton Watershed TU chapter we’re offering sweepstakes for TIC volunteers. When you volunteer, you’ll automatically be entered to win one of these unique prizes: With dozens of dates before June 3, you have plenty of opportunity to make this year’s trout release a truly memorable experience for the students. Find your volunteer date |
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| Reclaiming the Rivers: Hope for Atlantic Salmon in Maine |
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| Photograph by Greta Rybus for The New York Times |
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| A recent New York Times feature highlights the urgent effort to restore Atlantic salmon populations in Maine, an important reminder of the scale and complexity of habitat restoration needed to support cold water fisheries. There’s real progress being made closer to home, too, with improving conditions in the Hudson River and its tributaries. It’s a signal that sustained conservation work can move the needle. Our chapter remains committed to doing our part, and one of the best ways to get involved is at our upcoming River Restoration Day on April 25, where we’ll be planting trees and restoring habitat along the Amawalk/Muscoot River in the Croton Watershed. Small, local actions like this are how long-term recovery begins. |
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| | | There’s a quiet paradox at play when fishing: those standing on shore cast out toward the deep pools, while those wading in the current cast back toward the covered shallow banks. Trout Unlimited feels much the same: generations reaching toward one another across the waters of time and experience. On our trip to the Catskills for the Northeast Regional Rendezvous, that truth came alive. We at NYC TU, the relatively young stewards of rivers and reels, found ourselves sharing a room with legends of fly fishing and conservation—people whose stories flow through the very streams we fish today. And in turn, they leaned in eagerly to hear ours: Our chapter VP Brandon Dale presented how social media, digital storytelling, and community events are helping inspire the next wave of angler-conservationists. In those moments, we weren’t just exchanging ideas. We were casting lines of connection, bridging generations to ensure the water stays clear, the trout plentiful, and our passion eternal. —Daniel Dunlow, NYC TU Events Director |
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| | I had the very fortunate chance of attending the TU Regional Rendezvous and had a ball. The week started cold and the fishing was tough, but I met some really interesting people like Lindsay Agness from the Rochester chapter. I talked with her about increasing our conservation efforts by connecting with universities with professors that teach conversation. She also mentioned looking for fly fishing clubs to see whether they’re interested in starting new projects with us. Her expertise definitely gave me a new perspective on some untapped recruiting potential. As far as the tough fishing: The water was too cold for the fish to be completely turned on, but I did manage a nice bite while blue-lining on top of a waterfall. The hike was strenuous (the steps were large and my tiny legs didn't help) but the views were beautiful. It felt like a scene out of Narnia. I enjoyed being around like-minded people during the Rendezvous. It was so awesome seeing others with the same passion and enthusiasm for protecting the waters that harbor the beautiful species of fish we angle for. The best part of the weekend was getting to share my love for fishing and conservation with my friends and getting to fish so many days with them. Dan's food didn't hurt either! —Dr. Elise Encarnacion, NYC TU Board Member and Fish-Loving Woman in the City |
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| Elise’s travel fishing set-up |
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| Our chapter proudly represented NYC at the Trout Unlimited Northeast Regional Rendezvous two weekends ago. Hosted at the Roscoe Mountain Club, the conference offered workshops ranging from native trout conservation and youth engagement to habitat rehabilitation and the stewardship of our local home waters. It was a much-needed retreat for those of us with limited winter fishing opportunities or a bit too much screen time lately. The big take-away? In-person meet-ups drive our community. While we all share a passion for the fish, the rivers, and the adventure, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones is why TU events are so vital. Looking forward to the next one! —Samuel Sherman, NYC TU Design Committee |
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| Samuel shows off his trunk organization |
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| | | | Fish with NYC TU on the Beaverkill River and Willowemoc Creek |
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| Spend a weekend camping with NYC TU at the Beaverkill Campground. It’s a great opportunity to join fellow anglers for fishing, conservation camaraderie, and building outdoor skills. Meals and a campsite are included. The trip is open to members and guests; registration is required due to limited space. The Beaverkill Campground offers direct access to seasonally productive stretches of the Beaverkill River and nearby tributaries. It also offers established tent sites, fire rings, potable water, and restroom facilities.
ℹ️ What: NYC TU BeaMoc camping trip
📅 When: Friday, June 5 - Sunday, June 7
📍 Where: Beaverkill Campground, Sullivan County, NY
Register today
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| Join NYC TU for a Family-Friendly Outing on the Connetquot River |
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| Gather your family and friends and head out to NYC TU’s family fishing day at Connetquot River State Park. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with nature, learn from fellow TU chapter members, and introduce the next generation to the joys of fly fishing. Tickets are $55 for adults 18 and up. Those 17 and under fish for free. Space is limited, so sign up today to secure your spot.
ℹ️ What: NYC TU family fishing day
📅 When: Thursday, June 18, 8am-4pm
📍 Where: Connetquot River State Park, 4090 Sunrise Hwy, Oakdale, NY 11769
Sign up today |
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| | | NYC TU x Filson Present: An Evening with Steven Weinberg |
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| Join NYC TU at Filson for a special evening with Catskills artist and angler Steven Weinberg, celebrating fly fishing, art, and community. On May 14, Steven will present his new book, The Fly Fishing Book: An Artful Guide to Angling, followed by Q&A, live painting, and plenty of time to connect. Space is very limited and tickets will go fast. Hope to see you there!
ℹ️ What: An evening with Steven Weinberg
📅 When: Thursday, May 14, 6-9pm
📍 Where: Filson, 876 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
Reserve your ticket
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| NYC TU x Kinfolk Mentored Fly Fishing |
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| NYC TU is partnering with Kinfolk Hunting Collective and Brown Folks Fishing for a day dedicated to the art, ethics, and stewardship of fly fishing. Whether you’ve never held a fly rod or you’re looking to build confidence on the water, this day is for you. All you need is a NY state fishing license and packed lunch and snacks for a riverside break. The event will take place right after the Amawalk tree planting. ℹ️ What: Mentored fly fishing day
📅 When: Saturday, April 25, 2:00-7:30pm
📍 Where: 55 Wood Street, Katonah, NY 10536
Learn more
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| Hook Into Metropolitan Fly Fishing Club’s Evening with Author Jesse Lance Robbins |
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| Join the Metropolitan Fly Fishing Club for an evening of fish stories on April 30 with Jesse Lance Robbins, author of The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere. Published in February 2026, the book is a collection of short stories, essays, and moments that take place across the United States and the world, where Jesse pursues everything from trout to tarpon, smallmouth to steelhead, musky, and more. Jesse works in Development for Trout Unlimited, connecting passionate, conservation-focused anglers with the fisheries and places they love, and the work being done to protect and restore them. Zoom from home or attend a meetup at the Metropolitan Rod and Gun Club from 6:30pm to 8:30pm to connect with fellow anglers. Jesse will present at 7:30pm. You can pick up a copy of Jesse’s book from the Urban Angler fly shop or online. ℹ️ What: An evening of fish stories with Jesse Lance Robbins
📅 When: Thursday, April 30, 6:30-8:30pm
📍 Where: Metropolitan Rod and Gun Club, 162 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 or on Zoom
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| | For First Time in 50 Years, You Can Eat Fish From the Hudson River |
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| This month, the New York State Department of Health updated its guidance, stating you can now eat “some fish” from the lower Hudson River. This area runs from the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill, NY, to the southern tip of Manhattan. Watch the NBC news report |
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| Download New York’s 2026 Freshwater Fishing Regulations |
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| | | Contribute to The New York Drift |
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| We know the chapter is full of talented and passionate individuals. Have a penchant for words and want to contribute to The New York Drift? Want to see us invest in different types of content? If so, we want to hear from you! Email us at nyctrout@gmail.com to let us know what’s on your mind. |
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