August 2026

The New York Drift

Official newsletter of NYC Trout Unlimited
Chapter 447

Greetings, all. We here at NYC TU hope the summer has treated you as well as it’s treated us. We’ve held events in the Catskills, on Long Island, and in Connecticut. We’ve expanded our community, shared laughs and good times, and caught more than a few trout. It’s been a grand summer, but like all seasons, it’s inevitably drawing to an end. Autumn is around the corner, which means many of us are back to the city, back to school, and “back to business.”

As far as our business goes, the chapter will hold its official Annual Meeting in September. We encourage everyone to join. It's a good opportunity to meet fellow anglers. It’s an even better opportunity to make your voice heard about the future and to get more involved in the chapter. Your involvement keeps our community of urban anglers vibrant and growing. Hope to see you there or on the water this fall!

Tight lines, 
D. Barb Hooks

Friends and family of NYC Trout Unlimited convened at the Connetquot River State Park Preserve in late June for a day of community and trout fishing. The Connetquot, if you’ve never visited, is a gem of a park on Long Island. They say it's reminiscent of how the island was hundreds of years ago, before people took over. I can believe it. The preserve's trees, fields, thickets, and open waterways offer a sanctuary of serenity only an hour and change drive from Brooklyn.

The day was warm and pleasant as everyone gathered in the parking lot near the trout hatchery. NYC TU rented all the beats on the river, so we had our pick of locations along the spring-fed stream. The prime-time beats are just below the hatchery, and most of us spread out along that section. The fishing was tougher than expected. The last time I visited the Connetquot, it was the first weekend in November but still warm, and I caught 7 plump, lovely brook trout without having to trick them much. That’s the upside of hatchery trout. On this day, however, the fish were more discerning as to their diet.

We did catch fish, however. Several people pulled out nice-sized rainbows and brook trout from the mossy depths. One bend in the river underneath a grand tree in beat 12 was an especially active spot. I pulled a 10-inch rainbow out of there, not ten minutes before Sam Werbalowsky caught a 14-incher on a streamer in the same pool. Plenty of others caught fish, too, including Dan Reiners, who pulled out a very handsome rainbow, shown below.

True to the spirit of Family Fishing Day, several members brought their significant others and children along. There’s nothing more important than sharing what you love with those you love, and the event was a shining example of that. Even as the planet warms up and policy changes threaten trout habitat, it’s heartening to see younger generations experience the beauty of fly angling. It provides some hope for the future during uncertain times.

As far as the tougher-than-expected fishing, I got some context on the way out of the parking lot. There, as I broke down my rod and packed up my waders, I spoke to a staff member who gave me a rundown of the early season. The trout were behaving strangely, he said. They were finding a sustainable diet sub-surface, and therefore weren’t taking flies like normal. The staff hadn't figured it out yet. He thanked me for the chapter coming out for the day and hoped we could return later in the year. I assured him I would, and I certainly shall.

—Jason Rintz, NYC TU Chapter Member

Dog Days on the Farmington

The forecast gave us one clean window between two storms, and we took it. No rain, warm nights, and the dog days of summer settling over the water. Conditions like that make for tough fishing, and the trout let us know it. We fished anyway.

Mike landed the fish of the weekend and barely said a word about it, a two-foot brown that ate a North Country Spider swung through the current. Daniel's story got told louder. He pulled a palomino off the surface on a dry fly, this electric orange thing that lit up the net, and stood there beaming like he'd caught a double rainbow. Above the Still River, where the water ran colder, fish rose here and there to caddis, sulphurs, and whatever else was drifting through.

Then, the bear showed up. While we slept, it worked through 72 eggs and a full box of Oreos with the focus of a professional. We woke to the wreckage and a new respect for cooler latches.

Night was its own event. We mouse-fished under a near-full moon, and when Sam wandered off into new water as the light died, we sent out a search party. Found him happily working the tailout of the campside pool, no idea anyone had worried. Ron, John, and Nolan traded off guitar by the fire. Nobody took the karaoke bait, though we got as far as whisper edition.

Though the water below the Still River was warmer, it held within appropriate limits, so we fished wherever the thermometer read below the line. That part matters. You can't love a river and cook the trout in it. Check the temp, fish the cold water, back off the rest. The fish were fine. So were we.

—Devin Ross Herd, NYC TU Chapter President

The Mend

Sweepstakes Drawing for TIC Volunteers Announced

Our 2026 Trout in the Classroom (TIC) season is in the books. This year, 34 volunteers from the NYC and Croton Watershed chapters assisted in 34 releases, helping 1,913 students from 32 schools release 1,968 trout.

In partnership with the Croton chapter, we’re offering sweepstakes for those 34 qualified volunteers. This year’s prizes include:

• Filson bag featuring a custom-painted Steven Weinberg trout graphic  

• Nation FC packable rod of the winner's choice  

• Full-day guided float on the Delaware River with Brian Sheppard of City Fly. Available for up to two anglers.

• Foris Outdoors navy packable trucker hat  

• Foris Outdoors olive packable waxed canvas long bill hat  

• $100 gift card to North Branch Inn  

We’ll hold a drawing via video call for the volunteers on Thursday, September 3, 2026. If you volunteered, we’ve already shared a calendar invite for the drawing with you. If you can’t join, you’re still eligible for the prizes, and we’ll notify you if you won a prize.

Prize winners will be selected at random selection using a name wheel. Members from the NYC and Croton chapters will have their names listed based on the number of times they volunteered. For example, if someone volunteered for 3 trout releases, their name will be listed 3 times. As winners are drawn, all instances of their name will be removed from the wheel to avoid duplicate winners.

Thank you to all the staff, volunteers, and sponsors who made this TIC season a success. Your time and energy directly support youth education and watershed awareness across the region.