The vibe is shifting in the five boroughs. The promise of spring is in the air, and opening day of the traditional trout season will be here in a flash. Whether you’ve whiled away the winter organizing your fly boxes or patching those leaky waders in anticipation of balmy mornings on the stream, I hope you’ve got some spring fishing days penciled into your calendar.
The March edition of The New York Drift is bursting like a Catskill stream after the big thaw. We’re excited to share: Volunteering spots for Trout in the Classroom trout releases. This is a great way to get more involved with the chapter and make a true difference for students across the city. Our interview with William Henry, a nature-informed therapist and dedicated fly fisher. Chapter-sponsored events, like an evening with artist and author Steven Weinberg and our summer fishing trips in the Catskills and on Long Island.
As spring emerges, there are plenty of opportunities to get out, connect with fellow fly fishers, and spend some quality time on the stream. We hope to see you out there!
Tight lines,
D. Barb Hooks |
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| | | A Perfect Storm of Good: In the Stream with William Henry |
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| NYC TU chapter member Jason Rintz recently sat down with William Henry, LCSW, to discuss the overlap of fly fishing and mental health. William is a nature-informed therapist in Westchester County and founder of Riverstone Mental Health Collective. They talked about fishing in the Catskills, volunteering with Trout in the Classroom, and William’s incorporation of nature into his clinical practice.
“There’s so much scientific evidence backing the claim that being in nature is good for our mental, physical, and emotional health. As a species we’ve been on the planet for hundreds of thousands of years, and it’s only in the last couple of hundred years that we’ve gotten more disconnected from nature. The connection is in our DNA. It’s why you feel better when you’re out there.” —William Henry |
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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. For many students, this is the first time they have been on a nature trail or experienced the joy and wonder of a trout stream. Volunteer registration is now open for this year’s TIC releases. Your participation will make the difference for countless NYC students. Release season is one of the most rewarding times to get involved. Seeing kids release trout they’ve raised is truly something special. If your employer requests it, NYC TU can provide a letter confirming your volunteer hours. And you’re invited to make a day of it, sticking around after volunteering to fish Croton watershed streams with fellow anglers. Also, 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 70 dates between March 24 and 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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| Connect with the New York State Council of Trout Unlimited |
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| The New York State Council of TU is a conduit for conservation and community between local TU chapter members and TU’s Northeast conservation staff. Consisting of 28 local chapters, the NY State Council facilitates chapters’ conservation, education, community outreach, and advocacy efforts by making it easy to access funding programs and donations. The Council is issuing a call to TU members, seeking feedback on how it can support our goals. To share suggestions or connect with the Northeast regional VP, email them at hello@newyorkcouncil-tu.org.
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| Hudson River Foundation Announces Restoration Projects for Hudson and Harlem Rivers |
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| The Hudson River Foundation announced the first round of investments under the
Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET). The foundation is committing $3.5 million to seven research and habitat restoration projects on the Hudson and Harlem Rivers and Lake Champlain. The projects focus on assessing, protecting, and restoring critical fish habitats along the Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission corridor, which will deliver hydropower from Quebec to New York City.
The initial Hudson River awards are $250,000 for fish habitat characterization and mapping, and $100,000 for oyster density sampling and mapping. For the Harlem River, the awards include $500,000 for restoring the North Cove living shoreline and $1,000,000 for restoring the Academy Street living shoreline.
In addition to the Hudson and Harlem River awards, CHET is sponsoring coldwater conservation projects at Lake Champlain, Lake George, and some of their tributaries. The NY State Council of Trout Unlimited has two representatives on the CHET board. |
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| | | The Post-Work Hatch: TGF Rallies Neversink Allies
By Josh Ethan Johnson Fly-fishy people mixed with free beer and small bites, set in a venue like Filson NYC, made for a perfect opportunity to drop some conservation knowledge on an engaged community. This group of trout bums was so fishy (how fishy?!) that dry fly jokes were tossed around so loosely you’d think we were at an entomology convention. In the upstairs loft of the Filson store, with the selfless help of store manager and fellow angler Kevin Boyer, the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers (TGF) threw a simple and effective event. The post-work NYC crowd showed up to happily grip a donated West Kill beer, handed out personally by the brewery owner Mike Barcone. Housefly shop guys were here to support the cause and endorse some of their donated raffle prizes, which Andrew Worthington from TGF organized and knocked out of the park. All of this effort was spent in the hopes of buying 20 minutes of our attention to lay out some of TGF’s many initiatives around cold water conservation. The first Trout Unlimited chapter was founded in the late ‘50s, around the same time TGF came together. Over these past 70ish years, the groups have shared many mission parallels. One of the many subjects they touched on this evening is especially near and dear to NYC TU’s heart: the 1.2 million square foot facility proposal by Kroeger USA, LLC, on the banks of the beloved Neversink River. TGF gently pounded the fundraising drum knowing a serious legal battle is nigh. NYC TU will join that fight as things progress, along with any others that protect our clean, cold waters. This beautifully mild February eve brought out many familiar NYC fly fishing faces. It also brought out a few new ones, giving hope that these conservation efforts will continue. Is our community expanding, being converted by the gospel of groups like TGF and NYC TU? Or are events like this just turning over rocks, exposing what's been here all along?: New Yorkers who string up their fly rods after a busy work week and quietly sneak off to their gate-kept piece of paradise. |
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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 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 waters, 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. Your $50 ticket includes: A signed copy of The Fly Fishing Book An exclusive signed print Free beer from West Kill Brewing Small bites
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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| Reminder: Attend the 2026 Northeast Regional Rendezvous |
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| The TU Northeast Regional Rendezvous will be held April 10-12 at Roscoe Mountain Club in Roscoe, NY. The gathering features TU leaders, conservation partners, and anglers from all across the region. It’s not too late to reserve your spot. Here are three reasons you won’t want to miss it: April 10: Afternoon angling social at Upward Brewing. Casting demos, fly tying, and food. April 11: Beamoc TU chapter re-launch party. Live music, BBQ, and casting contest. Tickets required April 12: Willowemoc native tree planting. Plant trees for shade at a recent TU restoration site.
Book your Regional Rendezvous 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. 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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| Trout Unlimited’s 2026 New York Spring Dinner |
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| Join fellow anglers and conservation champions for an intimate evening celebrating more than 65 years of Trout Unlimited. The evening will be hosted by Erik Schatzker, Editorial Director of Bloomberg New Economy. Terry Hyman, Board Chair and Managing Partner at Norwood Healthcare Partners, will be honored with the Leadership in Conservation Award in recognition of his nearly two decades of board service and deep commitment to the protection and restoration of rivers, streams, and watersheds. The evening will feature remarks from TU President and CEO Chris Wood and others. A Griffith Circle event, limited tickets are available for $750 per person. Business or cocktail attire.
ℹ️ What: TU New York spring dinner
📅 When: Monday, April 20, cocktail hour at 6pm, dinner and program at 7pm
📍 Where: The Century Association, 7 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036
Learn more
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| New York State TU Trout Waters Youth Camp |
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| Have friends or family looking for summer fly fishing opportunities for teens? Consider New York State TU’s Trout Waters Youth Camp. The week-long camp is open to youth ages 14 to 17 years old, and provides a chance to learn fly fishing basics. All equipment, lodging, and meals are provided. Daily presenters include top Catskill guides, fly tyers, and authors. In the evening, campers will have one-on-one stream time with a veteran Delaware River angler. Reach out to NYC TU if you have a student who may be a good fit.
ℹ️ What: NYS TU Trout Waters Youth Camp
📅 When: Sunday, June 28 - Friday, July 3
📍 Where: Camp Amahami, 434 Page Pond Road, Deposit, NY
Learn more |
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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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