BEAMOC VOLUNTEERS Clearing the streambed are Dina Bray, far left; standing, from left, Barry Myrvold, Brie Nurick, Anastasia Myrvold, Ned Nurick, Laura Colangelo, Don Borelli, Seth Cavarretta Judy Van Put and Vicky Linville; and, in front, from left, Pete Sherry, Matt Hart, Dasha Hart and Eric Loverich. Jesse Vadala photo
CFFC&M dinner nets $30K
By Yides Gottlieb | Manor Ink
Livingston Manor, NY – More wild trout habitats will be preserved in our local streams thanks to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum’s recent “Catch and Conserve” fundraising dinner held Sept. 9. The Center, on Old Rte. 17 in the hamlet, is a leading nonprofit organization serving the global fly fishing community.
“The Center celebrates the past and works to actively ensure the sport’s future,” said Laura Colangelo, director of operations. The dinner attracted 164 guests who gathered under a tent alongside the Willowemoc Creek on a perfect fall evening.
PRESERVING HISTORY CFFC&M Director Laura Colangelo, left, and fly fishing Legend Judy Van Put are dedicated to maintaining the sport. Amy Hines photo
The event highlighted the Center’s conservation mission. Catskill fly fishing legend Judy Van Put announced the reformation of the Beamoc (Beaverkill/Willowemoc) Chapter of Trout Unlimited, co-founded in 1974 by her late husband Ed Van Put.
“We’ve had two meetings so far, including a successful work session where we were clearing obstructions in tributary streams to enable the trout to spawn this fall. We’re going to be doing it again in November. It is exciting to think about starting this chapter again,” Van Put explained.
Colangelo estimates that the benefit ended with a net profit of about $30,000, providing funds for the Center’s various projects throughout the year.
Colangelo is deeply immersed in the sport of fly fishing, along with her responsibilities at the Center. Despite learning to fly fish only a few years ago, she has fallen in love with the sport completely. Now she manages the entire operation, and works in event planning and running classes.
Van Put was inducted into the Center’s Catskills Legends due to her “willingness and ability to go above and beyond for the community.” Her selflessness and commitment to the preservation of the sport’s traditions earned her this honor.
Van Put and Colangelo care about the deeper history of fly fishing as a sport that is centuries old and involves simulating insects using feathers tied with thread to attract fish. The Center also celebrates figures like Izaak Walton, posthumously inducted as a Catskill Legend and author of The Compleat Angler (London 1653), one of the most reprinted books in the English language, second only to the Bible in its day.
Ultimately, the dinner celebrated the Center as a place of education. It has year-round programs, including adult fly-tying and bamboo-rod-building classes. Paul Barnett, co-owner of the Wulff School of Fly Fishing, spoke at the dinner about the school’s plans to carry on the tradition of teaching the techniques of the sport. Colangelo said that the center is offering free fly-tying programs for students of all ages so kids can learn the basics of the craft and how to cast.
“The center encourages any student to visit the museum, ask questions, and learn,” Colangelo said.