October 27, 2025
Dear Members and Friends,
Now that the leaves have turned and the last colors of autumn line the banks of the Willowemoc, I am pleased to share that the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum continues to move forward with great strength and purpose. Thanks to your support, our dedicated staff, and an engaged Board of Trustees, the Center remains on solid footing and well positioned for the future.
Our 60K/60 Days HVAC Fundraiser was an outstanding success. We met our goal, the equipment is now on order, and installation will begin shortly. The new system will provide full air conditioning, heating, humidity control, and dehumidification throughout the Museum and Archives Building. This represents a major investment in preserving our priceless collections and providing a comfortable and climate-stable environment for visitors and staff alike.
Another major accomplishment this season was the complete reconstruction of the bridge deck. The project has been fully completed and now ensures safe and lasting access to our grounds for many years to come. This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of our volunteers and the members of the Heritage Committee. Their teamwork, skill, and perseverance turned a critical need into a completed project that strengthens our entire campus.
On behalf of the Center, I extend heartfelt thanks to the following individuals for their time and dedication:
John Francis, John Maddox, Joe Rist, Seth Cavarretta, Evan Colangelo, Jim Conroy, Mark Williams, Mark Schwartz, Anthony Magardino, Joe Cauvel, Eric Loverich, Bill Heim, Walter Toomer, Tim McCausland, Laura Colangelo, and Johnene Loverich. Your efforts reflect the very best of our community’s spirit and shared commitment to the CFFCM.
This year’s Catch & Conserve Dinner, held on the CFFCM campus, was a huge success. With over 160 attendees, the event was an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring the Wulff School of Fly Fishing—a cornerstone of our region’s rich angling heritage. The gathering brought together members, friends, and supporters in a wonderful celebration of community, tradition, and the shared mission of conservation.
Our Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was also a highlight of the year, drawing over 100 attendees to honor those who have shaped the heritage of our sport. The 2025 Hall of Fame Class includes Walt Carpenter, Bud Lilly, Adriano Manocchia, Izaak Walton, and Paul Weamer—each representing the artistry, conservation, and craftsmanship that define the Catskill tradition.
Following this year’s induction, I have made a few changes to the Hall of Fame Committee to ensure its continued strength and engagement. After many years of dedicated leadership, Ted Patlen has stepped down as Chair but will remain an active member of the committee. Ted’s long service and steady guidance have kept the Hall of Fame process organized, fair, and deeply meaningful. I also wish to thank Tim McCausland for his years of valued service and thoughtful participation on the committee. Moving forward, Peter Leitner will serve as Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee, bringing a renewed sense of direction and focus to the process. We also welcome George Colclough of West Point, whose deep appreciation of angling history will be a valuable addition to the committee’s work. I am confident that under their guidance, the Hall of Fame will continue to flourish.
Looking ahead, the 2026 Legends of the Catskills will honor Ted Patlen, Jim Krul, John Apgar, Seth Cavarretta, and Joe Rist—five individuals whose commitment, leadership, and contributions exemplify the best of our community and its ongoing story.
Our educational programming continues to thrive. Fall classes have been booked to capacity, and beginning October 27, we will launch an eight-week fly tying series covering the fundamentals of fly tying, key patterns, and the entomology behind the bugs they imitate. I extend special thanks to Samantha for her ongoing grant work and collaboration with the Sullivan County Youth Bureau, which continues to support our youth education initiatives.
We are also pleased to announce that our adult fly tying program will begin January 10, held in conjunction with our open tying sessions—details will be announced soon. These programs continue to embody the Center’s mission of fostering education, community, and appreciation of the art and science of fly fishing.
Another exciting educational opportunity is our Bamboo Rod Building Program with John Apgar. The 2026 class schedule will be announced soon. This six-day intensive class (Friday through Wednesday) guides students through the complete process of building a 7-foot, 5-weight bamboo rod—from the culm to the finished product. Participants will split, flame, and plane their own rods, with all materials, hardware, and lunch included. The class is limited to five students per session, with tuition set at $1,300 for members and $1,500 for non-members. A 50% deposit holds your spot, and graduates are encouraged to “pass the test” by sending us a photo of a fish caught on their finished rod. Students may return to build a second tip at no additional charge. The Winter 2025–2026 session is full, and we are currently taking reservations for the Winter 2026–2027 weekly Saturday class. Those interested should email office@cffcm.com to join the waitlist.
The relaunch of the Beamoc Trout Unlimited Chapter, under the leadership of Judy Van Put, has been another exciting development this year. Membership continues to grow, and our collaboration with regional partners remains vital to our conservation and educational mission.
To close out the year, we invite all members, along with the Beamoc Trout Unlimited Chapter and the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, to our Annual Holiday Party and Potluck on Friday, December 6 at 12:00 PM. This gathering is a wonderful way to celebrate the season together and recognize all we’ve accomplished.
As we approach the winter season, please note that the Center will be closed from December 9 through January 9 for the holidays. We will reopen on January 10, operating weekends only (Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM – 2 PM) until Opening Day, weather permitting. Schedule updates will be posted on our website and social media by 9 AM daily. For questions, please contact lcolangelo@cffcm.com.
Finally, the Semi-Annual Board Meeting will be scheduled for a Saturday in November. More information will follow once the date is confirmed. I look forward to gathering with our trustees to review our progress and set the course for the months ahead.
I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous work our Board of Trustees has done in recent months to shape the future of the Center through the completion of our strategic plan and presentation deck. This effort reflects thoughtful collaboration and a shared vision for the Center’s continued growth and sustainability. The plan defines clear priorities for fundraising, operations, education, and member engagement, and provides a roadmap that will guide the CFFCM into its next phase of strength and stability. With the strategy deck now finalized, we are ready to move forward with renewed focus and purpose.
With major projects completed, successful programs behind us, and new initiatives ahead, the Center is well positioned for the months to come. Our focus now turns to strategic planning, continued facility improvements, and deepening our stewardship of fly-fishing history and heritage for generations to come.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and our staff, I thank you for your ongoing trust, enthusiasm, and support. Together, we are preserving the legacy of fly fishing in the Catskills and building a bright future for the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum.
With gratitude and optimism,
Anthony J. Magardino, Board President
Dear Friends,
As we enjoy the heart of summer in the Catskills, I’m excited to share a few important updates from the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum:
Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Announced
We’re proud to welcome five remarkable individuals to the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame this year:
Bud Lilly, Adriano Manocchia, Izaak Walton, Paul Weamer, and Walt Carpenter.
These honorees have each made lasting contributions to the fly fishing world, and we’ll celebrate them at our Induction Ceremony and Dinner on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at CFFCM.  
Looking Ahead – Catskill Legends 2026
We’re also proud to share that Jim Krul, the Center’s longtime Executive Director and passionate steward of our mission, will be honored as a Catskill Legend in 2026. His leadership and vision helped lay the foundation for much of what we enjoy today.
Membership Update
The transition to a rolling renewal system is finally taking hold. Monthly reminders are going out, and we’re implementing a new Bloomerang tool to streamline the process. Exciting membership campaigns are coming soon—thanks to fresh ideas like the Guide Ambassador initiative and planned events at The Junction.
A special thanks to Laura, Jennifer, and Jill for their dedication and collaborative work during this transition—they’ve been instrumental in moving us forward.
Grants & Growth
We’ve now surpassed $60,000 in grant funding for 2025, supporting youth programming, facilities, and operations. Grants from NYSCA, Bass Pro Shops, Sullivan County Youth Bureau, and others have made a real impact. We’re grateful to Samantha and our development team for their outstanding work.
Bridge Update
In June, we experienced significant damage to our bridge that required closing it for a few days to make urgent repairs. Safety remains our top priority, and the bridge is now secure and open to visitors.
NYC Fundraiser – Encouraging Start
Our recent NYC dinner brought together a small but enthusiastic group and sparked promising donor conversations and new prospects. The dinner proved both successful and sustainable, with donor commitments covering event expenses and creating a strong foundation for future cultivation efforts.
While additional cultivation is needed, we’re building momentum. A key next step will be finalizing our strategic plan, which will help us engage major donors more effectively.
Many thanks to Robbianne, the dinner committee, and everyone who helped make it happen.
Annual Dinner Fundraiser – A Strong Start to 2025
Our first major fundraiser of the year, the Annual Dinner held in May at the Rockland House, was a great success. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, all our donors, and local businesses, we achieved a net income of approximately $38,600, not including an additional $1,100 from merchandise sales during the event.
Here’s a brief financial summary:
• Total income: $49,197
• Expenses: $10,593
• Net proceeds: $38,604
The income came from ticket sales, table sponsors, silent and live auctions, and the generous support of all involved. Expenses included venue fees, donor recognition plaques, and event printing.
We would like to thank Tim McCausland for acting as the Executive Committee Chair for this event and supporting the team throughout the entire event and lead up!
A special thank you to Laura and the entire team for their efforts in organizing and executing such a successful evening.
This strong start sets a positive tone for the rest of our fundraising year, and we’re grateful for the community’s ongoing support.
Heritage Committee Update
We’re proud to announce the leadership of the revitalized Heritage Committee. Johnene Loverich will serve as Chair, Eric Loverich as Vice Chair, and Judy Van Put as Secretary.
This committee plays an essential role in preserving and promoting the history, culture, and traditions of Catskill fly fishing. Don Borelli, in his new role as Vice President, will serve as liaison to the Executive Committee, helping facilitate communication and support between leadership and the Heritage Committee.
We are grateful to Johnene, Eric, Judy, and Don for their dedication to this vital mission.
The Mike Canazon Stewardship Award
We’re also pleased to announce the development of a new and meaningful recognition: the Mike Canazon Stewardship Award. This award will honor individuals who have demonstrated lifelong commitment to the values of stewardship in the sport of fly fishing—whether through bamboo rod building, conservation, fly tying, or preserving the Catskill traditions.
It is intended to recognize those who have dedicated themselves to sharing this knowledge with today’s generation while protecting it for the future. More information about the award and nomination process will be shared soon.
Governance Update & Board Transitions
Following our recent Annual Meeting, we are pleased to officially welcome Don Borelli as Vice President of the Board. Cy Amundson will transition into an Advisor role and continue his outstanding work on archives and curation.
We deeply appreciate their leadership and look forward to their continued contributions.
Trustees & Advisors
We’re fortunate to have a passionate and engaged group guiding our work. The Board of Trustees is comprised of dedicated individuals and professionals who lend their expertise to ensure the continued growth and success of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center. As our governing body, they act as advisors, provide financial support, and serve as ambassadors for our mission.
Board of Trustees
Anthony Magardino (President), Don Borelli (Vice President), Randy Lewis (Treasurer), Tim McCausland (Secretary),Peter Adams, Ramsay Adams, Rachael Andras, Christian Anwander, Robert Carlock, Ben Carmichael, Jennifer Grimes, Darrell Hartman, Adam Hayes, Richard Koe, Christine LaRocca, Johnene Loverich, Christina Muller, Ned Nurick, Alice Owsley, Philip Sawyer, John Shaner, Terry Shultz, Rachael Yaeger
Advisors
Cy Amundson, John Barone, Michael Brotherton, Kelly Buchta, Andrew Burton, Jonas Clark, Peter Crosby, Adly Elewa, Ross Francis, Denis Fay, Sims Foster, Jim Hynes, Evan Lavery, Bill Leary, Eric Loverich, Pam Mingle, Gary Sherman, Mark Sherman, Laura Silverman, Joan Wulff
Beamoc TU
Beamoc TU is back and slated to relaunch at our Summerfest August 2/3. The chapter will fall under the New York State umbrella as a "parent" for the first year. This helps with chapter set up and allows us to get our feet underneath us when starting this venture before we become completely independent. The chapter board will be Judy Van Put (President and in honor of Ed who was an original founding member) Laura Colangelo (Vice President) Don Borelli (Treasurer) and Rachael Yaeger (Secretary). Manny Zanger will act as an advisor. The chapter will meet here at the center and have their efforts focus on conservation and stewardship of our rivers and fish. All are welcome to join TU under this chapter starting August 1 or transfer their membership.
Anthony J. Magardino
President
Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum
 
          
        
       
             
             
             
           
             
           
             
           
             
           
             
           
             
           
             
             
             
            