Esopus in Termoil

[fly fishing esopus]

Over the past several week the DEP has been realeasing muddy water in the the lower Esopus water shed. The lower Esopus isn't what it use to be. It has become a featureless shallow ditch that dries up in the summer months. Its become the way it is because of the floods we had 4 yrs ago and these water releases. My family lost 70 acres of farm land from the floods. I have even been watching a island being slowly being made from all the silt lost. Well heres' the article of the Avodcates of the Esopus wanting NYC Aid and clean water releases.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbc.../NEWS/10270330


P.S the two guys in the picture are my uncle and my cousin.

[Esopus Guy]

Funny how when the mud hits a populated area the river gets attention. But the focus there is the bottom of the river. They blew all crap out of the resevoir but the real devil is the bank erosion above the resevoir that put it there in the first place,that's the real problem.

A better release would make that first bit through Tongore a decent trout fishery. Beleive it or not we catch trout all the way down past Kingston. If you can get permission to get back in Stillwater there is some really good trout fishing back in there too. Probably the most overlooked water in all the Cats.

NY just wants their water and forget the rest.

[fly fishing esopus]

you nailed that right on the head, thats the culprate of the problem. Its like a domino effect.

[AaronJasper]

There are a lot if entities that will pay a fine in lieu of actually remediating a site to make it clean again. They simply do this by cost vs money made. Look at the shale situation. People will get cancer because of the contaminated wells. However, the companies that do the drilling will do it even at the expense of human life. That's would be the definition of manslaughter right? However, since the people who are responsible have uncountable wealth, they will never be dealt with in the manner that they should be. This is due to the fact that the people committing the crimes are the same ones who are constantly in the ear of those making the laws.

[Upinjewett]

Domino Effect Indeed !! - Between the clay bank up in Chichester and other tribs and the crap being blown out the portal, it's little wonder that it's muddy at points below. What a stinking mess. Don't expect involvement from the DEC, many people there are wondering if they still have a job. It's hard too imagine things getting any better in the near future. I got into some fish there this year, but too many times, found myself unable too see my feet in 2 or 3 ft of water and moving on to other water. I hate to sound fatalistic, but save brief periodic clearings, maybe this is just the way it's going to be in the foreseeable future.

[Walter1023]

the situation there is a disgrace. I consider the Esopus like a sibling of the Housatonic.......they both have stretches that just take your breath away - better than any postcard can do justice to. I have equally great memories of both in my flyfishing progression. The esopus also has alot of hiistory. That river brings alot of recreational dollars to the area ......I just hope things change but it doesn't seem like its a priority to anyone with the power to do anything

[Esopus Guy]

It's hands down the best fishing stream in the Cats. in my eyes. Not the biggest fish but you can't run up numbers anywhere like you can in the E.

On that note why does'nt the DEC do more for the Brown runs. While there are a number of wild Browns around most that get caught are kept as we have no size limit and 5 per day limits. Yes the state does stock a number of Brown trout into the Resevoir and the River but stocked fish don't have the drive to spawn like wild fish and alot of fish are being caught while they are literally coming out of the truck and also said to only live 2-3 weeks in there. Our actuall return of Browns is very minimal in comparison to population counts.......... But we can fish them. On the other hand 80% of the fish population is wild Rainbows. I've read articles from the 80's claiming that the run of Rainbows in the Esopus rivals that of the Finger Lakes!! An older DEC paper I found online claimed up to 7000 fish per mile during the run!! And the season is closed during the biggest part of their run. I mean what kind of junk is that? And no special regs areas but we can fish for the smallest population, the Brown trout. And then with cut backs ect. they are most certainly are lying on their stocking list that they post. Some streams received no fish this year. So why would'nt they just stock smolts into the tribs? Better return runs and cheaper on the bottom line to raise. 2 Birds 1 stone I say...
It's just crazyy!!!


Some 1/2 decent management would just make the place shine like the jewel it really is. It would certainly be better than that other place evryone goes to. What's it called again........ Oh yea the Beaverkill

[Upinjewett]

Well Said , And Here - Here -

[frankm205]

I took a ride up there today to kill a few hours. Figured I would see first hand what the conditions were like. I 'm not really that familiar with the upper sections but E guy gave me some directions and I went up hoping to catch a few fish . I drove up past the portal past the parking lot on the left and made the first left turn, took that to the bridge that crossed the stream. It looked greyish in color but I figured what the heck I'm here. As i was gearing up here comes the rain and wind, almost on que! I managed only one small rainbow, the conditions were deterioriating rapidly so I thought I would take a walk up stream. This river was pounded by the recent floods. I was walking along the left bank when I saw the Railroad tracks in the stream! You could see as the river washes against the bank, the erosion is incredible and the red clay deposits enter the stream giving it the red/grey color.

I took a few more steps and I started sinking into the red mud under water. I was nearly up to my knees in mud and had all I can do to pull myself out of there. That was when I decided to turn around and head for the car. Amazing the trouble this creek is in. I only hope it gets the attention and help it deserves but I have to say from what I saw today, it dosen't look like it's going to be fixed any time soon.

[Esopus Guy]

Leave it to you to find something like that.........lol.

The fish are on a constant move. It's tuff this time of year but the rewards are usually pretty good when you get on them.