Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Esopus River New York
The Esopus River has a very unique source of water.
Part of the water is used for drinking water for New York
City. A tunnel for the Schoharie Reservoir carries water
to the portal at Shandaken providing water for the
Esopus River, called Esopus Creek by some. The water
flows down to the Ashokan Reservoir. The tunnel was
intended only to transport drinking water for New York
but it also provides a perfect rainbow trout habitat
because it keeps the water cool throughout the summer.
There are two parts to the river. The section above the
point the portal enters the river to the east of
Shandaken is the natural flow of the river. From
Winnisooks Lake the river flows down county road # 47
past Big Indian. It flows to Shandaken where it
converges with Bushnellsville Creek. Above Big Indian
there's ample public access to the river. The trout in this
section are rainbows, browns and native brook trout.
This part of the river is relatively small.
Below the portal the Esopus River is, in my opinion, a
tailwater. Many do not call it a tailwater because the
water doesn't come directly from a dam turbine
discharge, It comes from the portal. Whatever you want
to call it, it is a very good cold water discharge of water
suitable for trout. Much like a dam, the discharges can
be strong enough to make the Esopus tough to fish. The
stream is not small below the portal. It's rather large with
deep pools, runs and riffles much like a freestone
stream which in a structural sense, it is I suppose.
There's good access in this section all the way from the
Five Arches Bridge to the portal. Route 28 follows along
the stream.
Seasons:
There's little change in the tailwater section of the
Esopus because of an almost constant water
temperature.
Spring:
Many of the traditional Catskills hatches occur in the
Spring and it's a good time to fish the stream.
Summer:
The hot months of summer can be one of the best times
to fish the Esopus because of the cold water discharge.
Fall:
Autumn is a beautiful and productive time to fish the
river. Brown trout migrate upstream from Ashokan
Reservoir to spawn in the fall.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Esopus River
Fly Fishing the Esopus River varies between its two
main sections because the stream varies in makeup,
hatches and water temperatures. It's almost like you
need two fly fishing guides for this river.
(Click Here to Continue)
The Esopus River has a very unique source of water.
Part of the water is used for drinking water for New York
City. A tunnel for the Schoharie Reservoir carries water
to the portal at Shandaken providing water for the
Esopus River, called Esopus Creek by some. The water
flows down to the Ashokan Reservoir. The tunnel was
intended only to transport drinking water for New York
but it also provides a perfect rainbow trout habitat
because it keeps the water cool throughout the summer.
There are two parts to the river. The section above the
point the portal enters the river to the east of
Shandaken is the natural flow of the river. From
Winnisooks Lake the river flows down county road # 47
past Big Indian. It flows to Shandaken where it
converges with Bushnellsville Creek. Above Big Indian
there's ample public access to the river. The trout in this
section are rainbows, browns and native brook trout.
This part of the river is relatively small.
Below the portal the Esopus River is, in my opinion, a
tailwater. Many do not call it a tailwater because the
water doesn't come directly from a dam turbine
discharge, It comes from the portal. Whatever you want
to call it, it is a very good cold water discharge of water
suitable for trout. Much like a dam, the discharges can
be strong enough to make the Esopus tough to fish. The
stream is not small below the portal. It's rather large with
deep pools, runs and riffles much like a freestone
stream which in a structural sense, it is I suppose.
There's good access in this section all the way from the
Five Arches Bridge to the portal. Route 28 follows along
the stream.
Seasons:
There's little change in the tailwater section of the
Esopus because of an almost constant water
temperature.
Spring:
Many of the traditional Catskills hatches occur in the
Spring and it's a good time to fish the stream.
Summer:
The hot months of summer can be one of the best times
to fish the Esopus because of the cold water discharge.
Fall:
Autumn is a beautiful and productive time to fish the
river. Brown trout migrate upstream from Ashokan
Reservoir to spawn in the fall.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Esopus River
Fly Fishing the Esopus River varies between its two
main sections because the stream varies in makeup,
hatches and water temperatures. It's almost like you
need two fly fishing guides for this river.
(Click Here to Continue)
| Type of Stream Freestone/Tailwater Species Brown Trout (Wild and stocked) Rainbow Trout (Wild) Brook Trout (Native) Size Small-Medium Location Southeastern New York Nearest Towns Kingston New York Season April - November Access: Good Non-Resident License State of New York Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear Stream Flow Data: Real Time USGS Data |
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Esopus River
New York
New York
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