Destination Tuscarora: Anglers' Circle Trip 2015

By Woods King IV

The Anglers’ Circle (AC) is a group of individuals ranging in age from twenty-five to forty with the common desire to raise awareness for the American Museum of Fly Fishing and the traditions of the sport it houses. Established in 2012, this group has expanded the Museum’s reach both geographically and in size. The goal of the AC is to provide interested young people with social interaction, education and networking opportunities, and, possibly most importantly, the opportunity to fish in parts of the country that may not otherwise be available.

In this final aspect, the Corbins could not have provided a more perfect setting for the inaugural Anglers’ Council Trip. At the end of June, members of the AC were invited by Peter Corbin, Museum Trustee and sporting artist, as his guests to the Tuscarora Club for two great days of trout fishing in the Catskills. The group that made the journey was composed of Peter and Parker Corbin, Jason Scott, Woods King, Joe Predham, and Newell Grant.

We began our adventure by meeting at the historic Tuscarora Club, near Margaretville, NY for lunch. After a lunch that made even the most alert of us deliriously sleepy, we drew beats (chosen sections of river) to fish the club’s private water on the Mill Brook. In the words of Parker Corbin, the Mill Brook is “as diverse as it is beautiful, with two natural 25ft waterfalls, a covered bridge, pocket water, riffles, and plunge pools”. Not even this description does justice to the picturesque landscape and the variety of wildlife seen therein that afternoon.

After successful fishing for a couple hours, the AC and club members reconnected at the covered bridge for the evening hatch to throw dry flies, pop tops, swing a few streamers, and even tell a tale or two about the fishing that afternoon. It became clear that Newell’s mountainous march that afternoon and Peter’s delicate display of the dry fly that evening were no match for the fish caught on the sinking line and streamers of Parker in the deep pool beneath the covered bridge. When the longest day of the year finally came to an end, an evening of fishing stories, small batch bourbons, and delicious bar supper ensued at the Tuscarora Club.

With a few hours of sleep and another great meal under our belts, we said good-bye to the Tuscarora Club and caravanned to the Delaware River Club (DRC) for the second leg of the adventure. Just an hour from Tuscarora we geared up at the DRC, met the guides, and paired up into two man drift boats: Woods and Newell taking point, Parker and Peter pushing off second, and Jason and Joe bringing up the rear.

The abundant wildlife and pastoral landscape experienced as we floated down the West Branch of the
Delaware River was a complete change from the previous days fishing, though no less magnificent. We fished for hours down the West Branch, stripping large streamers through the deep pools on both sides of the river, and caught several large brown and rainbow trout. Meeting for a streamside lunch allowed an opportunity for banter, photos, and a rest before the evening hatch and float down to the take out.

As the sun moved behind the high terrain, the trout became more active and we switched from streamers to dry flies, matching the hatch. The group had great success in the evening on dries once technique and patience were “mastered”.

Reaching the take out and reconnecting back at the DRC, the group said their final goodbyes and thanks. As we headed our respective ways, we reflected on the two days of fishing and look forward to the next adventure.

Special thanks to Peter and Parker Corbin and to the members of the Anglers’ Circle in attendance. Looking forward to having everyone in Cleveland for the fall steelhead run.