Fly Fishing the Neversink River. Dennis Skarka

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      Neversink River (New York)

       Location: New York’s Catskill Mountains, approximately 1½ hours north and northwest of New York City. The Catskills do not have the high peaks of the Western United States, but contain seven major rivers, allowing fly fishers in the Northeast lots of opportunity. These rivers offer some of the best trout waters in the U.S., none better than the Neversink.

      The Neversink begins atop Slide Mountain and flows to Port Jervis. It starts with two branches, the East and the West, which converge in Claryville, above the Neversink Dam. Except for the extreme upper reaches of both branches—as well as a

      small parcel of land owned by the Frost Valley YMCA—all land from Slide Mountain to the Neversink Dam is under private ownership and has been since the 1800s. Theodore Gordon’s former home water is under the dam, which was completed in 1950. The dam ensures that the Neversink River has consistent water flows with temperatures ranging from 40 to 60 degrees all season. An agreement between the City and the State of New York requires that water temperatures remain at 75 degrees or lower at the town of Bridgeville.

      We divide the river from the dam to the Neversink River Recreational Area (the Gorge) into three distinct areas: the upper area immediately below the dam to Fallsburg; from Fallsburg to the Gorge; and the Gorge itself.

      The upper reaches below the dam is a classic tailwater fishery, with grass beds, long, flat pools, and a gravel bottom making for easy wading. The area requires careful stalking and long, fine leaders. These waters hold only wild brookies and browns. This area has the best fishing all season due to consistently cold water. If you decide to fish the area near