CATSKILLS VAMPIRIC FISH

Come on in, take a seat, relax for a few. I just spent 12 hours going down rabbit hole for this one, so I hope you enjoy it. Also, it’s always great to meet you fine folk rocking Crew hats in the wild. We should probably get another batch going. Have a great week and I’ll see ya out there.

THE SEA LAMPREY

Let me introduce you to the Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), a creature that is as far from a typical fish as you can get. At 12 to 24 inches with smooth, scaleless skin and a circular mouth with concentric rows of razor sharp teeth and a file-like tongue - the Lamprey can fuel your nightmares.

Natives to the Hudson River and its major tributaries, lampreys live in our rivers and creeks, though I’m still shocked every time I run into one. They date back over 340 million years and have developed an incredible approach to survival.

The adults use suction-cup mouths to attach themselves to other fish, then teeth and tongue rasp through scales and skin. The fresh feeding wound of its prey remains open as the lamprey releases natural anticoagulants. It will hang on and feed for up to 18 months, often leading to the death of its host.

Each spring, adults migrate upstream, following the chemical signals released by larvae already established in those waterways. Upon reaching their destinations in smaller rivers and streams, the males begin to move stones to make nests, while the females deposit tens of thousands of eggs. Then, both die.

Out of the hatching eggs, blind worm-like larvae emerge - ammocoetes - and find their way into soft sediment where they burrow and spend up to 4 years as filter-feeders. In their final summer, they undergo a dramatic transformation - developing eyes, that nightmarish mouth, and a tolerance for saltwater, preparing them for the downstream parasitic life. The vampiric fish then spends up to 18 months feeding before returning to those very same waters to complete the life and death cycle once more.

In the early 1900s, the lampreys wandered far from their original home in the Catskills as a result of manmade canals. The Welland Canal, finished in 1932, allowed lampreys to bypass Niagara Falls, a natural barrier that previously protected the Great Lakes and their ecosystems.

In these new waters, lamprey populations exploded, and the local fisheries took a nearly catastrophic beating. Lake trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and other native species were nearly wiped out.

But passion and ingenuity offered hope. For over 50 years, organizations such as the Great Lakes Fishery Commission have used aggressive mediation tactics including lampricides, strategic river barriers, mass trappings, and even pheromone traps to successfully reduce the lamprey population by nearly 90%.

Today the battle further north continues — but in the Catskills the lamprey remains part of our natural system and history. They're reminders that our familiar waters hold more complexity than we often see or even consider, and that this region is home to some ancient - and unusual - neighbors.

EN ROUTE

After many moons, the puzzles are done, packed up, and on their way to the Catskills. These 500-piece beauties turned out way better (and took way longer) than I could have ever expected. Big thanks to everyone who helped turn an idea into a reality! I’ll let y’all know when they are ready to go!

THE BULLETIN

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project, a hire, or just want to say hi to 30,000 neighbors, The Crew has you covered.

OH-BOY! MARKET returns to Andes on July 5th & 6th with 70+ incredible independent makers, small-batch goods, and the big summer energy (BSE) we're ready for! Come for the goods! Stay for the good times! Snag your tickets.

Omega Institute Spots are limited: stay two nights at Omega in July and get 50% off wellness treatment. No workshops, no stress — just deep Rest & Rejuvenation in one of the most peaceful places in the Hudson Valley. Call 845-266-4444 or Book now.

The Bashakill Bazaar in Wurtsboro is the most loved vintage market, featuring 25+ vendors offering antiques, art, clothing, vinyl and a whole lot more. They got the funky finds and they got those timeless treasures, so swing by and find something unexpected. P.S. They extended their hours on Thursdays to celebrate Music in the Park — open 11am-8pm on Thursday and 11am-6pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Start the hunt.

CATSKILL-OPOLY is back, embark on an unforgettable journey through the Catskills - buying, trading, and keeping blacks bears out of your trash. Outsmart your competition, show no mercy, and just have some fun without a screen. GRAB A GAME

THE REPORT

Adopt Pets: We have a few friends that can use a few helping hands, Danny a mixed breed pup, Tipsy the cat, and Booey the 31 year old Senegal parrot.

House of the Week: This fine estate can be yours for the small sum of $10,000,000 but wait, there’s more, you’ll become the new owner of the largest stone maze ever built - including your very own bronze statues of Daedalus, Icarus, and of course the Minotaur. If you buy it, reach out, I want to fish that mile of private water. Don’t worry, I’m a catch-and-release angler.

The Sky Report: A full moon will arrive and light up the night sky on June 11th.

Sunrise 5:22 AM
Sunset 8:34 PM
Fire Danger [low]
Air Quality [fair]
Moon Phase [waxing gibbous]

Want a Featured Event with a poster? Reach out. 
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The Queen of the Catskills’ celebration of silliness returns for its fifth year with stand-up, improv, sketch and more antics by a slew of hilarious comics from near and far. Get your tickets!

I’ve joined forces with The Pines in Mt. Tremper to celebrate their CATSKILL CREW BURGER QUEST victory. Mark your calendars for Burger Fest on June 17th. It’s happening on a Tuesday, so technically it’s an industry night, but you don’t need to work in the industry, you don’t even need to have a job. No reservations. No tickets. Just show up for a good time.

TUESDAY 10TH

Bearsville Theater, Woodstock - Houndmouth performing live at 8pm tix

Queer Kingston, Kingston - Queer Open Mic hosted by Colton at 6pm onwards info

Fuller Building, Kingston - Summer Arts Preview Networking event with Chronogram and Upstate Art Weekend from 5:30-8:30pm RSVP

WEDNESDAY 11TH

Catskill Center, Mount Tremper - Catskills Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) Summer Partners Meeting from 10-12pm good people doing good work also for the kiddos there will be the Catskills Nature Explorers: Plant Detectives from 10:30-11:30am next generation of naturalists

The Pines, Mount Tremper - Catskill Harmony Guild from 7-9pm smash burgers

Tubby's, Kingston - Performance by Karate from 7-11pm tix

North South Lake, Haines Falls - Hike on the eve of the full moon at North South Lake at 7pm details

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Performances by The Shivers, Nick Panken, Tiny Spores from 8-10:30pm more info

Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville - Yoga for Gardening with Pamela Martin from 3:15-4:15pm down dog

White Feather Farm, Saugerties - Full Moon Kundalini Yoga, Meditation + Gong Immersion with HariPrakaash from 6-7:30pm zen out

THURSDAY 12TH

Hi-Way Drive In, Coxsackie - Special Double Feature with Pavements and Mallrats along with a Q&A with Director Alex Ross Perry at 8pm sweet

Wildflower Farms, Gardiner - Harvest Dinner Series with Gardenheir dinner tix

Catskill Center, Shokan - Restore and Rewild the Ashokan Rail Trail Planting Day from 9-12pm get outside

Bashakill Bazaar, Wurtsboro - Sip & Shop from 4-6pm happy hunting

Park Theatre, Hudson - Open Mic Night from 7-10pm enjoy

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - A Night Of Raucous Queer Comedy at 7pm details

The Grange, Coxsackie - Athens Cultural Center’s Summer Fundraising Party from 6-9pm looks fun

Nussy's Bier Garten, Round Top - Live Music from 8-11 pm

Made X Hudson, Catskill - Free Knitting Circle from 2-5pm make more things

Phoenicia Playhouse, Phoenicia - Open Mic Night with music, stand-up, poetry, and more from 7-9pm have fun

FRIDAY 13TH

Ollie's Pizza, High Falls - Freak Out Friday with DJ Harlan from 6-9pm heck yeah

Sunshine Colony, Livingston Manor - Trout Parade Weekend Eve Dance Party from 7-10pm fishy

Ralph's Bar & Bowling, Big Indian - Bierhalle Series No. 4 kicks off at 7pm have a cold beer

StüdiGroup, Accord - Inside Practice with Kieran Kinsella from 10:30am-1pm join waitlist

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge - Spirit of Place: A Hudson Valley Climate Training apply

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Punk Prom 2025 from 6-11pm tix

Catskill Brewery, Livingston Manor- Honky Tonk Dance Party with Hudson Valley Flyers at 7pm cheers

Maverick Concerts, Woodstock - Woodstock Bookfest from 7:30-9:30pm enjoy

Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville - Moth Mystique: Illuminating the Dark Side of Winged Wonders with Carla Rhodes and Matthew Rymkiewicz from 7-9pm yeah, this is cool

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown - Fire Pit Friday’s “Uncle Shake” from 6-10pm details

Rough Draft, Kingston - Live Music with Perry Foster from 6:30-8pm more info

Coxsackie - Coxsackie Block Party from 5-8pm details

Bearsville Theater, Woodstock - Jorma Kaukonen - Night 1 at 8pm tix

SATURDAY 14TH

Livingston Manor - Trout Parade yessss

Skate Time, Accord - Roller Disco from 7-11pm glorious

Stewart House, Athens - Oyster Fest from 1-10pm shuck

Catskill Fly Fishing Museum, Livingston Manor - Saturday Fly Tyers Series from 11-3pm tight lines

The Pines, Mount Tremper - Field Market from 12-5pm have fun

Catskill Center, Mount Tremper - Get Outdoors & Get Together Day from 12-3pm get outside, stay outside

Bearsville Theater, Woodstock - Jorma Kaukonen - Night 2 at 8pm tix

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Eilen Jewell at 8pm tix

Dutchman's Landing Park, Catskill - The 4th Annual Schoharie Turnpike-Kaaterskill Clove Road Rally check it out

Cochecton Pump House, Cochecton - Summer Residency with DJ Spooky info

West Kill Lexington Community Hall, West Kill - Annual Chicken BBQ from 3-6pm

Phoenicia Playhouse, Phoenicia - Flying Cat Music Series from 7-8:30pm details

Grahamsville Fairgrounds, Grahamsville - The Secret World of Streams: Exploring Aquatic Insects from 12-3pm good for the kids and good for the adults

The Common Good, Ellenville - The first ever play reading with Bubba Weiler's "Well, I'll Let You Go" from 7:30-9pm groovy

SUNDAY 15TH

Heather Ridge Farm, Potters Hollow - Left Bank Ciders is back on the farm for Father’s Day with cider (the boozy and non-boozy types), food, live music, and animals from 12-4pm get out there

Night School, Athens - Live Music at 6pm go see nate

Return Brewing, Hudson - Father’s Day Feast from 1-8pm cheers

Callicoon Hills, Callicoon - Dad to the Bone from 12-4pm throw axes

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Live performances by Carmen Perry, Yours Are The Only Ears, and Jamie Gray from 8-10pm sweet

Catskill Center, Shokan - Last Volunteer Day for the Ashokan Rail Trail Habitat Restoration from 9-12pm check it out

Bearsville Theater, Woodstock - The Rock and Roll Playhouse plays Music of Grateful Dead + More for Kids at 12pm have fun

Oliver’s, Mt. Tremper - Hideaway Comedy Presents: An Evening with Caitlin Peluffo from 7:30-9:30pm tix

MONDAY 16TH

Eerily quiet…