6,000 MILES

Welcome back and it’s good to see you again. I got a fresh dispatch that is ready to go. Hope you enjoy and I’ll see ya out there!

When the rivers in the Catskills warm and the rains become less frequent - that’s my cue to head out the door, 6,000 miles or more toward higher elevation. This year: Idaho and Montana.

The pilgrimage is one I make every year - the locations may change, but the mission is the same. Find new rivers, creeks, and alpine lakes to fly fish. Discover new watering holes and stop into the ones I know well - places where you can still get a cold beer for two bucks.

The car is packed, my one bag stuffed with the bare essentials, fly rods broken down, waders and boots tucked away. My dog (Book), ready and eager for those 14 hour days chasing the sunset as we head west. Once we get past Iowa, the traffic disappears, and in North Dakota, speed limits are just suggestions.

Some legs of the trip are already planned; others are waiting for a loose-lipped stranger to whisper about a good fishing spot a day’s drive away.

I’ll be spending my time chasing cutthroat, brown trout, cutbows, rainbows, bull trout (where legally permissible of course), grayling (still on my bucket list), and whitefish who really don’t deserve such a bad rap.

I set out on Friday at 4am and if all goes according to plan, which it never does, I’ll be on the water by Sunday evening.

Catskill Crew will still make it to your inbox - but if, for some reason, I finally break our nearly two-year streak, it means I made the grave mistake of crossing a cow moose and her calf on Henry’s Fork, or perhaps came to a not-so-pretty end with a grizzly in the Bitterroot Mountains. Either way, it’ll be worth it.

Be safe. Have fun. Don’t feed the bears and I’ll see you all for the many events I’ve got planned upon the return.

I have a few fun ideas I’m banging around - things that will bring us together, others that may be delivered by mail, and some that involve tech — but tech to get us outdoors and away from these screens. As I fine-tune the details and further shape the ideas, I’ll share them, as always, so you all have the final say on if it’s something we should do. More to come.

I have a few puzzles and Catskillopoly boards left. If you want one, get that order in before Thursday afternoon. I don’t have a team, or an assistant, or even a paid intern to ship these out once I depart! The free shipping continues.

The new Crew Caps have been ordered. The hats have Realtree camo, trout, and velcro. There’ll only be 100 and I’ll probably keep 10 for my private stash, plus my mom wants one - after that, they’re gone forever. It’s more fun that way. I should be able to share images and a link to grab one in September 2nd’s newsletter — unless of course that moose or grizzly get me.

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 35,000 friends?

Delaware Valley Opera presents Don Giovanni, Mozart’s unforgettable take on the Don Juan legend. This bold two-act opera blends comedy, drama, and seduction — following the infamous libertine on his path of pleasure, deception, and ultimate reckoning. Packed with some of Mozart’s most iconic music, Don Giovanni is a timeless masterpiece you won’t want to miss. Multiple showings through August.

Catskill Cryo offers whole body cryotherapy — a quick and effective way to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and speed up recovery. Just three minutes in the cold can leave you feeling clear-headed, energized, and refreshed. Catskill Cryo makes cutting-edge wellness simple, safe, and local. You can find them right on main street in Catskill (P.S. everyone I know who has tried it, swears by it). Discover the benefits and book a session here.

Parks & Trails New York is celebrating their 40th anniversary and they’re dreaming big about the next 100 years of public lands. What do you love most? What needs to change? Share your vision in a quick survey and help shape the future of outdoor spaces in New York. Take the survey.

Hospitality for Homes Managing a home, whether it’s a weekend home, a rental, or an estate, can feel like a stressful full-time job. Root & Ramble was founded by a local homeowner who wanted to create a better way. One trusted and reliable manager that offers full-service care from repairs and maintenance to pool care, landscaping, and more — so you can actually enjoy ownership. Learn more here.

Adopt Pets: I’d like to introduce you to a few new friends, Odin the wild eyed dog, Maverick the cat, and Angie the Pineapple Green Cheek Conure (that’s a mouthful).

House of the Week: How about a stream side cabin with a pretty funky design. It’s listed as 3-seasons, but there is a wood stove that’ll probably get you through the cold dark winter nights — which will be here before you know it.

The Sky Report: Two meteor showers peak the night of July 29–30th, and conditions are nearly perfect for viewing. The Alpha Capricornids peak around 1:00 AM, with about 3 meteors per hour and the occasional bright fireball. The Delta Aquariids will be most active around 3:00 AM, with up to 12 meteors per hour visible as the radiant climbs 32° above the southern horizon. A waxing crescent moon sets early so we should have ideal skies for viewing. Enjoy the show.

Sunrise 5:48 AM
Sunset 8:20 PM
Fire Danger [low]
Air Quality [moderate]
Moon Phase [waxing crescent]

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Impact Concerts, Kingston - Femi Kuti & The Positive Force at 8pm tix

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Tunes at the lounge with Maria Chavez at 8pm details

Salt Box, Kingston - Queer Kingston at 6pm

Wayside Cider, Andes - Trivia Night from 6-9pm

Catskill Center, Mt. Tremper - Catskills Nature Explorers: Nature Protectors Fighting Invasives at 10:30am get the kiddos outside

Mountain Top Library, Tannersville - Vanished Fauna with Wild Hudson Valley at 3pm very cool

Rough Draft, Kingston - Woodstock Film Festival Youth Camp Screening at 6:30pm

Tubby's, Kingston - Live Music Society Presents: A Tubby Monthly Free Show Series With Yeison Landero at 7pm more info

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Mic Mother a queer comedy open mic at 7pm take a look

Night School, Athens - Unhinged Speed Dating at 6pm have fun

Catskill Center, Arkville - Invasive Species Identification and Reporting at 1pm more of this

Impact Concerts, Hutton Brickyards - Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley & Stephen Marley at 7:30pm tix

145 Water St. Parking Lot, Catskill - Catskill Social Cycle at 6:15pm ride like the wind

The Callicoon Theater, Callicoon - 'A River Runs Through It' benefit screening for Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum at 7:30pm tight lines

Dutchman’s Landing Park, Catskill - Music In The Park Summer Concert Series: Ras T Asheber Posse

The Open Eye Theater, Margaretville - Summer Shortcuts XV at 7pm details

The Hunting Tavern Museum, Andes - Calico & Tin Horns, reimagining the Anti-Rent War with 15 artists at 5pm very cool

Belleayre, Highmount - Music on the Belle Featuring Roadhouse 60s sweet

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - The Heavy Heavy with Judy Blank at 7pm tix

Catskill Brewery, Livingston Manor - Oyster Party at 1pm shuck

Park Theatre, Hudson -  Comedy Night at 8pm deets

Rough Draft, Kingston - Music with Atabeya at 6:30pm also get some books

Bethel Woods, Bethel - The Offspring at 7pm my first cassette tape

Athens Cultural Center, Athens - Goddess: Origins of Wonder at 5pm learn more

Catskill Mountain Foundation, Hunter - Wael Farouk: The Complete Scriabin Piano Sonatas Night 1 at 7pm shred the keys

Frost Valley YMCA, Claryville - Botanical Borders: Riparian Plant Walk at 5:30pm register

O&W, Kingston - "We Outside" a Group Trail Skate at 6pm get it

Union Grove Distillery, Arkville - Trivia Night - theme is a Pajama Party (dress accordingly) at 6pm

Citiot, Catskill - Abandoned America: All Things Must Pass at 5pm details

Andes - Andes Community Day at 10:30am have fun

Hawk + Hive, Andes - Opening Reception for Zachary Lank: Revenant Blues at 12pm details

Narrowsburg - First Saturdays from 5-8pm info

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - The Greeting Committee with Hana Eid at 7pm tix

Impact Concerts, Kingston - Performance by Natalie Cuomo at 8pm tickets

Arts Society of Kingston, Kingston - A celebration of Indian music and dance in a program of Santoor and Odissi dance at 7:30 enjoy

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - The Helm Family Midnight Ramble ft. Gail Ann Dorsey at 8pm take a look

The Pines, Mt. Tremper - Outdoor concert with Echo Rhythm Band from 2-4 but the Dog House opens at 12. Bring a blanket.

Catskill Mountain Foundation, Tannersville - A Midsummer Night's Dream multiple shows

Hudson Hall, Hudson - From the Hooghly to the Hudson Eric Fraser at 7pm info

Hudson Milliner Art Salon, Hudson - Dust Bowl Faeries Murder Mystery - The Cloven Pendulum at 6:30pm
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6688357

Flowering Sun Ecology Center, Ellenville - Midsummer Farm to Table Feast at 5pm take a look

Seminary Hill, Callicoon - Line Dancing with Flirty Riot at 6:30pm

The Open Eye Theater, Margaretville - The Hundred Acre Wood at 12pm details

Bovina Fermentory, Bovina - 4 Year Party from 5-9pm you should go the food is great

Ravenwood, Kerhonkson - Handbuilt ceramics, a creative workshop at 11am get a ticket

Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville - Soil Walk with Dr. Jane Lucas at 10am get outside

Opus 40, Saugerties - Direct from South Africa, Afro Psychedelic futurists BCUC ok ok ok

The Local, Saugerties - Soweto's Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness at 7pm looks funky

Bethel Woods, Bethel - Bret Michaels & Vince Neil at 6:30pm every rose has its thorn

Mamakating Environmental Education Center, Wurtsboro - Bird Collisions of the Anthropocene at 2pm intriguing

Hudson Hall, Hudson - 2025 Hudson Jazz Workshop Concert at 4pm details

this is awkward…

WORD SCRAMBLE: STURGEON