LOCAL SECRETS: REVEALED

LOCAL SECRETS: REVEALED

For decades, the Catskills’ most pristine swimming holes and trout-packed fly fishing honey holes — have been protected by an unspoken code. A sacred pact passed down through generations of locals who swore never to share them outside the circle.

No pins. No names. No hints. Just nods, whispers, and the occasional hand-drawn map on a napkin. Until now…

Catskill Crew is proud to present: A Local’s Guide to Top Secret Swimming Holes and Fly Fishing Spots — featuring 100+ fiercely guarded locations, each revealed with exact coordinates, and yes, even parking instructions.

These aren’t your average “hidden gems” already geotagged into oblivion. These are the real ones, the hush-hush, sacred-ground spots locals only share after a multi-year vetting process and at least one blood oath.

The vault is open. The dam has broken. And we’re handing you the map.

So grab your rod, your tube, your loudest friends, and a six-pack of glass beer bottles.

Available today only — April 1st

BURGER QUEST

A few weeks back, Crew Members nominated their favorite burger joints for a shot at being crowed The Best Burger in the Catskills. There were 121 contenders. Given that’s an insane number of burgers, I took the top 20 and set out on a proper quest — one burger at a time, no sides, no salads, no mercy.

The greatest burger of the Catskills will be announced next week along with a few of my personal favorites.

TRIVIA NIGHT

Incredible turnout at Foxfire Mountain House for the final edition of Catskill Crew Trivia Night. I just wanted to drop a big thank you to all the good folks that came out, it’s always awesome to see you there. We will get more in the books again soon. Keep your eyes out!

REPORT

ADOPT PETS

We’re starting things off with a fine fellow named Gumbo, he is an 11 month old Aussie mix with some wild eyes. Then we have Hot Fudge, a youthful spotted tiger. To top it off, we have one more with a food-themed name, Mozzarella the rat.

THE BULLETIN

Sew Catskills (aka my good friend Jennifer) has you covered for all your sewing services needs. She can do clothing alterations, vintage restoration, and home interiors. Want to get a bit more creative? She can make you custom pillows, cushions, curtains… anything to make your home in the Catskills more homey. Learn more here.

Spring House Carpentry LLC is seeking a full time Carpenter’s Assistant for all phases of construction, from framing to finish carpentry, in the northern Catskills. Experience is preferred, but not required. You must, however, have an interest in carpentry and/or the desire to learn the trade in pursuit of a career in it. Must have a driver’s license. Bonus if you like to fly fish. Pay is between $20-$24 / hour depending upon experience. Email Bill.

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 24,000 friends?

LAND 

Want a private waterfall? Yeah, yeah, me too. This 8-acre spot in Olivebridge backs up to the Mettacahonts Creek, with some nice old stonework and a building that looks like it could pass for Catskill Crew HQ. If you end up buying it, let me know — I’ll come fish the stream. Catch and release, promise.

GAME

Shandaken Inn has teamed up with West Kill Brewing, Wayward Lane Brewing, and Maple Hill Farms to celebrate the release of their two new maple brew collaborations in celebration of Sap Season! Come hang out, drink some beers, and feast upon an incredible looking menu.

Want a Featured Event with a poster? Reach out and say hi. 
Want to add an event to the Happenings section? Use the link below.

TUESDAY 1ST

Tubby's, Kingston - A.J.s April Fools Open Mic Comedy Night from 7:45-10pm happy april

Colony, Woodstock - Major Mayhem Karaoke in the Ballroom at 6:30pm

Tinker Street Cinema, Woodstock - Tinker Street Video Vault at 7pm roll the film

WEDNESDAY 2ND

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Open Mic w/ Ryder Cooley at 6:30pm along with Karaoke w/ Cowboy Casey upstairs at 8:30pm check it out

Casa Susanna, Leeds - Dinner with Efrén Hernández & Jocelyn Ueng at 5:30pm RSVP

The Pines, Mt. Tremper - Music Night with Echo Rhythm Band giddy up

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Queer Trivia Night and Celtic and Americana folk performances by Folk'en Shanties and Malerie Day, fun starts at 7pm have fun

THURSDAY 3RD

Harana, Accord - Cinegang, a Filipino Cinema and Soup Event, the movie is TBA at 7:30pm love it

Big Eddy Brewing Co, Narrowsburg - Plot & Plan: A Free Community Garden Workshop from 5:30-7:30pm get dirty

Beacon Movie Theatre, Beacon - Laugh it Up Comedy Club presents All Stars at 6pm tix

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Leo Kottke at 7pm tix

Hudson House & Distillery, Esopus - Mad Hatter Bingo enjoy

Camp Kingston, Kingston - Upstate Color April Monthly Happy Hour from 6-9pm check it out

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - On the Fly Story Slam: Coming Of Age at 6:30pm more info

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown - Trivia at the Tap House from 6-8pm cheers

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Queer Line Dancing at 7:30pm details

FRIDAY 4TH

Belvedere Inn, Stamford - Reopening Party with DJ Gray at 6pm have fun

Bushel, Delhi - Farming with Trees along with The Forest Exchange, Wellspring Forest Farm, and The Catskills Agrarian Alliance from 4-6pm RSVP

Common Good, Ellenville - Terri Thal, Bob Dylan’s first managed will be promoting her book “My Greenwich Village: Dave, Bob, and me” at 7:30pm check it out

Starlite Motel, Kerhonkson - Catskill Cocktail Club mixing up drinks along with food from Hecho Por Julia from 5-10pm enjoy

Phoenicia Playhouse, Phoenicia - Celebrate Women’s History Month with RESPECT: This One’s for the Girls (Fri / Sat 7:00pm - Sun 2:00 & 1:00pm) tix

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge - Translucent Borders Weekend 2025 (until April 6) tix

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Midnight North at 8pm tickets

Kleinert/James Center for the Arts, Woodstock - Byrdcliffe First Friday at 7:30pm details

Athens Cultural Center, Athens - In This Moment at 5pm (until April 27) details

Main Street & Bridge Street, Catskill - Catskill First Friday at 4:30pm more info

SATURDAY 5TH

West Kill Brewing, West Kill - Antler Shed Hunting 101 at 11am big buck hunter

Doolittle’s, Fleischmanns - Celebrate their 1 Year from 6-9pm cheers

Catskill Forest Association, Arkville - Wild Game Potluck Dinner from 5-8pm enjoy

Left Bank Ciders, Catskill - Patchwork Tulip Pop-Up from 2-6pm spring has sprung

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Queer Honky Tonk at 7pm check it out

Sullivan Public, Eldred - Photography and art exhibition from 2-6pm more info

Andes Hunting Tavern, Andes - Matrix Planting with Don Stratham at 3pm learn stuff

Pine Hill Community Center, Pine Hill - Live Concert with Jaketown Road at 7pm info

Andes Hotel, Andes - CATCH Art Auction preview reception, artist meet and great, and some drinks from 1-5pm

Catskill Brewery, Livingston Manor - Fly Fishing Opening Day Celebration with Theodore Godron Fly Fishers and Catskill Fly Tyers Guild from 12-6pm tight lines

Catskill Fly Fishing Museum, Livingston Manor - Opening Day Celebration from 10am-4pm details

Hunter Mountain, Hunter - Rescheduled: The Annual Denim Dash Pond Skim from 9am-2pm rip it up

Lost Book Shop, Delhi - The Raging Erie, Life and Labor Along the Erie Canal with Mark Ferrara from 6-7:30pm cool

Orpheum Performing Arts Center, Tannersville - The Scattering, or the Light performance by Emily Coates at 2pm tix

SUNDAY 6TH

Sunshine Colony, Livingston Manor - Sunday Flicks: The Last Waltz at 6pm enjoy

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge - Animal Tracks & Traces from 1-3pm details

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Upstate Composers Orchestra at 7:30pm details

Thomas Cole, Catskill - The 2025 Cole Fellows' Presentations from 2-4pm cool

Hotel Lilien, Tannersville - Weekly Jazz Series with Lillimure from 5:30-7:30pm

The Local, Saugerties - From Near and Far: Trio Fadolín at 5pm tix

White Feather Farm, Saugerties - Kundalini Yoga, Meditation + Gong Immersion with HariPrakaash more info

MONDAY 31ST

🦗 

Scramble Answer: GINSENG