RIVER TOWNS & HOW TO GUIDES

Welcome back — I hope you’re having a great day! No preamble or ramblings today, we’re just going to jump right in. Enjoy and reach out anytime to say hi.

On Catskill rivers and streams there is one knot that can handle it all, from wild brookies, to big browns, and the rainbows that fight for every inch. It’s what 99% of anglers use when rigging up and for good reason.

The Improved Clinch Knot is one of the most useful knots in all of fishing — it’s simple, reliable, and fast. If you only learn one knot, let it be this one.

A How to Tie Guide:

That’s it. Like I said, simple and effective. But here's the thing about knots — you need to be able to tie them in the dark, in the cold, with numb fingers, while standing in waist deep water during winter wondering just what the hell you’re doing out there. That only comes with practice my friends.

So grab some tippet, tie a few improved clinch knots at home, or whenever you have a spare minute. The muscle memory will pay off when you're on the water and the light is fading and the fish are rising. Tight lines.

I spent last week packing and shipping the first edition of the puzzle and Catskill-opoly boards. Appreciate everyone that grabbed a game. You all rock!

P.S. we broke my local USPS record for most packages shipped in 24 hours (I was the previous record holder).

I’m keeping the free shipping going, so if you want to grab one, or both, use the link below.

CREW CONTRIBUTOR

If you haven’t explored the towns along the Delaware River in Sullivan County yet, well, time to hop to it. The river makes an incredible backdrop, and there are more and more great places to shop and eat every day.

Barryville and Narrowsburg are about a 20-minute (very beautiful) drive apart, making it easy to explore both. Shoutout to Jessica Maloney - Narrowsburg native - for a lot of these tips.

River trips
Let’s get to the good stuff first! Landers River Trips, Indian Head Canoes, and Reber River Trips offer incredible river adventures. You can float or paddle to enjoy the scenery, do a little whitewater rafting, or book party rafts and tie your tubes together for a day of sun and fun.

Swimming
One of the most scenic places to swim or sunbathe anywhere has to be Skinner’s Falls. Lake Superior Beach also has a small public area along with kayak, canoe, and paddleboat rentals on a 1,400-acre non-motorized lake (aka quiet and clean!).

Hiking
Tusten Mountain Trail, between Narrowsburg and Barryville, is a moderate 3-mile trail with great views at the top. If you like your nature chill, Mongaup River Walk is fairly flat and around 2 miles.

Eating
In Narrowsburg, everything mentioned has river views and outdoor seating: The Heron, a longtime favorite, farm-to-table with a great brunch. La Cigogne, which serves fantastic Alsatian food (think French and German) and has beautiful interiors. The Laundrette for pizza and cocktails that always hit. Tusten Cup, a cafe with lots of great options for breakfast and lunch. In Barryville, you’ve got River’s Edge, Barryville Oasis with great food, live music and dance parties. And we can’t forget Hungry Goat, the cafe and ice cream stand with a huge menu.

Drinking
Coffee first: Stickett Inn in Barryville and 2 Queens in Narrowsburg are must-stops. Now that I’m energized - cocktails (or wine, beer, local cider) are always second, and most of the restaurants above serve great ones. Bar Veloce has a great happy hour and wine selection, River’s Edge “makes one hell of a martini” says Jess, and Stickett Inn’s got their own cider plus cocktails and snacks. Cochecton Pump House, in an open-air shell of a brick building from 1879, is a super scenic spot for drinks, snacks, and events - most involving dancing.

Shopping
Narrowsburg has a weirdly high number of special vintage, antique, and home good shops, some founded by interior designers. Faves include, Maison Bergogne, Velvet Maple, Madame Fortuna, and Tinker and Edge. Also be sure to check out One Grand Books and Wise Peony, a lovely plant shop. In or near Barryville you have Cottage Wine Shop (organic, biodynamic, vegan wines), River Town Sound (vintage vinyl), Bad Goods Vintage, Sullivan Public (ceramics, vintage, and homegoods) and Hall Space (ceramics and gallery) - plus Barryville Emporium and Clobr (men’s clothing), if I’ve got time.

Farmer’s Markets
Both towns have fun and beautiful riverside farmer’s markets - live music, food vendors, local goods, and great people.

Listings
If this sounds like your vibe, we’ve got listings! A striking new build in Narrowsburg, a vintage restaurant/bar/motel + 2 apartments and an historic riverfront home in Barryville, and a fixer upper with large pond in Bethel.

Enjoy! - Megan Brenn-White, Associate Broker and Head of the Upstate Curious Team at Compass

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 34,000 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.

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.

Catskill Mountain Shakespeare is staging Romeo & Juliet this July — with only five performances remaining. Set against the backdrop of the Catskills and performed outdoors, this production brings new energy to one of the greatest love stories ever told. Tickets are on sale now.

Adopt Pets: Got a couple new friends for you this week, Tandi a sweet 4 year old mystery breed, Tulip the 2 month old kitten, and Jack the guinea pig.

House of the Week: Came across a mountain gem, Rose of the Catskills, a two bed, one bath with a boutique inn and restaurant. It’s across from the Esopus, so probably a good idea to turn it into a fly fishing lodge.

The Sky Report: On the evening of July 26th, you’ve got a rare chance to spot asteroid 2 Pallas from your backyard — just look between the bright stars Alpha and Gamma Delphini in the constellation Delphinus. Pallas was the second asteroid ever discovered and is the third largest in our Solar System. It is believed to be a leftover protoplanet from the early days of planetary formation.

Sunrise 5:41 AM
Sunset 8:24 PM
Fire Danger [low]
Air Quality [moderate]
Moon Phase [waning crescent]

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The Print House, Fleischmanns - Village Social, a happy hour for a cause with raffles, music, and good times from 5-8pm

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Live music with Cheer-Accident, Infantephant, and Grocer at 8pm details

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Hot Water Music at 6:30pm tix

Catskill Center, Mt. Tremper - Catskills Nature Explorers: Discovering Songbirds at 10:30am for the kiddos

Tubby's, Kingston - Country Dj Night With Dj Whippoorwill at 6pm go see my buddy spin vinyl

Mountain View Studio, Woodstock - Wine and Attention: Tasting with the Senses with Sacred Pour at 6pm tix

Impact Concerts, Assembly - Performance by Bonny Light Horseman along with Al Olender at 8pm get a ticket

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

The Pines, Mt. Tremper - Music Night with Peg 'n Awl at 7pm

Clemson Bros Brewery, Middletown - Unhinged Speed Dating at 6pm single people

Bridge Street Theatre, Catskill - South: A Nautical Musical at 7:30pm looks sweet

Tinker Street Tavern, Woodstock - Major Mayhem Karaoke at 8pm sing it

Lost Book Shop, Delhi - Workshop: Let's Make Books About Cows at 6pm more book events please

Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville - Qigong Class with Olympia Ward at 2:30pm never tried it before

Phoenicia Playhouse, Phoenicia - Musical: Bye Bye Birdie at 7pm (until July 27) details

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Balkan Night at 7pm tix

Angelo Canna Park, Cairo - The Greene County Youth Fair 2025 lets goooo

Catskill Mountain Railroad, Kingston - Twilight Limited Special Train Ride at 7:30pm all aboard

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel - Performance by Cyndi Lauper at 7:30pm girls just wanna have fun

Skate Time, Accord - July Adult Skate at 8pm

Big Eddy Brewing Co, Narrowsburg - Live music with Eddie Seber to celebrate the opening anniversary at 6pm

Tinker Street Tavern, Woodstock - Live music with Public Water Supply at 8pm

Park Theatre, Hudson - When the Titanic Sank They Still Played Music at 8pm tix

Opus 40, Saugerties - Yoga on the Rocks at 9:30am get loose

White Feather Farm, Saugerties - Soil Fest 2025 at 10am register

Catskill Center, Wallkill - July Birding Walk at 10am info

Borscht Belt Museum, Ellenville - Borscht Belt Fest 2025 at 10am today and tomorrow

Maple Shade Farm, Delhi - Cannabliss in the Catskills at 11am two days long

Margaretville - 150th Block Party at 4pm take a look

Pine Hill Community Center, Pine Hill - Terry Radigan Concert at 7pm details

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

Arrowood Farms, Accord - Drive-By Truckers & Deer Tick at 5pm nice

Widow Jane Mine, Rosendale - Taiko Masala Concert at 3pm looks very cool

Griffin House, Palenville - Good Life market and party at 12pm more info

Seminary Hill, Callicoon - Pickling and Preserving at 3pm pickles

Gilboa Museum, Gilboa - Land & Water art show opening reception at 6pm details

Art Omi, Ghent - Let’s Build Together: A Community Barn Raising build

Arthur’s Acres, Parksville - Movie Night at 6pm get out there

Artport Kingston, Kingston - Community Concert with Hot Wrk Ensemble at 2pm more info

Night School, Athens - Bluegrass Slow Jam at 6pm

MAC Grounds, Fleischmanns - 19th Century Baseball: Hamden Nine at 2pm have fun

Narrowsburg - 35th Annual Fest from 10am-4pm enjoy

Artport Kingston, Kingston - Eco-Art Workshop for the the youth at 2pm kiddos

Neversink River, Claryville - Craft Co-Op at 10am 2554 Frosy Valley Rd

Ashokan Center, Olivebridge - Family Camp 2025 (until Aug 1) family time