The Return of the Fisher – A Catskills Comeback Story

THE RETURN OF THE FISHER

In the rugged landscape of the Catskills, few tales of ecological recovery are as compelling as the return of the fisher. This elusive predator, agile hunter, and member of the weasel family, tells a story of environmental transformation that mirrors the mountains themselves.

The 1800s devastated the Catskills. Settlers arrived with axes and ambition, clearing forests for farms and timber. While the tanneries stripped hemlock bark from millions of trees leaving behind a damaged landscape. Combined with the pressure of trappers seeking its valuable fur, the fisher lost its habitat and was pushed to local extinction. By the early 1900s, the species had disappeared from the region.

But nature, as it turns out, is remarkably resilient.

As industrial pressures receded, abandoned farms slowly transformed into dense second-growth forests. The landscape was healing, but the fisher needed help to reclaim its territory. Enter the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), who saw an ecosystem out of balance.

In 1976, biologists recognized the growing populations of prey animals lacking a key predator. Their solution was bold: between 1976 and 1979, they carefully trapped 43 fishers from robust Adirondack and Vermont populations and strategically released them across the Catskills.

By the mid-1980s, tracks in fresh snow told the story of the fisher's successful return. Fishers once again stalked the forest, hunting squirrels, rabbits, mice, and even porcupines with their legendary skills. The DEC's confidence in their recovery was so strong that by 1985, they authorized limited trapping—a clear sign of the species' comeback.

Today, spotting a fisher remains uncommon (and in my opinion, a good omen). Their successful reintroduction demonstrates how targeted conservation efforts can restore an ecosystem. The fisher's return isn't just a wildlife success story—it's a testament to careful management and habitat restoration.

The Catskills have always been a landscape of resilience, where nature finds a way to push back, heal, and ultimately thrive.

PUZZLE

The puzzle has arrived. It now sits in the hands of several Crew Members who have bravely volunteered as tribute for testing, and who seem surprisingly unbothered by the challenge. They are proven, battle tested, and ready.

Once I get the full report, we will either pull the trigger to manufacturer, update the design (because it is as difficult as it looks), or start fresh. Now, let us have a moment of silence for those brave puzzlers.

REPORT

ADOPT PETS

Let me introduce you to Oreo, a Fox Terrier Chihuahua mix, a shy and simple fella that just wants treats and some car rides. Then we have Annie Oakley, little is known of this 6 year old fur ball. And last but not least, we got Bobby, a 2 year old guinea pig.

LAND 

Going with a rustic vibe this week - the place is covered head to toe in pine, fir, and birch. Located in Saugerties, it’s sitting on 1.6 acres and clocks in at 1,800 sqft. Could I ask for 100 more acres? Yes. Can I ask for the price tag to be cut by ¾? You bet. But it’s still fun to look and sure beats scrolling social media.

THE BULLETIN

I’m excited to announce the launch of “The Bulletin”, an old-timey way for our fellow Crew Members to get the word out about their businesses, their projects, their needs, or to just say hi to 23,000 friends. Interested in grabbing a poster, lets chat.

The Forest Exchange: Delaware County nursery specializing in trees and shrubs for food production, climate resilience, and habitat creation. Bare root plants available until April 5. Plants can be shipped directly to you or you can pick them up on-farm in Jefferson. Order online @ theforestexchange.com and get 15% off with discount code: catskillcrew

GAME

Want a Featured Event with a poster, reach out and say hi.

TUESDAY 18TH

Assembly, Kingston - Christian McBride & Ursa Major at 8pm get a tix

Keegan Ales, Kingston - Trivia at 5:30pm

The Local, Saugerties - A Life in Music: Producer Joe Boyd discusses his acclaimed new book “And the Roots of Rhythm Remain” at 7pm details

Tinker Street Cinema, Woodstock - Tinker Street Video Vault at 7pm vote

Tubby's, Kingston - LODO (release show) and Kim Anderson from 7-11pm info

WEDNESDAY 19TH

Hemlock, Catskill - Food pop up with Stephanie Skiadas (formerly of Gaskins) from 5-9pm check it out

The Pines, Mt. Tremper - Music Night with Adam Traum from 7-9pm

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Sir Echo, Belle and Chain, and Noele Flowers at 8pm info

Colony, Woodstock - The Bob Cats in the Ballroom at 7pm

The Local, Saugerties - Mystical Music of Armenia: Naghash Ensemble at 7pm looks cool

The Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale - WTF Wednesdays: The Fifth Element at 7:30pm what a film

THURSDAY 20TH

Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville - Seed Rematriation: Reconnecting Plants & their People with Shiloh Maples (Webinar) from 6-7:30pm register

Camp Kingston, Kingston - March Monthly UPCO Happy Hour from 6-9pm sip sip

Hotel Kinsley, Kingston - Jazz Night from 7-9pm cheers

Senate Garage, Kingston - Hudson Valley Venture Hub, startup pitch showcase night 5:30-8:30pm shark tank

Rock da Casbah, Saugerties - Music performance with Zach GL Fischer and special guests Joel Alter and Kevin Cunningham from 6pm-9pm

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

The Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale - Bill Brooks’ Remarkable Rosendale Postcard and Photo Show at 7pm info

Skate Time, Accord - Thursday Adult Nite Lite from 6-9pm have fun

Doctorow Theater, Hunter - Independent Film Series: Good One from 6pm-8pm tix

Belvedere Inn, Stamford - Bonnie and Roy's Trivia Take Over at 7pm info

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown - Trivia Thursday’s from 6-8pm

Lost Book Shop, Delhi - Book Discussion: The Man Who Fell to Earth from 6-7:30pm read more books

Babblers Restaurant and Bakery, Windham - Babblers Chef Takeover Featuring Chef Difalco of Jessie's Harvest House details

FRIDAY 21ST

Assembly Kingston, Kingston - Severance: Finale of Season Two Watching Experience with a jazz dance-off and food by Phoenicia Diner (aka Pips) and Eng’s (Zufu) at 6pm am i the only one who hasn’t seen this show yet

Darlings, Tillson - Girl Scout Cookies from Troop 60051 from 4-8pm i’m a thin mints kinda guy

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Performance by The Feelies at 7pm tix

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Live music with Meshell Ndegeocello at 8pm get a ticket

Left Bank Ciders, Catskill - Northern Reading Spy Series with Anna Moschovakis and Ethan Rutherford at 6:30pm read more

Citiot, Catskill - The Ultimate Charcuterie Social Mixer — this is a literal ALL YOU CAN EAT charcuterie board event at 6pm prosciutto

Lady Oddfellows Temple, Saugerties - The Goddess Party at 8pm info

Union Grove Distillery, Arkville - Spring-themed trivia at 6:00pm

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - The Eras Hangover: A Swiftie Dance Party With Dj Mk Ultramatic at 8pm have fun

Temple Shiro, Stamford - Spring Equinox Sound Ceremony at 5:05pm details

SATURDAY 22ND

The Willows, Athens - Ice Age Origins with geology duo Robert and Johanna Titus at 2pm more rocks more geology more books

Catskill Center, Mount Tremper - Amphibian Migration Workshop from 12-2pm love it

Rough Draft, Kingston - Celebrate World Water Day with the Hudson River Watershed Alliance from 4-6pm good stuff

1053 Gallery, Fleischmanns - New Exhibition: Exit’s Tragedy from 4-7pm check it out

The Open Eye Theater, Margaretville - The Ballad Tree at 6pm learn more

Dette Flies, Livingston Manor - Beginner Entomology dry fly season is nearly here

Krause Recital Hall, Narrowsburg - Resounding Women: Music of Chaminade, Clarke, and Shaw at 2pm details

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Catskill Emo Night at 8pm moody

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Mighty Mystic at 7pm tix

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - An Evening with Ida & Tsunami at 8pm info

Assembly, Kingston - LaMP (Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger, Ray Paczkowski) at 8pm tix

Tubby's, Kingston - Cowboy Sadness and Ezra Feinberg at 7pm details

SUNDAY 23RD

Old Factory Brewing Company, Cairo - Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for Greene County Animal Alliance from 8-11am good stuff

Mountain Top Arboretum, Tannersville - Carla Rhodes: From Comedy to Conservation from 1-2:30pm info

Phoenicia Playhouse, Phoenicia - Documentary Film: Rails To The Catskills with Q&A by filmmaker Tobe Carey at 1:30pm very cool

Hunter Mountain, Hunter - Hunter Cup Race Series Final check it out

Unicorn Bar, Kingston - Queer Classics Book Club: Stone Butch Blues 6pm-8pm info 

West Kill Brewing, West Kill - Imorsi Pizza Truck And 'go All In' Benefit cheers

Athens Cultural Center, Athens - Healing Sound Bath from 5:30-6:45pm zen out

Ommegang Brewery, Cooperstown - Sunday Brunch Bingo from 10:15-1pm bingo

MONDAY 24TH

Foxfire Mountain House, Mount Tremper - Extended happy hour fun from 4-6pm with specials on food and drinks

Catskill Brewery, Catskill - Open Mic Night at 6pm have fun

The Local, Saugerties - Tarta Relena: New Polyphonic Folk from the Mediterranean and beyond at 7pm details

Scramble Answer: BALD EAGLE