Spring is here, and so are the signs of spring. If you go out in the mornings, it might be a bit noisier with increased bird calls and drumming from woodpeckers. More robins are apparent on lawns and … more

I met Frank Mele one late April day along the East Branch of the Delaware. He was standing at the guardrail along Route 30, looking at the river as I approached. It was Hendrickson time in the … more

You never know when a natural wonder might wander into your awareness. While I was washing dishes at the kitchen sink, movement outside the window caught my attention. There on the ground was a … more

I might or might not have mentioned in past articles that the house we currently reside in is subject to occasional basement flooding. In the first few months we were here, there was a … more

As I write this column, it is windy and snowing; the forecast is for up to 14 inches of snow before the storm ends. Yet today, the 14th of March, I am thinking of spring. On this day, three years … more

Every year as winter begins to wane, and the snowdrops bloom, my thoughts turn to fishing and for some reason, seasons past. In my formative years, when trout fishing became a weekly pastime, … more

With the impending arrival of spring, animal activity is increasing throughout the Upper Delaware River region. While March 20 heralds the official arrival of this most welcome season, there are … more

Although it might not have happened in March, in the sudden stillness of the snowed-in season, I find myself reflecting on a few fond memories in hopes to keep their stories alive. As I was … more

The last Sunday in February was a mild, sunny day that started out calm. But as the afternoon wore on, a southwest breeze filled in and created little dust devils near the ground. It was a nice … more

When I begin tying flies, the folks who mentored me followed the Catskill School. By that, I mean that they subscribed to the techniques used by the Darbees and Dettes, by Rube Cross and Art Flick, … more

When you’re as involved in hunting and fishing and outdoors as we are as a family, you’re bound to be exposed to a few of the side businesses that go along with the larger ones. My … more

Behind my home rises a great mother tree, a towering and majestic Eastern hemlock, whose home this was long before I joined her here. Her mass rises from where it enters the earth, the place … more

Winter is a good time to go birding, even if you would think it’s not. more

As an angler more than a student while at the University of Montana, I was always looking for a new adventure. So when my friend Ed told me that steelheads were in the Salmon River, my ears perked up. more

Looking for a good day trip to ditch those winter doldrums? Pack a picnic and your favorite hiking pals—people or pups—into your vehicle of choice and head to nearby Ulster County, NY, where you can access the terrific Ashokan Rail Trail (ART) and take in sweeping views of the Ashokan Reservoir. Get a decent dose of revitalizing fresh air, stretch and strengthen your winter-weary body, all while experiencing breathtaking scenes of water, sky and forested landscapes. more

I’m not terribly sure how to view the pastime of photography anymore. more

From what I’m reading, hearing and observing in the field, there is consensus that mayflies worldwide are in decline.  more

Pennsylvania was once home to a small animal that resembled a mink or a weasel. When settlers arrived in the 1600s, they observed these mammals in the forests of PA.  more

Writing is a lot like skinning a beaver. It takes some preparation, some time invested, and diligent follow-up to make it all worthwhile.  more

In my first River Talk column of the new year, I set a goal to loosen my grip on what I perceive to be “reality,” based on sensory experiences. more