As I was compiling the fly fishing information for the Willowemoc Creek, I happened to come across the web site for the Catskill Fly Fishing and Center Museum I was amazed to learn that there was a Catskill Fly Fishing and Center and Museum existing right in downtown Livingston Manor.
I had lived in upstate New York and traveled old Rt 17 and the new expressway from Binghamton to New York City many times, often stopping at Roscoe to have lunch or at Liberty for bagels from Katz Bakery or Livingston Manor for a break. However, I did not get to enjoy a visit to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor because I moved to Charlotte, NC in January of 1979. They did not purchase any property along the Willowemoc until 1982 and the award winning, state-of-the-art museum to honor the heroes of the sport and expresses the lore and lure of fly fishing did not open its doors until 1985.
In their own words, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, collects, cares for, interprets, and displays angling equipment, art, and artifacts in a way that explains the traditions and techniques of the sport of fly fishing. They also conduct educational programs in river ecology, angling history, streamcraft, including fishing etiquette, fly tying, fly casting, aquatic entomology, and stream improvement.
Their web site contains a description of the types of trout waters, a daily fishing report, their history, a program listing, a gallery, gift shop, and much more. On my next trip to the great old Empire State, I will be sure to stop by their museum, but until then I will continue to check out their web site.