The Beaver Kill originates from two separate mountain springs in the town of Hunter—one in a rocky notch between Plateau and Sugarloaf mountains, the other is on the western face of Twin Mountain. From inside the earth, water wells up and forms surface pools that gather as they trickle south down the mountainsides. The two branches converge in Mink Hollow. and continue for over 12 miles through Woodstock and Shandaken before joining the Esopus Creek.
Part of the Ashokan watershed, the Beaver Kill supplies drinking water to New York City residents. These waters are also the home to wild native brook trout.
Each spring, I hike the Mink Hollow trail and look for brookies. This year, runoff from late winter storms has created a series of small pools near the stream’s main channel. Because of snowmelt from the mountain slopes, the water temperature measures 40 degrees even as the outdoor thermometer climbs towards 70. Emerging buds are still tight. Few birds are singing. The first insects have yet to hatch, but the trout are stirring.
My eye catches a shadow in the chartreuse-tinted water of a side pool. It’s a trout! From above, its dark olive reticulated dorsal back blends with the pebbles, waterlogged sticks and leaves. Overflow from the main stream probably swept the fish and debris into this sandstone indentation.
The trout appears trapped. Its feathery gills, coated with small plates that latch on to oxygen molecules dissolved in the cold water, need a steady flow of water to breathe. Without flowing water, the trout will suffocate and die. But if I catch the fish, I can deposit it in the main channel in a matter of seconds.
I flick a small Quill Gordon fly into the middle of the pool. With its scarf of bluish hackle, body of alternating brown and tan stripes, and distinctive forked tail, Quill Gordon resembles Epeorus pleuralis, the first mayfly to hatch in spring. The fly sits quietly on the surface. The trout ignores it. Brook trout are wary of aberrations from the life cycle of their main food source. Since mayflies aren’t hatching from beneath the rocks and swimming to the surface to dry their wings, this imposter can’t be a mayfly.
I tie on a Prince nymph. This pattern is an attractor not meant to resemble any fly species. Its beaded head will weigh the fly down so it sinks. Its tinseled body, white wings, and wispy tail are designed to get a trout’s attention. I slingshot the nymph into the pool’s near side. It cartwheels in sparkles through the clear water and lands gently on the pool bottom.
I look back at the trout. It’s gone! Spooked, perhaps, by the nymph? I scan the sticks and leaves in the pool bed. Nothing. I glance back at my nymph to find the trout only inches away staring intently at the nymph’s tail. The trout raises its nose, opens its lower jaw. Water and the nymph flow in. I twitch my wrist and the line goes tight as the hook sets. The rod bends slightly. I ready the net.
The four-inch brook trout emerges from the pool. Its orange sides blaze in the air. With a flick of its tail, the trout’s muscles ripple upward to its head. I watch as the trout’s body magically swims up the line. With a wriggle of its head, it dislodges the barbless hook of the nymph. This quiet pool is just fine for the brook trout, and I am no savior. It splashes into the cool water and disappears.
My laughter fills the hollow. No wonder New York City’s water tastes so good.
During the first week of April, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Spring 2025 Trout Stocking began in Hunter, Saugerties, and Woodstock. This means a total of 6,500 hatchery-raised brown trout ranging from 8 to 15 inches were released in Hunter, Saugerties, and Woodstock.
Locations of the stream sections where the stocking took place are publicly available on the DEC’s website via an interactive map, which also provides information on public access points for fishing.
In Hunter, trout were stocked in portions of the Schoharie Creek running along Main Street. In Saugerties, trout were released in the Plattekill Creek just north of the Blue Mountain Reservoir. In Woodstock, trout were released near the Comeau Property located in the middle of town.
A long hike through a remote hollow is not necessary for fishing in the Catskills, but patience is suggested. In addition, a fishing license for anglers 16 and older is required, and everyone must obey posted signs on private property.
Editor’s note: Bennet Ratcliff is the partner of The Overlook co-founder Jacqueline Kellachan.