Fish a legendary Catskill stream for wild brook trout with an expert fishing guide. 

Learn everything you need to chase the beautiful, wild, and delicious native Catskill brook trout, then hit the water to practice. The guides will be walking the water’s edge, offering tips and instructions throughout the day and pointing out the best spots to fish, assisting with gear, tangles and (hopefully) landing and cleaning & cooking your catch! Beginners most welcome and encouraged to join!

No experience or fishing equipment is necessary (we'll provide both!) but a valid fishing license is required, which can be purchased from the DEC here., for as little as $5 for a 1 day pass

We'll choose the date and then we'll work with you to fine tune the details of the day to your specifications; start time, menu, destination, and more. Unlike our pre-scheduled trips, there is no minimum to these trips to go out. We can add round trip transportation via minvan or 15 person van. 

Trip stats

🥾 Less than 0.5mi hike to the stream, up to 2 miles streamside walking while fishing 
⛰️ Minimal elevation gain
🧭 All levels welcome

Your Guide:

Your instructor will be Dave, an expert, local, licensed fishing guide with an intimate knowledge of the waters, ecosystems, and fish in the region and decades of experience as a guide and instructor. He founded Destination Backcountry in 2011 and has since grown it into NY’s largest wilderness guide service. Press highlights include full length features on the Today Show, camping with Megyn Kelly;  in the WSJ, for his signature ADAPT survival methodology, and more. Groups larger than 4 will have a second guide/instructor.

A Catskills local, he lives in a log cabin in the forest that he and his daughters share with the fairies

Curriculum:

We'll begin with a primer on fish behavior to predict where they might be and what they might respond to based on time of day, weather, lunar cycle, insect activity, etc. We'll teach the physics and technique of casting and demonstrate knots and basics rigs as we help set up your rods.

We'll then head to the stream to learn how to "read the water" to predict where the fish are, then cast to them. For the day. we'll walk the streams edge as far as a mile in either directions and the guides will be walking the water’s edge with instruction and advice throughout the day, assisting with gear, tangles and (hopefully) cleaning & cooking your catch!

What's Included?

🧀 Lunch: We will provide a healthy, gourmet lunch and snacks during our adventure. We offer vegetarian and vegan options, and we’re happy to accommodate any dietary and allergy needs.

🎣 All fishing gear

🔥We will have the option to responsibly harvest any legally sized fish that are caught to cook on site over a fire with lemon and herbs, and perhaps even some wild onions. You may also safely take them home i 

Schedule

Your choice to start at anytime between 7am-1pm. Times below based on a 10 am start time for reference

10am   - meet at - Roaring Kill Trailhead for introductions, instructions, hot beverages & snacks, head to the water
~10:30 - streamside instruction.
~11:15 - guided & independent practice & fishing. 
~noon  - lunch available
3:45pm - return to the trailhead

Destination

🎣 Our lesson will take place in the protected wilderness of the Catskill Forest Preserve , fishing one of the Catskills legendary gorgeous brooks, far from other humans for an intimate fishing experience. The location above is a possibility, as are a dozen others within a 20 minute drive of there. We'll choose the best destination based on conditions at the time and let you know well in advance 

Must have
💧 2, 1-liter water bottles
🎽 Wear: Comfortable, breathable clothes. Standard workout clothes are great.
🥾 Footwear: Sturdy sneakers, trail runners, or hiking boots. An extra pair is a good idea
🧣A few extra layers of clothes for breaks. Extra socks!

Good to have
🌧️ Rain shell
🕶️ Sunglasses
🧢 Hat