Digging Out

Tommy Healy sent me the first two photos (thanks for sharing Tommy!) and I took the last one. That picture is for all the folks from Roxmor. I know your driveway is in there somewhere! Yes, those are the gates to the colony! I figure you will find them in a month or so. (Just kidding!)

Report from the Valley

I took the photos below over the course of the last few days. I tried to show you all how deep the snow is up here. The first photo is the Giant Ledge trailhead parking lot. The second photo is the recycling station at the campground.

As of last night the phones are back on, hopefully they will stay that way. Some of the valley got power back again last night. I still do not have it. NYSEG is out there again today working on it. Let's hope it comes back on later.

The driveways that I pass on my way to town are beginning to be cleared. My plow guy came with his backhoe and got my driveway open all the way to the house.

In news of the broader town my friend in Mt. Tremper hasn't had phone or power since Thursday. Phoenicia itself has had power and phone on and off. Right now it is on.

Road conditions seem to be improving. And as I said yesterday it is a blessing that the temperatures are in the high 20s to low 30s. The snow seems to be melting down each day. I just wish we could get one bright sunny day to melt it faster. But those without power should feel better that with the temperatures being where they are there is less of a chance of pipes freezing in houses without heat.

All in all things aren't too bad. The snow has really never stopped though. It is falling lightly today and now the weather channels are calling for another bigger storm on Wednesday. I guess we will see. I will keep you posted!

Rough Conditions

So sorry that I haven't kept all of you up to date on the weather. Power and phone have been out in the valley all day. I actually haven't had any power since Thursday although I have had phone until now. The previous couple of blog entries you see were things that I had pre-scheduled. Right now I am blogging in Sweet Sue's. They were kind enough to let me sit here and use their WiFi. Conditions in the valley are challenging. I would say we have gotten somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-6 feet of snow (total from both storms). The good part is that that it has already melted down a bit. The bad part is that to keep the road clear the plows have made the banks on the side very high and it is a strenuous dig just to clear a place to put your car.

A lot of the driveways have not been plowed. Those of us who hire people who also work for the town have had to wait because the town guys have been working non-stop. I am sure they would plow us if they could get a few hours off but I since the snow hasn't stopped in days I am sure they haven't been off work in a while. Other folks have had problems with their trucks. This snow is very deep and heavy and I am hearing that several people have broken down.

The WV road conditions are better at the beginning of the road then at the end. Everything up to about Fawn Hill is pretty clear. After that it gets more challenging. Up around my house WV road becomes essentially one lane. There are downed tree limbs everywhere. There was a lot of snow hanging in the trees this morning but there is less now. The upside of that (I am a Pollyanna at heart) was that the valley was breathtakingly beautiful this morning. The downside is that the trees are leaning on the power lines and over the road. Their limbs are breaking and falling, making a big mess.

If you decide to come this way I would make sure you talk to your plow guy/gal and check to see if they have done your driveway. I would also bring a shovel to get from the driveway to the house and for clearing steps. It helps to have one with you.

In a little bit of news from the broader town I heard this morning that the snow has collapsed at least part of the roof of the Phoenicia Diner.

I also just heard that we are expecting another storm on Wednesday. Yipes!! When this weather is all over I would recommend those of you who can't get to the valley yourselves send someone to check on your house.

I will post more about the conditions and some additional photos as soon as I have another chance.

Dennis Havel - Raven

The photo below is another sent by Dennis Havel from his 'Through the Window' series.

"Shot of large raven taken at 30' at 450mm through window glass. This is the same raven that snatched up the mole in the other shot."
- Dennis

Dennis Havel - Mole

Dennis Havel sent up this photo. It is one in his continuing 'Through The Window' Series.

"Shot of mole 30' away at 450mm through window glass. A few moments after this shot was taken, a huge raven swooped down and grabbed the mole for lunch."
- Dennis

In Deep

There has been somewhere between 2 and 3 feet of snow from this storm and it still hasn't stopped coming down. It is very hard to figure out exactly how much has fallen this time because there was so much left from the last one. If you add this fresh powder to the 2 feet already on the ground we have somewhere around 5 feet of new accumulation this week. I have never seen anything quite like it!!!! It is the worst situation I can remember. We are running out of places to put the snow. WV road hasn't been plowed in a while. I am sure the highway department is doing there best but Mother Nature just keeps pounding us. There have been intermittent power and phone outages through the night. Right now it is back on again. Let's hope it stays that way. I keep you posted on all developments.

Pounded Again!!!!

We are getting pounded again by this second storm. So far we have had at least another foot of snow (the total for this week is about 3 feet and counting) but it is still coming down like crazy. The roads are bad and, although the highway department is trying, keeping them clear is difficult at this point. It is simply coming down too hard for them to keep up. I just looked at the radar and this storm system is not finished with us so I will keep you posted. So stay in and off the roads if you can.

Anyone who is headed this way for the weekend definitely needs to call someone to plow out your driveway. The snow is wet and heavy. Heart attack snow if ever there was such a thing. Shoveling out your driveway on your own (even if it is small) would be very, very challenging.

More Model T Photos

I received this message from Jay Simpson last week. It is more great Woodland Valley history.

"I found theses two pictures in a separate box that are related to the one I sent you last week. You can get a clear view of the two cars on the bridge. Where was the bridge in Woodland? Perhaps someone will recognize the background. The second photo shows an unknown person to the far left in a black and white cap with the main cast of charters: (L-R) Freddy Stewart, Dave Hillson and Carroll F. Simpson."
- Jay

Meeting Rescheduled

Due to the weather, this Thursday's meeting (2/25) meeting of the Catskill Collaborative to discuss the Rt 28 scenic designation has been rescheduled to next Thursday, March 4, at 6pm at the Pine Hill Community Center.

Pounded!

By my estimate, at this point we have about 21 inches of snow and it is still coming down. The weather stations say that it is supposed to stop by late afternoon. Let's hope they are right. I haven't gone out on the roads yet today but the plow trucks have been up here in the valley several times during the night. Hopefully, WV road is clear. Now I just have to dig my car out enough to reach it. That should be fun! The forecast for tomorrow is for heavy snow again. Get your shovels out people!!

PS - The snow stopped shortly after I posted this message. We got about 22 inches total, a little less as you get down towards town. The roads are clear at this point. It is backbreaking work shoveling this wet, heavy snow!!

Our Turn for A Serious Storm

We have been very lucky with the weather so far this winter but it looks like our luck has run out. It has been snowing all day today. Unfortunately, it is the wet, heavy kind of snow that is very difficult to move. It is collecting on tree branches making them very heavy. This is the kind of snow that can cause broken limbs and power outages. As of this moment we have about 13 inches on the ground and it is not supposed to stop until sometime tomorrow evening. I keep hearing conflicting reports on how much more snow will fall. I guess we will just have to wait and see. I will let you all know. If you are coming this way drive slowly and safely!!

Boreegard's Poetic Message to His Wife

Boreegard sent me this fabulous new poem recently. I thought I would share it with the entire WCA.

Biblio Cabin Fever

Note to wife

It may make no particular sense to you,
Nor is it necessarily meant to—
The order in which I have placed my books on the
Shelves of the library.

I have put them in an intentional sequence,
So that when I want to lay my hands on, say,
The second volume of Gibbon’s Decline and Fall,
Or Shirer’s Rise and Fall, I can do so almost blindfolded.

When the fancy strikes me, I should be able to
Pluck forth in two seconds time, Huck Finn,
(Middle top shelf—third book from the right),
Or Sherlock Holmes chasing the red-eyed hound,
(Bottom shelf—next to all the yearbooks).

In Praise of Trout—and Also me by Paul O’Neil,
With scraps included by his son,
Should fly to my hand,
Like iron filings to an electro magnet.

I can only guess that your unexpected reshufflings
Of the biblioteca are prompted by the same genes,
That require you to move furniture from time to time,
And to have perfectly adequate and innocent,
Rugs and wall coverings divested and replaced utterly.

And while your reordering of my collection,
Surely makes sense to you, (I note that color Schemes
Of dustcovers are often important), It makes my life,
More uncomfortable by far. Where is the Leo Damore book?

The books themselves complain to me. Brer Rabbit is
Unhappy being re-positioned next to Moby Dick,
And Doctor Hunter S. Thompson is speechless, wondering
Why he is now next to John Wilkes Booth (though God knows,
They both had a penchant for drama and fire arms).

In a word, love, and please don’t take this the wrong way,
I would be infinitely obliged if you would leave my books alone.

Boreegard—February 12, 2010

Recollections of Claude Yerry

Below are some memories of Claude Yerry from Woodland Valley camper Bill Horne who was lucky enough to be present when Mr. Yerry talked to the young people at the camp. I have published one of the photos of Mr. Yerry before but I thought that with the addition of these recollections it was worth putting up again. Enjoy the history!
- Carol

"Campers from Camp Woodland met with the Claude Yerry to talk about local history. He was among the many Catskill folk who extended their hospitality and kindness to us campers. The October 22, 2008 posting on the Woodland Valley View has several photos of Claude Yerry. The last is a detail of a photo of a meeting between campers and Claude. The full photo is attached along with a follow up photo of the campers who used information gathered from Claude Yerry to write and perform a small dramatic work about Woodland Valley. Please see the text.

Photo A, taken in the summer of 1952, shows the group meeting with him. I was a member of the group (although not in the frame of the photo) and have a reasonably clear general memory of the meeting. I was impressed with the warmth he showed to us and how we feasted on the stories and lore he shared with us."
- Bill Horne























Test Below Photo:

Gathering Material For A Play

Group 3 spent an evening chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Claude Yerry up Woodland Valley. Mr. Yerry is an old resident of the Valley, and his memory goes back to the bustling old days when the lumber mills and the bluestone quarries still gave many men employment. He told about the Snyder tannery that stood along the Woodland road.

Out of this trip and several others they had taken to Samsonville, the children had reconstructed a picture of the changing valley, from the days of the tanneries through the quarrying period to the present time.






















Text below Photo:

Acting Out The Past

The Children made a play about the history of Woodland Valley, centering their story around an Irish family that emigrated to America to escape the potato famine, and came to work in the Synder tannery. The family experienced the many changes in the valley and finally sold their land to the founders of Camp Woodland.

In this scene the family discusses what to do next, now that the tannery has moved away, due to the exhaustion of the tanbark supply.

Blogmistress Note: I asked Bill Horne where he got these pages. This was his reply to me.

"The photos are from the 1952 Camp Woodland Year Book. Camp Woodland had a year book for almost every summer season. In my 11 summers there I never made it into the yearbook although I came close, as in the Claude Yerry photo."

Thanks for sending us this history Bill.

What's Up with James and Lam Wolf

James Wolf sent me this message about the new Koi frame design he is doing on his Boo Bicycles. James is probably going to kill me for posting all this on the blog. He was just sending the updates to me personally. But I thought that other people in the valley that know James & Lam might be interested to see what they have been up to lately.
- Carol

"Well, I'm finishing the goods for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show...
I gotta hand it to my self, give myself a hand.
Since I seem to be able to handle the busted hand.
Not really getting out of hand, but handy enough, anyway.
Not so punny... sorry
The Bamboo Koi show bike (one of 4 absolute crowd-stunners) is turning out well so far, got past the hard part anyway."

- James


James and his lovely wife Lam also have a band and play music together in Vietnam. Here are some recent photos he sent me of them performing together. They are such a cute couple and they sound as good as they look!!

Input for Rt 28 Scenic By-Way

The Catskill Collaborative will hold its February meeting on Feb.25 at 6PM at the Pine Hill Community Center – Main St in Pine Hill. The main business for the night will be discussion of the designation of Rt 28 as a scenic by-way. Locations in Shandaken (scenic, natural, recreation, cultural and historic) that support the designation will be identified. There will be time for questions, comments and additional locations and suggestions. Please try to attend and give your input. Additional meetings for just Shandaken will be scheduled in the coming months.

Septic Failure

In a little news from Town Hall, it seems that the old septic system in the building has failed. The trouble began last week when the toilets backed up. The bathrooms were immediately closed and situation was investigated. Since there had never been trouble with the plumbing before no one in town hall knew what kind of system was installed or where the pipes and tank (if there was one) were located. After several days of digging and searching the pipe was located. The workers followed it out of the building to discover that there was no tank only a cesspool. It was deemed to be in substandard condition and the town was forced to abandon it. The photo above shows Supervisor Rob Stanley working with the DEP and the members of the highway department to try and sort the matter out. No word yet on what the plans are for remedying the situation. I am sure there will be much discussion among the town board members. I will keep you posted.

Weather for Weekenders - 02/19/10

The weather today is cloudy with intermittent flurries. We had 10 inches of snow from the storm during the week so make sure your plow guy/gal has cleared your driveway before you arrive. The roads are clear so driving shouldn't be a problem. The weather forecast for the weekend is good. Remember (see my last post) to watch your speed on Rt. 28 because the state troopers have been strictly enforcing the limits. Have a great weekend!

Slow Down!!!

In the past couple of months the NY State Troopers have been very diligent about enforcing the speed limits on Rt. 28. I have seen many, many motorists pulled over on the shoulder. Please carefully watch your speed and stay within the posted limits. Otherwise, you may face hefty fines and points on your license. Drive safely!!!

Claude Yerry History Search Continues

A few posts back I published a letter from Claude Yerry's great-grandson Richard Barley. He was looking for anyone with history about his family or about the valley in general. One of the letters I received in response was this one from Jay Simpson. Here is what he had to say.
- Carol

Attached are some pictures that may be of interest. The first one is a variation of the one of the five bears that appeared in the October 22, 2008 edition of the blog. Only this time Claude Yerry is on the left. The person standing on the right with the Winchester is my uncle Carroll F. Simpson (1894-1965). The person with the knife is unknown.

The other two photos are of the 1921 Model T mentioned below. It was very modified and was more of a buggy, but a lot of fun. I drove it myself awhile. The first is on some trail, but I can't say where. The people in the picture are, at left, Dave Hillson, area forest ranger in the 1930s; Freddy Stewart, arms out stretched, and my father, Mickey Simpson (1904-1994). The second picture shows the Model T next to our house in Phoenicia. The women on the left is Alice Dibble, the one on the right is unknown.

I have a lot of unlabeled photos that may contain additional pictures of Claude as I know our family knew him well.

You can see another picture of Dave Hillson at:
http://nysforestrangers.com/rangers-pictorial3.htm
find: (Forest Rangers and Observers, District 6, Fleischmanns)

You can find out more about the Simpson family at www.phoenixtannery.com

- Jay

PS - I just wanted to add that if you look closely at the picture of the Model T between the two trees, you'll see that there was a second one right behind it. Each one only held two people and there was four people involved in the picture. So there must of been two very similar conversions. I don't know who owned the second one. - Jay

This Time We Weren't So Lucky

Although the last several storms basically went around us we didn't get off so easy this time. The snow finally seems to have stopped and we have about 10 inches up at this end of the valley. I think there is slightly less in town but it is hard to tell. Anyway, we got a significant amount. It is light and fluffy kind, but it is a lot. Once again we have to get out the plows and the shovels and dig our way out. Ugh!! I am ready for spring now!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone here in the valley! I always take this day to be grateful for all the things that I love. Woodland Valley is very high on that list! So I am dedicating the above rose to all of the wonderful folk who live here, and to the valley itself. It is the most beautiful place I know and I am lucky that I get to call it home. Enjoy your day!!

Valentine's Day Music at the ESRM

Dakin Morehouse, President of the ESRM and WCA member sent me the details (see below) of tonight's upcoming concert at the museum. If your looking to have some local fun with your sweetie you might want to check this out.

Music for your Valentine
Sunday--February 14
Flying Cat Music Presents
James Keelaghan in Concert
at 7:30 sharp
The Empire State Railway Museum
on Lower High Street, Phoenicia

$10 suggested donation with RSVP
to flyingcatmusic@gmail.com
$12 without RSVP

For information call 845-688-9453

website: http://web.me.com/jameskeelo/Keeloweb/KEELOWEB.html

Searching for History

I received the letter below from Claude Yerry's great-grandson. For those of you who don't know, Claude was a well known figure in Woodland Valley. He was primarily a mason and built a lot of the fireplaces in the valley. But he was also a builder, handyman and caretaker. His great-grandson is searching for history regarding both Claude and the other members of his family. I have already emailed this letter to the folks I know who have collected the lion's share of our history. If anyone else has any information to pass along I am sure Richard would greatly appreciate it.
-Carol

"I have had more than a passing interest in Woodland Valley and its history for as long as I can remember. My great-grandfather, Claude Yerry lived most of his adult life there, where my uncle still owns his former home. He was a well-known personage in the area as I am sure you are aware. I actually got to know Claude as a child and wish I could have known him as an adult. There are many stories of his bear hunting exploits and numerous family stories and folklore. I try to write them down when my uncle talks about Claude so they are not lost to future generations. I know he talked at Camp Woodland many years ago, and I have a reproduction of a photograph taken of him there. And the WV View published a picture of him a while back that I had not seen before and no one in the family has. It got me to wondering if there are any others around. Claude's house burned down at one point, so most of his family photos were lost. I have just a few that I treasure. But I have none of his wife, Annie Garrety, sadly. And I know his home once stood at the basin of the Ashokan Reservoir and was moved to its current location. Would it be possible for The View to put out word that I am researching Woodland Valley and especially Claude Yerry so someone may see it and contact me? I am most interested in photos of people/places in the valley and stories that may be of interest. I have heard one that involved a member of the Simpson Family taking an old Model A or T Ford from the head of the valley up and over to Oliverea, but I cannot confirm it. I have thoughts in the back of my mind about actually turning my research and interest into an actual book. I still visit the valley often and stay at Claude's old house when I am there. I hike all the surrounding mountains and have done so for the past 55 years. I treasure the valley and its history, first as Snyder Hollow and now as Woodland, and would welcome a name change back to the original, although I know that would be impossible.
Anyway, let me end my rambling and get back to matters at hand. Please let me know if you are willing/able to assist me in my quest. I do know that Lonnie Gale has quite a bit of information and he has been of great help to me in the past. Thank you in advance and hope to hear from you soon, perhaps with a positive response."

Regards,

Richard Barley
Phone: (845) 384-6785
Address: PO Box 225
West Park, NY 12493
Email Address: barrchrd@aol.com

Weather for Weekenders - 02/12/10

The weather in the valley today is sunny and clear. Temps are already in the low 20s. The snow is still around from the storm we had on Wednesday. It will depend on your individual driveway whether you need to plow or not. My driveway is steep so it needs it. But if you are on a flat surface or get lots of sun you might be OK. Driving up today should be fine and the weather over the weekend doesn't look bad. Enjoy the long holiday weekend!

Unitard in LA

For anyone from WV who is in LA this weekend and wants to catch up with another resident, David Ilku is performing with Unitard. Here are the details.

"UNITARD comedy back in LA" on Friday, February 12 at 9:00pm.

Event: UNITARD comedy back in LA
"All new show!"
What: Performance
Start Time: Friday, February 12 at 9:00pm
End Time: Saturday, February 20 at 10:00pm
Where: Casita Del Campo

Check it out if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

Not Too Bad

The storm has ended here in the valley. After all was said and done we only got about 3-4 inches of snow. The predictions had been much higher but the system kept moving in strange ways and we mostly just had to deal with light snow. We never got the blizzard-like conditions that many to our south were experiencing throughout the day. This is the third time this winter where a major storm has seemed to go around us. That is a GOOD thing!!!

Bo Goes A-Fowl With La King

Here is a interesting Chicken a la King (or Chicken/Turkey a la King, if you prefer) recipe from one of the WCA'a master chefs, Mike O'Neil aka Boreegard.

I first fell in love with this rich, creamy, royal treatment of fowl leftovers at a country dinner in the Catskills put on by Mike and Margaret Lenane for our Roxmor community. This was many years ago, but I remember asking Mike for their fabulous recipe. Somewhat sheepishly he confessed that it was an old standby in the Lenane family and was, in fact, a recipe they had culled from the Good Housekeeping Cookbook. It is a marvelous way to use up leftover turkey or chicken.

INGREDIENTS

6 tbsp. butter or margarine.
½ lb. sliced mushrooms.
¼ cup diced green pepper.
6 tbsp. flour.
3 cups ½ and ½ or a mix of ½ and ½ and heavy cream.
4 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey.
A 4 oz. jar of pimentos, drained.
2 egg yokes, beaten.
2 tbsp. sherry.
Salt and pepper to taste.
8 warm patty shells or biscuits.

TO DO

In a skillet, melt butter, sauté mushrooms and peppers until soft (five minutes or so).
Stir in flour until blended.
Gradually stir in ½ and ½ and cook until mixture is thickened.
Add chicken & pimentos stirring often until just boiling.
Reduce heat to low, continuing to cook for 5 minutes.
In cup, put egg yolks and add a small amount of hot sauce.
Slowly pour egg yolks back into sauce, stirring constantly, until thickened.
Stir in sherry, salt and pepper. Serve on patty shells.

Boreegard
April 15, 2009

Dennis Havel - Through My Window

Dennis Havel sent me this photo of a blue jay in his yard. He has recently started a series called "Through My Window". This is the first image he has sent to me from the series. You can look forward to many other cool photos as Dennis continues to explore the nature out back with his camera. Thanks for sending us your work Dennis!!

'Epic Storm' Spares Valley (So Far!)

Sorry folks, but I couldn't resist the dramatic headline. I just got finished reading the NY Times online and they were talking about the 'Epic Storm' that is hitting the mid-Atlantic region of the country. So far that same system has remained to our south. It looks like it is being held there by the jet stream and pushed out to sea. So, at this point, we have gotten no snow at all just some cloudy skies. If all goes well that will remain true. All the weather reports I have seen online claim that will be the case. I will keep you all posted.

Update 12:00 noon 2/7/10 - We didn't even get one flake from the big storm. Whoooo Hoooo!! The universe has spared the Catskills this time!!

Weather for Weekenders - 02/05/10

The weather up here is not that bad right now. It is cloudy and the temps are in the 20s. We had some snow this week but it was just intermittent flurries. The total accumulation was about 1-2 inches depending on where you are in the valley. It was just enough to make everything look sugar coated.

I keep watching weather.com and weather underground for information on the nor'easter that is blowing up the coast but it doesn't look like they think we are going to get hit by it. There is no snow in the forecast until Tuesday. Hmmmm......looking at the radar I am highly suspicious of that opinion. But right now driving is good and your driveway shouldn't be any worse than you found it last weekend. Safe travels!

Recycling in Shandaken

For all residents who want to do there part to recycle but don't want to pay to have it collected by a private service the town has a recycling drop-off location. It is behind town hall to the left of the dog kennels. Here are the details of their hours and what they will accept.

Monday - Thursday - Saturday
7:30 - 12:30

Paper, Newspaper, Flattened Cardboard, Clean Glass, Cans & Metal

Phoenicia Library on Facebook

The Phoenicia Library now has a page on Facebook. For those of you who use Facebook regularly I would recommend going to the "Friends of the Phoenicia Library" page and joining. That way you can keep up on all the fun and interesting things going on at the library. It is a great way to get the insider scoop on upcoming events too! So if you are on FB check it out!!!!

Woodland Trout Fund

Here are a couple of little ditties from WCA member Mike O'Neil (aka Boreegard, aka The Troutmeister). Every year around this time Mike inspires the faithful to open their pocketbooks so that the Woodland Valley Stream can continue to be stocked with those beautiful brown trout. Here are Mike's fishy tales. If you feel inclined to donate the mailing information is at the bottom of this post.

Woodland Trout 2010
An Old Fish Tale

I will relate a tale of the summertime brook, in hopes of loosening your purse strings a bit to help us stock trout in Woodland Brook, and in hopes of amusing you.

“TRUDI TICKLES A TROUT—One summer, as the water in the brook got lower and lower because of the draught, some of the boys dammed up a corner of it with rocks and made a respectable little wading pool. It was deep enough to let the kids dog paddle and an adult sit in it up to his chin and cool off. Trudi and her husband Ettore were down there one afternoon when they spotted a big trout scoot under a rock. Trudi, before she went off into the world to make her fortune, grew up along this stream, as did her daddy before her, so she knows it pretty well. And as a girl, her daddy taught her how to tickle trout and she got very good at it. To tickle a trout, you spot one under a rock or an undercut bank. Then you put your hands in the water real real slow and stroke its sides and belly. This sort of hypnotizes the fish and allows you to do what you want with it. Nowadays, if your intent is to scoop it out of the stream, take it home and eat it, you're breaking the law, so it's a practice that's pretty much fallen by the wayside.
Trudi's husband Ettore began learning to fly-fish this summer and he attacked his new hobby with high purpose and energy. I imagine the pursuit of salmo with a fly became the overriding topic of household conversation. So it was only natural that Trudi, given an opportunity, would jump at the chance to show her spouse that there are other ways to catch a trout that don't require a feathered hook. And though it had been a good forty years since she'd last mesmerized a trout, there are certain talents that simply do not leave a person. In the next few minutes, under the incredulous eyes of her fledgling fly fishing hubby, Trudi set about tickling a seventeen inch brown. She knelt down on the rock where the fish was hiding, reached under and leaned over the edge. She found the quarry. Delicately, delicately, she began to stroke its sides. The big fish began to relax, and then the whole thing fell apart. In her concentration, she'd leaned over too far, and with an," Ah shucks and be danged," on her lips she tumbled into the creek, arse over teakettle, as the valley old-timers would say. Zing went the trout upstream, and damply home trudged Trudi with Ettore.

JIM TAKES A SMOKE BREAK—About a week after this, Jim wandered down to the wading pool in the late afternoon to contemplate nature and to smoke a cigarette. He too has known the brook all his life, but seldom had he seen anything quite as bizarre as what happened next. Finishing his Camel, he tossed the still smoldering butt into the stream, having been taught as a young lad by Smokey the Bear that such an action was a fine way to prevent forest fires. From under Trudi's rock the big brown trout surged out, leapt in the air and dove upon the floating butt, thinking it was something nice to eat. As fast as he could, Jim hurried back to his cabin, The Grand Hotel, grabbed his fly rod and tackle, and returned to the site, where now two other neighbors stood—innocently contemplating nature in the late afternoon.
"Hey, watch this fellows," Jim said as he tied on a big white fly and began presenting it as artfully as he could. For the next ten minutes he floated it above the rock, beside the rock, below the rock, even under the rock. Nothing happened, and his audience began to grow restless.

There are times in each sportsman's life when the temptation to act, well, unsportsmanlike presents itself. And—let us admit it--there are those few occasions when we actually succumb to weakness. It wasn't so much that Jim wanted to catch this particular trout, as it was that he wanted to prove that it existed in the first place. For his audience was casting dispersions on his veracity and his description of the cigarette chomping brown. Well, that's not true; he did want to catch it pretty badly. So, putting down his rod he motioned the two kibitzers to wade into the water and join him next to the rock. They reached under, found that indeed the fish was there, and for the next few minutes tried as best they could to grab it and pull out from under. The trout was doing its best to resist and escape. But in the end, Homo sapiens won out over Salmo trutta.
Jim felt sorry for this fine trout—one of the bigger ones that had been stocked in the brook that spring—and decided that it should be released. But, try as they might to revive it, the poor fish kept going belly up. Apparently the rough treatment it'd received had been too much for it, and it just gave up the ghost. Women trying to tickle it one day, and nicotine and mugging the next—no trout was built to withstand that sort of abuse.
That evening he invited the audience and several other friends over to his place where he cooked that trout in the biggest cast-iron frying pan he could find in the old kitchen. The trout was so big that he had to cut its head and tail off to fit it into the pan. They feasted in candlelight around the big oak table. It was delicious, and not a scrap was left.
There's a moral to this story, surely two or three, but I leave it to you to find the one you like the best."

Now every word of what I’ve just related is true, mostly. As Huck Finn said, “I only stretched it a little, where necessary, for art’s sake.” And it is true that we need some help from you to be able to stock the Fly Fishing section of the brook, as we’ve been able to do annually since 1965. Would you please make out a check to THE WOODLAND TROUT FUND in the amount you feel the stream deserves, and send it to me—Mike O’Neil, 101 Rambling Road, Vernon, CT 06066.
Many Thanks,
Mike