Beaverkill River

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Beaverkill River is a tributary of the East Branch Delaware River, approximately 44 miles (70 km) long, in the U.S. State of New York. The river runs through the Catskill Mountains and has long been celebrated as one of the most famous trout streams in the United States. Its preservation helped establish many of the basic conservation principles of rivers in the U.S.

It rises in western Ulster County, flowing south from the col between Graham and Doubletop mountains, approximately 30 miles (48 km) north of Monticello. It flows generally WNW, past Roscoe, into southern Delaware County. For most of its lower course it forms part the southwestern boundary of Catskill State Park. It joins the East Branch Delaware from the southeast at East Branch, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northeast of the forks of the Delaware.

The river has been popular as a trout stream since the early 19th century, when it became one of the first resort destinations in the United States. The subsequent depletion of the brook trout population by the 1850s led to an early conservation movement to preserve the river, including the introduction of hatcheries for brown trout. Its popularity as a trout stream arises in part from the many cold springs and deep pools in the upper river that keep the water at an even cold temperature. The fly fishing industry is centered around Roscoe, home to several fly-shops and bed and breakfasts catering to fishermen from around the world. More local fly fishing history and information can be found at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center located in Livingston Manor.