Important Updates about the Center from our President
Dear Friends,
As we enjoy the heart of summer in the Catskills, I’m excited to share a few important updates from the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum:
Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Announced
We’re proud to welcome five remarkable individuals to the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame this year:
Bud Lilly, Adriano Manocchia, Izaak Walton, Paul Weamer, and Walt Carpenter.
These honorees have each made lasting contributions to the fly fishing world, and we’ll celebrate them at our Induction Ceremony and Dinner on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at CFFCM.
Looking Ahead – Catskill Legends 2026
We’re also proud to share that Jim Krul, the Center’s longtime Executive Director and passionate steward of our mission, will be honored as a Catskill Legend in 2026. His leadership and vision helped lay the foundation for much of what we enjoy today.
Membership Update
The transition to a rolling renewal system is finally taking hold. Monthly reminders are going out, and we’re implementing a new Bloomerang tool to streamline the process. Exciting membership campaigns are coming soon—thanks to fresh ideas like the Guide Ambassador initiative and planned events at The Junction.
A special thanks to Laura, Jennifer, and Jill for their dedication and collaborative work during this transition—they’ve been instrumental in moving us forward.
Grants & Growth
We’ve now surpassed $60,000 in grant funding for 2025, supporting youth programming, facilities, and operations. Grants from NYSCA, Bass Pro Shops, Sullivan County Youth Bureau, and others have made a real impact. We’re grateful to Samantha and our development team for their outstanding work.
Bridge Update
In June, we experienced significant damage to our bridge that required closing it for a few days to make urgent repairs. Safety remains our top priority, and the bridge is now secure and open to visitors.
NYC Fundraiser – Encouraging Start
Our recent NYC dinner brought together a small but enthusiastic group and sparked promising donor conversations and new prospects. The dinner proved both successful and sustainable, with donor commitments covering event expenses and creating a strong foundation for future cultivation efforts.
While additional cultivation is needed, we’re building momentum. A key next step will be finalizing our strategic plan, which will help us engage major donors more effectively.
Many thanks to Robbianne, the dinner committee, and everyone who helped make it happen.
Annual Dinner Fundraiser – A Strong Start to 2025
Our first major fundraiser of the year, the Annual Dinner held in May at the Rockland House, was a great success. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, all our donors, and local businesses, we achieved a net income of approximately $38,600, not including an additional $1,100 from merchandise sales during the event.
Here’s a brief financial summary:
• Total income: $49,197
• Expenses: $10,593
• Net proceeds: $38,604
The income came from ticket sales, table sponsors, silent and live auctions, and the generous support of all involved. Expenses included venue fees, donor recognition plaques, and event printing.
We would like to thank Tim McCausland for acting as the Executive Committee Chair for this event and supporting the team throughout the entire event and lead up!
A special thank you to Laura and the entire team for their efforts in organizing and executing such a successful evening.
This strong start sets a positive tone for the rest of our fundraising year, and we’re grateful for the community’s ongoing support.
Heritage Committee Update
We’re proud to announce the leadership of the revitalized Heritage Committee. Johnene Loverich will serve as Chair, Eric Loverich as Vice Chair, and Judy Van Put as Secretary.
This committee plays an essential role in preserving and promoting the history, culture, and traditions of Catskill fly fishing. Don Borelli, in his new role as Vice President, will serve as liaison to the Executive Committee, helping facilitate communication and support between leadership and the Heritage Committee.
We are grateful to Johnene, Eric, Judy, and Don for their dedication to this vital mission.
The Mike Canazon Stewardship Award
We’re also pleased to announce the development of a new and meaningful recognition: the Mike Canazon Stewardship Award. This award will honor individuals who have demonstrated lifelong commitment to the values of stewardship in the sport of fly fishing—whether through bamboo rod building, conservation, fly tying, or preserving the Catskill traditions.
It is intended to recognize those who have dedicated themselves to sharing this knowledge with today’s generation while protecting it for the future. More information about the award and nomination process will be shared soon.
Governance Update & Board Transitions
Following our recent Annual Meeting, we are pleased to officially welcome Don Borelli as Vice President of the Board. Cy Amundson will transition into an Advisor role and continue his outstanding work on archives and curation.
We deeply appreciate their leadership and look forward to their continued contributions.
Trustees & Advisors
We’re fortunate to have a passionate and engaged group guiding our work. The Board of Trustees is comprised of dedicated individuals and professionals who lend their expertise to ensure the continued growth and success of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center. As our governing body, they act as advisors, provide financial support, and serve as ambassadors for our mission.
Board of Trustees
Anthony Magardino (President), Don Borelli (Vice President), Randy Lewis (Treasurer), Tim McCausland (Secretary),Peter Adams, Ramsay Adams, Rachael Andras, Christian Anwander, Robert Carlock, Ben Carmichael, Jennifer Grimes, Darrell Hartman, Adam Hayes, Richard Koe, Christine LaRocca, Johnene Loverich, Christina Muller, Ned Nurick, Alice Owsley, Philip Sawyer, John Shaner, Terry Shultz, Rachael Yaeger
Advisors
Cy Amundson, John Barone, Michael Brotherton, Kelly Buchta, Andrew Burton, Jonas Clark, Peter Crosby, Adly Elewa, Ross Francis, Denis Fay, Sims Foster, Jim Hynes, Evan Lavery, Bill Leary, Eric Loverich, Pam Mingle, Gary Sherman, Mark Sherman, Laura Silverman, Joan Wulff
Beamoc TU
Beamoc TU is back and slated to relaunch at our Summerfest August 2/3. The chapter will fall under the New York State umbrella as a "parent" for the first year. This helps with chapter set up and allows us to get our feet underneath us when starting this venture before we become completely independent. The chapter board will be Judy Van Put (President and in honor of Ed who was an original founding member) Laura Colangelo (Vice President) Don Borelli (Treasurer) and Rachael Yaeger (Secretary). Manny Zanger will act as an advisor. The chapter will meet here at the center and have their efforts focus on conservation and stewardship of our rivers and fish. All are welcome to join TU under this chapter starting August 1 or transfer their membership.
Anthony J. Magardino
President
Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum