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Catskills or Adirondacks?
- Thread starter red owl
- Start date
EtchaFly
New member
I love the peacefulness in the Adirondacks. I dont' catch the big fish I catch in the catskill but the views IMHO are a bit more spectacular. Far less crowded too. I think it's a matter of personal opinion here but either way you really can't go wrong.
I don't know where you live or your tolerance for traveling, but I would buy land wherever you think you would use it the most. I love the Adirondacks but don't think I'd go every weekend. I could get to the the Catskills every (or most) weekend from North Jersey. If I went to the Adirondacks, I might not come back.
Tom has a good point. Where will you go more. My uncle has a place in the Dacks and can't go every weekend. It's almost 5 hrs each way from his house. Not fun for 1 or 2 nights. The Catskills are 3 hrs and you're in Roscoe. Think about it. Maybe do the trip and stay in a motel for a night and drive back and see what you think.
Jeremy
Jeremy
Okay- I didn't explain myself correctly. My family is originally from Syracuse so I want to be within 1-2 hours from there. In other words this would be a seasonal place for part of the year. If I am some where around Hancock to Roscoe that puts me on the Delaware, Beaverkill, Willowemoc, etc. I know there is good fishing there but I also hunt so that's an issue. I'm also on a budget and am looking for a "fix up" and the prices around Roscoe look higher than other areas. One question is during peak fishing season- say mid May to early June- how crowded do the streams get? Guys all over the place or a couple of guys here and there? What about peak season but mid-week- how are the crowds? Another option would be to go higher up in the Catskills for cheaper land and less crowds but then I don't know how the fishing is.
Now on the Adirondacks I was thinking the SW part north of Utica or Rome. Years ago my Dad and I looked at a place in Poland right near West Canada. I know West Canada is supposed to hold trout but I don't know how it compares to the Catskills? There are a lot of other rivers in the SW Adirondacks but I don't know if they are cold enough for trout or if there is public access. I think the property in the Adirondacks is cheaper- or at least that's my impression. I'm assuming the streams are less crowded than in the Catskills but I could be wrong.
In any event if any of you fish in either place, that is- fly fish on small to mid sized streams- how are the fish? The crowds? Any coments appreciated.
Now on the Adirondacks I was thinking the SW part north of Utica or Rome. Years ago my Dad and I looked at a place in Poland right near West Canada. I know West Canada is supposed to hold trout but I don't know how it compares to the Catskills? There are a lot of other rivers in the SW Adirondacks but I don't know if they are cold enough for trout or if there is public access. I think the property in the Adirondacks is cheaper- or at least that's my impression. I'm assuming the streams are less crowded than in the Catskills but I could be wrong.
In any event if any of you fish in either place, that is- fly fish on small to mid sized streams- how are the fish? The crowds? Any coments appreciated.
D'ANGLER
Born to fish....forced to work!
Last year I picked up a parcel in the Richland/Pulaski area to build my camp. I've since prepared the land & installed a mobile home w/ utilities. Its a 4 1/2 hr drive for me. Most weekends have been comuting back & forth to do the the work. Often does not leave lots of time to wet a fly when your time is limited to one or two days. Can't wait for the day just to totally kick back & enjoy. This puts me at the Salmon River + Tribs for Steelhead/Salmon/Browns, Lake Ontario for boating, Sandy Pond for Ice Fishing. Snowmobiling/ATVing & State hunting areas. Only 1/2 hour from SRY...
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MACFLY
Too many streams too little time
That looks like a good sized lot. How big is the parcel?
Randyflycaster
New member
If you like meeting people I'd say go to the Catskills.
Randy
Randy
Trout Nazi
And...Boom goes the dynamite.
I would explore the Adirondacks for a summer and find a place. Choose correctly, and you can have the best of both worlds (hunting and fishing). There are a million streams there with potential. Plus tons of lakes and ponds. I love the Catskills, but there is way more variety and options up in the Adirondacks.
Catskill Mountain Man
Explore, and implore to explore
Catskills never fail to produce quality trout. Yes the wild brookie fishing is prob better in the daks, but being around all that acid rain damage is kind of depressing. And with the way NYC guards it's water I don't think habitat degredation will be a big problem for a long time. If anything it's only going to get better. Now if we could only get rid of those pesky brown and rainbows and bring the brookie back.
The acid rain issue- I didn't want to bring it up but since someone mentioned it- that was my issue :crap:. I had heard that it was a problem in the Adirondacks and so I was wondering that; yes, lots of wilderness but maybe not that much on the trout fishing. I am getting the impression that for pure trout fishing the Catskills may hold an edge and that the crowds aren't that big an issue if you are willing to get away from the major access points.
The Salmon River- I've fished it- best one day tally was 19- I had a back wind and on my back cast I let it go high and then and the forward cast I was really put the line out there, all the fish were holding on a ledge; but, that was years ago and now I'm hearing that the crowds can be bad. Still, I'm thinking that area as well. World class fishing IMHO. On the Adirondacks I don't think I can locate that far up into them, more on the border. West Canada Creek- the area around Poland the river, or creek, is fast and strong and I'm not sure in some areas you could even wade it, you may have to fish it from shore. If any of you guys hunt- what's the deal in the Catskills- bunny huggers all over the place or can you actually do some hunting and if so- how is it?
Although I like to hunt you will spend a lot more days in a year fishing so the fishing takes priority.
The Salmon River- I've fished it- best one day tally was 19- I had a back wind and on my back cast I let it go high and then and the forward cast I was really put the line out there, all the fish were holding on a ledge; but, that was years ago and now I'm hearing that the crowds can be bad. Still, I'm thinking that area as well. World class fishing IMHO. On the Adirondacks I don't think I can locate that far up into them, more on the border. West Canada Creek- the area around Poland the river, or creek, is fast and strong and I'm not sure in some areas you could even wade it, you may have to fish it from shore. If any of you guys hunt- what's the deal in the Catskills- bunny huggers all over the place or can you actually do some hunting and if so- how is it?
Although I like to hunt you will spend a lot more days in a year fishing so the fishing takes priority.
CTobias
Professional BS'r
CTobias
Professional BS'r
I just throw them on the bank. That way I don't catch the same one twice.
DoubleHaul
DoubleHaul
Be sure you know you zoning and regulatory agencies are all about before you buy land. I live in the Adk. Park so I would not buy here but knowing what I do, (the APA sucks) I still would by a camp else were. I know the fishing is better in the Catskills. At least more wild trout than here (acid Rain). If & when I get ready to do the same, Maybe something is Oswego County area. There are plenty of reasons why there are not a bizillion little camps all over up here and it has to do with regulatory.
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I think the regulatory bit is everywhere these days, North, South, East, West- don't let anyone fool you on that one. On a lot of new construction there are environmental taxes, schools taxes, all sorts of stuff- that's why I was thinking maybe a fix up,- that is - an already existing house would be better. I've got a lot of crazy hobbies- I make knives and muzzle loading guns and there is a certain amount of hammering metal, etc that won't go in a "good" residential area. I want about 4 acres or so for dogs and a garden and extra buildings to store stuff. So in that respect a less that top drawer area isn't all that bad. If I can drive 20 minutes or so to reach good fishing- that's okay. I'm in some respects fortunate that I don't have any PHD degrees or great job skills requiring me to be in a settled area- at least that leaves me free to go about anywhere I want. I'm still looking for a good, home computer based job.
I'm now thinking maybe around Deposit might work- there's the W. Branch of the Delaware, other streams not too far away, maybe 1 1/2- 2 hours from Syracuse. For the Salmon River- I'll just bite the bullet and drive. Let's face it you can't get all things in a single area.
I'm now thinking maybe around Deposit might work- there's the W. Branch of the Delaware, other streams not too far away, maybe 1 1/2- 2 hours from Syracuse. For the Salmon River- I'll just bite the bullet and drive. Let's face it you can't get all things in a single area.
I would spend some time at both places to see if they have what you want.
Also, maybe think outside the box closer to home. Madison County? Along a branch of the Tioughnioga? Along Fish Ck north of Oneida Lake? Along the Otselic R? These have decent fishing (athough not as publicized), hunting, are close to Syracuse, and are probably reasonably priced. I find fly fishing to be great over much of NYS outside of the Catskills since those fish rarely see a fly. Not the case on the Delaware system, Beaverkill, Willowemoc. etc. On the down side, you can't always find decent fly tackle any from the famous destinations, but that is why they invented the internet.
Local knowledge goes a long way. Often if you know a river well you can usually find fishing as good as at the more famous places.
Also, maybe think outside the box closer to home. Madison County? Along a branch of the Tioughnioga? Along Fish Ck north of Oneida Lake? Along the Otselic R? These have decent fishing (athough not as publicized), hunting, are close to Syracuse, and are probably reasonably priced. I find fly fishing to be great over much of NYS outside of the Catskills since those fish rarely see a fly. Not the case on the Delaware system, Beaverkill, Willowemoc. etc. On the down side, you can't always find decent fly tackle any from the famous destinations, but that is why they invented the internet.
Local knowledge goes a long way. Often if you know a river well you can usually find fishing as good as at the more famous places.
Pete
Trout Hunter
Actually he makes a good point. When I was fishing Lake George regularly, the APA had a lot of landowners and businesses really POed..... Unless they've changed a lot since those days, it's a much more controlled situation than anything you're likely to have seen before.
If you get serious about the Adirondacks, make sure you'll be able to do what you're planning. Don't just take the seller's word for it, do the research.
DoubleHaul
DoubleHaul
For example: the four acre thing- No. Minimum size lot with light residential is 8.9 acres on my road and goes up from that size depending on location.
<O
</OMy next door neighbor built a house 3 years ago, APA told him he had to plant some trees to "visually buffer" his house (which you can't see from the road). They spec.ed Canadian hemlock from nursery stock. He has at least 8000 Canadian hemlock saplings on his property that are indigenous. He was not allowed to dig & transplant any of HIS OWN TREES to satisfy this requirement.<O</O<O
</OWetlands have nothing to do with the presence of water but rather the presence of plants (ferns) that COULD be identified with a wetland. I know of mountain slopes that are mapped as wetlands by the “experts” at APA. One look will tell you that the only water there is passing runoff due to gravity.<O
</O<O
</OLast I checked this is America; you are free to buy & move where you wish. If you come here, be ready for the government to do a land use grab on you in the name of the environment.<O
</O<O
</OThe original post in this thread asked for an opinion. I gave you mine. If you chose to discount it, fine. If you move here & they start breaking your balls, at least you knew before hand.
DH<O
</O
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troutbum2live
Eventually the wrong fly will become the right one
For example: the four acre thing- No. Minimum size lot with light residential is 8.9 acres on my road and goes up from that size depending on location.
<O
<O
Wetlands have nothing to do with the presence of water but rather the presence of plants (ferns) that COULD be identified with a wetland. I know of mountain slopes that are mapped as wetlands by the “experts” at APA. One look will tell you that the only water there is passing runoff due to gravity.<O
<O
Last I checked this is America; you are free to buy & move where you wish. If you come here, be ready for the government to do a land use grab on you in the name of the environment.<O
<O
The original post in this thread asked for an opinion. I gave you mine. If you chose to discount it, fine. If you move here & they start breaking your balls, at least you knew before hand.
DH<O
True that DH...
Red Owl,
Personally, I would strongly consider the Adirondacks. Much less crowded, spectacular scenery all around (not that Catskills doesn't have some of the same too.) The fishing in the ADK's is quite good too. I hunt as well (I think the hunting in the Catskill's is good to though. Permission might be more of an issue there on private land- don't know for sure.) I've been told by locals (and it seems obvious) that the hunting in the ADKs is very rugged (probably a lot like when I hunted NH.) I don't like people (well in small doses they're OK) so I love going to the ADKs every year and have always wanted to get a small place up there, like you're looking into. Northcentral PA is high on my list too, for the same reasons as the ADK's. Well, good luck with your search and decision.
Some of you guys that live up there or have camps, can you comment on NYLandandCamps.com (Christmas Associates)? They sell 5, 10, 20 acre parcels un upstate NY (Moose river area, etc.) sometimes with rustic cabins. I've hit there website and the deals look like a good way to get some wild land at a good price. Anybody have any experience with them?
Personally, I would strongly consider the Adirondacks. Much less crowded, spectacular scenery all around (not that Catskills doesn't have some of the same too.) The fishing in the ADK's is quite good too. I hunt as well (I think the hunting in the Catskill's is good to though. Permission might be more of an issue there on private land- don't know for sure.) I've been told by locals (and it seems obvious) that the hunting in the ADKs is very rugged (probably a lot like when I hunted NH.) I don't like people (well in small doses they're OK
) so I love going to the ADKs every year and have always wanted to get a small place up there, like you're looking into. Northcentral PA is high on my list too, for the same reasons as the ADK's. Well, good luck with your search and decision.Some of you guys that live up there or have camps, can you comment on NYLandandCamps.com (Christmas Associates)? They sell 5, 10, 20 acre parcels un upstate NY (Moose river area, etc.) sometimes with rustic cabins. I've hit there website and the deals look like a good way to get some wild land at a good price. Anybody have any experience with them?
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sandfly
Just finished a River Runs Through it!
North central Pa. is cheap still for land and there are alot of fixer ups here cheap. finding a cabin to buy is easy. fishing here on pine is light, except for the canoe hatches on the weekends. Miles and miles of hunting. Hundreds of small wild brookie streams around too.
Well I mentioned the Catskills and the Adirondacks only because it was the New York thread but let's switch gears here for a second and talk about central PA- Fisherman's Paradise, Spruce Creek, Penn's Creek, Little Junita, Yellow Breeches, LeTort, White Deer Creek- just to name a FEW. Lots of good water- for sure. Since it sounds like you are familiar with these waters- let's say you could locate anywhere in the area- what spot would you pick? How are the crowds? How is the access to good areas?
sandfly
Just finished a River Runs Through it!
I moved to the Wellsboro are as a jumping off point. No crowds here on pine like down below the canyon. lots of wild brook streams at my back door. only and hour away from state collage area, kettle is only 45 mins. to an hour away same for slate and cedar. yellow britches is a 2 hour drive as with all the south central streams. I am 3 hours from Erie, and the western part of NY. 2 to 21/2 from Syracuse. 3 from the Catskills. I am surrounded by state and federal lands all open to fishing and hunting. there's bike trails, ATV trails, snowmobile, etc. 5 lakes in the area with pan fish, trout, musky,stripers, walleye all of witch take the fly. Any ????
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Rambler23
L-i-v-i-n'
Interesting you mentioned White Deer Creek, I only say that because for such a beautiful stream it often gets overlooked. When I went to school out there I fished White Deer Creek every chance I got and I'd say 95% of the time I was the only person there. At Penns you will always see people but not of the same magnitude of Spring Creek, which gets absolutely hammered. That being said, if you're willing to walk a bit you can escape the crowds at either place. PM me if you're looking for a little more specific information.
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