Rising on Slide Mountain in the Catskills and fed by cold water diverted from Schoharie Reservoir through the Shandaken Portal, Esopus Creek is a rare “hybrid” fishery—part freestone, part tailwater. The 12-mile stretch from the Portal at Allaben to the Ashokan Reservoir mixes tumbling pocket water with gentle glides that stay trout-friendly even in July. Long celebrated as the cradle of American dry-fly fishing, the Esopus today supports healthy wild rainbow and brown-trout populations, regular DEC stockings upstream, and year-round open seasons within two hours of New York City.
Anglers usually break the creek into three zones. **Upper Headwaters (Oliverea to Portal):** small-stream pocket water with native brook trout and seasonal DEC-stocked browns. **Portal Reach (Allaben to Phoenicia):** cold, slightly turbid tailwater fed by the Shandaken Tunnel—prime rainbow habitat and the heart of summer fishing. **Lower Esopus (Phoenicia to Ashokan Reservoir):** wider cobble riffles that warm by August but shine for mayflies and fall browns in shoulder seasons. Each reach has numerous DEC Public Fishing Rights (PFR) pull-outs along NY-28, plus trail access in the Slide Mountain Wilderness.
Wild rainbow trout dominate the Portal reach, averaging 10-14 inches with occasional 18-inch fish. Brown trout numbers climb downstream, and brook trout persist in the cold tributaries (Woodland Valley, Stony Clove). Summer smallmouth move up from Ashokan Reservoir, offering bonus action. DEC no longer stocks the Portal reach, managing it as a Wild-Quality trout stream; upstream segments receive put-and-take rainbows each April.
April Hendricksons and Quill Gordons kick off dry-fly season, followed by dense apple-green caddis in early May. Isonychia and sulphurs headline June evenings, while July-August trout sip tan caddis, big yellow drakes, and terrestrial ants tight to banks. Autumn brings blue-winged olives and October caddis, plus aggressive brown-trout streamer strikes before spawning. Portal water can run turbid after storms; fish larger, darker nymphs until the famous "Esopus tea" clears.
A fast 9-ft 5-wt covers most Esopus situations. High-floating Catskill dries (#12-16 Light Cahills, #14 Adams) fool surface feeders, while a short dropper with a #14-18 bead-head Pheasant Tail probes riffles. Euro-nymphing excels in portal-colored pocket water—use a 10-ft 3-wt and tungsten Perdigons. After summer thunderstorms, swing soft hackles on a sink-tip through turbid seams; trout key on dislodged stonefly nymphs. Keep a thermometer: when temps rise above 68 °F, fish early and go barbless to reduce stress.
Phoenicia’s Parish Field offers parking and riffles ideal at 250 cfs. The Portal pull-off on NY-28 (mile marker 37) hosts productive plunge pools fed by cold tunnel water. The "Fox Hollow Flats" upstream of Shandaken Cemetery provide gentle gravel glides perfect for beginners. In low water, try "Cathedral Pool" beneath the iron bridge on Woodland Valley Road for shaded rainbows.
DEC Public Fishing Rights (yellow signs) line most of NY-28 between Allaben and Boiceville. Larger parking areas sit at Allaben Portal, Phoenicia’s Parish Field, and Mt. Tremper Station on the Catskill Scenic Trail. The Catskill Mountain Railroad corridor offers walk-in access to secluded runs. Always respect private “posted” signs and NYC DEP no-trespass zones near aqueduct structures—obtain the free DEP Access Permit if you plan to fish Ashokan Reservoir or its controlled spillway.
Standard Catskill dry box: #14-16 Hendricksons, #14 sulphur parachutes, #12-14 Isonychia, #16-18 tan caddis, #18-20 BWO. Nymph box: #14 stonefly, #16 bead-head Pheasant Tail, #16 Hare’s Ear, #18 zebra midge. Summer terrestrials: foam ants (#14), beetles (#12), and tan hoppers (#10). 5-wt rod with floating line, 9-ft 5X leaders for dries, 4X fluorocarbon for nymphing. Felt or Vibram soles with studs are vital on slick bluestone; carry a wading staff for Portal cobble.
Turbidity pulses from Portal releases and post-storm runoff are the creek’s main challenge, smothering spawning gravel and hatching insects. The DEC, NYC DEP, and Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program coordinate silt-reduction projects and flow-temperature monitoring. Trout Unlimited’s Catskill Mountain Chapter leads annual river clean-ups and riparian tree plantings to combat erosion and summer heat. Anglers can help by logging water-clarity observations and supporting turbidity-abatement funding.
Portal releases can spike flows 200 cfs within minutes—keep an eye on the USGS Coldbrook gauge and never wade upstream of escape routes. Heavy thunderstorms rolling off Slide Mountain raise chocolate water and move boulders; exit the channel if turbidity climbs visibly. Black bears and timber rattlesnakes inhabit the Shandaken Wild Forest—store food securely and watch footing in rock talus. Winter shelf-ice forms deceitful ledges; carry a whistle and fish with a partner.
**Esopus Creel** (Phoenicia) offers guiding, real-time flow texts, and Catskill dry-fly classics. **Kenco Outfitters** (Kingston) stocks gear, waders, and DEP permit info. **Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum** (Livingston Manor) sells local patterns and hosts tying clinics. All welcome beginners, sell NY licenses, and can recommend guides who know the Portal’s quirks.
The **Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program** funds bank-stabilization and turbidity-monitoring projects. **Catskill Mountain Trout Unlimited** sponsors youth fly-fishing camps and spawn-survey training. Regionally, **Riverkeeper** advocates for clean-water legislation that limits sediment and nutrient runoff into the Hudson-Esopus system. Volunteering for riparian plant days or donating to equipment drives directly improves habitat resilience.
Esopus Creek from the Ashokan Reservoir upstream to the confluence with Lost Clove Brook is classified as an Inland Trout Stream, Wild-Quality reach. From April 1–Oct 15 the daily limit is three trout with no more than one longer than 12 inches; from Oct 16–Mar 31 it is catch-and-release only with artificial lures. Upstream headwaters managed as Stocked segments follow the same season but allow a daily limit of five trout, two over 12 inches. A valid New York freshwater fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older; no trout stamp is necessary. Always review the current DEC Freshwater Fishing Regulations guide for updated special rules and emergency closures.