Plenty of things spring to mind when thinking of New York City, but quality flyfishing isn't typically one of them. In fact, most anglers who live in this concrete jungle are unaware that American flyfishing pioneered just 110 miles north of the George Washington bridge, on the Neversink River.

The closest quality cold water fisheries (around 40 miles from the city limits) are the Croton and Mongaup watersheds. Numerous small streams run between Gotham's water reservoirs (kept full and cold year 'round to quench the thirst of her citizens) and hold a variety of wily species of trout. Slightly further north in the Catskill Mountains are larger, more famous rivers, notably the Beaverkill and the Willowemoc.

So if you find yourself in New York City with some time to spare and the desire to escape the sidewalks and subways for a while, find your way north to the uncrowded, underrated, and occasionally unbelievable cold water streams of New York state. You won't be disappointed.

A good introductory book to the region is Good Fishing in the Catskills by Jim Caposela; for some history on the Neversink River, try The Neversink by Leonard Right. It's also worth it to buy a good map of the Catskill region of New York. Topographical maps are particularly helpful because they will show you the secondary roads along the rivers.

Move on to Croton River (East Branch)

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Weekends New York - When the city gets to be too much, restore your soul with a few days in the country. Washington, D.C. - Exercise something other than your political muscles for a few days. Philadelphia - These trips will get your spirit (and your body) moving.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jerry Peters started fishing before he could walk, and he's been at it ever since. The Massachusetts math teacher spends his summers teaching fly casting and guiding on Nantucket. In his free time, Jerry chases fresh and saltwater fish all over New England and New York.

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