The Central New York - Finger Lakes - Leatherstocking region of New York is not only one of the richest areas in terms of history, but also offers some great fishing, according to Robert Streeter in his "New York Fly Fishing Guide," a 115-page compendium of the best spots in the state for fishing enthusiasts.

"Today you can still stand in a stream and catch trout, wading the same waters as some of the pioneers of American fly-fishing, like Theodore Gordon who gave us the Quill Gordon dry fly," writes Robert Streeter. "It is an exciting time to be a fly-fisherman in New York State. New regulations and careful management have been paying off, and anglers fishing in New York today can enjoy fishing in many waters that rival or exceed the 'good old days.' "

Among two of the best known names anywhere in the world when it comes to fishing are Cortland Line and Grumman Canoes, both based in Cortland, NY. The combination of these world class brand names as partners -- along with a great fly-fishing river, the Tioughnioga River -- give a high level of credibility and recognition to this project.

According to Streeter, there are three excellent corridors for fishing in Cortland County: the East Branch of the Tioughnioga River, the West Branch of the Tioughnioga River, and Factory Brook.

The East Branch of the Tioughnioga River boasts good fly-fishing for trout, mainly in the sector that lies upstream. The East Branch is largely brown trout water, while the uppermost portions of the East Branch have good brook trout reproduction. While there is currently no formal access, anglers get to the water at the many bridges and crossings along Route 13.

The West Branch of the Tioughnioga River is also a good trout stream, with the best trout fishing on the West Branch just above the Village of Homer. The West Branch contains both wild brook trout and stocked browns. Other good brown trout fishing on the West Branch is between the junction with the East Branch and the outlet of Lower Little York Lake. There are currently public fishing rights for the West Branch starting in Homer and extending upstream to the mouth of Cold Brook. A popular area to fish is the City of Cortland where the river is easily waded and has both stocked and wild trout. The West Branch gets good hatches of both mayflies and caddisflies. Access to the West Branch is along Route 11.

Heading south, the branches of the Tioughnioga River join and flow into Broome County, and there is excellent bass fishing to be found in the main river. The main branch of the river averages about 100 feet in width and provides good angling for smallmouth bass throughout its waters. The very best bass fishing on the river can be found on the downstream side of the Village of Marathon. Access is available along Route 11 and there are about four miles of public fishing rights there. The main river can be fished by wading but it is best enjoyed by combining fly-fishing with a scenic canoe ride on flat water.

Factory Brook is another good stream in Cortland, according to Streeter. Found to the northwest of Homer along Route 41, it is managed by the Conservation Department as a wild trout stream. There are resident populations of both brook and brown trout. The state has 2.9 miles of public fishing easements along Factory Brook, with the first starting just downstream of the intersection of Scott Road and Route 41. While it averages only about 15 feet in width, it is open enough to be good fly water.

Fly-fishing in the Finger Lakes region has inspired a line of high end, hand tied flies called "Finger Lakes Steelhead Flies" including such names as: Dark Stonefly, Pheasant Tail, Black-Nosed Dace, and Hare's Ear.

Information about fishing in the county and the region is available through the New York State DEC Fisheries Office which has maps of lakes and streams, updated stocking lists, and other information for anglers.

NYSDEC Region 7 office:
615 Erie Boulevard West, Syracuse, NY 13204
(315) 426-7422

NYS DEC Fishing Hotline Number - Finger Lakes Region
Cortland County
(607) 753-1551

Fishing guides and information are also available at:

The Cortland Factory Store
4053 West Road, Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 753-7835
www.cortlandline.com