HORTON, NY — A grand total of 3,300 first- and second-year trout were stocked in the Beaverkill on April 14, which would have been quite a task if the turnout had been light—but many hands made light the work.  
Manny Zanger sends out a request for volunteers to local Trout Unlimited chapters and known fishing enthusiasts every year. Sometimes the turnout is light, with only four to six volunteers. This year, over 20 people participated, including many Trout Unlimited volunteers and a number of fishing enthusiasts who simply love the river.  

While it was great to see a bunch of hardy men lugging buckets of trout, the best sight of all was to see Reiss Norton, age 14 of Harvard, NY, hauling bucket after bucket; even Ava and Dylan Irmischer, ages six and two respectively, of Cornwall, NY, joined in.

With so many participants, there was even time to discuss river topics. First among them was the ever-dependable New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stocking program, which provides so many quality fish for the Beaverkill—so much more valuable as a recreational resource than as table fare. Many also thought that the no-kill sections on the Beaverkill and the cold water sections of the Delaware should be expanded.

Thanks to these volunteers, fishers will have excellent opportunities at this fishery as the waters begin to warm.