Fly Fishing Hall of Fame / Livingston, New York / Oct. 24, 2018
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] pioneering environmentalist, a 16th century author and poet, and “an advocate for the environment” will be inducted into the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 3, at 1 p.m. at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum (CFFCM). They are Nathaniel Reed, Charles Cotton and Fran Verdolina.
Nathaniel Reed, an experienced fly fisher was also a prominent environmentalist who championed conservation activities in the Florida Everglades. He served as assistant United States secretary of the interior. File photo.
Nathaniel Reed
Reed, nominated by Robert Colson, was assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior for Parks, Fisheries and Wildlife. In that role he was among the architects of the Environmental Protection Act, the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, and was instrumental in organizing the first Earth Day.
Charles Cotton
Born in Oswego, Verdolivo’s early fascination with fish and fishing began with the waters around Lake Ontario, where much of his fisheries work continues. His fly fishing commenced while he was young enough to run a paper route, the proceeds from which going mostly to support his growing tackle needs. As he was developing as a serious fly rodder he found the Delaware River and as a still youthful angler, he spent much time there, on the Beaverkill and other Catskill waters. Later in life, he was often called upon to counsel with the New York DEC on fisheries and natural resource matters. He became a specialist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, leading to his work with the hatchery at Altmar. Among many other accomplishments, he was responsible for the first and only “fly fishing only” section on public water in New York in 1989.
Fran Verdolina
Born in 1630, Cotton is being honored for his contributions to “The Compleat Angler,” by Izaak Walton. An angler in his own right, Cotton contributed “Instructions how to angle for a trout or grayling in a clear stream.” His additions spanned 12 chapters on fishing clear water, mainly on fly fishing.
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