It comes as a surprise to absolutely no one that the digital-detox industry is booming.
For the most part, retreats of said nature are accompanied with aural readings by a woman named Surrender and a severe lack of adult beverages.
But Livingston Manor Fly Fishing Club — a new overnight sanctuary in the Catskills — is different.
Much more than just a fishing club, Livingston Manor comprises two beautifully restored buildings on the banks of the Willowemoc River, the birthplace of fly fishing in the United States. It was created by former city dwellers who saw the serious need for an escape to nature and a slower pace of life.
The result is a woodsy five-acre dream complete with all the tools you need to enjoy the outdoors, from Stutterheim raincoats to hiking gear to poles and waders.
Inquiring parties can sign up here to be notified when membership enrollment opens (they tell us that should be just after Memorial Day weekend). For $300 a year, members will receive priority booking and discounted rates for weekend events. These intermittent affairs run Friday through Sunday, with outdoor adventures and local sojourns hosted by the LMFFC crew. So your day might begin with sunrise yoga in the wild, and end with a late-night teepee gathering boasting wine, beer and locally sourced culinary delights.
And should you get the hump-day blues, only members are privy to reservations during the week.
Book all eight rooms, including one glamping tent, for a buddies getaway or corporate retreat. Or just lock down a single unit for individual repose. Either way, one of the best perks is that you don’t need a car to get to LMFFC or when you get there. As told by LMFCC: “If you are wanting for anything, the Catskills Brewery provides beer, the Main Street Market provides fresh food, the Kaatskeller provides pizza and crafty cocktails, and the river provides tranquility. If this doesn’t solve [your problem], there’s probably nothing anyone can do.”
Mind you, members should be wary of the club’s very particular list of rules.
Among our favorites:
Tall Tales Beat Big Whales — If you catch it and decide to keep it, you better eat it. If you catch it and release it, you better exaggerate it. The best fisherman is not the one who catches the biggest fish, but the one who tells the tallest tale.
And, of course:
Batteries Are Not Included — The best form of entertainment at LMFCC do not involve electricity. We suggest reading, cooking, building, talking, board gaming, drinking, fishing and fornicating. Facilities for all are provided.
Fishing just got a whole helluva lot more interesting.
Livingston Manor Fly Fishing Club pictures by Peter Crosby
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