The Willo Preserve

For More Information or to Schedule a Showing, Contact Alex Webel, Broker|Partner, Hall and Hall, LLP at 434-989-1199.

In the heart of the Catskills sits The Willo Preserve, a storied fly-fishing property that traces its roots to the late 19th and early 20th century. In 1904, angling pioneer George LaBranche cast the first dry fly on fast water in North America, setting in motion a fly-fishing legacy that continues at the Preserve today. The property's crown jewel is 2.6+/- private and scenic miles of the Willowemoc, or as locals call it, ‘The Willo.’ For the past 66 years, the fishing here has been managed by a fly-fishing club that has carried on and added to the Preserve’s angling history. Notable club members have included fly-fishing writers Nick Lyons and Sparse Gray Hackle, among others, as well as wildlife artist Milton C. Weiler. Going back even further, these same waters were once enjoyed by the father of American dry fly fishing, Theodore Gordon.

Surrounding the cold, clear, freestone creek is 1,157+/- acres of verdant forest land comprised of mixed hardwood, pine, and hemlock. The Willowemoc flows along the valley's edge, and elevations rise 700 feet or more from the creek bed. These mountainsides are interspersed with bark trails, old logging roads, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, providing extensive four-season recreational opportunities that complement the fishing.

The privacy and pristine setting of The Preserve are balanced by remarkable convenience, and a future owner could start their day in midtown Manhattan and, two hours later, be rigging their rod on the banks of the Willowemoc. Not far from the Preserve are the vibrant hamlets of Livingston Manor and Roscoe (a.k.a. Trout Town, U.S.A.), which offer a full complement of restaurants, stores, and amenities. Truly the best of both worlds, The Willo Preserve is being offered for sale for the first time in nearly 80 years.

The Facts:

~ 1,157+/- acres

~ 2.6+/- miles of private frontage (both banks) of Willowemoc Creek

~ Fishery is periodically stocked and managed for brown trout; brook trout are also present

~ Storied fly-fishing history, the first dry fly in North America was cast here in 1904

~ Stocked 2.5+/- acre pond in front of clubhouse

~ Four bedroom, 1,200+/- square foot clubhouse (circa 1912)

~ Three bedroom, 1,400+/- square foot tenant house

~ Extensive trail system

~ Elevation ranges from 1,540 feet to 2,290 feet

~ Multiple waterfalls, one of which is 30+ feet high

~ Healthy populations of Whitetail Deer, Eastern Wild Turkeys, and Black Bear

~ Two hours to New York City

~ Ten minutes to Livingston Manor and fifteen minutes to Roscoe

Endless four-season recreation potential

~ ~ On the market for the first time in 80 years

~ No conservation easement