It is with a heavy heart that I report the passing of Clem Fullerton, an original member of our chapter. Clem was very active in many aspects of the chapter - president, newsletter editor and member of The Rock Rollers, to name a few.

Besides being a resident of Westchester, Clem was a proud Texan who wintered back in his home state. He also had a place in Calicoon on the Delaware River where he graciously hosted many summer board meetings. Clem’s endearing ‘aw shucks’ personality always added levity to his chapter newsletter with a closing joke or quote. He was also honored with our Member of the Year Award, he shared with his wife Barbara. You couldn’t mention Clem’s name without including Barbara too!

Many may remember or have heard of “The Rock Rollers”, in which Clem was an active member. This group of dedicated fly anglers/conservationists conducted stream improvement projects throughout the watershed with the blessing of DEP/DEC, believe it or not back in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. Some of the projects Clem worked on are still present today. To name a few, there is a V-dam that forms the first pool just down stream of Rt 35 bridge over the Amawalk Outlet. Another project on the East Branch is a pair of wing-dams along the long straight stretch between Brady’s Bend and Phoebe’s Hole. These two wing dams create some velocity for scouring streambed while still allowing fish passage.

Look for these two examples and, if observant, you’ll notice others throughout the watershed with Clem’s thumbprint. Say thanks and tight lines to this Rock Roller!

John Genovesi

Past President

Clem was working as a salesman in New York City when he got interested in fly fishing in the late 1950’s and 60’s. He was a founding member of our TU chapter along with Ray Bergman and Dick Taulleur. They used to meet and tie flies, and that evolved into the Croton Watershed Chapter of TU. Clem was Croton Watershed Chapter President--at least for one term and maybe two--as was his wife, Barbara. He ran the chapter’s spring Fly Fishing Schools, which were held at Fox Lane Middle School at that time. And, he also edited the chapter’s newsletter for some years. When I edited the newsletter, he always contributed a couple articles each year on fishing the local streams.

By the 1980’s, he had started a janitorial/office-cleaning business. When he retired, he and his wife moved to Texas, but they came back each spring to a house they had on the Delaware River. The last time I saw him, we were fishing the upper stretch of Willemoc Creek, probably 12-15 years ago. He told me that, to access the parts of the Delaware River where the embankment was really steep, he would tie a rope onto the guard rails along the road and rappel down to the river. He was well over 70 years old at the time. That’s dedication.

Requiescat in pace.

Carl Swanson

Click on this pdf to read Tony Bonavist's tribute to Clem Fullerton.