The convergence of people, culture, and the outdoors ignites Alex’s passion for involvement in land management and assisting others in realizing their land use dreams. As a third-generation landowner with a background in land management, he’s got the right combination of authenticity and curiosity to help you connect with the right people to find your right place.
A native of the Northeast, Alex spent summers on his grandparents’ ranch out West sparking his interest in the land and the cultivation of a “sense of place.” After eight years in farm and land management, he continues to advise and guide potential buyers and future and current owners with their land-holding operations.
A culinary aficionado, Alex lives with his wife, Bliss, daughter, Nellie, and son, Bo, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He’s insistent that his children also discover the thrill of downhill skiing, and they all enjoy spending time fly fishing, traveling and exploring new places, and discovering the local cuisine, whether in the Blue Ridge Mountains or wide expanses of the West.
Talk land with Alex.
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.
Blessed with abundance, The Willo Preserve is mostly unimproved, offering a relatively blank canvas for the next owner. Willowemoc Creek runs through and near the property's northern boundary, and 2.6± miles of both sides of the creek are fully within the property, creating a highly coveted private fishery. Additionally, there is a one-quarter mile of single-sided frontage along the Willowemoc further downstream.
The clubhouse is in the center of the property, a history-filled 1,200± square foot structure that dates to 1912. Just off the front porch is a crystal clear, trout-filled two-and-a-half-acre pond. The pond’s water is reportedly of such good quality that it was once the site of the first fish hatchery in Sullivan County. Next to the main pond is a smaller outlet pond, which is also periodically stocked.
The valley 's topography is such that the northern and western sides of The Willo are bordered by a mixture of open fields and forest. The opposite side of the creek climbs steadily in elevation, and Hemlocks grow along the creek in the cool shadows of the mountainside, providing shade and structure to the fishery. The mountain land offers endless four-season recreation, whether hiking alongside the seven waterfalls that cascade down Hunter Brook, or riding the miles of old logging roads and bark trails on ATV’s or snowmobiles. Healthy wildlife populations, including Whitetail Deer, Eastern Wild Turkey, Grouse, and Black Bears, are found throughout. While the Willowemoc tends to get the most attention, the variety this acreage provides is exceptional and makes the Preserve a well-rounded destination throughout the year for anglers and non-anglers alike.
The Willo Preserve is a rare opportunity to purchase one of the finest fly-fishing properties in the Mid-Atlantic. For the first time in over four generations, a new owner will have the chance to build on the Preserve’s exceptional 120-year-old fishing legacy. Beyond fishing, the abundant natural resources, year-round recreation, and unbeatable location perfectly encapsulate the enduring appeal of the Catskills.
The Preserve is a short ten-minute drive east of Livingston Manor and roughly fifteen minutes east of Roscoe. Both towns, although small, have a delightful laid-back vibrancy and offer easy access to restaurants, stores, and daily necessities. New York City is just over two hours from the property, and many Mid-Atlantic towns and cities, including Philadelphia, are within three hours of driving time. The nearest commercial airports are Albany International and Newark Liberty International. Each are roughly two hours away and together provide nonstop service to nearly two hundred domestic and international destinations. The nearest full-service FBO, Stewart International Airport, can be found one hour away in Newburgh, New York.
The Catskills have long been a getaway for New Yorkers and Mid-Atlantic residents looking to explore nature and escape the metro areas during the summer. Throughout the 20th century, the area boomed with hotels and resorts and became known as an outdoor and artistic haven. In recent years, the area has undergone a renaissance, and its wide-ranging natural and cultural appeal again draws visitors to a new generation of hotels, farm-to-table restaurants, and local boutiques.
Even with the area’s many attractions, nature is still the top draw. Idyllic farms are situated in narrow valleys among the gently rolling topography of the namesake Catskill Mountains. Cold, clear rivers and streams, cascading waterfalls, and easy access to public lands complement the relaxed charm of Livingston Manor, Callicoon, Roscoe, Windham, and other towns in the region.
The area’s pristine natural setting is indirectly tied to and protected by New York City, as the Catskill/Delaware watershed supplies roughly 90% of the city’s drinking water. Further protecting the Catskills’ natural resources is the sprawling 600,000-acre Catskill Park, which spans forested lands throughout Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. Not surprisingly, all forms of outdoor recreation abound in the area, including storied fly-fishing meccas such as the Delaware, Beaverkill, Neversink, and, of course, the Willowemoc. Activities don’t slow down in the winter months, and Hunter and Windham ski resorts are roughly an hour from the Preserve.
The Willo Preserve enjoys a true four-season climate. Summers are warm but manageable and a welcome relief from hotter climates closer to the Atlantic Coast. Summertime highs generally range from 75 to 85 degrees, with lows in the 50s. During the fall months, the foliage in the Willowemoc Valley is stunning, accompanied by consistent blue skies. Daytime temperatures climb to around 70 degrees, while nights and mornings are cool and crisp and dip into the 40s and 30s.
Snowfall is expected in the winter, and this part of the Catskills sees up to 60 inches of snow annually. Spring is balmy and enjoyable, with highs in the 60s and nighttime lows in the 30s. It is also the wettest time of year, keeping water levels in the Willowemoc high and making for fantastic fishing. The average annual rainfall for the area is approximately 50 inches.
The Catskill Mountains have a rich history spanning thousands of years. Originally inhabited by the Lenape and Mohican tribes, European settlers pursuing the fur trade and westward expansion arrived in the 17th century. Later, the local economy would center around timber, tanneries, and textiles before giving way to a burgeoning tourism industry in the 19th century. New Yorkers flocked to the mountainous region in the summer to escape the city. As tourism grew, the Catskill garnered fame as a cultural hub, building on the legacy of the Hudson River School and others. With the rise of the Catskills as a vacation destination, the region developed a thriving resort industry, and at one point in the 20th century, resorts in the area totaled in the hundreds.
During this heyday, in the early 1900s, Charles B. Ward opened the DeBruce Club Inn, which came to span 1,700± acres and included a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a telephone system that connected guests with family and business back home. The Ward years paralleled the rise of the area’s fly-fishing reputation. Rivers such as the Beaverkill, Delaware, Neversink, and Willowemoc became destinations in their own right, and the Catskills became known as the cradle of American fly fishing.
In 1946, with the post-war tailwinds at his back, Walter A. Kocher, attracted by the beauty and opportunity of the Catskills, purchased Ward’s holdings, including the DeBruce Club Inn. Later, in 1959, Kocher was approached by a group of Rockland-area businessmen who wanted to lease the property’s fishing rights. An agreement was reached soon thereafter, and the DeBruce Fly Fishing Club was born. Over time, the membership would grow and draw members from throughout the tri-state area and beyond. Nearly 80 years later, the Kochers and the DeBruce Fly Fishing Club continue to carefully steward the property and its fly-fishing legacy.
The property’s 1,157± acres are predominantly forested. There are approximately 38 open acres, mainly around the clubhouse and along DeBruce Road. Current land uses for these fields are hay production and cattle grazing. Elevations on the property range from 1,540 feet to 2,300 feet. An approximate breakdown of the property’s acreage is as follows:
The property is modestly improved, freeing the future owner to implement their vision. The historic clubhouse overlooks the main pond at the center of the property and measures approximately 1,200 square feet. It is comprised of four bedrooms connected by a living room with a deep stone fireplace and an adjacent kitchen. Nearby, there is a classic older barn that is used for storage. Just down the road is a 1,400± square foot ranch-style house, which is currently rented and could easily serve as a future manager’s house.
Annual property taxes are approximately $64,381.
The Preserve’s 2.6± miles of the Willowemoc have a distinctly Northeastern feel. Mature forest flanks the creek in most areas, and the fishery unfolds over a series of deep runs, pools, and shallow riffles. Several creeks and unnamed tributaries, including Hunter Brook and Mongaup Creek, enter the Willowemoc on the property, increasing water volume and providing a diverse fishing experience. History feels alive here. Mention the names of favorite fishing spots – Anvil Rock, Junction Pool, Little Falls, Rhododendron Run, Ward’s Pool – to any regular on the Willo, and stories are sure to follow. The creek is stocked annually with brown trout, but a future owner could easily adapt or alter the current management strategy depending on one’s needs.
Although fly fishing gets top billing at the Preserve, other recreational opportunities abound. An expansive trail system winds throughout the property, both along the banks of the Willowemoc and up the surrounding mountainsides. In the summer this means hiking, mountain biking and trail riding; in the wintertime, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. The property also holds healthy populations of Whitetail Deer and Eastern Wild Turkeys, as well as black bears, bobcats, grouse, and numerous other species. Hunting on the property has been managed by a local hunt club, and ample opportunity exists to further develop wildlife habitat and a hunting program. Similarly, the terrain would be ideal for a sporting clay course.
Exceptional 1,117± acre farm raising grass-fed beef on organic pastures. Multiple houses, barns, and extensive agricultural infrastructure. Outstanding Lake Champlain and Adirondack scenery and recreation. Under ten minutes to Essex.
