Some traditions are built to last. 365 trout fishing in New York doesn’t stop us from celebrating opening day in the Catskills. First cast at Junction Pool, the confluence of the Willowemoc and Beaverkill Rivers, has been a tradition since the 1940’s. Start in Roscoe then join us for a day of food and celebration at the Museum. Fish tales are free and bountiful. So are the coffee and soup.
Rachael Yaeger is all smiles as she wades back in after the 2022 ceremonial First Cast
2023 Opening Day Schedule of Events
First Cast
7AM | Junction Pool | Roscoe, NY
Fly-fishing season is officially open: Attend the first cast of the year by a renowned fishing luminary at the Junction Pool in Roscoe.
Warm-Up at the Museum
10AM-4PM | Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum | Livingston Manor, NY
Soup A La Agnes - Our beloved Agnes Van Put will prepare soup for the masses
Free coffee from Dry Fly Coffee Roasters
Guest Fly Tyer: John Apgar
“Beamoc” the Two-Headed Trout coloring sheet for kids
Catskill Cane Revival
9AM-NOON | Roscoe High School Gym | Roscoe, NY
If you’ve never cast a bamboo rod and would like to see what it is all about, this is the place to be. Bring your rods or try one of ours as we will have a great assortment of new and vintage bamboo for you to cast. We’ll also have several casting instructors on hand for those that would like to improve their skills. Kids are welcome!
Open House at Dette Flies
10AM-2PM | Dette Flies | Livingston Manor, NY
Fly Tying: John Bonasera, Seth Cavarretta, & Nick Mango
Coffee and Bagels - Hot and Fresh
Bring a Fly! Share a Fly!
Roscoe Hotel | Roscoe, NY
Hang Out With an Alpaca
Roscoe Campsite | Roscoe, NY
Two Headed Trout Dinner
SPONSORED BY THE ROSCOE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
6PM - 8:30PM | Rockland House | Roscoe, NY
Tickets: $75 per individual; $525 per table for 8 ($65 each).
Guest speakers: Ramsay Adams (Founder and Exec. Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper); Richard Schager (2022 Two Headed Trout Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient)
Award recipients: Ed Van Put (Catskill Fly Fishing author and advocate; recipient of the “Joan Wulff Award for Fly Fishing Excellence”); post-humously, the late Ted Rogowski (acclaimed Beaverkill River conservationist)
Invited guests of honour: Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado (an avid fly-fisher and supporter of the sport, no stranger to Roscoe having attended the 2019 first cast), Joan Wulff (the legendary First Lady of Fly Fishing), Richard Schafer (Fly Fishing Champion)
Sponsorship opportunities for the dinner are available - click here for more info
More Season Opener Events
March 31st - April 2nd | Roscoe, NY
The Roscoe Camber of Commerce is sponsoring three days of season opener events. Make sure to grab your Roscoe Passport and get them stamped at participating businesses in downtown Roscoe.
Stamped passports will qualify for a special raffle at the end of the weekend. Click here for more info