Contributed Story
SULLIVAN COUNTY — April 2, 2010 — Question: What’s Sally Jesse Raphael up to?
Answer: Opening another trout season in the Catskills on Saturday, April 10.
At 7:30 a.m. that day at Roscoe’s Junction Pool, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum’s First Family of Fishing, the Phelans (Jeff, Erin, Alicia and Allie) and Roscoe Chamber of Commerce will host and welcome special guest fly fishers Sally Jesse Raphael, her husband Karl Soderlund as well as New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and maybe a few other surprise guests. They will continue the tradition of the ceremonial first cast of the season.
Sally was the celebrity fly fishing guest back in 2000 and continues to enjoy casting a fly.
Come early, take part in the festivities (if not the fishing) and have a hot beverage and breakfast snack provided by the Roscoe Chamber of Commerce. Arrive early and get a good spot to watch the group.
This is a day to reacquaint yourself with friends, businesses and neighbors. Stay after with us to fish or talk to Sally, Karl and Aileen and snap a few pictures. It is a full day of fly fishing fun.
Following First Cast, you can make a full day of it. J.B. Martin and Jack Ganz will again visit the grave of Pop Robbins for the annual presentation of the memorial wreath immediately after First Cast.
The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum will open immediately following the streamside activity to officially show off the new exhibits and the recent over-winter remodeling. Agnes and Tony will have the coffee on and Agnes’ world famous cookies and soup will be on the table. Ted Patlen will once again launch the Saturday Guest Fly Tyers Program and share his centerfold in the February issue of the Italian fly tying magazine, Sedge & Mayfly, il piacere della pesca a mosca.
Sally, Karl and Aileen will be there to warm up and meet and greet visitors. Roscoe’s premier wildlife artist, Jack Yelle, will be signing and selling his limited edition “2010 First Cast” print until noon.
Mike Canazon and the bamboo boys, sponsored by the Livingston Manor Lions Club, will once again be at the Livingston Manor Central School Gym from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to cast off some of the winter dust. They’ll feature some classic rods, new creations and old favorites to cast. They’ll familiarize non-cane members with the beauty of natural bamboo rods.
They encourage everyone to try to give it a try and will offer some casting tips and techniques for the new season ahead. All children and students are welcome to give it a try.
At 6 p.m., the Roscoe Chamber of Commerce will once again host the traditional “Two-Headed Trout” dinner at The Rockland House. Reservations can be made directly with The Rockland House by calling (607) 498-5765, Annie’s Place at (607) 498-4139 or Catskill Flies at (607) 498-6146.
In between the scheduled festivities is the perfect time to visit some of your favorite fly shops such as: Catskill Flies, Frank Kuttner’s, Dette’s, Fur, Fin & Feather and the Beaverkill Sportsman. You’ll be sure to run into someone you know. Take a moment and check out your favorite spots on the rivers, look for hatching Gordons and raising fish, or join us in the museum for a chat with friends.