By Rob Potter
ROSCOE — April 16, 2010 — The Roscoe Chamber of Commerce concluded a series of events for opening day of trout season by holding its annual Two-Headed Trout Dinner on Saturday night at the Rockland House.
A sellout crowd of 161 people attended the dinner.
“This is the first sellout of the Two-Headed Trout Dinner,” said Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) Executive Director Jim Krul, who was the emcee for the event. “That says a lot about the Roscoe Chamber of Commerce.”
Roscoe Chamber of Commerce Vice President Rick Baxter noted that the chamber has received two cash awards from Sullivan Renaissance the past two years. He noted that the chamber will use a portion of that money, along with a state grant, to build a sidewalk along Stewart Avenue in Roscoe.
Baxter said the chamber has several exciting events planned for this year. Among them is the Farmers’ Market, which will open on Sunday, May 9 and continue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday through October.
Krul thanked the Roscoe Chamber of Commerce for all it does for the traditional First Cast ceremonies. He especially praised Miriam Stone and Ellen Skarka for all of their work for the event.
Krul also thanked guest casters New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and talk show personality Sally Jessy Raphael and her husband Kurt Soderlund for being at Saturday morning’s First Cast ceremony at Junction Pool.
“Sally Jesse Raphael was our guest caster here 10 years ago,” Krul said. “We had seven inches of snow that day. Sally really knows how to bring the weather.”
Raphael was the guest speaker for the Two-Headed Trout Dinner.
“There are so many nice people here,” she said. “I’m pleased to be with you.”
Raphael then spoke fondly about some of the sights and sounds at Junction Pool as several anglers cast their lines into the famous waters.
“You can’t say that Roscoe isn’t an exciting place to come to,” she said.
Raphael thanked several people who helped make her visit to Roscoe a very enjoyable one.
She also noted that the CFFCM needs a new roof and urged the dinner guests to contribute to that cause.
Roscoe Chamber of Commerce member Sandy Stone asked many of the local fly tyers in attendance to stand up and be recognized.
“These fly tyers are making flies here in America,” he said. “They are the best fly tyers in the world. Please use their flies.”
Sandy Stone then auctioned off a special two-headed trout fly, which is only the second one ever created. The original two-headed trout fly is on display at the CFFCM in Livingston Manor.
Miriam Stone then pointed out many of the families and individuals in the room who have had a long-lasting love of the sport of fishing.
“We have a lot of local people here,” she said. “That’s what makes Trout Town USA special.”
The event also featured prize raffles and a silent auction. The items offered in the silent auction included a day’s fishing experience with guide Dick Smith, a Ross Reel with 5 weight line and flybox from Catskill Flies, a two consecutive night stay in a standard cabin from Creekside Cabins and an artist print of “My Secret Place” by Jack Yelle.