Roscoe Rising – A Fish Tale

A Realtor’s Perspective

Sullivan County has always been a destination for tourism for people from the whole Tri-State area. Roscoe however, has always had a much more specific draw. More than most other places in the county, it’s a sportsman’s paradise. Fishermen and hunters have been frequenting the area for nearly 150 years. “Roscoe is known as the Trout Fishing Capital of the World thanks to our great folks at the Chamber of Commerce and we’ve continued to capitalize on that by offering supplemental fishing experiences: like the Roscoe father and son business called Trout Town Adventures and Guide Service, or Orvis: offering their Sunday afternoon fly fishing school or Roscoe Beer Company that definitely thinks outside the box and creates exciting events year round like their recent WINTERFEST,” says Deb Gorenflo, a local realtor from Timberland Properties with 20 years’ experience selling the Catskills. “SCP and SCVA have done a tremendous job touting all the Catskills have to offer and the more people that come to the area to poke around at what we have, the more interested they are in staying!”

“I remember a recent summer morning driving through Livingston Manor and seeing a car full of people stop. All four doors flew open at the same time and everyone popped out. Smiling faces! We’re here!!!”

“How great to have our guests truly enjoy what we’ve always known is special.”

“It used to be that 75% of our buyers were second homeowners looking to enjoy our unlimited outdoor activities in the Summer,” Gorenflo recalls, “but what

COVID has taught us is that city dwellers no longer need to be stuck in a 400-sqft apartment looking out at a brick wall. Buyers can live ANYWHERE and work from home if they have internet access. As a result, we’ve seen a greater number of people moving here full time. Why not enjoy fresh air, a slower pace and higher quality of life if you can!”

A surprising number of buyers are coming from New Jersey. Also, Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens. “I get calls a couple of times a week from people saying “I have friends that bought a place in Livingston Manor or Roscoe and they love it! Can you find me something too?”

Locals vs. Transplants:

“I remember when we moved here 10 years ago after my husband retired, Gorenflo adds, “We were certainly hesitant at first thinking the locals would not welcome outsiders. That was 180 degrees wrong! Locals can’t offer help fast enough no matter what you’re asking for help with. Both sides benefit - visitors and locals sharing new ideas and concepts. Everyone profits!

In fact, most of the newly opened and thriving businesses in the area are owned and operated by tourists turned locals! The YARRA and The Junction in Roscoe and Pelkey’s in Hankins are owned by entrepreneurs who through sweat-equity have moved here full time and garnered quite a following in a short period.” Roscoe used to have many empty storefronts downtown but now has become a destination for excellent food experiences.

New York City residents Aaron Blakely and Misty Hackworth started coming to the Catskills together in 2015.

“We would sort of go all over and hike as many weekends as we could. We started camping and fishing a bit too before realizing that the western Catskills not only had great fishing, but legendary fly fishing. We started teaching ourselves how to Fly Fish and in doing so fell in love with Roscoe. We camped and fished the area as many weekends during the season as we could until buying our house in the spring of 2019. We’re right in town just a couple of streets from the bar.” a viable destination contributes to the overall quality of life for residents. Access to healthcare, transportation and well-paying jobs all are a product of a robust tourism destination.

Creating their own but didn’t really have a timeline as to when. Then the pandemic started. “We came up to the house the first weekend the city shut down and never spent another night in Brooklyn. Once it was obvious that things weren’t going back to normal any time soon, we started getting serious about developing a real plan for the restaurant. One of our main goals when opening The Junction, was to make it a place for everybody. So far, we have accomplished this goal.” Their regular clientele consists of; people born and raised in the area, fishermen and hunters who have been coming to Roscoe for generations, second home-owners who have been in the area for many years, people who just discovered the area during the pandemic and people who are just discovering the area for the first time. “It’s something we’re very proud of and will continue to make an important part of our business,” says Aaron.

“To be fly fishermen, who opened a fly fishing bar in the birthplace of American fly fishing, has been a dream come true, he adds.

The couple currently works with the three main local breweries (Roscoe Brewing Co., Catskill Brewing, Upward Brewing.) as well as Do Good Spirits Distillery, just one street over. They also work with local farms whenever possible (Halloran Farms venison, Buttercup Farm eggs, Somewhere In Time Farm kale and other veggies, Mountain Sweet Berry Farm tri-star strawberries in the Summer, Beaverkill Trout Hatchery, and Snowdance farm poultry). They also have many friends that have opened Sullivan County businesses in the last few years: Taylor and Ace Vintage across the street, The Roscoe Motel and The Yarra B&B, Van Smokey in Manor and Sullivan Sundries in Jeffersonville.

Father and son owners of Trout Town Adventures, Phil and David Eggleton are locals who both grew up along the banks of the Willowemoc and Beaverkill rivers. Together they have developed a reputation within the area and fishing community as family friendly, yet excited by the pursuit of helping clients improve their techniques and understanding of the sport.

“The majority or our clients come from the greater NYC area, including suburbs in New Jersey and Connecticut,” says Philip.

“Approximately 97% of our business is from folks who don’t currently live in the area.”

The direct and indirect effects of their business and similar businesses in the area is a true trickle down and incubation of growth and new business.

“The fly shops are usually the first stop for our clients. (After purchasing a NY State fishing license). Gas stations, local eateries, and places to spend the night follow soon after.”

The duo partners with the motels, cabin rentals and Airbnb folks immediately with referrals for where to stay.

“For instance, guests who stay at JS Creekside Cabins, The Roscoe Motel and Red Rose Motel (to name a few), can stay, rent equipment even after their lesson/excursion and leave the equipment at their lodging, to be picked up after they depart.”

The established pair even refers new businesses to their clients. “Trout Town Flies is a Guide who liked the area and fishing so much that he purchased a shop here.” says Phil. “The owner worked with the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum, which is just upstream on the Willowemoc to schedule several FREE clinics for women, utilizing women guides and educators.”

The Roscoe Motel is under new management and those proprietors took a lesson in flyfishing. The result is a collaboration with local guides to give lessons at the motel and then apply that practical application in the Beaverkill River which borders the motel property.

The Red Rose Motel, JS Creekside Cabins and Butternut Grove Campgrounds all have new owners who embrace and lend to the fishing lore.

“There is so much more than fishing going on here. Hiking trails, paddling streams, lakes and ponds. Multiple shops, eateries, award-winning distillery and brewery. Live music venues. A great public library system. Multiple houses of worship. And lots of great places to just enjoy our beautiful Sullivan County and do absolutely nothing.” Well, maybe spend your time and tourism dollars!