LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) will celebrate the opening the trout fishing season on Saturday, April 2. The weekend will start on April 1 with a dinner at the center at 5:30 p.m., at which it will recognize three fly-fishing legends: Tom Satterthwaite, Roy Smith and Cooper Jr.

Satterthwaite was a jeweler by trade, but a fly fisher at heart, as well as an educator, fly tyer, artist, craftsman and writer dedicated to the enhancement of fly fishing. As a fly tyer, Tom found a great appreciation of hackles through a close relationship with Harry and Elsie Darbee. Like many, he polished his patterns and skills on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc.

Smith, along with the better-known Art Flick, was a stalwart of the Schohairie and the Esopus, weaker sisters of the “charmed circle” of Catskill rivers that typically get more recognition. With the emphasis on Catskill dry flies and Catskill dry fly tying, there is a lack of attention paid to wet flies and wet fly fishing. Smith, reverently referred to as the Dean of the Esopus, was one of those men who not only tied perfect wet flies, but also fished them with great results.

A testament to the art of fly tying, Cooper has commercially tied flies as a full-time career for over 70 years. He has created flies for Abercrombie & Fitch, Orvis and other stores, in addition to tying flies for noted anglers Ted Williams and former President Jimmy Carter. He is a living connection to the Catskill great Rube Cross, who learned his techniques from the father of American dry fly fishing, Theodore Gordon.

The Center is located at 1031 Old Route 17. Seating is limited; to make a reservation, visit the event page at www.cffcm.com or call 845/439-4810. The cost is $50 for members and $65 for non-members.