It's no secret that the Catskills are a highly-coveted destination for anglers and fly-fisherman from all over the world. The well-known Upper Delaware River and the many reservoirs that provide New York City its water abound with fishing sites, although some are permit-only.

Our very own Town of Roscoe has been dubbed “Trout Town USA” - a place where the Willowemoc Creek and the Beaverkill River come together at Junction Pool.

So where does the secret lie?

On a long, winding road that runs along the banks of the Beaverkill, past old beautiful farmhouses that have since been abandoned, continuing deeper into the Catskills and the wooded countryside, you round a corner to see a petite bridge on the left that crosses over rushing water to a sweet boarding-style house tucked into the trees: The Beaverkill Valley Inn.

“The Beaverkill Valley Inn is privately owned by the Mountain Club Membership,” said Sales and Hospitality Manager Kathy Bryant. “What I think is absolutely lovely is that originally the Beaverkill Valley Inn was called the Bonnie View Inn. It was built by Mr. Towse in 1895 on the banks of the Beaverkill River as a sporting lodge. It has since gone through three private ownerships but it has always been open to the sporting public.”

In 1980, Larry Rockefeller purchased the Inn, modernizing it to the splendor that it is today - a pristine example of classic Catskill architecture - and the original owners were wise when building it. They built it high enough so that at certain times of the year when the river rises, nothing gets flooded or goes underwater.

“It's just a beautifully maintained building,” Bryant said, “and we're on the National Historic Register, so we're pretty proud of that.”

According to Bryant, the Beaverkill is well sought out, a kind of ‘bucket list' item for avid anglers from around the world for its free-flowing water that's never been dammed, it's year-round cold temperature that maintains healthy trout, and because it's shaded.

Heavy tree coverage is important to the health of a stream because of the food chain that is created from falling leaves, insects, and more.

“The Beaverkill springs out of the Balsam Lake, so we're close to the source, and the Upper Beaverkill River where we are, is flanked by two sections of private water from two different private trout clubs, so anyone who isn't part of a club is able to stay here and fish the one mile of river that is available to our guests only,” Bryant said. “We've had people come from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, England, and all across the United States.”

“Of course, not every person that stays at the Inn fishes, although we do hope they try it out,” Bryant added. “We have a lot of comfortable amenities for spouses or family who are staying with us, like hiking trails, an indoor pool and tennis courts. We even have a hockey rink in winter.”

And if that's not enough, just upstream from the Beaverkill Valley Inn is the Wulff School of Fly-Fishing that Joan and Lee Wulff opened in 1979 at 1924 Beaver Kill Rd.

Also in 1979, Elsie Darbee, with the help of nine dedicated individuals, opened the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) further down the valley on 1031 Old Route 17, between Manor and Roscoe.

“CFFCM is absolutely a hidden gem in the Catskills,” said CFFCM Business Development Director Robert Ceccarini. “We're located right on the fabled Willowemoc where the fishing is superb.”

What most people don't know is the CFFCM is now the world's largest center dedicated to the fly fishing community, and aims to be a focal point in the community in preserving tradition and history while continuing to encourage a new generation of fly fisherman.

“The Catskill Fly Tyers Guild meets at the Center monthly for those interested in tying, and they've partnered with us on Kids on the Fly to teach anyone who wants to learn how to tie a fly,” stated CFFCM's Executive Director John Kovach. “We have events like Summerfest, and we'll be expanding our offerings to have regular lessons on our grounds.”

CFFCM is also broadening the scope of their events and will be welcoming the Zane Grey Plein Air Painters for arts events, and looking to have author talks and movies. Most of their events are open to the public.

So if you're here in the Catskills, get on some thigh high waders and give fly fishing a try.