ROSCOE — After a relatively mild winter, fishing season is back in full swing after Monday morning’s First Cast at Junction Pool sparked the unofficial start to the season.

In years past, April 1 was the official start to fishing season, before new legislation made catch-and-release fishing a year-round outdoor activity.

Despite the change, April 1 has remained a special day in the angler community, and the masses still hit the rivers on the first day of the fourth month of the year.

The Roscoe Chamber of Commerce and the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) worked together to bring the community out on Monday morning to celebrate the start of the season.

The Roscoe Campsite Park and Trout Town Farms provided an assortment of delicacies and beverages for the crowd that gathered along the river.

This year’s honored guests were the sisters that recently opened the Catskills Coffee Lodge in Roscoe. Jessica and Jeannine England first opened their doors in July, and the shop sits right alongside the river on Cottage Street.

The sisters graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2016, and their ties to Roscoe brought them back to the area in pursuit of opening their own business.

“It’s gorgeous out here,” Jessica England said after returning from the water. “This was a fun experience and Jeannine is a natural!”

The Junction Pool, the home of the Two Headed Trout of legend, continues to be the most fitting location to kick off fishing season.

The property, which is owned by CFFCM, features fantastic shore views and varying depths of water, making it a great place to test your mettle with a fishing rod.

“The space has a storied history,” explained CFFCM Executive Director Ali Abate. “Today was awesome. We enjoyed being there, working alongside the Roscoe Chamber and participating. It was fun to come out and see everyone excited about the start of the season.”

 Chrissy Routledge, who has helped put together the event for the past five years said, “Every year we’re getting more support from the community. Seeing everyone together and getting involved with the history of fishing in the area is great. Having different generations all gathered to share in the heritage of fly-fishing and pass on knowledge and experience is important for the future of the area and the sport.”

This is the first time in recent years that the CFFCM and Roscoe Chamber of Commerce have worked together on the First Cast, and both are looking forward to continuing to collaborate and grow the event in the years to come.

If you missed the first cast, fret not as there are many upcoming fly-fishing events this weekend to mark on your calendar.

The CFFCM’s Opening Day Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is full of food and celebrations at the museum, including soup and goodies courtesy of Catskill Legend Agnes Van Put.

There is also the Trout About Town treasure hunt in Livingston Manor and the Weekend Passport in Roscoe.

Fly-fishing is an important part of the history of the Catskills. If you’re interested in learning about the sport you can stop by Roscoe Central School on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon to try your hand at bamboo rod casting.

“This time of year is always special,” Abate said. “People can come together and share a moment related to fly-fishing and its storied history in the area.”