Mark your calendars on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, in cooperation with the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum, is hosting its annual Fly Fest. Held at the Rockland House (located at 159 Rockland Road, Roscoe, NY) this much-anticipated event will open to the public at 10:00 a.m. and run until 3:00 p.m. The Rockland House kitchen will be open for lunch during the event; food and refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the day. 

Fly Fest is a wonderful opportunity for fly-tyers of all ages and skill levels. Fly Fest is not a fly-tying show, but rather a celebration of fly-tying that is fun and is open to all, free of charge. Attendees are invited to meet and greet some of the most talented Catskill fly tyers today who will be tying and talking and offering tips for creating their exquisite Catskill-style flies. 

Beginners and experts alike are invited to try their hand at tying, ask questions, share their experiences, swap materials, socialize and shake off the winter blues. 

In addition, Fly Fest offers a rare opportunity to purchase some beautiful necks (capes) from a selection of Charlie Collins’ fabulous feathers that will be featured for sale, thanks to CFT Guild member Christina Muller. 

The Catskill Fly Tyers Guild was established in 1993 “to preserve, protect, promote, and enhance the Catskill fly-tying heritage.” Currently in its 32nd year, the Guild is a members-only, non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting the Catskill fly-tying traditions that were developed here in the Catskills so many years ago.  Steadily growing in numbers, the Guild now boasts more than 300 members world-wide. Their Thursday night Winter tying sessions are held via Zoom and are virtually “attended” by members from across the country as well as around the globe. Members tie flies in the comfort of their home, no matter how inclement the weather; each week a different fly is featured, with a Guild member acting as moderator and instructing how he or she ties that particular fly.

Monthly in-person meetings are conducted at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center Museum on the banks of the Willowemoc Creek, Livingston Manor beginning in April, and provide a great opportunity to meet some of the luminaries in Catskill Fly-Tying today, and learn of the rich history, fly patterns, tying techniques, and traditions that have been passed down through generations. 

Membership in the Guild is just $20 per year, and includes six issues of its newsletter, the Gazette, which is sent via email to current members every other month of the year. The Gazette offers a wealth of information including regular features, historical articles, fly patterns and stories as well as announcements of interest to Guild members.

So come on out to Fly Fest for a fun day of tying or trying something new. See you next Saturday at the Rockland House!