If water is your thing, especially fishing, then the Sullivan Catskill communities of Roscoe and its downstream neighbor Livingston Manor might as well be the center of the fly-flung universe.
The low-key, relaxed vibe that comes from calm misty mornings among the riffles has woven itself into the soul of these communities in a way that brings the outside in. A welcoming freshness built by people and the waters they love.
All Things Fish
Pick up any book on fly fishing in North America and Roscoe and Livingston Manor will be featured prominently, likely even debated as the birthplace of “dry fly” fishing. None of that happens without the legendary free-flowing waters of the Beaverkill and Willowemoc, which are, without a doubt, the heart of each place.
“The fishing mindset is a relaxed and soulful part of life here. It’s become part of every business in town in a way that brings the culture out of the water and into the community.” – Joe Heusigner, Guide & Owner, Covert Creek Outfitters
4 Ways to Experience the Storied Lore of Fly Fishing
1. Gear Up: Livingston Manor is home to Fur, Fin & Feather, Quinn’s Fly Box, and Dette Flies. In Roscoe, you’ll find Beaverkill Angler, Trout Town Flies and Baxter House Fly Fishing Outfitters. Need gear? They’ve got it, plus unfiltered advice, great stories and a genuine goal of making your day the best one you’ve ever had on the water.
2. First Time on the Water?: A professional guide will make your first Catskills fishing outing easy, fun and full of fish. Every shop and outfitter listed above can book you a guided trip or a lesson. No experience necessary.
3. Soak It In: To get a true sense of the area’s storied fishing history, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum, tucked along the stunning banks of the Willowemoc between Roscoe and Livingston Manor, is a must. Generations of fly fishers have spent time here. Generations more will begin here.
4. Trout Parade: If your Catskill trip falls in mid-June, the Livingston Manor Trout Parade is widely considered the best day of the year by locals. Expect a themed parade, a vendor fair, children’s activities and an after-party that deserves its own story.
“My husband and I moved to Livingston Manor 30 years ago because of fishing. Today, every aspect of our life is shaped by these waters and the incredible natural environment that surrounds them.” – Diane Beveridge, Owner, Antrim Streamside
Trails, Farms & Parks
Just as spectacular as the rivers are the mountains, forests, farms and well-tended public green spaces that envelope them. Getting out of the water is all about getting rooted in this place, and the easiest way to do that is to go for a walk.
“One of my family’s favorite things to do is hike into Trout Pond and grill hotdogs at the lean-to. It’s an easy walk for kids in any season. In the winter, we snowshoe and that makes a warm fire feel even better.” – Ahu Terzi, Owner, The Hound Books
3 Ways to Explore Outside
1. Pick a Trail: The Willowemoc Wild Forest offers 40 miles of trails, including lush loops around Frick Pond and Hodge Pond and a beautiful ridge walk to Quick Lake. Want elevation? The Balsam Mountain Fire Tower is your spot. For a shorter outing, don’t miss Russell Brook Falls or the Trout Pond lean-to.
2. Farms & Farmers Markets: Families spend hours at Buck Brook Alpacas in Roscoe, where furry and feathered friends are there to touch, feed, and frolic with. In Livingston Manor, Beaver Lake Farm is a family-owned organic operation raising chickens, turkeys, sheep, pigs, and cows. Farmers markets run in both communities on Sundays, May through October.
3. Park It: No trip to Livingston Manor is complete without a stop at Covered Bridge Park, one of the most photographed bridges in the area, with picnic areas, fishing access, and plenty of room for little legs to roam. In Roscoe, pair a visit to Riverside Park with a stop at the Roscoe O&W Railway Museum. Kids love water. Kids love trains.
Art Walks & Vintage Shops
Since 2000, the main streets of Livingston Manor and Roscoe have been quietly building into something special. Artists, makers, shop owners and dreamers have been showing up, setting down roots and turning two small-town corridors into thriving creative destinations with a little something for everyone.
“Roscoe is a blossoming creative community built on acceptance with a genuine drive to take care of each other. It’s a place where discovery isn’t curated. It just happens.” – Reynan Punzalan, Founder, The Roscoe Collective
1. Discover Local Art: The Catskill Art Space in Livingston Manor spans two floors and four galleries showcasing local artists and traveling shows. Downstream, The Roscoe Collective is a vibrant cultural hub with artist studios, events and classes. A place where conversation flows as freely as the people who wander in.
2. Go Vintage: The NYC vintage sensibility has made its way upstate via Taylor + Ace in Roscoe, where you’ll find vintage housewares, furniture and plenty of Brooklyn-inspired energy. In Livingston Manor, Life Repurposed is all about second chances: mismatched dishes, jewelry and forgotten home décor, spiffed up and saved from the landfill.
3. Much More Than Books: The Hound Books in Roscoe believes every book should have a story beyond its pages and they deliver with a hidden-gem shop full of independent voices, vintage treasures, and rare literary finds. At One Grand in Livingston Manor, thinkers are celebrated in a modern yet intimate space named one of the “Best 25 New Stores in the World” by GQ Magazine in 2017.
Foodie Fun, Breweries & Live Music
The folks in the Sullivan Catskills are serious curators of taste, especially when it comes to food and drink. These unassuming communities punch well above their size with global flavors fine-tuned with locally grown ingredients.
“No matter where you are, there is music in the community. Restaurants, breweries, galleries, parks. Sunup to sundown, live music is happening somewhere and it’s always free and open to all.” – Ahu Terzi, Owner, The Hound Books
1. Find Your Flavor: Yes, there’s a Korean-inspired restaurant in Livingston Manor where the food makes you feel at home, even if it’s a home you’ve never been to. That’s Threshold. In Roscoe, The Yarra is not your traditional bed and breakfast. It’s also a Saturday Supper Club serving Asian and Australian fusion. In the Catskills. It works.
2. Hops On: Craft breweries are booming everywhere, but there’s truly nothing like the scene along the Beaverkill and Willowemoc. Upward Brewing in Livingston Manor has its own on-property hiking trail leading to, yes, Beer Mountain. Catskill Brewery, also in Livingston Manor, is a family- and dog-friendly gathering spot as much as it is a bar. And Roscoe Beer Co., in Trout Town USA, has a fish tank stocked with live trout inside the brewery. Because of course it does.
3. Let’s Dance: In the Sullivan Catskills, you don’t have to wait for sundown for live music to start. Do Good Spirits in Roscoe serves vodka, gin and bourbon, and runs the Do Good Garage across the street, hosting live music every Friday through Sunday all summer long. The Stumble Out Bar in Livingston Manor keeps things equally lively, where live tunes and grilled asparagus share the same dance floor.
Let’s Wander Together
From fish to farms to food and everything in between, Roscoe and Livingston Manor embody the earthy, unhurried spirit of the Sullivan Catskills. A place where Main Street is a trailhead and where it leads is entirely up to you.
“What I love most about this place is that we don’t judge. We make first times fun, whether that’s fishing, hiking, or anything else. It’s a relaxed microcosm that understands it all works because of the rivers and all who care about them.” – Joe Heusigner, Guide & Owner, Covert Creek Outfitters
Shirt, shoes, waders and wanderers welcome.