Roscoe’s Two-Headed Trout Dinner Celebrates Trout Season

The Roscoe-Rockland Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of its annual Two-Headed Trout Awards, recognizing the Dette family and Phil and Donna Vallone for their contributions to the community. The awards will be presented at the 64th Annual Two-Headed Trout Dinner, the Chamber’s main fundraiser, on Saturday, April 5, at the historic Rockland House.

Wendy LaManque, co-chair of the Two-Headed Trout Dinner Planning Committee, previewed the dinner and honorees on Radio Chatskill.

The dinner, dating back to the 1940s, marks the opening of trout fishing season in “Trout Town USA” and celebrates Roscoe’s heritage. It also serves as a platform to honor individuals who embody the spirit of the town through two awards: the Joan Wulff Excellence in Fly Fishing Award and the Golden Trout Community Service Award.

This year, the Joan Wulff Excellence in Fly Fishing Award will be bestowed upon the Dette family and Dette Flies, recognizing their generations-long dedication to fly fishing. The family, owners of Dette Flies, the oldest family-run fly shop in the world, have significantly contributed to the sport, making Roscoe a fly-fishing destination. The award will be presented to Joe Fox and Kelly Buchta, the fourth generation owners of the shop.

The Golden Trout Award honors Phil and Donna Vallone for their impactful contributions to Roscoe’s business landscape. The couple is recognized for their work in establishing the Trout Town Inn and the Roscoe Beer Company, among other contributions to the community.

Image: Winnie Dette’s (1909-1998) Catskill dry flies are considered some of the best in fly fishing. The Dette family carries on the tradition and will be honored at this year’s Two-Headed Trout Dinner. (Credit: American Museum of Fly Fishing).