LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — Fly tyers John Waldron, from Poughkeepsie, left, and Jeff Phelan, from Westbrookville, were among the many fly fishermen who braved somewhat icy road conditions last Saturday morning to descend on the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) in Roscoe, NY for FlyFest.

The event, now in its seventh year, provides a mid-winter oasis for the fly fishing community, members of which gather in a spirit of camaraderie to tie flies, exchange tips and fish stories and provide expert advice and information to any novices who wander in. The museum itself offers a number of fascinating displays even for the inexperienced, like a Roman fish hook dating back to 200 AD, along with a fly that has been reconstructed on the basis of some organic remnants found on the hook by archaeologists.

If you’re champing at the bit for opening day, a visit to CFFCM may make you feel a little closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s located at 1031 Old Route 17, and hours through March are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.