Trout season is casting off in full force, and Old Souls Upstate Outfitter is kicking things off in full (fishing) gear with a larger-than-life window trout swimming into its display to greet passersby—before ultimately going home with one lucky winner.

As part of opening weekend and Trout About Town, the store is getting its trout on with “Slow Bow,” a four-foot stuffed rainbow trout that takes “center-pond” in a festive window display. One lucky winner will be able to call the fish their own following a raffle drawing at the end of the day Sunday, April 5; a giveaway designed to attract visitors of all ages, from avid anglers to curious customers.

“A stuffed trout is just fun for all ages,” explained store manager Mike Kaplan. “It makes the raffle more appealing for non-fishermen.”

The idea behind the giveaway, Kaplan said, was to make opening week feel bigger and more interactive than in years past. By combining a bold visual display with an engaging raffle, Old Souls hopes to create an experience that goes beyond traditional retail.

The trout itself has already drawn attention, with visitors stopping in and entering the raffle for a chance to take it home. For Kaplan, however, success isn’t just measured in participation, but in the reactions it creates, especially among younger visitors.

“Success looks like a child holding up their four-foot trout and grinning from ear to ear after their name is chosen,” Kaplan said.

While the giveaway is the “reel” attraction, it’s also part of a broader effort to engage the community during one of the busiest times of year in Livingston Manor. With deep roots in fly fishing, the area sees an influx of anglers and visitors each spring.

“It’s a huge deal because this is where it all began, here in the Catskills,” Kaplan said. “There’s so much history here in Livingston Manor.”

Old Souls is also participating in the Trout About Town Trout Hunt, a town-wide scavenger-style event taking place Saturday, April 4. During the hunt, trout-themed boxes filled with $20 “Trout Bucks” will be hidden throughout the village, with clues released throughout the day on social media. The Trout Bucks can be redeemed at participating local businesses, encouraging visitors to explore and support the community.

Kaplan added that Old Souls will be hiding its own box filled with Trout Bucks, further inviting visitors to interact with both the store and the town.

“We’re just doing our part to promote the excitement within the community,” he said.

In addition to the raffle, the shop will host a fly fishing demonstration and other giveaways throughout the weekend. Kaplan noted that the display itself took several weeks of planning and two days to set up—an effort reflecting the shop’s broader mission of creating a welcoming, engaging space rooted in community.