Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival

Schedule of Events:

9:00 am- 8:00 pm
Drawn to the Waters; Images of an Angler's Passion, 
Watkins House, Arlington Common Campus

10:00 am
"Coffee with the Artists"
Watkins House, Arlington Common Campus

2:00pm-5:00pm
Select Fly Tyers demonstrations
Fitness Center, Arlington Common Campus

Join acclaimed fly tyers Ted Patlen, Peter Simonsen, Chris Del Plato, Bill Newcomb, Jim Clune, Mike Valla, Mike Stewart and Adriano Manocchia and watch them tie some of the most historic and effective flies, not only for the BattenKill but for many other northeastern rivers.

5:00 PM
Presentation - Hunting for Battenkill Brown Trout - Observation, Approach, Presentation, and Pattern:,

Performing Arts Center, Arlington Common Campus

When big fish are rising are you ready to take advantage?  This presentation offers some tips for how to increase your odds.

Doug Lyons has been fishing the Battenkill since 1977.  Since his teens, Doug has been involved  in conservation work,starting with efforts to help restore the Quashnet River in Falmouth Mass; a wild sea run brook trout stream. Doug has been involved with restoration efforts on the Battenkill since the late 1990's and has held leadership positions with the Southwestern Vermont Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Battenkill Watershed Alliance.

In September of this year Stackpole Books will be releasing Doug's book; A Fly Fishing Guide to the

Battenkill.  Far more than a guide to fishing the 'kill, the book dives into the history of the fishery from the time trout were first stocked through to the present day.

5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Food, Drinks, Live Music and Shopping

Our Microbrew Tent will feature a broad selection of great VT craft beers along with select ciders and wines.  Listen to The Hale Mountain Band, a lively and popular bluegrass band from Bennington County and surrounding areas. Their rich harmony vocals encompass toe-tapping bluegrass, heartfelt gospel, and a touch of country-tinged soft rock. Small bites available at the Arlington Inn and food trucks will be parked next door to the beer tent at The Arlington Common. Visit our wide variety of vendors in the vendor barn behind the Arlington Inn and the fly-trying tables inside the Fitness Center building at The Arlington Common.

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
International Fly Fishing Film Festival,

Performing Arts Center, Arlington Common Campus

IF4 2023 features new films from RA Beattie & Jako Lucas, the Braker Bros, Capture Adventure Media, Black Fly Eyes and more. We are honored to have been chosen to feature a film from Hilton Graham, of Love Affair Creative, that honors the life and contributions of John Turner, former Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Together with Orvis, Trout Unlimited and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, we are on a mission to create community and we invite you to join us as we share the experience of fly-fishing on the silver screen.

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