May 2-5, 2024
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Welcome to the 3rd Annual Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival in Arlington, Vermont, presented by the Arlington Common. Join us for fun, fishing, music, and camaraderie as we celebrate and raise funds to protect and enhance the Battenkill and provide the Arlington area with a hub for wellness, art, and community.
Festival Highlights
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Tom Rosenbauer - Chief Enthusiast, Orvis
“Taking Your Trout Fishing To The Next Level”
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Fly Tying Discovery Center
The BFFF3 will feature some of the best fly-tyers in the Northeast, focusing on the classic patterns of Maine, the Catskills, and the Battenkill. During the day, they'll be set up in the main tent, and hourly presentations and seminars will be held in the Fly-Tying Discovery Center, with projection and audio to follow along.
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Lawson’s Micro Brew Tent
Arguably Vermont's finest brewery, Lawson’s, will be the exclusive beer provider for the BFFF3. Come talk to the brewers, sample an array of their award-winning beers, and enjoy an incredible weekend in SW Vermont.
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Fly Fishing Workshops
Dive into the art of fly fishing with our expert-led Fly Fishing Workshops. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, our workshops are designed to elevate your skills and passion for this timeless sport.
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Friday Night BBQ
Local grillers, Sauced BBQ, will provide delicious BBQ chicken, coleslaw, baked potato, and a roll. A vegetarian option is available. There are two seatings: 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets purchased in advance guarantee seating in the dinner tent. Take-out is available for pick-up. $17 per dinner.
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Thursday Night Cocktail Party
A fun kick-off to the weekend with a cocktail party to raise money to care for the historic Battenkill. There will be a silent auction with fantastic trips and items. Attendees will get a sneak peek of the Sporting Traditions: Fields and Streams Art Exhibit and be able to chat with the artists.
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Art Exhibit
The art show, “Sporting Traditions; Field and Stream” featuring fly fishing, river/ocean scenes, hunting, and rural landscapes will fill the first floor galleries of the 1895 Watkins House. The art exhibit will remain on display through June 10th and will be open on weekends.
Live Music with Saints and Liars
7:30 pm-10 pm
Saints & Liars is a Vermont-based Americana band who has been blending their own variants of honky tonk, folk, bluegrass, and rock n roll since 2012.
Tickets cost $10 and are not included in the festival's general admission price.
Performing Arts Center, Arlington Common Campus
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
The Fly Fishing Festival begins Thursday evening, May 2nd, with a fundraiser cocktail party and art opening, followed by the International Fly Fishing Film Festival on Friday night and the band Saints and Liars on Saturday night. In addition, we are offering casting and fly-tying seminars.
Introduce your brand
Fly Tying
The Common’s Fitness Center will be transformed into a fly-tying laboratory featuring some of the best fly-tyers in the US. Our attendees will see some of the most historic and effective flies for the Battenkill and many other Northeastern rivers.
We welcome Ted Patlen, Chris Del Plato, Peter Simonson, Bill Newcomb, Adriano Manocchia, Mike Valla, Mike Stewart, Jim Clune, John Shaner, Warren Coleman, Alan Erdossy, and Tom Miller.
ART EXHIBIT
“Sporting Traditions; Fields and Streams”
The art show, “Sporting Traditions; Fields and Streams” featuring fly fishing, river/ocean scenes, hunting and rural landscapes will fill the first floor galleries of the 1895 Watkins House. The art exhibit will remain on display through June 10th and will be open on weekends.
Artists include: Adriano Manocchia,Ned Reade, George Van Hook, Galen Mercer, Gordon Allen, Luther Hall, Patricia Bellerose, Patrick McPhee, Mark Tougias, Tony Connor, Stephen DiCerbo, Ted Patlen, Mark Susinno, and Jonathan Milo.
LODGING
Arlington is home to some of the most beautiful B&Bs and Inns in New England. The Arlington area has it all: historic inns, cozy cabins, friendly B&Bs, and a variety of outdoor camping options. You will want to stay near all the action!
Friday Night Chicken BBQ Dinner
5 pm - 9 pm on Friday, May 3rd
Local grillers provide delicious BBQ chicken, coleslaw, baked potato, and a roll. A vegetarian option is available. There are two seatings: 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets purchased in advance guarantee seating in the dinner tent. Take-out is available for pick-up.
The Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival's mission is to promote the conservation and stewardship of our treasured Battenkill watershed. Funds raised from the weekend will support the Arlington Common in its mission to be a community hub that enhances and strengthens the Arlington area through creativity, wellness, culture, and education. A portion of funds raised from the festival will be directed to organizations whose missions support conservation, sustainability and accountability among the various Battenkill user groups.
The Arlington Common is an initiative created by the Arlington Arts Enrichment Program, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing our community through creative exploration of the arts and wellness. This multi-generational center was created by the people, for the people, in an effort to embrace the beauty of living in the shires of Vermont.
JOIN US
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Presenting Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
CONNECT
Have a question or looking to participate in this year’s festival? Please fill out the following form and we will respond soon!
