Friday 5/1/26
8 am
2026 Bamboo Derby on the Battenkill, hosted by the American Museum of Fly Fishing - LEARN MORE
As part of the Arlington Common’s Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival, this special addition to the lineup is designed as a fun day on the water for bamboo veterans and first-timers alike. Think of it as a day spent fishing with friends—old and new—while celebrating the traditions, craftsmanship, and heritage preserved by the American Museum of Fly Fishing. Whether you’re a seasoned cane devotee or simply curious to cast bamboo for the first time, we’d love to have you join us.
Limited to 20 anglers! Advance registration required [LINK Coming Soon!]
Open to all: guides, amateurs, and everyone in between
Scorecard and instructions will be provided
Participants will honor AMFF’s heritage by fishing with bamboo rods exclusively
$125 entry fee
Please bring your own bamboo rod. Don’t have one yet? This is the perfect excuse—see recommended dealers below.
Grand Prize: a custom-engraved Abel reel
All participants will receive a commemorative gift. Fishing on the Battenkill (NY and/or VT); a valid fishing license is required. If you’re looking for a guide for the day, please contact amff@amff.org for suggestions.
Bamboo Dealers
Bob Selb – Classic Fly Fisherman
Carmine Lisella – Jordan-Mills Rod Co.
Dana Gray – Carlson Rod Company
Fred Kretchman – Kretchman Fly Rods
Marc Aroner – Spinoza Rods
Jim Becker – JH Becker Rodworks
9 am- 8 pm
Art Exhibit
Don’t miss “Mountains, Valleys, and Rivers,” a premier art exhibit celebrating the intersection of fly fishing culture and scenic wonder. Hosted in the stunning, century-old Watkins House, this curated show features world-class imagery that brings the spirit of the river indoors.
Whether you're an angler, an art lover, or a local explorer, these galleries offer a breathtaking escape. Now showing three days a week through July 27th!
Watkins House, Arlington Common Campus
10 am
Coffee with the Artists
We invite you to a special artist talk within the galleries of the historic Watkins House. This is more than a tour; it’s an open dialogue with the painters and photographers who have captured the spirit of our valleys and rivers.
Whether you are a collector, an angler, or an admirer of rural beauty, you won’t want to miss these personal insights into the “Mountains, Valleys, and Rivers” collection.
Watkins House, Arlington Common Campus
10 am - 11:30 am
Exclusive Orvis Rod Shop Tour (included with festival wristband)
Orvis Manchester Rod Shop, Historic Route 7A
10 am-3 pm
American Museum of Fly Fishing Guided Tours (included with festival wristband)
Guided Tour of the American Museum of Fly Fishing (located at 4070 Main Street, Manchester, VT – 8 miles north of Arlington)
AMFF is home to the world’s largest collection of angling and angling-related items, numbering in the thousands. The collections and exhibits thoroughly document the evolution of fly fishing as a sport, art form, craft, and industry in the United States and abroad, dating as far back as the sixteenth century.
2 pm - 4 pm
Fish with a Vermont Fly Gal
Bring your own gear to fish with a Vermont Fly Gal on a nearby Southern Vermont stream, such as the Battenkill, Walloomsac, or Roaring Branch. We'll help you find a good location and suggest flies and strategies (not a guiding session). Email info@arlingtoncommon.org to sign up.
Tree Planting
Time TBD
Vermont Green Up Day, Arlington (festival wristband not required)
At the heart of the Battenkill Fly Fishing and Arts Festival is a reverence for the land and water that sustain us. We invite our visiting anglers, artists, and eco-travelers to join a proud Vermont tradition: Green Up Day. This is your chance to give back to the riverbanks and country roads that make this valley a world-class destination. It’s more than a cleanup; it’s an act of stewardship that ensures the "Green Mountain State" remains as wild and beautiful as the day you arrived.
Help protect the delicate ecosystem of the Battenkill watershed by keeping our corridors pristine.
Everything you need—road assignments, gloves, and official Green Up bags—will be waiting for you at the Watkins House information table.
Let’s keep the Battenkill beautiful, one mile at a time.
4 pm - 9 pm
The Lawson’s Microbrew Tent: Craft Beer & Live Local Beats
(A festival wristband is not required for the tent)
Take a break from the water and head over to the Lawson’s Microbrew Tent—the social heart of the Battenkill Fly Fishing and Arts Festival. Immerse yourself in the sounds of southwestern Vermont with live music featuring talented local bands and performers playing throughout the afternoon. Often regarded as Vermont's finest brewery, Lawson’s will be the exclusive beer provider for the BFFAF5. Chat with the brewers, taste their award-winning beers, and enjoy a fantastic weekend in southwestern Vermont.
Enjoy exclusive brews from Lawson’s Finest Liquids while supporting our local music scene.
Pair your pint with a smoky dinner from Sauced BBQ and enjoy the best "apres-fishing" atmosphere in the state.
No festival wristband? No problem! The tent and music are open to the public. Live music under the tent.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. The weekend will feature great food from Arlington’s favorite grillers, Sauced BBQ. We recommend purchasing dinner tickets by April 26th.
FESTIVAL WRISTBANDS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PROGRAMMING ON THE CAMPUS
4pm - 7pm
Used outdoor book sale, Arlington Community House (off-site)
5 pm - 6:30 pm
The Artists of the Battenkill: A Presentation by Don Trachte Jr.
The Battenkill has long been a sanctuary for world-class artists, but the stories behind the canvas are often as compelling as the art itself. Join Don Trachte Jr. for an intimate journey through the lives and works of the legendary creators who called this valley home.
As a gifted storyteller and the son of a renowned illustrator, Don offers a unique "behind-the-scenes" perspective on Arlington's artistic heritage. He will share personal insights into how this landscape inspired a movement of American realism and sporting art that remains iconic today. Discover the hidden histories of the masters who walked these same riverbanks, including Norman Rockwell, Ogden Pleisner, and John Atherton.
Presentation, followed by Q&A.
Performance Hall, Arlington Common Campus
5 pm - 7:30 pm
The Friday Night Community BBQ: A Battenkill Tradition
After a day on the river, there is nothing better than a hearty, flame-grilled meal. Join us for a classic BBQ Chicken Dinner hosted by Arlington’s own Sauced BBQ. These local grill masters are known for their signature smoky flavors and generous portions—it’s the ultimate comfort food for hungry anglers and families alike.
Savory BBQ chicken, crisp coleslaw, a hot baked potato, and a fresh roll.
A delicious meat-free alternative is available—just ask!
Enjoy your meal on the Lawson’s Beer, surrounded by fellow fly-fishing enthusiasts.
⚠️ Pre-Order Only: To ensure we have a plate for you, Dinner Tickets ($20) must be purchased by 9:00 AM on April 26th.
Friday, 5/1/26
Friday Night Bands:
Lists to be published soon