What to know before you come to BFFAF 2026
Glad you’re joining us for the fifth annual Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival! We have so much lined up for you: keynote speakers, angling and art workshops, casting competitions, and vendors. Not to mention the craft beer tent and live music! All of this is set against the beautiful backdrop of the Battenkill and the gem of Arlington, VT. We’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your visit.
Before you grab waders and pack bags:
Lodging
Get your rooms or campsites soon before they fill up! Please see our lodging page for local options. If you would like more recommendations, please email us at info@vtflyfest.com, and we will be happy to help.
Food and Dining
Don’t wait until the weekend to figure out where you are eating!
Arlington is a small town, a 15-minute drive from neighboring towns, so reserving dinner plans is encouraged. Buy tickets on our website by April 27th at 9 pm. We also have on-campus options for Saturday breakfast and Saturday lunch.
Once you are here:
Parking
The Arlington Common, located at 3938 Route 7A, Arlington, VT, is the host and Festival headquarters for the Battenkill Fly Fishing & Arts Festival. There is no parking on campus except for designated handicap parking spaces. Parking is available at the Yellow Barn on 313 West (look for parking signs). There is also ample street parking available along Route 7A and Church and School Streets (please refrain from parking on the grass). Parking is also available in front of the Arlington Inn, the Town Hall, and the Bank of Bennington parking lots. All parking is within walking distance of the Common. Do not park on Route 313.
Onsite Information
The registration and information desk will be in the Watkins House at The Arlington Common. You must check in here to receive your festival bracelets or tickets, which are required to enter any festival event.
Registration Hours
Friday 9 am-7 pm
Saturday 9 am-7:30 pm
Dog Policy
Dogs are welcome, provided they are leashed at all times and accompanied by their owners. No dogs are allowed in the buildings unless they are service dogs. Please find the dog station, which provides water and pet waste supplies.
Events and Locations
You will need to show your Festival bracelet to enter any workshops, presentations, and the Fly Tyer Discovery Center.
Some events need prior sign-up. These include:
Friday:
-2026 Bamboo Derby on the Battenkill, hosted by the American Museum of Fly Fishing. Sign up https://givebutter.com/AMFFBattenkillDerby
-Fish with a Vermont Fly Gal. Sign up at info@arlingtoncommon.org
Saturday:
-Plein Air Watercolor Workshop: Paint the Spirit of the Battenkill, Sign up at info@arlingtoncommon.org
-Battenkill Cup Challenge, Sign up at info@arlingtoncommon.org
-Women to Women Casting Clinic with Vermont Fly Gals, Sign up at info@arlingtoncommon.org
-Photography Workshop: The Battenkill Through Your Lens, Sign up at info@arlingtoncommon.org
Lawson’s Beer Tent
Friday and Saturday Nights
Friday 4 pm-9 pm; Saturday 12 pm-9 pm
Arguably Vermont's finest brewery, Lawson’s, will be the exclusive beer provider for the BFFAF5. Talk to the brewers, sample their award-winning beers, and enjoy an incredible weekend in SW Vermont.
The Lawson’s Microbrew Tent will feature a broad selection of great VT craft beers, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages. Delicious food is available on-site from local grillers, Sauced BBQ on Friday and Saturday nights. We suggest buying dinner tickets by April 26th. If you miss out on Sauced BBQ, nearby takeout from the Dairy Barn or Ramuntos can be brought into the tent.
At the tent, you can purchase drink tokens at the front table.
Live Music
We have bands performing on Friday and Saturday nights in the Lawson’s Beer Tent.
Questions?
If you have questions about accommodations and travel, email info@vtflyfest.com. Once you’re in Arlington, stop by the Registration Desk (Watkins House at the Common) with any questions regarding the Festival.
See you in Arlington!