Schedule of Events:

April 27, 2023

6:00 pm - 8:00pm

Opening Cocktail Party

Watkins House, Arlington Common Campus

Cocktail Party and fundraiser to raise money to care for the historic Battenkill. There will be a silent auction with some fantastic trips and items along with a sneak peek of Drawn to the Waters; Images of an Angler's Passion with the artists.

$100 per person. Cocktail party includes three drinks and appetizers and an exclusive Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival 2023 Highball Glass.  This ticket does not include admission to festival events Friday, April 28- Sunday, April 30. A separate General Admission ticket must be purchased. All attendees must be over 21.

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April 28, 2023

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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April 29, 2023

Fly Fishing Festivities Morning

9:00 am- 7:00 pm  
"Drawn to the Waters; Images of an Angler's Passion"

Watkins House, Arlington Common Campus

9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fly-Tyer Demonstrations and Workshops, Fitness Center, Arlington Common Campus

Concessions and Food Trucks at the Food Common, located at the Arlington Common - Until 7pm

Vendor Barn, Arlington Inn Barn

9:00 am
Join Jacob Fetterman, Trout Unlimited's Project Coordinator Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative, for a tree planting project on one of the many selected riparian zones of the Battenkill.

10:00 am-3:00 pm
Fly Casting Instruction

Arlington Rec Park

Peter Kutzer, Orvis Endorsed Operations Manager and Specialty School Lead Instructor, will present on the progressive casting method and help troubleshoot common fly casting mistakes.

April 30, 2023

Fly Fishing Festivities

9:00 am- 3:00 pm  

Drawn to the Waters; Images of an Angler's Passion,  

Watkins House, Arlington Common Campus

-Food Trucks at the Food Common

9:30 am - 3:00 pm

At the Arlington Rec Park

Free Casting lessons and Demonstrations.

Peter Kutzer, Orvis Endorsed Operations Manager and Specialty School Lead Instructor, will present on the progressive casting method and help troubleshoot common fly casting mistakes.

9:00am-10:00am

Bugs and Fly Casting for Families!

- Andrew MacArthur - Wellness and Outdoor Adventure Teacher, Head Challenge Course Facilitator -Trout Unlimited Chapter of SW Vermont

Join us for a family-friendly workshop about fly casting and bugs! Learn the basics of casting a fly rod, explore the river bank for various aquatic macroinvertebrates, and learn the basics of fly selection with a "match the hatch" activity. This short program has been specifically designed for families.

10am-11am - Women teaching Women with Erin Lyons

Join Erin Lyons, from the TU Chapter of SW Vermont and other expert female casting instructors, for an interactive workshop on the basics of casting, gear, fly selection, and safe river navigation. Sixteen spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The workshop is free, and donations are appreciated to support Trout Unlimited's conservation work on the Battenkill.

Email [email protected] to reserve a spot.

11am-12pm - "Explore the many techniques of fishing a streamer." While seasoned  anglers know there is a time and a place to best fish a streamer, sometimes it's wise to explore, test and apply various techniques. Come join Orvis Endorsed Guide Brew Moscarello as he explains some of the nuances of streamer fishing the Battenkill.

12pm-1pm - Swinging Flies: Techniques Using Traditional Fly gear and Spey casting, Arlington Rec Park and Battenkill River Cast (2-handed) with the newer "trout weight" specialty lines for this technique. 1/2 hour-long presentation with questions.

Host: Peter Basta, Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide

1pm-2pm - Short and Long Line Nymphing Techniques by Ray Berumen (Orvis Endorsed Guide) and Owner of Taconic Guide Service Become more effective by opening your strike window in each drift. Improve your productivity and catch rate using multiple fly rigs. Cover more water subsurface by letting the indicator hunt. Make the most of your time by using simple to learn and easy to understand techniques using methods like the reach mend. Perfect feeding tension free line.

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

International Fly Fishing Film Festival

Performing Arts Center, Arlington Common Campus

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Date: April 27 - April 30, 2023

Location:
The Arlington Commons
3938 Vermont Rte 7a
Arlington, VT 05250

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