May 1-4, 2025

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Welcome to the 4th 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.

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FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

The Fly Fishing Festival kicks off on Thursday evening, May 1st, with a fundraiser cocktail party and art exhibition, followed by live performances from Kind on Bud on Friday and Mixed Roots on Saturday. Additionally, casting and fly-tying seminars will be available throughout the festival.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Festival Highlights

Tom Rosenbauer - Chief Enthusiast, Orvis

“Taking Your Trout Fishing To The Next Level”
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.
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.
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.
Art Exhibit

“Celebrating the Wilderness of the Last 250 Years”
An art show titled “Celebrating the Wilderness of the Last 250 Years," featuring images related to fly fishing and rural landscapes, will occupy the galleries on the first floor of the 1900 Watkins House.
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.
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.
The First Annual Battenkill Cup Fly Casting Championship

Compete for bragging rights on the Battenkill. We have room for 25 participants to compete in an accuracy, distance, and combined event. The winner of each will receive an Orvis Fly Rod and a coveted Battenkill Cup Trophy.

Live Music featuring

Kind Bud

7:00 pm-9:30pm

With a repertoire of 1,000 songs, Kind Bud live loops his acoustic guitar, weaving layers of dynamic rhythms and improvisations to compliment his voice that is soft and strong, sweet and true.

Performing Arts Center, Arlington Common Campus

Live Music featuring

Mixed Roots

7:30 pm-10:00pm

Join them Mixed Roots for a night of infectious grooves, powerful rhythms, and an undeniable energy that will keep you moving! Led by drummer and vocalist George, this dynamic band blends AfroBeat, reggae, rock, and jam influences for a high-energy performance you won’t want to miss.

Performing Arts Center, Arlington Common Campus

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.

Saturday, May 3 - 6 pm - 7:30PM

Join us for a special screening of Scale of Change: Together for Wild Salmon, a powerful documentary presented by Hooké & the Atlantic Salmon Federation. This film explores the urgent need to protect wild atlantic salmon, showcasing the dedication and challenges faced by those working to preserve this vital species.

Entrepreneur and avid outdoorsman, Fred Campbell is also the founder of Hooké which has brought him to travel around the world to meet with inspiring people who share a common passion for fly fishing and conservation. Whether he is in a business meeting or fighting a big

Atlantic Salmon in the Gaspé Peninsula, one thing remains: he has always followed his passion for adventure and conservation and has dedicated great efforts in promoting Atlantic Salmon fishing and live release. Atlantic Salmon are precious and have been at the heart of Hooké since day one. Collaborating with the ASF is an opportunity to invite you to join the Wild salmon, Wild rivers movement. May

our actions through this collaboration contribute to Atlantic salmon conservation and pay tribute to the king of our rivers, the Atlantic salmon.” Fred Campbell

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ART EXHIBIT

“Celebrating the Wilderness of the Last 250 Years”

An art show titled “Celebrating the Wilderness of the Last 250 Years," featuring images related to fly fishing and rural landscapes, will occupy the galleries on the first floor of the 1900 Watkins House. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bennington in the Revolutionary War, and we aim to showcase the natural wilderness as it existed in 1775 and 2025. The art exhibit will remain on display through June 9 and will be open five days a week.

Watkins House, Arlington Common Campus

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Friday Night Chicken BBQ Dinner

5 pm - 9 pm on Friday, May 2nd

Local grillers, Sauced BBQ, will provide delicious BBQ chicken, coleslaw, baked potato, and a roll. A vegetarian option is available. Tickets purchased in advance guarantee seating in the dinner tent. Take-out is available for pick-up. $19 per dinner. If you purchase take-out tickets, you can eat on-site; seating is not guaranteed.

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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!

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Our Mission

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.