Saturday, 4/29/23

FLY FISHING FESTIVITIES AFTERNOON

12:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Montucky Micro-Brew Tent and Vendor Barn - Open to the public and do not require a wristband purchase to enter.

The Arlington Inn, next door to the Arlington Common Campus

The Montucky Micro-Brew Tent will feature a broad selection of great VT craft beers along with select ciders, wines and cocktails. 

Food available at the Tent.

MUSIC LINEUP

Lorie Dehimer, singer/songwriter, 12-3 PM at the Arlington Inn Gazebo
 Ameranouche Duo, Gypsy Jazz/World Music, 3-6PM at the Arlington Inn Gazebo
 Luminous Crush, Alt-Country to Dream Pop, 6-9PM at the West Mountain Inn Event Barn.​

1:00 pm - 1:50 pm

Pat Ford  -  Fish photography 101 - A Complete Overview of fishing photography from one of industry's best photographers.

Performing Arts Center, Arlington Common Campus

Pat will review apertures, focus points, shutter speeds, lenses, posing, go pros, cell phone videos, etc. Website is www.patfordphotos.com.

Pat is a Founding member of the Bonefish Tarpon Trust and has held over 25 International Game Fish Association World Records.  Pat has published numerous articles and has authored 2 hardback books – “The Best Fly-Fishing Trips Money Can Buy” (Stackpole, 2006), and “Fly Fishing Day Dreams” (Skyhorse Publishing, 2011). Pat’s photography and writing skills are displayed in Andy Mill’s  classic “A Passion for Tarpon” (Wild River Press, 2010). 

Pat specializes in writing and photography of remote, challenging and exciting fishing and diving locations. His articles and photos have been published in four continents and several languages and have graced close to  300 book and magazine covers over the years.  Pat shares his photos thru social media and power point presentations because “what’s the purpose in taking photos, if you don’t share them with people.”   His ultimate goal…”Die with Memories, not with Dreams”.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm 

Alberto Rey: Cultural Landscapes

Elizabeth de C. Wilson Museum

Although we try to manipulate it to fit our needs, the landscape and the biological inhabitants characterize a region’s nature. It has been an omnipresent influence that has affected a region’s people and the culture. -Alberto Rey

Alberto Rey investigates the cultural landscapes of both the past and the present in this major exhibition of his work.

The exhibition debuts his site-specific installation of the “¡ Battenkill !” project, including large-scale paintings that feature distinguishing natural elements of the Battenkill, a nearly 60-mile long river that runs from southern Vermont to the Hudson River. This project is one of many that Rey has created in response to the growing disconnect between people and the natural world as well as the increasing vulnerability of our climate. He hopes the work will renew a sense of connection between the viewer, nature, and culture. To preview the series of paintings, visit battenkill.weebly.com.

Part of the exhibition will include Rey’s preparatory work, such as drawings, notes, maps, and photographs of him drawing and fishing, taken during his site visits to the Battenkill. His expansive research over the last 18-months has included investigations into local history and entomology, biological cycles and history of regional salmonids (trout), stream restoration, Native American history and the role of the Battenkill in culture. He combines this research with a personal interest in fly fishing. For over twenty years Rey has been the founder and director of a youth fly fishing program, Children in the Stream, and is the recipient of the 2021 Orvis Fly Fishing Guide of the Year. Exhibition sponsorship is generously provided in part by Orvis.

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm 

Mike Valla - The Battenkill Trifecta: Atherton, Oatman, Wulff

Performing Arts Center, Arlington Common Campus

Their fly patterns, theories and their history on the river. Many nice photos of the three, and original flies they tied and how to tie them. Snippets from chapters in my books The Founding Flies (2013) and Tying the Founding Flies. 

Now retired from the Active Medical/Dental staff at Glens Falls Hospital in the Adirondacks of New York, where he practiced public health dentistry for indigent children, Mike served as the Northeast Field Editor for Eastern Fly Fishing magazine. He has written numerous feature-length articles for the magazine. Mike also published in American Fly Fishing, Fly Fisherman, Fly Tyer and The American Fly Fisher.

He has been an invited speaker locally, nationally and internationally. His presentations are focused on fly-fishing and fly tying history. Mike is the 4th recipient of the prestigious Poul Jorgensen Golden Hook Award for his contributions to the art of fly tying.  He is the founder of Catskill Heritage Fly-Fishers 

3:00pm- 3:50 pm

Neville Crabbe - Atlantic Salmon Federation - Where and When to Fish for Atlantic Salmon in 2023!,

Performing Arts Center, Arlington Common Campus

Healthy Atlantic salmon returns in Eastern Canada are fueling a new generation of conservation anglers, but before drifting a dry fly over a 30-pounder, people must overcome a real challenge: figuring out where to fish, when, and what the rules are for residents and visitors. Join Neville Crabbe from the Atlantic Salmon Federation for a tour of Atlantic Canada and Quebec, home to fine and friendly outfitters, and other opportunities for people who want to hike, camp, and haul a canoe. Neville’s presentation will also touch on salmon behaviour and the conservation work that is protecting rivers and restoring healthy runs.   

Neville Crabbe is executive director of communications with the Atlantic Salmon Federation. He grew up in a fly-fishing New Brunswick family and has lived and worked throughout Eastern Canada and the Arctic. When he’s not navigating conservation challenges, Neville enjoys time on the water with family, friends, and especially his three young boys.

4:00 pm - 4:50pm

Bob Mallard - Executive Director of the Native Fish Coalition  - New England’s Rare Blueback & Sunapee Trout

Performing Arts Center, Arlington Common Campus

BOB MALLARD is a founding member and Executive Director for Native Fish Coalition. He is a 45-year fly fisher, Registered Maine Fishing Guide, and former fly shop owner. Bob is also an outdoor writer, 5-time fly fishing author, and fly designer. He was a founding member and president of Somerset County Trout Unlimited, founding member of Dud Dean Angling Society, and a former member of Sportsman's Alliance of Maine’s Fishing Initiative Committee.

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Biking Tour of the Battenkill

Gather at the Gardens at Yellow Barn Farm on the north bank of the Battenkill.

Bring your bike for a family-friendly, 12-mile, mostly-flat, guided ride along River Road adjacent to the Battenkill. Learn the merits of reaching Battenkill fishing spots on two wheels with someone who knows the river’s access points. See the sights of West Arlington at a casual pace. Experience first-hand why bike tourism featuring Arlington’s gravel roads is growing more popular by the year. Hear about this newly-conserved and improved river access before heading out.

5:00 pm

Tour of habitat improvement sites with Trout Unlimited’s Jacob Fetterman & Batten Kill Watershed Alliance's Jim Henderson

Meet at The Arlington Recreation Park

Jacob Fetterman, Trout Unlimited’s Project Coordinator Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative, and Jim Henderson, BKWA's acting director, will lead tours to habitat improvement sites on the Battenkill. Participants will need their own transportation, please consider carpooling to reduce our footprint at each site.

6:00pm - 8:00 pm

BBQ,& BANDS At West Mountain Inn

Join us after your day’s fishing activities for a fun evening of music and country BBQ! Grilled Salmon, Smoked Beef Brisket, BBQ Chicken, Salads, Sides, and Dessert will be served in the beautiful West Mountain Inn Barn accompanied by the bluegrass country post-punk psychedelic fusion indie dream pop rock sounds of Luminous Crush!

BBQ from 6 - 8pm. Band from 6-9pm