On August 11, AMFF celebrated its eleventh annual Fly-Fishing Festival. Despite the clouds and a smattering of rain, more than 650 visitors stopped by to enjoy the wares and expertise on offer from a host of talented vendors and take a look at the museum, including the newly opened saltwater exhibit. Angling enthusiasts were treated to casting clinics under the adept tutelage of AMFF Ambassadors Rachel Finn and Drew Chicone. Orvis was on hand to oversee the casting competition, which is always a festival favorite. The contest was very close, with a tie for second and third place. This year AMFF Trustee Jamie Woods put together a booth about the lives of John and Maxine Atherton, featuring a wonderful collection of photographs and flies.
We welcomed Why Knot Fishing to the festival this year, who raffled off items including a Yeti cooler, a Traeger grill, and Costa sunglasses, all donated for this event. We were grateful for additional auction items, such as the Lefty’s Deceiver belt buckle from Taf Schaefer Designs and a box of beautiful Mud Dog saltwater flies from AMFF Ambassador Mike Rice. The raffle, which included participation via Facebook Live, was a great hit.
A special thanks to our sponsors and additional donors for making this festival a success: the Aspen, Buff, Express Copy, Finn and Stone, Grateful Dog, the Image Loft, Johnson Outdoors, the McBride Company, Mulligans of Manchester, Northshire Bookstore, the Orvis Company, Pets Etc., rk Miles, Vermont Kitchen Supply, Wild River Press, and the Works Bakery Café. We are also grateful to all of the vendors who participated in this wonderful summer event, and we look forward to seeing everyone next year on August 10!
AMFF Ambassador Rachel Finn taught a young visitor how to cast a fly rod, while Trustee Jamie Woods shared stories of John and Maxine Atherton with visitors to his table.
AMFF Ambassador Mike Rice (left) selected the
raffle winner of his donated saltwater flies while
Beau Thebault of Why Knot Fishing looked on.
