On August 12 the American Museum of Fly Fishing hosted its sixteenth annual Fly-Fishing Festival. More than 600 visitors came to explore the wide variety of offerings, and our steadfast and growing community of vendors, artists, craftspeople, industry professionals, and angling-related nonprofits gave the grounds a true feeling of camaraderie.
The day included fly tying with Paul Sinicki, Kelly Bedford, Mike Rice, Bill Newcomb, Rich Strolis, George Butts, Mark Dysinger, Scott Biron, Lisa Weiner, and Mike Stewart. Bob Selb, Fred Kretchman, and Carmine Lisella were on hand for complimentary appraisals all day. AMFF Ambassador Rachel Finn and volunteer Paul Sinicki shared their expertise, teaching people fly-casting techniques.
The casting competition, hosted by Orvis, brought a field of competitors to the course and included a youth division for budding anglers. The Leigh H. Perkins Gallery hosted both author Steve Ramirez, who spoke about mental health and fly fishing, and guide Rachel Finn, subject of the short film After You’ve Gone, which was screened to an enthusiastic crowd. Krissy Wejebe, daughter of Jose Wejebe (host of the long-running TV show Spanish Fly), was on hand to celebrate the opening of our newest exhibit, Guiding Star: The Legacy of Jose Wejebe. The day concluded with a screening of Mending the Line—a film about veterans and the healing powers of fly fishing—and discussion with film director Josh Caldwell and advisor Steve Ramirez.
Special appreciation goes to our sponsors and raffle donors: Costa, Express Copy, Mother Myrick’s, Mud Dog Saltwater Flies, the Works Cafe, Smuggler’s Notch, Apricot Lane, WEQX, Finn and Stone Insurance, Groomingdale’s of Arlington LLC, Mulligans of Manchester, Orvis, R. K. Miles, Kimpton-Taconic Hotel, Wagatha’s, Pets Etc., Al Ducci’s, the Crooked Ram, Above All Vermont, Stewart’s Shops, the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation, and Yeti. All 400 raffle tickets were sold.
Thank you to those who supported the event and made this year’s festival such a success—we were especially pleased that the weather was so beautiful. We look forward to seeing you again on Saturday, August 10, 2024!
Festival Vendors
- Annie Margarita Art
- Antique Angler
- Mark Beck
- Big Kevin's Guide Service
- Black Bass Antiques
- Callahan & Co Booksellers
- Carlson Rod Company
- Peter Castagnetti
- Casting for Recovery
- Classic Fly Fisherman
- Costa
- Dan Daniels—watercolor artist
- Dave Morse Fine Art
- Far Hills Fish
- The Forged Fly
- John French
- Gamekeepers Bookshelf
- Luther Hall
- JH Becker Rodworks
- Jordan Mills Rod Co.
- Kretchman Rods
- David Lehmann
- Milo Fish
- Miss Mayfly Waders
- Robert Moran Jr.
- Native Fish Coalition
- Pentalux Rods
- Project Healing Waters
- Steve Ramirez—author
- Samantha Aronson Art
- Scott Fly Rods
- Sporting ASL
- Stormtree Studio/Stephen DiCerbo
- T.S. Alving & Associates, Inc.
- Taf Schaefer Design
- Trout Unlimited
- Randy Tustison
- Vermont Fish & Wildlife
- Vermont Trout Camp & Broadside International
- VK Steelworks
- Steve Woit, author of Fly Fishing Treasures
Fly Tyers
- Scott Biron
- George Butts
- Mark Dysinger
- Bill Newcomb
- Mike Rice
- Paul Sinicki
- Mike Stewart
- Rich Strolis
- Lisa Weiner
Event Sponsors
