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Virginia Fly fishing Festival
Platinum & Gold Tier Sponsors:

The Virginia Fly Fishing Festival is the largest event of its kind in the country and attracts fly anglers from across the United States and the Mid-Atlantic in particular. Nowhere else can anglers learn about the quiet sport in such a beginner-friendly environment—and on the banks of a real trout stream, no less! Our unique event combines fine wine tasting, live music, and everything you ever wanted to know about fly fishing but were afraid to ask. Bring your family, relax, spend time together on the South River, take a casting class, and pick up a new sport that the entire family can enjoy.

Our goals are to introduce folks to the quiet sport of fly fishing and help educate attendees about the importance of good conservation. We hope one day to turn the South River into Virginia’s first trophy brook trout stream. We also hope that you develop an interest in supporting some of Virginia’s finest wineries and various conservation groups that attend our event. The festival is underwritten by several sponsors including the City of Waynesboro and is further supported by raffle sales and donations. Half of all net profits go into restoration work on the South River, a stream impaired by industrial pollution. The remainder of the funds is used to promote the following year’s event.

Where is the VFFF located?

The festival is held each April on the banks of the South River in Waynesboro, Virginia, just off Interstate 64, about 25 minutes west of Charlottesville. Most of our vendors are in a large circus tent, though several other vendors—including the wineries—have their own tents on the festival grounds. All vendors and activities are within easy walking distance.

Where can I stay?

Lodging options abound for those who wish to make a weekend out of the festival. You’ll find sponsoring hotels and B&Bs listed in our lodging section; to go directly to these lodging options, click here. These are not the only lodging options in and around Waynesboro, but they are the only businesses working closely with us to support the festival and our ongoing conservation efforts in the vicinity.

What is the cost of admission, and what does my admission fee cover?

Admission is $20 - Single Day, $35 - Weekend Pass for adults; children 16 and under are free with a paying adult. The admission fee covers all seminars (held throughout the day on a variety of topics from trout fishing in the Shenandoah National Park to catching stripers on the Chesapeake Bay) as well as wine tasting for those 21 and older. Each attendee will also receive a festival program and a free collectible wine glass to remember your day.

Need a fishing license?

We are pleased to announce that we are working closely with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to arrange for onsite sales of Virginia fishing licenses. Please be prepared to show a picture ID and have cash or your credit card available. A full set of rules and regulations for fishing in the state of Virginia will also be available.

Visiting anglers can put their newly acquired skills to work right away catching rainbows, browns, and the occasional smallmouth bass. All fishing at the festival is strictly catch-and-release as the South River is a delayed harvest stream (that is, trout cannot be taken from the river until after May 1 and before September 1). Plenty of folks on the festival grounds can point you toward the river and give you the tips you need to be successful. Should you wish to purchase your license online before you arrive, go to
http://www.dgif.state.va.us/licenses.