AMFF Open House Festival Weekend
The American Museum of Fly Fishing is hosting its Open House Festival Weekend in Manchester, Vermont, on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17, celebrating the history and culture of fly fishing. The weekend centers around the grand opening of a new exhibition, Foundations in Flow: The Four Pillars of Fly Fishing, which explores the sport's history through flies, reels, rods, and the arts.
Friday, October 16 kicks off with a cocktail reception and first look at the new exhibition from 5:00–6:00 PM, followed by a special dinner at Ekwanok Country Club from 6:30–8:30 PM ($125/ticket, including a seasonal buffet, drink ticket, and mountain views).
Saturday, October 17 runs from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with free museum admission all day. Highlights include:
- Continuous fly tying demonstrations and instruction
- The unveiling of a new kids' creel exhibit with artist/author Steven Weinberg
- Local wood-fired pizza on site, plus a shopping map and coupon pack for Manchester businesses
- DIY or guided fishing opportunities on the Battenkill, in partnership with Southwestern Vermont Trout Unlimited and the Batten Kill Watershed Alliance
A full schedule of talks and workshops runs throughout the day, including:
- 8:00–10:00 AM: Battenkill tree planting (registration required)
- 10:00–11:00 AM: "Louis Rhead: Angler, Artist, Author" talk
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: "Mary Orvis Marbury and the Orvis Legacy" with Steve Woit
- 12:00–1:00 PM: Guided tour of Foundations in Flow with Curator Jim Schottenham
- 1:00–2:00 PM: Writing workshop with Matt Smythe
- 2:00–3:00 PM: Rod maker panel discussion
- 3:00–4:00 PM: Interactive art workshop (all ages) with Samantha Aronson
The event is sponsored by Orvis, R.K. Miles, Mulligan's, Northshire Bookstore, and Express Copy. Questions can be directed to amff@amff.org.
Hit the button below to learn more and sign up for dinner!