| Join other like minded people in Manchester, Vermont, on Saturday, October 17 from 10 am until 4 pm for the American Museum of Fly Fishing’s Open House Festival, a weekend celebrating the history and culture of fly fishing. A dinner (tickets required) will also take place on Friday, October 16th at the Ewwanok Country Club. Cocktails are 5-6p.m., followed by dinner 6:30-8:30p.m. Tickets are $125 each and include seasonal buffet dinner, drink ticket, and beautiful mountain views! Reimagined for 2026 and centered around the grand opening of Foundations in Flow: The Four Pillars of Fly Fishing, this year’s festival invites visitors inside the museum to connect with and celebrate the traditions that continue to shape fly fishing today. This gathering will feature the exhibition opening, engaging conversations with anglers, artists, authors, and historians, hands-on workshops, fly tying, casting activities, and opportunities to explore the Museum with free admission! Saturday Schedule: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Louis Rhead: Artist, Angler, and Illustrator — A talk led by Dave Bush accompanied by a special display of Rhead-related materials from Bush’s personal collection. 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Mary Orvis Marbury & the Orvis Legacy — Steve Woit explores the influence of Mary Orvis Marbury and the broader history of the Orvis Company through stories and objects from the museum’s collection. 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Guided Tour of Foundations in Flow —Join Curator Jim Schottenham for an insider’s look at the exhibition, featuring highlights from the Museum’s collection and the stories behind some of fly fishing’s most significant artifacts. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Writing Workshop with Matt Smythe — A creative writing session drawing inspiration from angling, storytelling, and the outdoors. 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Rod Maker Panel Discussion — Contemporary rod makers discuss craftsmanship, tradition, innovation, and the enduring appeal of bamboo and handcrafted tackle. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Interactive Art Workshop (All Ages) — Join artist Samantha Aronson for a hands-on creative program inspired by fly fishing and nature. |
