The American Museum of Fly Fishing is excited to host the 2026 Bamboo Derby on the Battenkill!
As part of the Arlington Common’s Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival, this special addition to the line-up is designed as a fun day on the water for bamboo veterans and first timers alike. Think of it as a day spent fishing with friends—old and new—while celebrating the traditions, craftsmanship, and heritage preserved by the American Museum of Fly Fishing.
Whether you are a seasoned cane devotee or simply curious to cast bamboo for the first time, we would love to have you join us.
• Limited to 20 anglers! Advance registration required
• Open to all: guides, amateurs, and everyone in between
• 8:00 AM check-in and group photo (location TBD)
• Score card and instructions will be provided
• Participants will honour AMFF’s heritage by fishing bamboo rods exclusively
• $125 entry fee
• Please bring your own bamboo rod. Do not have one yet? This is the perfect excuse—see recommended dealers below.
• Grand Prize: a custom engraved Abel reel
• All participants will receive a commemorative gift
• Fishing on the Battenkill (NY and/or VT); a valid fishing license is required
• If you are looking for a guide for the day, please contact amff@amff.org for suggestions.
Bamboo Dealers
Bob Selb – Classic Fly Fisherman
Carmine Lisella – Jordan-Mills Rod Co.
Dana Gray – Carlson Rod Company
Fred Kretchman – Kretchman Fly Rods
Marc Aroner – Spinoza Rods
Jim Becker – JH Becker Rodworks
The American Museum of Fly Fishing’s 2026 festival will take on a slightly new format, with greater emphasis on programming, conversations, demonstrations, and time on the water. Instead of joining us in August, we hope you will save the date for October 17, when the weekend will also include the opening of our new major exhibition, Foundations in Flow: The Four Pillars of Fly Fishing.
American Museum of Fly Fishing, 4070 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254, USA
