Southern Agenda

Fly-Tying One On


At the Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival (January 10–11), learning how to roll cast or tie a blood knot is about as intimidating as a glass of buttery chardonnay. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t know a fly rod from a buggy whip, or if you’ve been fly fishing for twenty years and want to go to the Amazon,” says festival organizer and fly-fishing author Beau Beasley. “We have instructors for every level of experience.” And vendors that range from Alaskan lodges to sporting artists to guides for local Virginia waters. Held indoors at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell, just north of Richmond, the festival happens rain or shine. A ticket gets you access to every vendor; tastings from nine wineries, three distilleries, and a brewery; and a spot in more fly-casting, fly-tying, and fly-fishing classes than you could possibly attend.

vaflyfishingfestival.com