The annual Soque River Fly Fishing Festival, sponsored by the Modern Fly Fishers, returns to the North Georgia mountains on Saturday, June 13. It’s a single day built to pull anglers of every age into one place along the Soque, recommended for ages 10 and up and designed for families and seasoned anglers alike. The stated aim is to grow the local community by turning the next generation into capable casters and committed conservationists. The day splits into two parts: a hands-on Learning Center and an outdoor Trade Show.
The Learning Center
The Learning Center runs as a round-robin with three start times, 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., cycling participants through three stations led by industry instructors.
At the Bug Booth, run by Tad Murdock, attendees work with live insect samples and sorting trays to identify aquatic insects in their nymph stages, then follow those bugs through emerger, dun, and spinner. The station ties entomology to streamside conservation, covering how protecting riverbanks from erosion keeps trout habitat clean, oxygenated, and thriving.
The Flies & Gear crash course, led by tiers Don and Adam Henebarey, centers on live fly-tying. They walk through a squirrel leech with a tungsten bead and demonstrate the core skills behind it, starting thread, the dubbing loop, the pinch wrap, and the whip finish, along with the tools that make them possible: vises, whip finishers, hooks, and materials.
Casting Fundamentals opens each cycle with a full demonstration. Instructors introduce the rod, reel, and fly line, explain how fly lines, leaders, and tippets differ, and demonstrate three casts: the roll cast, the standard cast, and the water load. Participants then break into small groups, pick up a rod, and spend dedicated time working on accuracy in the field.
The Trade Show
The outdoor Trade Show gathers businesses, fly shops, rod manufacturers, and conservation groups to show their latest products and missions. It’s a place to handle gear, meet the regional angling community, and support local initiatives. Local food and drink round things out, including options from Hangry’s Grill.
The Details
- Date: Saturday, June 13. Gates open at 9:00 a.m.
- Location: Larry’s Lodge in Batesville, Georgia
- Admission: free for kids under 16, $45 for adults over 16
- Registration: pre-register at fish.themodernflyfishers.net
- Rain or shine
- Contact: [email protected], 404-713-6958, or soqueriverflyfishingfestival.com
