Promoters of the venerable Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2026, are proud to announce the launch of the Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival. This one-of-a-kind event will be held on Friday, January 15, and Saturday, January 16, 2027, at the Farm Bureau Expo Center in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Held entirely indoors, the Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival will combine the joys of outdoor life with a reverence for the storied history of whiskey-crafting in the Volunteer State. This unique, family-friendly festival will offer attendees the chance to mingle with industry leaders, speakers and authors, exhibitors, and fellow anglers in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. Festivalgoers will enjoy delicious food and drinks while sharing stories and forging lasting connections with fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
The 2027 Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival will feature an impressive roster of renowned speakers and authors, including Kelly Galloup, Pat Dorsey, Joe Mahler, Kevin Howell, Patrick Fulkrod, Ian and Charity Rutter, Kim Ranalla, Jessica Dial, Beau Beasley, Steve Nix, and Captain Gary Dubiel. Innovative fly tyers like Allen Rupp and Steve Maldonado will be on hand as well. Attendees will learn directly from experts through engaging seminars, demonstrations, and Q&A sessions. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a newcomer to the quiet sport, these presentations will offer invaluable insights into the outdoors and conservation as well as the techniques and gear necessary to perfect the art of fly fishing.
The Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival will also launch a Beyond the Cast Women’s Fly Fishing Symposium—a show-within-a-show designed to foster community and skill-building among female anglers. This special event is sponsored by Miss Mayfly and will be led by industry leaders such as Jen Ripple. Featuring workshops tailored specifically to women’s needs and interests, Beyond the Cast will take place concurrently with the larger festival—in its own separate show space within the beautiful Farm Bureau Expo Center—on Friday, January 15. Beyond the Cast classes will cover topics like fishing for steelhead, interacting with wildlife, advanced tactics for trout, and saltwater fly-fishing techniques. Limited seating is available.
A pre-festival, limited-seating Master Angler class will be offered to just 12 students on Thursday, January 14. This daylong specialty class will be taught by well-known author and guide Kelly Galloup, who will focus on topics like correctly approaching water, understanding and creating good leaders, streamer fishing techniques, and fly selection. Students, who will meet together for the Master Angler class at the Farm Bureau Expo Center, will enjoy a catered lunch during the day.
A pre-show, Women, Wine & Fly Tying meet-and-greet event will take place on Thursday evening on the festival grounds. Both Beyond the Cast students and other interested outdoor women are cordially invited. Details will follow.
The Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival will also offer a special class geared toward Trout Unlimited chapter officers at the festival hotel on Friday that will include a catered lunch. This class is limited to 25 TU chapter officers from Tennessee and nearby states. Check the festival website for more details on this developing class.
For festival attendees 21 years of age and older, various distilleries will offer samples of their wares. It is this blend of fly fishing and fine spirits that will set the Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival apart as a true celebration of local recreation, culture, and hospitality: “We’re excited to welcome the Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival, which celebrates Tennessee’s world-renowned fly fishing and legendary whiskey heritage in one incredible event,” says Dennis Tumlin, chief customer officer of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
“Tennessee has one of the most passionate fly-fishing communities in the country,” says Blake Parsons, owner of Tennessee’s own Fly South. “It’s long overdue that we have a signature event to celebrate it. From the mountain streams of the Smokies to the smallmouth creeks of Middle Tennessee, the opportunities here are world-class and show off Tennessee’s unique fly-fishing experiences. As we mark 25 years of Fly South this year, we’re excited by the community that has grown up around this sport in our state. Kicking off our 26th year with the Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival in January feels like exactly the right way to honor that history and bring everyone together.”
2027 Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival sponsors include Wilson County TN, Fly South, Fish Tennessee, Shenk Capital Management, Harman’s Cabins, Miss Mayfly, TrailHead Creative, and Trout Unlimited.
Whether you come to experience expert instruction, sample flavorful spirits, or connect with like-minded outdoor lovers, the Tennessee Fly Fishing & Whiskey Festival is for you. Don’t miss it! For more information, visit www.tnflyfishingfestival.com.
