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The Soque River Fly Fishing Festival, sponsored by the Modern Fly Fishers
Join us in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains for the annual Soque River Fly Fishing Festival! This unique, family-friendly celebration brings together anglers of all ages (recommended for ages 10 and up) to unite land-based education and community connection into one unforgettable day.
Designed to inspire the next generation of anglers to become both skilled casting enthusiasts and dedicated conservationists, this event provides an accessible platform to grow the local fly fishing community. The event features two major components:

### 1. The Learning Center

Our skill-building Learning Center offers an immersive, hands-on educational series led by seasoned industry experts. The curriculum operates on a round-robin schedule with three convenient daily start times: 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. Participants will cycle through the following land-based educational stations:

  • The Bug Booth (Entomology & Habitat Conservation): Managed by Tad Murdock. Attendees will dive into the fascinating world of aquatic river insects. You will explore live insect samples, learn how to identify various insect types in their nymph stages using sorting trays, and discover how bugs navigate life stages from emergers to duns and spinners. This station also highlights critical stream conservation, teaching families how to protect riverbanks from erosion to keep trout habitats oxygenated, clean, and thriving.
  • Flies & Gear Crash Course: Led by expert tiers Don and Adam Henebarey, this station features live fly-tying demonstrations, focusing on crafting a squirrel leech with a tungsten bead. Beginners and experienced anglers alike will watch and learn essential fly-tying skills, including starting thread, the dubbing loop, the pinch wrap, and the whip finish. Instructors will also cover crucial gear selection strategies, detailing necessary tools like vises, whip finishers, hooks, and materials.
  • Casting Fundamentals: Led by casting instructors, each cycle kicks off with a comprehensive demonstration. Instructors will introduce the rod, reel, and fly line, while clearly explaining the subtle structural differences between fly lines, leaders, and tippets. From there, instructors will demonstrate three essential techniques: the roll cast, the standard cast, and the water load. Once broken out into smaller groups, participants will grab a rod and spend dedicated time practicing target accuracy directly in the field.

### 2. The Fly Fishing Trade Show

Beyond the structured clinics, the festival features a dynamic outdoor Trade Show marketplace where businesses, fly shops, rod manufacturers, and conservation groups showcase their latest products, services, and missions. It is an incredible space to network with the regional angling community, check out premium gear, and support local initiatives.

  • Food, Beverage, & Fun: Complete with local food and beverage options, including those provided by Hangry's Grill.

### Event Logistics & Planning

Related topics

Adventure
Fishing
Fly Fishing
Social
Fly Casting

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