This week I’ll be spending a few days in southern Vermont. This region isn’t as well known as the more northernly section; the part with all the cheese, skiing, and Bernie Sanders. But there are plenty of reasons to poke around Manchester, Vermont.

Along with fly fishing itself, there are two significant fly fishing “attractions.” The American Museum of Fly Fishing and the Orvis flagship store (including their Rod Shop) sit a long cast’s length away from each other. This month, the  former is holding an open house and fundraiser in conjunction with the opening of a new exhibit.

All that to say, I’m looking forward to spending time in a beautiful and interesting part of New England. Below are three posts from the Casting Across archives that pertain to this region. I’m sharing an article, a podcast, and a video that each touch on some of what you will expect to find if you take a few days to fish and poke around Manchester.

Manchester, VT: A Premier Fly Fishing Destination?

There are plenty of places where you can go to catch lots of big trout. There are also those places where you can go for so much more than just fish. History, culture, and a sense of being in a fly fishing place can’t be found in nearly as many destination. Fly fishing on the Battenkill requires work. I’ve failed much more than I’ve succeeded. But I have also seen enormous, golden fish swipe at my streamers. I have spooked dark, twenty-inch shadows out from under weedy banks. Countless gentle dimples have appeared on the waters’ surface in the evening, only taking the most precisely presented imitations of virtually invisible insects… Manchester, Vermont is a premier destination. The reason why is simple: When you are there you get to live the story of the Orvis Company, the American Museum of Fly Fishing, and the Battenkill.

Podcast, Ep. 353: American Museum of Fly Fishing, Summer ’25

n this episode, I talk about the great time that my boys and I had in Manchester, Vermont. The occasion was the American Museum of Fly Fishing’s Summer Festival. There were vendors, exhibits, and competitions. (And there was food.) Needless to say, a good time was had by all. This is the kind of event that isn’t fly fishing… but it is a quintessential to fly fishing culture.  Hear about our time and make plans to attend something similar near you.

VIDEO: Ms. Orvis’ Life in Flies

The name Orvis is synonymous with American fly fishing. If you are at all interested in the history of the sport, you’ll certainly enjoy learning about the fly tying daughter of the company’s founder: Mary Orvis Marbury. Steve Woit’s latest book, Mary Orvis Marbury: A Life in Flies celebrates her as a person while showing off her prolific work.