Written by: Marlene Osteen | issue: April 2024
The Three Rivers Fly Fishing Festival, set for May 2-4, offers plenty of challenges for both veteran anglers and savvy beginners of all ages. For more information, to register a team, or to become a sponsor, visit 3riverflyfish.com.
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When David Wilkes and Steve Perry launched the Three Rivers Fly Fishing Festival in 2013, they set out to create a fun fishing event that would rally locals around a noble cause.
Their goal is to raise funds for the Town of Highlands Scholarship Fund.
What no one expected was that over the years the event would raise more than $150,000.
Today the festival has become one of the most beloved fishing competitions in the region, bringing together anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to share their passion for fishing amidst the beauty and tranquility of the mountains and the waterways. its full of rainbows, streams, and rainbow trout.
Taking place the weekend of May 2-4 when the rivers are at their peak, this one-of-a-kind, family-friendly festival offers a variety of opportunities to step up your fishing game. Beginner or expert, you’ll learn everything you want about casting techniques, fly tying, and fish species.
Festival organizers Chris Wilkes, Pat Gleeson, Drew Townes, and Bryan Lewis emphasize, “The goal is to have fun, it’s a community event and we have a place for everyone.”
Wilkes, the owner of Highlands Hiker, a well-known local outfitter for anglers, is one of the festival’s sponsors. Pat Gleeson, an associate at Christie’s International Real Estate, sponsored the Saturday night gala, and Bryan Lewis’ Highlands Smokehouse hosted the Friday party. Other supporters include Old Edwards Inn and Spa, State Farm Insurance, and Coca-Cola.
Trophies, fly rods, fly reels, and more will be awarded to the top performing teams. Everyone walks away with something, and you shouldn’t miss the silent and live auction items worthy of all fly fisher-women (and men).
During the festival, participants test their skills on more than 2000 miles of fishing territory within the tournament boundaries, which include some of the most scenic and diverse streams in Western NC. Competing in two-person teams, guided or unguided, they must catch at least one fish each from a hatchery supported, a delayed harvest and a native stream (hence the name of the festival.) Fishing is open all day Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, from sundown to sundown.
The festival kicks off Thursday night with a cocktail party at the Old Edwards Inn where teams receive gift bags with items donated by local vendors, including hats, t-shirts, koozies and flies, including a Jack Cabe hopper fly. Participants check in every Friday and Saturday morning at Highland Hiker, declare their destinations and receive a lunch box provided by local restaurant The Secret Garden. On Friday night they gather at the Highlands Smokehouse to share the results of their day. There is also a free fly-casting clinic at Harris Lake every Saturday from 10:00 AM to noon. The highlight of the festival is the Saturday night wrap-up party at a private Highlands’ residence where the Jack Cabe Cup is awarded to the team with the highest total inches gained.
Other prizes are awarded to Ugliest Fish, Best Fish Story, Largest Fish, and Smallest Fish.
