BLUFF CITY, Tenn. – Knox Campbell devised an ambitious idea last year to raise funds for the River’s Way Outdoor Adventure Center.
Campbell wanted to unite the many followers of fly fishing through a festival that appealed to all aspects of the thriving art.
“We did everything we could to attract people, but we really had no idea how many people would show up,” said Campbell, the adventure program director at River’s Way.
The first South Holston Fly Fishing Fest was scheduled for a 10 a.m. start on Saturday, July 18. The staff at River’s Way received a pleasant surprise well before the gates opened.
“People started arriving at 9 a.m., and we even had some people who showed up a week early,” Campbell said. “Folks just poured in from all over. It was a huge surprise, but a good one.”
According to Campbell, the Fly Fishing Fest attracted a crowd of 550 paying guests from seven states. Campbell is the festival coordinator.
For the past few months, Campbell has been putting the pieces together for the second annual South Holston Fly Fishing Fest. Instead of one day, the event has been expanded to Saturday and Sunday. Gates open at 9 a.m. both days.
“I think we’ve really found a niche with this event,” Campbell said. “It’s a great way to appeal to people who love fly fishing while also helping to spread the word about the mission of River’s Way.”
Located on the banks of the trout-rich South Holston River, River’s Way is a 30-acre non-profit operation offering goal-oriented outdoor adventures for hundreds of youth challenged because of disabilities and or disadvantaged backgrounds in five area school systems.
This weekend’s event will feature nearly 55 presenters spread out over two tents. There will be fly fishing & nature artists, bamboo rod builders, manufacturer representatives, and regional fly shops and guide services.
The headliner on both Saturday and Sunday will be nationally-known fly fishing gurus Lefty Kreh and Joe Humphreys.
“Everybody who fishes knows Lefty,” Campbell said.
After the success of last year’s inaugural event, Campbell said he was challenged to come up with fresh attractions for the far-flung fly fishing crowd.
“We definitely set the bar high, but I feel like we’ve got something for everyone this year from the beginner to the expert,” Campbell said. “We were fortunate to have a lot of great sponsors step up, and that allowed us to bring in some high-quality speakers.”
The VIP list of anglers and artists includes Bill Oyster, Cory Routh, Tim Landis, Jim Casada and Beau Beasley. The Bristol-based Landis has worked as a fishing guide for over two decades.
Now that the foundation has been set, Campbell hopes to keep spreading the good news about River’s Way and the abundant opportunities for outdoorsmen in the Mountain Empire.
“Fly fishers are a unique and close-knit breed,” Campbell said. “They are passionate about their art.”
Admission to the Fly Fishing Fest is a $10 minimum donation per person, with weekend passes available for $15 per person. Veterans, military personnel and children 12 and under will be admitted free. For more information, call (423) 538-0405 or go to southholstonflyfishingfest.com.
River’s Way, located off Stoney Hollow Road in Bluff City, Tenn., served over 2,200 participants last year in Project LEAP, Respite Programs, Summer Camps and Adventure Programs.
agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544
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