Every spring in Waynesboro, Virginia, the Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival brings together two outdoors passions rooted deeply in this region’s rugged beauty and cultivated calm. The South River snakes through this landscape, daring anglers with its lively riffles and whispering pools that hold promise beneath rippling surfaces. Meanwhile, vineyards stretch across gentle hills nearby, their grapes soaking up sun and soil to create wines both local and distinctive. This festival offers a practical, hands-on plunge into these worlds — casting your line with expert guidance by day, and savoring carefully selected wines by night.

Set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the event focuses on providing comprehensive fly fishing instruction and access to some of Virginia’s best trout waters. The terrain around Waynesboro is inviting but demands respect: riverbanks can be slick, and currents shift unpredictably. Yet, each cast is a dialogue with water that refuses to be tamed. Workshops cover everything from knot tying to understanding aquatic insect hatches, essential skills for both beginners and seasoned anglers to sharpen.

In the afternoon, the festival moves to the vineyards, where palates are engaged with tastings of vintages that carry terroir in every sip. Local winemakers explain the nuances that set Virginia wine apart—soil composition, altitude, and climate all contributing elements. Visitors can navigate between rustic barrels, learning how regional farming practices shape flavor. It’s an educational blend of outdoorsmanship and viticulture that rewards curiosity.

Planning your visit requires some preparation. Layers are key—spring mornings by the river stir with chilly breezes that fade under the sun’s steady advance. Water-resistant footwear with good traction is necessary for negotiating rocky banks and muddy entry points. Hydration is critical, especially when the sun warms the slopes where vineyards bask. Tuning your schedule to attend morning fishing sessions and evening wine tastings optimizes the full sensory range of the festival.

Beyond the festival itself, the area offers hiking trails that climb toward panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Parkway, where forested paths absorb sound and scent alike. Streams trickle with a playful insistence, and wildflowers respond to seasonal light shifts in bursts of color. These trails add a physical layer to the festival experience—a reminder that adventure requires movement and a mindset that embraces nature’s sometimes stubborn moods.

Whether you come for the fishing, the wine, or the chance to engage with both, the Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival in Waynesboro is an invitation to meet a landscape fiercely itself: a place where water and earth converse, and where your skills and senses find fresh challenge and reward.