2023 Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival

The Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival – designated as the Official Trout Festival of Georgia by the state legislature – gathers fishermen, river sports enthusiasts, and allied outdoor recreation fans and their families in historic, downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia for fun, education, food, live music and services while increasing the public’s knowledge of trout and the conservation ethos associated with Trout Unlimited.

TROUT FEST celebrates trout fishing and recreational activities in the Toccoa River watershed – as close as the city limits of Blue Ridge and stretching deep into the draws and valleys of the Chattahoochee National Forest. According to Georgia Outdoor News, trout fishermen throughout the Southeast recognize the Toccoa River and its tributaries — both above Lake Blue Ridge and along the tailwater downstream from Blue Ridge Dam — as serious trout water capable of producing trophy trout larger than 10 pounds. 

For almost 50 miles, the Toccoa flows south to north, heading up in western Union County before bisecting Fannin County. Along its way, the river collects many high-elevation creeks and streams that support wild populations of rainbow and brown trout, as well as indigenous brook trout. The Toccoa River watershed and its geography also supports camping, hiking, kayaking/canoeing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, private lodging options, lake watersports and more.

TROUT FEST is presented by Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited (chapter 696) and the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce. More than 3,500 visitors attended the 2022 Trout Fest, browsing 90 vendors of outdoors art, services, activities and gear; more than a dozen outfitters and fishing guides; several non-profit organizations associated with outdoors recreation and participant support; a food court and beer/wine garden; and six sessions of instruction and information centered upon fishing for trout — more specifically, fly-fishing — and cold-water conservation in the vicinity of Blue Ridge/Fannin County, GA. It’s our goal to attract 4,000 visitors and 100 vendors to our 2023 event.

TROUT FEST is located in the heart of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Just 90 minutes north of Atlanta and 60 minutes from Chattanooga, Blue Ridge features an historic district and downtown city park, flanked by shops for outfitters of recreational clothing and gear; home/cabin decor, fine clothing, jewelry, gifts, galleries, craft breweries, fine restaurants, and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Surrounded by the historic downtown district, Trout Fest stretches across City Park, bounded by Depot and Summit streets (north and south) and by West Main and East Main streets. 

When:

April 29th in Blue Ridge