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So Fly Festival

Experience this annual festival in a truly one of a kind fashion. Be completely immersed in the mountain communities of Highland and Bath Counties. Stay in your own log cabin surrounded by sheep, a mini donkey, and friendly llama. Rainbow Retreat boasts four stocked ponds, two private streams, and has four beds, bathrooms, full kitchen and utilities in a completely rural setting.

Spend the days fishing and exploring the events of the festival while taking it easy on the back roads. Friday starts the activities with trophy trout fishing and a reception dinner hosted by the Waterwheel Restaurant. Saturday begins with a hearty breakfast before a trip to private water on the upper Jackson River.

 

Large Rainbow and Brown trout over 24” are caught annually here and the beginning of May is the best time to pull these tanks from the depths. Enjoy lunch sourced from the county’s best farms, and finish the day with local spirits and steak raised at Rainbow Retreat. Start your final day with a lazy cup of coffee and local maple donuts before floating down the lower Jackson River.

 

This is one of Virginia’s few tailwater rivers, and is known for its solid rainbow and brown trout population. Lake Moomaw continuously fills this section with 55-60 degree water which makes for good growing conditions for healthy trout. This trophy trout section has special regulations and slot limits that protect quality sized trout throughout the reproduction ages and sizes. We’ll go big and throw big streamers and nymph patterns to try for some of these wild big boys before heading home from the Covington area.

 

*Only one trip is available for a minimum of two at $3500/4 max at $6500*

 Package details

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- 3 days/2 nights lodging at Rainbow Springs Retreat

- Tickets for So Fly Festival Reception Friday

- Rod fees and fishing at Tomahawk Farm Saturday

- All meals reception dinner featuring all local foods and beverages

- Float trip for up to 4 on the lower Jackson River Sunday 

- Tying station set up if requested

- All equipment, snacks, drinks necessary

- You will need Virginia Fishing License, Trout Stamp,

    Forest Permit

Itinerary

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Friday May TBD

  • 10AM Meet at Rainbow Retreat- Get settled and fish onsite ponds and stream, Prepared lunch, lessons and guiding throughout the afternoon

  • 4PM Local Charcuterie and Wine while preparing for Reception Dinner*

  • 6PM Reception Dinner at Warm Springs 
     

Saturday May TBD

  • 7AM Prepared Breakfast at Rainbow Retreat- French Toast and local Sausage with berries and Highland County Maple Syrup*

  • 8AM Fishing Private Water at Tomahawk Farm

  • 12PM Prepared Lunch- Homemade Chicken Salad with local Cider*

  • 1PM Afternoon Fishing

  • 6PM Prepared Dinner- Steak dinner with Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus Hollandaise, paired with Ox Eye Wines*

 

Sunday May TBD

  • 7AM Prepared Breakfast at Rainbow Retreat- Fresh Eggs, Bacon and Toast with local Jam*

  • 9AM Launch on Lower Jackson River

  • 12PM Prepared lunch- Grilled Local Sausages with Onions and Peppers and homemade coleslaw*

  • 3PM projected time at landing, wrapped up by 4PM
     

*All Meals Are Samples. We Gather Products Locally Seasonally and are Happy to Work with Requests or Dietary Restrictions*

Call us today to book this experience of a lifetime! 540.280.3815

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