null

Events and Experiences – A Traveler’s Guide to Unforgettable Fishing Adventures Across the U.S. from May to December 2025

Posted by Ragati River Fly Co on on 2nd May 2025

Following our deep dive into the year-round saltwater symphony last month, it’s time to cast our eyes upon the thrilling events and unforgettable experiences awaiting us, the dedicated anglers and fishing enthusiasts, from this very month of May all the way through the crisp embrace of December 2025. Get ready, my friends, for a journey that will ignite your passion and perhaps even lead you to new, cherished fishing tales!

Whether you chase bass, trout, marlin, or the serenity only a quiet lake brings, the U.S. offers a breathtaking tapestry of events that bring our fishing community together. At our company, we don’t just craft flies and paint the fish we dream of—we live for these moments that unite art, adventure, and angler soul. So on this article, let us take you on a journey through the months ahead.

We’ve curated a seasonal guide to fishing events, festivals, and must-visit angling destinations from May through December 2025, because we understand that the heart of an angler beats for these moments, for the stories etched in the memory of a perfect cast, a stunning catch, and the sheer beauty of the natural world. From trout tournaments in the Rockies to saltwater meetups on southern shores, this guide is for the wanderer, the water-lover, the fly-tier, the collector of memories.

As always, these are RRFC Picks—inspired by our love for handcrafted beauty and the untamed power of aquatic life. We encourage you to explore what speaks to you, and gear up for the unique conditions of each place and season. Mark your calendars—and maybe your bucket list, too.

May

Everything is waking up: the rivers, the reels, the wanderlust.

  • Bass Lake Fishing Derby – May 3–4 | Bass Lake, CA
    This California classic brings together families, old friends, and competitive hearts on one of the most scenic lakes you’ll ever fish.

  • Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) – May 10 | Modesto, CA
    Grab a seat, grab a drink, and prepare to be moved. This isn't just film, it's poetry in motion. Sponsored by Costa, Skwala, and Yeti, F3T is where passion and conservation meet the big screen.

  • Phoenix Bass Fishing League – Northeast Division – May 10 | Potomac River
    Witness competitive spirit and raw talent as anglers face off on historic waters.

  • Maggie Valley Fly Fishing Festival – May 23–24 | Maggie Valley, NC
    Against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this weekend is a fly angler’s dream, filled with workshops, music, and river love.

  • Florida Cracker Women's Fishing Tournament – May 30–31 | Homosassa, FL
    Celebrating the fierce women of fishing with community, skill, and a whole lot of heart.

  • Kolar Toyota ALS Fishing Tournament – May 30 | Duluth, MN
    Fish with purpose. This tournament supports ALS research and honors the fighters among us.

June

The season of full sun, full hearts, and full stringers.

  • National Fishing and Boating Week – June 1–9 | Nationwide
    Free fishing days, family-friendly clinics, and a nationwide celebration of the outdoors.

  • AustinBlu Family Fishing Tournament – June 14 | Jupiter, FL
    Teaching kids to fish, love the ocean, and respect the art of the cast—it doesn’t get better than this.

July

This is peak season. Heatwaves. Cold drinks. Explosive takes on topwater.

  • ETX Big Bass Splash PAC Fishing Tournament – July 10 | East Texas
    Big bass. Big cash. Big community.

  • ICAST – July 15–18 | Orlando, FL
    The biggest sportfishing trade show on Earth. Innovations, products, and angler legends, all in one place.

  • Fly Fishing World Championships – July 12–19 | Idaho Falls, ID
    Witness the world’s best take on Idaho’s pristine waters. Includes Youth and Ladies World Championships.

August

Whether you're offshore or in a kayak, August is for the adventurers.

  • White Marlin Open – August 4–8 | Ocean City, MD
    A legacy of adrenaline and open ocean magic.

  • Free Fishing Days – August 30 | Various States (CA included)
    A perfect chance to invite someone new to the water.

  • Team USA Saltwater Kayak National Championship – August 9 | Pompano Beach, FL
    For the sleek, the agile, and the salt-hearted.

September

The winds shift. The colors change. The fish get aggressive—and so do we.

  • Newport International Boat Show – Sept 11–14 | Newport, RI
    Nautical dreams come alive at this stunning coastal showcase.

  • StriperFest – Sept 27 | Massachusetts (Location TBD)
    Celebrate stripers, stories, and saltwater community like no other.

October

The fish are feeding hard before winter. You should be, too.

  • FFI FlyFest 2025 – Oct 26–27 | Grand Rapids, MI
    Casting clinics, fly-tying artistry, and stories shared riverside.

  • RAD-Rides Grand Championship – Oct 25 | Lake TBD
    High-stakes competition wrapped in camaraderie.

  • Street Fishing World Championship – Oct 24–25 | Green Bay, WI
    Urban edge meets angler ingenuity in this thrilling showdown.

November

Before the freeze, we reflect. And we fish with reverence.

  • Pacific Halibut Recreational Fishery – Open Until November 15th
    Last chance to chase halibut before the cold sets in. Respect the tide—and the tradition.

December

For some, winter signals rest. For others—it’s the start of a whole new game.

  • Saint Paul Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show – St. Paul, MN
    Dates TBD, but hearts already eager. This is the event for ice fishing enthusiasts. Gear up, meet pros, and maybe, just maybe, discover your next great fish tale.

This is just a taste of the incredible angling experiences awaiting you across the United States. As you plan your next adventure, remember that the right tools can elevate your experience from good to extraordinary.  Every event, every catch, every memory—it's all part of a deeper current. At Ragati River Fly Co., we believe fishing is a form of art and soul expression. That’s why we craft flies that tell stories and paint aquatic life with reverence. This guide isn’t just about events. It’s about experiences that shape who we are as anglers, and as people.

Whether you’re chasing marlin off Maryland or rainbow trout in the Carolinas, let these adventures fill your soul. And if you’re looking for a handcrafted fly or a painting that captures the beauty of your best fishing memory, you know where to find us.

Traveling to a new fishing event this season? Tight lines! 

Until then,
Stay wild. Stay curious. And cast like your heart depends on it.
— The Peeps at RRFC