2020 Blue Ridge Trout Fest Canceled

The uncertainties yet to be faced in the outbreak—and recovery—of COVID-19 across the country, the state and our region has led the organizing committee for Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited (BRMTU) to cancel the 2020 Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival, commonly known as simply the Trout Fest.

“BRMTU believes we share a responsibility to help protect our families and community amid the ongoing crisis, while we also help assure a clear path for recovery in our community when the crisis is passed. We hoped a late July presentation of Trout Fest was doable,” says Trout Fest event coordinator Bob Borgwat, “but at this date, our local, state and federal authorities have not clearly provided a path for when or how the recovery period will be realized. Without that direction, we, too, cannot clearly see a path that leads us to a safe date for presenting an unfettered Trout Fest that meets the demands our organization has placed on itself for serving our sponsors, vendors and visitors.”

While Trout Fest continues to encourage everyone to stay home—especially if you have any signs of fever, cough or flu-like symptoms—the organization has now shifted its fundraising focus to present the 2021 Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival next spring on April 24, 2021 in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

“Meanwhile, a lot of thanks goes out to our vendors, sponsors and visitors for your support for this year’s Trout Fest,” Borgwat says. “We planned a good one and could not have done it without your participation. We’re already planning Trout Fest 2021 to celebrate not only trout fishing and other outdoor recreation… heck, we’re going to celebrate re-opening the north Georgia mountains! We hope you plan to join us!”

The 2019 Trout Fest was a great time for attendees and exhibitors.

Trout Fest has made this decision in line with the decision made by the city of Blue Ridge to cancel or postponed all public events until further notice. We will follow the city’s guidelines as these are determined by the city with advice and updates from the Fannin EMA and Department of Public Health.

Please watch for updates on the Trout Fest website—blueridgetroutfest.com—and the Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival Facebook page as we move forward to Trout Fest 2021.

ABOUT BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN TROUT UNLIMITED
Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited is the official local organization (chapter 696) of the acclaimed national organization dedicated to cold-water fisheries. TU is dedicated to protecting critical habitat, reconnecting degraded waterways and restoring populations to cold-water fisheries. All funds raised or donated to BRMTU are applied right here in the North Georgia mountains for conservation and stream restoration efforts; stream cleanups, such as Rivers Alive; and education and outreach programs. Sponsored programs include Trout in the Classroom in local schools, the Trout Adventure Trail, Boy Scout and Girl Scout conservation education, Project Healing Waters for wounded veterans, Casting for Recovery for breast-cancer survivors, Georgia Trout Camp, and Mercier Orchard Family Fishing Days. For more information, please visit BlueRidgeTU.com.