2026 Jim Gariepy Memorial Fly Fishing Tournament & Fly Fishing 101 Clinic
IMPORTANT SINGLE FLY REGISTRATION NOTE: To get an early start on the event, you can preregister here. If you do so, you can start fishing for the tournament at 5am rather than having to wait until 8am to register at the Zoar Picnic Area. But be sure to swing by the Zoar Picnic Area after 8 AM to pickup your packet.
Jim was the President of the Deerfield River Chapter of Trout Unlimited for two years. He was an avid fly fisher, paddler and skier and he ran our Single Fly event for four years. In 2018, our chapter renamed the event in his honor. True to his vision, we intend this event to be a relaxing weekend of fly fishing, with more emphasis on camaraderie rather than competition. Some may be interested in learning the basics of fly fishing – we hope to accommodate you too!
Overview
Saturday – June 6
Fly Fishing 101 Clinic – We want to encourage new anglers and this is free fishing weekend in MA. Beginning at 8:30am on Saturday, participants will meet at the Zoar Outdoors Pavilion directly up the steps from their parking lot on Route 2. Skills stations will be setup across the street and will run from 9:00am to 12:00pm. We will introduce small groups of new fly fishers to 4 skill sets essential for success on the water. Each group will spend time with DRWTU skills leaders then rotate to another session.
Our skills leaders will provide instruction on: (1) Prepping, (2) Casting, (3) Reading Water / Safe Wading, (4) Fly Presentation.
In the afternoon, the leaders will offer coaching to small groups on the water. We will provide some very light refreshments but participants should plan on bringing a lunch. Also bring sun protection and clothes you’re okay with getting wet. There will be a limited number of wading boots and waders available.
Where for Fly Fishing 101 Clinic
Sunday – June 7
The Single Fly Event is a one day (Sunday) catch and release event. Each day the participants select three copies of one specific fly pattern and hook size. If you lose the third copy, your tournament fishing day is over for the day. Each participant will measure and tally their own fish (honesty please!). The largest total length of trout in will win awards!
Qualifications for Single Fly Tournament
Must be 12 years or older to enter. Anyone under the age of 17 must have an adult supervisor or partner. The weekend is MA free fishing weekend so no license is required. All participants are expected to follow MA fishing regulations and practice catch and release during the tournament. You are responsible for your own safety – the river bottom is slippery and the water is cold. Waders and felt-soled boots are recommended. All participants must sign a release form.
All flies must be single barbless. No bait, powerbait nor scented flies permitted. Catch, measure, release: Ideally, a fish is brought to the net, measured in the water and released. In some circumstances, fish brought under control may be counted. Meaning that a reasonable person viewing your handling of the fish would state that the angler was in control of the fish, brought it into a handling situation and took a positive step to release the fish into the wild. Foul-hooked fish may not be counted. A fair-hooked fish is hooked in the mouth.
Where for Single Fly Tournament
The Zoar Picnic Grounds are located in Rowe on Zoar Road just up river from Rowe Road, Pelham Brook and the railroad underpass.
Schedule
Saturday 6/6 – FF Clinic 101
8:30 AM: Arrival, in-person registration, cold brew coffee and donuts
9:00 AM: Fly Fishing 101 instructions begins
12:00 PM: Lunch on your own
1:00 PM: On-the-water mentor sessions
Sunday 6/7 – Single Fly
5:00 AM: Single Fly begins for pre-registered anglers
8:00 AM: In-person registration, cold brew coffee and donuts
12:00 PM: Lunch on your own
4:30 PM: Single Fly officially ends
5:00 PM: Closing Cookout at the Zoar Picnic Area and awards ceremony
5:15 PM: Deadline for submission of tallies
6:00 PM: Closing and clean-up
Single Fly Tournament Awards
| Single Fly Champion – $75 GC to Deerfield Fly Shop | 1st Place – Total Inches of Trout |
| Single Fly Second Place – $50 GC to Daily Operation | 2nd Place – Total Inches of Trout |
| Single Fly Third Place – $25 GC to Shelburne Falls Coffee | 3rd Place – Total Inches of Trout |
| Pepe Award | Largest Trout in Length |
| Raffle | At Awards Ceremony |