Damascus Trout Days
Register now for September 12-14, 2025!
NEW in 2025! Join us in Damascus, Virginia for new trout fishing tournaments hosted by the Town of Damascus in April and September. Trout Days will be held on the portions of Laurel Creek and Beaverdam Creek within town limits and will be limited to 200 registered anglers each.
Registration is now open for Trout Days, September 12-14. Sign up soon to reserve your spot!
Registration is now open for Trout Days, September 12-14. Sign up soon to reserve your spot!
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Congratulations to our April winners! $1,000 Cash Prize - Harold Lester $750 Cash Prize - George Griffitts $500 Cash Prize - Greg Lester $250 Cash Prize - George Griffitts $100 Cash Prize - Greg Lester $100 Cash Prize - George Griffitts $100 Cash Prize - Shane Barton $100 Cash Prize - Dalton Arden September Registration - Ben Isaac September Registration - David Taylor September Registration - Jerry Wilson September Registration - Dalton Arden |
| trout_days_prizes_and_leaderboard_april_2025.pdf |
Entry is $100 per person. Trout Days is a catch-and-release tournament, single hook, artificial lures only. A current Virginia freshwater fishing license is required and state regulations apply. A stocking is scheduled prior to the event and 200 of the stocked trout will be tagged. The fishing tournament is open from 7am Saturday to 12pm Sunday.
Awards will be determined by a trout tag lottery on Sunday after the tournament. Each trout tag collected equals one entry; the more tagged trout you catch, the more chances to win! Prizes include cash awards of up to $1,000 each, plus a mix of gear, guided trips, and other sponsored items. Also included is a separate raffle for all participants on Saturday evening.
All Trout Days proceeds go toward supporting the Town of Damascus in long-term recovery efforts from the impacts of Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
Awards will be determined by a trout tag lottery on Sunday after the tournament. Each trout tag collected equals one entry; the more tagged trout you catch, the more chances to win! Prizes include cash awards of up to $1,000 each, plus a mix of gear, guided trips, and other sponsored items. Also included is a separate raffle for all participants on Saturday evening.
All Trout Days proceeds go toward supporting the Town of Damascus in long-term recovery efforts from the impacts of Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
More about Fishing in Damascus:
A fishing destination in its own right, Damascus, Virginia sits at the confluence of Whitetop Laurel, Tennessee Laurel, and Beaverdam Creeks. These streams form Laurel Creek for a short distance and then join the South Fork of the Holston River just outside of town limits and flow into South Holston Lake a few miles downstream. Fishing options around Damascus cover a wide range, from roadside to remote. Just upstream of Damascus lies one of Virginia's greatest wild trout streams, Whitetop Laurel Creek.
A fishing destination in its own right, Damascus, Virginia sits at the confluence of Whitetop Laurel, Tennessee Laurel, and Beaverdam Creeks. These streams form Laurel Creek for a short distance and then join the South Fork of the Holston River just outside of town limits and flow into South Holston Lake a few miles downstream. Fishing options around Damascus cover a wide range, from roadside to remote. Just upstream of Damascus lies one of Virginia's greatest wild trout streams, Whitetop Laurel Creek.
Trout Days Event Schedule, April 11-13
Friday
4-8pm - Check-in at the Fire Department. Pick up your registration packet and wristband at the sign-in tables and meet our event sponsors. Raffle tickets available for purchase during check-in. On-site registrations will also be accepted at this time.
8pm - Welcome address at Appalachian Heritage Distillery & Brewery (AHD&B), review of rules and regulations.
Saturday
7am - Tournament begins!
7am-12pm - Late check-in and on-site registration at the Fire Department. Raffle tickets available for purchase during check-in.
4pm - Tournament day ends. All anglers wishing to have their fish counted must be present at Appalachian Heritage Distillery & Brewery (AHD&B) to qualify for the trout tag lottery prizes awarded on Sunday.
4-9pm - Trout Days Celebration at AHD&B. Turn in Saturday trout tags at the Trout Days table for a chance to win in the awards lottery on Sunday! Live music and food truck on-site.
5-7pm - Live raffle at AHD&B for all Trout Days participants, raffle ticket sales also open to the public on-site.
Sunday
7am - Tournament begins!
12pm - End of fishing tournament; all anglers wishing to have their fish counted must be present at the Town Park Gazebo to qualify for the trout tag lottery prizes.
1pm - Trout tag awards ceremony at the Town Park Gazebo.
Friday
4-8pm - Check-in at the Fire Department. Pick up your registration packet and wristband at the sign-in tables and meet our event sponsors. Raffle tickets available for purchase during check-in. On-site registrations will also be accepted at this time.
8pm - Welcome address at Appalachian Heritage Distillery & Brewery (AHD&B), review of rules and regulations.
Saturday
7am - Tournament begins!
7am-12pm - Late check-in and on-site registration at the Fire Department. Raffle tickets available for purchase during check-in.
4pm - Tournament day ends. All anglers wishing to have their fish counted must be present at Appalachian Heritage Distillery & Brewery (AHD&B) to qualify for the trout tag lottery prizes awarded on Sunday.
4-9pm - Trout Days Celebration at AHD&B. Turn in Saturday trout tags at the Trout Days table for a chance to win in the awards lottery on Sunday! Live music and food truck on-site.
5-7pm - Live raffle at AHD&B for all Trout Days participants, raffle ticket sales also open to the public on-site.
Sunday
7am - Tournament begins!
12pm - End of fishing tournament; all anglers wishing to have their fish counted must be present at the Town Park Gazebo to qualify for the trout tag lottery prizes.
1pm - Trout tag awards ceremony at the Town Park Gazebo.
Trout Days Event Sponsors, April 2025
Thank you to our April Trout Days event sponsors! Many of our sponsors will be set up at the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department during check-in.
| trout_days_sponsorship_form_sept_2025.pdf |
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Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Conserve. Connect. Protect. DWR has been a steward of the outdoors since 1916, leading in wildlife conservation and inspiring people to value the outdoors and their role in nature. |
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Appalachian Heritage Distillery & Brewery
Located in downtown Damascus AHD develops and distills smooth, quality spirits. By combining multi-generational knowledge with one of a kind equipment and distillation process, Appalachian Heritage Distillery strives to harness the spirit of tradition in the tradition of spirits. |
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Appalachian Power
AEP's mission is to provide safe and reliable electricity, and it's their vision to do much more. They add value to their communities and customers and use their success to make a difference in the areas of critical need. It is their privilege to give back to the communities they serve and work to build a future of boundless energy. |
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Blue Mountain Fly Fishing
Based in Abingdon, Virginia Blue Mountain Fly Fishing is making fly fishing accessible with a wheelchair accessible drift boat. Available to float the Watauga and South Holston Rivers in Northeast Tennessee. |
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DePaul Community Resources
Based in Abingdon, Virginia DePaul Community Resources is a nonprofit human services and social impact organization. Every day they work to change the world by improving the lives of children, families, and individuals with developmental disabilities. |
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Fish Hands Free
Based in Damascus Fish Hands Free's newly invented rod holder is simple, inexpensive and useful. It allows hands-free tasking and prevents the rod/reel from getting wet, dirty, or damaged. Once used, any fisherman will consider this accessory to be indispensable. |
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Fisher Hollow Veterinary Clinic
Located in Damascus Fisher Hollow Veterinary Clinic provides veterinary services to pets in the Damascus area. Affordable spay and neuter. Call for appointment. |
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Miller's Mountain Anglers
Based in Abingdon, Virginia Miller's Mountain Anglers is a South Holston Lake fishing guide with more than 30 years of experience specializing in downriggers and trolling for Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout. Guided trips May thru September. |
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Overflowing Hands
Based in Raleigh, NC Overflowing Hands mission is to serve, empower and transform children and young adults by providing basic needs, camps, youth development, leadership training, mission trips and life changing experiences. They serve children in our neighborhoods, across the US and around the world. |
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Riverfeet Fly Fishing
Based in Abingdon, Virginia Riverfeet Fly Fishing offers guiding in southwest Virginia and eastern Tennessee. Over 30 years of experience from Beartooth Mountains to the Blue Ridges. Float, wade, and bike fly fishing adventures. |
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The Speckled Trout Outpost
Located in downtown Damascus The Speckled Trout Outpost is a quaint boutique short stay hotel experience in the heart of Damascus. This independently owned and operated getaway features 13 suites, each with its own unique character and charm designed with your comfort in mind. |
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Stone Fly Co.
Based in Damascus Stone Fly Co. offers wade trips and float trips around Damascus. This husband and wife team provides a simple down to earth approach to fly fishing. They want to take you back to real fly fishing; you, a rod, and the pursuit to chase beautiful fish in beautiful places! |
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Trout House
Located in downtown Damascus The Trout House vacation rental is a cozy 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home in the heart of town that offers an inviting interior with modern finishes and easy access to local shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities. |
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Virginia Creeper Fly Shop
Located in Abingdon, Virginia Virginia Creeper Fly Shop is a full service specialty fly shop serving Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee with professional guide services offering guided trips and instruction. |
