What Digital Programs and Online Resources Does the American Museum of Fly Fishing Offer?

Updated

The American Museum of Fly Fishing (amff.org) offers a range of remote-friendly programming for people who can't visit in person, including a members-only forum, an online screening room, digital exhibits, webinars, and conservation classes. It has also launched an online collections database that makes cataloged records publicly accessible. The main condition to keep in mind: some programming is members-only, while other resources are open to anyone. Below is what each offering is and how to use it.

Remote-Friendly Programs

According to the museum, its digital programming includes:

  • Members-only forum — a discussion space reserved for members.
  • Online screening room — streamed film content.
  • Digital exhibits — exhibitions presented online rather than only on site.
  • Webinars — scheduled online presentations.
  • Conservation classes — online instruction focused on conservation topics.

The museum describes this as "a wide range of remote-friendly programming," so the exact mix and schedule can change over time. Treat the list above as the categories to look for, not a fixed catalog.

Online Collections Database

The museum has introduced a new online collections database. Its stated purpose is to digitally document its holdings and make cataloged records publicly accessible. This is the resource to use if you want to browse or research items in the collection without traveling to Vermont.

Two practical notes:

  • It covers cataloged records, so items not yet cataloged won't appear.
  • The museum frames it as ongoing work ("as we work to digitally document"), so expect the database to grow rather than be complete.

How to Find Upcoming Programs and Events

The site's "Upcoming programs & events" section is the entry point for current scheduling. Because webinars and classes are time-based, check there rather than relying on any static list — the categories above tell you what kinds of programming exist, and that section tells you what's actually coming up.

What's Available In Person (for Contrast)

If you can travel, the museum has two physical locations:

Location What's there
Manchester, Vermont The museum's campus, with a collection of over 40,000 artifacts
Springfield, Missouri The Leigh H. Perkins Hall at the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, spanning 2,300+ square feet

The digital programs exist precisely so that this material and programming aren't limited to visitors.

Why These Resources Matter If You Can't Visit

For fly fishing enthusiasts who can't get to Vermont or Missouri, the digital offerings provide:

  • Access to programming — webinars, classes, and screenings without travel.
  • Research access — the collections database lets you look up cataloged artifacts remotely.
  • Community — the members-only forum connects members around the sport.
  • Exhibits on demand — digital exhibits are viewable anytime, not tied to a visit.

Membership and Access

The museum describes itself as member-driven, and membership is framed around supporting the mission, representing your fishery, and receiving exclusive benefits. The forum is explicitly members-only, so if that's your main interest, membership is the relevant condition. Other resources — such as the collections database and digital exhibits — are described as publicly accessible. For current membership terms and any costs, check the membership page on amff.org, since the available information doesn't specify pricing.