

Dave Allbaugh: Dave Allbaugh specializes in the classic art of wet fly fishing. His mission is to educate new and seasoned fly fisherman about this largely forgotten method of fly fishing and to show how productive wet flies can be throughout the year. Over the last 25 years Dave has spent countless hours on the stream and at the vice perfecting and designing new, highly effective wet fly patterns and customized wet fly leaders. Dave is a licensed Pennsylvania guide and exclusively fishes wet flies on some of Pennsylvania's premier freestone and limestone streams in the Central and North Central areas of the state.
Kevin Arculeo: Kevin Arculeo guides north of Atlanta, GA on Lake Sidney Lanier focusing on land-locked Stripers and Spotted Bass. He has also guided on the Chattahoochee River and several other trout streams in North Georgia.
Sue Armstrong: Sue has been an avid fly fisher and tyer since moving to Colorado in 1981.
Lee Baermann: Lee’s love of fishing began at an early age when his maternal grandfather showed him how to catch Musky in the lakes of Northern Wisconsin. After his family moved from Milwaukee to Oxnard, California in 1960, that love continued, not only at the local lakes in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, but on the beach, where he grew up.
Thomas E. Baltz: A
New Mexico native, Tom Baltz has been a fly tier for over 46 years, the
last 32 spent among the legendary tiers and anglers of the limestone
valleys of south-central Pennsylvania, near Carlisle. Tom is the only
four time Pennsylvania State Fly Tying Champion and his flies have
appeared in Field & Stream, Fly Fisherman Magazine, Art of Angling
Journal, Eastern Fly Fishing, and American Angler magazines, the Orvis
catalog (I.C.S.I Midge, MuddBugger, Hatching Nymph and Beetlenat) and
the recently published book “Guide Flies”. He is a regular contributor
to the Mid-Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide and appears at fly-fishing shows
around the country.
Don Bastian: Don Bastian has been tying flies for 47 years, starting at age 12 in 1964. He was a Pennsylvania fly fishing guide for 16 consecutive seasons and a commercial fly tier for 12 years. He is renewing his PA guide business effective with the 2011 season. He is the author of three fly tying DVD’s; Advanced Classic Wet Flies – 2007; Traditional Streamers and Bucktails 2007; and Tying Classic Wet Flies – 2004.
Capt. Mike Benson: My name is Capt. Mike Benson. Some people call me “Mad Mike”. I live in Charleston, SC where I work for The Charleston Angler, a local fly-shop as a fly-fishing specialist, and also guide inshore light tackle and fly trips. I am a fly-designer and a writer as well. I have four fly patterns that are distributed worldwide through Pacific Fly Group, and have been published twice in The Drake magazine. I was born and raised in western North Carolina, and grew up fishing the small mountain streams in and around my hometown of Morganton. I moved to Charleston in ’05 to pursue a degree in marine biology from The College of Charleston, and have been living and fishing here ever since. The endless creeks and inshore waters in and around Charleston have given me the inspiration to continue writing and tying, and sharing the passion for both with other anglers around the world.
Ed Berg: Ed Berg has been tying and designing flies for over thirty-five years. Ed ties flies for a wide variety of fish including trout, bass, panfish, and a variety of saltwater species. He does some custom commercial tying, and has been published in a number of fly fishing magazines and books including David Klausmeyer’s ‘Guide Flys’ and Steve Thornton’s ‘Flytyers of the World’.
Travis Betz: Born and raised in Colorado, I have been fly fishing for over 15 years and tying flies for almost 11. In addition, I occasionally help as a fly fishing guide with South Platte Anglers throughout the year. Some of my favorite places to fish include the Taylor River (a.k.a.., the ‘Hog Pen’), Delaney Buttes, Spinney Reservoir, and the Encampment River. When not fishing or tying flies, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife, playing racquetball, getting together with family and friends, and going to the mountains to look upon the beautiful scenery of God’s handiwork.
Max Birnkammer: I started tying flies seven years ago. I tie mostly warm water flies which I use to catch largemouth, spotted and shoal bass in the rivers and lakes close to my home in Smyrna, Georgia. I have tied at fly fishing shows and have conducted seminars at local fly shops. In 2007, I had my first fly tying article published in Fly Tyer magazine. My favorite bass flies are my hand painted poppers and streamers. I build my own fly rods and can often be seen fishing from one of my vintage wooden boats. Every summer I travel to Maine to fly fish for northern smallmouth bass which I believe to be the ultimate trophy in warm water fly fishing.
Marla Blair: Fly-Fishing Guide/Instructor for Western Mass. & North Western, CT.
Tyler Bowman: Tyler Bowman is a fly fishing guide for Bucking Rainbow Outfitters in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Tyler calls the Steamboat area home where he can be found actively pursuing trout and the various warm water species the valley has to offer. Unique to Steamboat is the ability to fly fish year round due to the pristine tail water sections of the Yampa. Instead of daydreaming about next summer, meet up with Tyler in the winter months and enjoy a snowmobile trip into the Yampa tail waters sight casting to large wild rainbows! When he is not guiding or fishing, Tyler can be found tying flies. Tyler enjoys creative tying, attempting to dream up new tying concepts and patterns for trout, saltwater, and warm water species. Tyler’s greatest passion is to travel to new fishing destinations to test new fly patterns. So far he has traveled to Alaska for large rainbows and salmon, Belize for bonefish, The Florida Keys for tarpon, and the gulf coast of Texas for redfish.
Jamie Boyle: Whether sailing competitively, fishing on his own or working as a fishing guide, Jaime has spent nearly every minute of the past thirty summers on the waters of Martha's Vineyard.
Peggy Brenner: I've been tying for a decade and a half now; my specialty is flies that fish well in New England and the Florida Keys. I started with the basics, progressed to Classic Maine Streamers and now Salmon flies.
Shawn F. Britton: I am a well known professional fly tier, published artist and freelance writer. I have had my feet wet somewhere in the woods and waters since birth and know the rivers and streams like the back of my hand. My business, Flies by Britton, is located in the Northwest corner of Connecticut just minutes from two of New England's premier Trout fisheries - The Farmington River and The Housatonic River. These are my home waters where I grew up fishing and the perfect waters in which to offer my instruction and guided trips for Fly Fishing. I also enjoy fishing and guiding on the smaller streams. You'll find me just the same on many of the local lakes and ponds. Whether it's from a canoe, kayak or float tube I'll be fishing for Trout, Bass, Pike and any other species of fish that will hit the end of my line. From Catskill flies to Crawfish & Hellgrammites, my approach to fly tying is not one dimensional as well. See you at the show and maybe we'll meet on the water.
Dick Brown: Dick Brown has stalked bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, and other tropical saltwater species for over 30 years and he’s fished extensively for bones in the Bahamas, Caribbean, Pacific, South America, and Florida Keys. He is one the foremost authorities on bonefish and author of two definitive books Fly Fishing for Bonefish and Bonefish Fly Patterns, considered by many to be the bibles on this great game fish. Both have received high praise by reviewers. Learn more at: www.dickbrownbonefishing.com
Ben Byng: Fishing has been in Ben’s blood since he was a young boy. His grandfather took him on many journeys from the Great Lakes to the Florida Keys. His father took him on summertime trips to Eastern Idaho for remote small stream fishing and high mountain adventures. These experiences have armed Ben with lessons that would follow him into fly-fishing. Having the California Delta in his backyard, Ben has spent many hours jamming in his boat through this 1200-mile waterway looking for Striped Bass. This is his fly-fishing wintertime playground.
Joe Calcavecchia: Joe Calcavecchia is a production tyer, one of the true masters of fly tying, and the creator of many splendid fly patterns. He has been tying commercially for the past twenty years for fly shops in the New England region. He is also a fly designer for Pacific Fly Group. He is a master teacher in fly tying and instructs students with a jovial manner that is always infectious to everyone in attendance. Joe has taken part in many fishing Expos where he has been presented as a premier fly tyer.
Phil Camera: Phil Camera has been fly fishing, guiding, writing and running fly fishing businesses for decades. His book, “Fly Tying with Synthetics”, is the best work on this important subject. Phil is well known on an International basis fishing throughout the South Pacific to the shores of the North East Atlantic. Combined with his salt water experience, Phil has much knowledge to share. Within the last six years, he has opened Prewett Creek Inn & Fly Shop on Montana’s Missouri River.
Dennis Charney: Dennis Charney is an avid fly fisher who resides with his family in Bellefonte Pennsylvania. He has spent countless hours in pursuit of wild brown trout in his local limestone streams. It is these streams and their resident trout that has developed and challenged his fly tying skills. Always busy at the vise, Dennis ties and develops trout catching fly patterns for use in his guide service as well as tying commercially. He helps keep the fly bins full at Flyfisher's Paradise in State College, Pa as well as conducting tying seminars and instruction at the shop. In addition to his guiding and tying, Dennis's
Scott Cesari: Scott Cesari began tying flies six years ago after a trip to Maine introduced him to the sport of fly fishing. Since that time he has had the good fortune of winning both the 2006 Pennsylvania state fly tying championship as well as several medals in the Federation of Fly Fishers fly tying contest that same year. Scott is known for his unique, custom made wooden fly boxes, creative displays, and artistic flies, most notably his realistic butterfly patterns. Scott enjoys presenting his work at various sports venues almost as much as he enjoys a day on the water. He looks forward to connecting with greater numbers of fly fishers and tyers as his involvement in the sport of fly fishing grows. He is always happy to discuss fly tying or fly fishing with fellow anglers and welcomes any comments, questions, or discussions. Feel free to contact Scott at smcesari@epix.net or (610)-730-7928 (his business line, Scott Cesari’s Fly Tying) if you have any questions or if you would like to order some of his flies, custom made fly boxes, or unique gifts featuring his flies.
Lawrence Clemens: Lawrence Clemens is a resident of Virginia Beach, VA. He is a professional Trumpet player and a propeller mechanic for Murphy’s Propeller Shop in Norfolk, VA. Larry has served on the board of directors and as president of the East Jersey Chapter of Trout Unlimited and on the board of directors and president of the Virginia Coastal Fly Anglers. He co-authored (with Jeff Dubinok) “Flies of the Chesapeake”, and ”Flies of the Chesapeake, Volume 2”. Being an avid fly tier, Larry spends his free time fly fishing the lower Chesapeake Bay and its’ tributaries year round. This will be his fourteenth year tying at the “Fly Fishing Show”.
Pat Cohen: My name is Pat Cohen. I live in upstate New York where there is an abundance of warm water streams, lakes and farm ponds to fish though anything with gills is fair game. I was always a terrible fisherman with traditional gear. I began flyf ishing in 2008 and since then I have caught more fish then I can count. I have been tying flies since January of 2009. Fly fishing and tying have become an essential part of my life.
John Collins: As a life long resident of NJ, I got into Trout fishing at about the age of five, but it wasn’t until my mid twenties that I discover the long rod and I have never looked back.
Kevin Compton: Kevin is a commercial tier, author, speaker, tying instructor, and fly designer for Solitude Fly Co. He is also a member of the international pro team for Partridge Hooks. Kevin's company, Performance Flies (www.performanceflies.com), distributes specialty tying materials and hooks, including the DOHIKU European barbless hooks, throughout North America. Kevin lives in the Great Lakes, in Cleveland, Ohio where he ties patterns for the steelhead fisheries of Ohio and Michigan and for the trout waters of central Pennsylvania. He also spends part of each summer in the Colorado Rockies, fishing and tying patterns for guides and competition anglers. In 2006, Kevin was the runner-up in the Team USA National Fly Tying Competition sponsored by Fly Tyer magazine. In September of 2006, he traveled to Portugal to the World Fly Fishing Championship where he contributed flies for the US competitors. In 2007, 2009, and 2010 he tied for members of Team USA at the National Championships and the America’s Cup. Kevin's flies have been featured in magazines such as Fly Fishing and Tying Journal and in collections such as Rick Takahashi's Modern Midges. His article, "Going Barbless", appeared in the August 2008 issue of Hatches Magazine. He also runs the online fly-tying journal, TroutBug.com. Kevin is currently at work on a fly-tying project with Stackpole Books, entitled Styles of European Fly Patterns.
Joe Cordeiro: Fly Tying is not just a hobby for this man it is a passion. Joe Cordeiro has been tying flies for over 25 years. The past 10 years focusing on teaching, presenting at shows and marketing salt water flies. Joe has been fishing his entire life growing up near Cape Cod. Fly-fishing has been his main focus for many years His salt-water fly patterns have been tested in waters for their imitation to the bait they mimic. Many of his patterns are lifelike imitations. The materials used are natural and add to the authenticity of the product. Joe’s style and tying technique have caught the attention and admiration of many seasoned fly tiers and his passion for the art is evident.
Gordon Cordova: I started out tying two years before I took up flyfishing,I watched a TV show with Leroy Hyatt tying some flies and I was hooked! I tie realistic and midge patterns and tie at the Fly Fishing show(Pleasanton), The International Sportsmans Expo,FFF conclaves(Oregon,Idaho and California) I am also a life member of the FFF and on the Board of Directors for the NCCFFF; I am also member of the Pro staff at Jay Fairs Eagle Fly Fishing Products.
Bruce Corwin: I own a Graphic Design and Printing company in New York, 30 minutes north of New York City. I was fortunate enough as a youngster to spend summers in the Catskills where I learned to fish and appreciate being outdoors. My days were filled with discovery as I explored the treasures of a nearby creek. During a hot July day in the 60’s, a kindly farmer offered to let me fish his little, stream-fed pond. He handed me a “fly” and a small, clear, bubble float. Needless to say, the only thing hooked that day was yours truly!
Armand Courchaine: Armand J. Courchaine born in Fall River, MA. Life long fly tyer, fly fisherman, photographer and instructor currently residing in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Life member of United Fly Tyers, Rhody Fly Rodders. Founder of Crossroads Anglers.
Henry Cowen:
Henry has been pursuing striped bass for over 30 years in both salt
water and fresh water. He currently guides in Atlanta, GA on Lake Sidney
Lanier, Lake Allatoona and the Chattahoochee River in Atl. He fishes
for landlocked stripers, hybrids, spotted bass and carp as well as other
salt water game fish approximately 200+ days a year. Henry is an
accomplished fly designer as his trademarked fly patterns are sold
nationally through Umpqua Feather Merchants. His patterns appear and are
available in the Orvis catalogue as well as retailers across the United
States that carry Umpqua flies. His fly patterns as well as articles on
how to tie them continue to appear in magazines such as American
Angler, Fly Fishing in Salt Waters, Fly Fish America, Fly Tyer and Fly
Fisherman and Eastern Fly Fishing. Articles on fly fishing techniques
and tactics appeared regularly in Salt Water Fly Fishing Magazine as his
name appeared on their masthead as a contributing writer for them.
Currently Henry’s name appears on the masthead of both American Angler
& Fly Tyer Magazine as a contributing writer/editor. Henry was
recently named to the esteemed Yellow Dog Fly Fishing field advisory
staff. He is an FFF certified casting instructor. Henry has appeared as a
guest on a number of nationally televised outdoor shows (The Orvis
Sporting life, The Reel Guys, One More Cast w/Shaw Grigsby & O’Neill
Outside) as well as some regional outdoor television shows (Georgia
Outdoors and Growing Up Outdoors). He was featured as the fishing
personality on the video entitled “Fly Fishing for Landlocked Stripers”.
Henry is currently on pro staff w/Humminbird Electronics & on guide
programs for Ranger Boats, Yamaha Marine, G3 Boats, Johnson Outdoors
(Minnkota trolling motors), Sage, TFO, Simms, Tibor, Renzetti, RIO Fly
Lines and Orvis. You can visit his web site @
www.henrycowenflyfishing.com
Jerry J. Criss: I retired to Central Oregon for the fly fishing in 2004. Before making the move from California I was fortunate to have as my fly tying mentor Andre’ Puyans’, he believed that “with great technique there is no fly that couldn’t be tied.” I continue that mantra today in my own teaching.
Matt Crouse: Captain Matt Crouse began fly-fishing and fly-tying as a teenager in South Western Pennsylvania. In his early twenties he said goodbye to the mountains of “PA” and ventured to Southwest Florida. There he started a small fly-fishing guide service and became a contract fly tyer for a local fly shop in Fort Myers. After developing some of the region’s most productive saltwater fly-patterns, Matt began conducting instructional fly-tying demonstrations for area fly/tackle shops. Not long after marrying a “Keys Girl” and celebrating the birth of his son, he began longing for the mountains once again. In 2007, Matt moved to Denver, Colorado where, in partnership with the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s Angling Education Program, he teaches fly-fishing and tying to youth in and around the Denver Metro area. Matt is an aspiring free lance writer, with his most recent contribution appearing in Fly Fisherman Magazine. He conducts a handful of tying demonstrations around the Denver area each year - usually emphasizing saltwater patterns and their applications. Matt is also on the Pro Staff for Costa Del Mar Sunglasses. Several times each year he visits South West Florida however, he is truly at home pursuing trout in the Rocky Mountains. 
Jeff Currier: Jeff
Currier resides in Victor, Idaho with his wife Yvonne where he bases
his globe-trotting career in fly fishing. He is an active member of the
Ross Professional Advisory Team, Rio Products Advisory Team, a fly
fishing lecturer and well known fish artist. He has taught the skills
of fly fishing, guided fly fishers throughout Wyoming and Yellowstone
National Park and escorted fly fishers throughout six continents for
fish ranging from peacock bass, tarpon, Nile perch, permit, tigerfish,
trevally, taimen and more. This IGFA Record Holder has fished in over
forty countries and caught over 275 species of fish on the fly!
Casey Dunnigan: Casey has been tying flies for 3 years now and fly fishing 4 years. He is a new fly designer for Montana fly Company with five patterns to choose from. This will be his second year tying publicly. He will be happy to show you how to tie his patterns and how to fish them effectively. Casey fishes all over Colorado and the western states and will be happy to share information on rivers and streams that he has fished extensively. Do not hesitate to approach his booth and ask questions. He is very friendly and knowledgeable.
Loften Deprez: Hello, I am 14 and have been fly tying for 4 years. I live in North Carolina and am often found fishing the Haw River in Saxapahaw and ponds around the area. I am a member of Triangle Fly Fishers and my favorite species to fish for are panfish, large mouth bass, carp, and native brook trout. My favorite flies to tie are my stippled poppers and foam panfish flies. I sell my flies at a local farmers market and on my website, www.latackleflies.com.
Chuck Echer: Chuck
Echer began his fly tying career at the age of seven in 1948. He has
been actively teaching Fly Fishing and fly tying classes and seminars
since 1978 in the San Francisco bay area, Sacramento, and northern
California. Over three decades, he has literally taught thousands of
students the art of fly tying and Fly Fishing. During his thirty plus
years of public appearances, he has demonstrated his fly tying skills
at both international and domestic venues, i.e., sports expositions,
fly fishing clubs and appeared as a keynote speaker at many prestigious
club events from coast to coast. Chuck was the 1993 recipient of the
FFF Buz Buszek memorial fly tying award. He was inducted into the
NCCFFF Fly Fishing Hall of Fame, February 2009, for his lifetime Fly
Fishing contributions. Chuck has also set two IGFA fly rod line class
world records set in 1990 and 1991.
Terry Eggleston: I have been fishing for 60 years and tying flies for 51 years. I first became interested in tying flies after checking out Ray Bergman’s Trout from the public library. I fell in love with the color plates of the popular flies of this time. I was an art major at the time, receiving many awards for my paintings and sculptures. I switched all of my energy over to fly-tying. I have tied in exhibitions worldwide, extensively throughout the United States and Europe. This includes all the major sports shows and FFF conclaves.
Loren Elliott: Loren Elliott, at 20 years old, has been an avid angler since as early as he could hold a rod. Growing up fly fishing on California’s McCloud and West Carson Rivers, he developed a passion for chasing wild trout. At 14 he was featured in Mikey Wier’s video Fish Eye 3. The next year the two traveled to Belize for the filming of a segment of Wier’s Soulfish video. Elliott is based out of the bay area in California and chases striped bass, perch, and halibut in the surf every chance he gets when home from college. He and Dave Sellers recently completed a feature article for Fly Fishing in Saltwaters Magazine about the pursuit of bass in the surf and it’s history, with Elliott and a memorable fish from the past season on the cover. When not fishing or studying up at Western Washington University, Elliott works in the fly fishing department of Western Sport Shop in San Rafael and conducts clinics on local fisheries and casting instruction through the store. Elliott is also a skilled fly tier and enjoys nothing more than innovating new patterns and sticking fish with them.
Faruk Ekich: Inventor of the Ekich Automatic Bobbin (The Ultimate Bobbin) and the Damaseal Vice
Steven Fernandez: Steven Fernandez has been tying flies for over 40 years, and started tying professionally at the age of 13 for local shops. By the time he was sixteen he was demonstrating and teaching fly tying locally and then nationally. When he was 17, he was featured in the April 1977 edition of Field and Stream. While pursuing a degree in architecture in the 1980’s, he challenged the notion of artistic salmon flies by tying flies on straightened out hooks with atypical materials and techniques, raising a few eyebrows in the process. Judith Dunham included him in her book The Atlantic Salmon Fly, The Tyers and Their Art, published in 1991, which helped lead to international demonstrations, classes, and feature articles. Currently Steven enjoys tying fishing flies, classic trout flies, and artistic salmon flies and he is Fly Tying Co-Director for the Southwest Council of the FFF. He is an architect and artist and lives and works in Venice, California.
Phillip Fischer: Phil Fischer is an avid fly fisherman and fly tier who counts his home fly waters as those throughout Northern California and Central Oregon. He has 40 years of experience tying flies, teaching fly tying and fly fishing. He owns Phil’s Custom Flies (www.philscustomflies.com) and ties flies for customers throughout the United States. He is a Whiting Pro Team member, and regularly speaks at fly clubs throughout Northern California. Phil has published articles in California Fly Fisher Magazine on fly tying and fly fishing, and also serves as the managing editor for the Northern California Fly Fishing Board.
Michael Frank: I was born and raised on Long Island in New York. As a young man I was introduced to fly fishing by Charlie Nardi, then fly fishing manager at of the Camp Site Sports Shop. Charlie watched me browse through the shop as a kid trying to understand why any fish would eat the tiny bundles of fur and feather in the fly bins and why anyone would collect the various animal parts hanging from the walls.
Jay "Fishy" Fullum: After working as a designer and graphic artist for over 30 years, Fishy retired in 1995 to pursue his passion for writing, tying flies and fly-fishing. He still utilizes his art talent when illustrating his magazine articles or a new book. Fishy also established himself as an accomplished watercolorist shortly after retiring; selling many paintings that combine his art and fly tying talents.
John Gantner: John Gantner has been fly fishing for over 40 years and fly tying almost as long. He has written well over 50 fly fishing articles for magazines including Fly Fisherman, Fly Tyer, and American Angler. He presents programs to fly clubs and does fly tying presentations for FFF functions and others. John teaches fly tying in Redding, CA where he lives with his wife Maggie and dog Riley. He is on Dr. Slicks advisory board.
Chad Gauerke: Chad Gauerke is originally from Appleton,Wisconsin. Living and tying in Sunnyside Denver, Colorado he has been tying flies now for the past 10 years and flyfishing since the age of 7. Since relocating to the Rocky Mountains Chad spends as much time on the river as possible. With help from the likes of Charlie Craven, Rick Takahashi, Kevin Compton and others, he was able to take his fly tying hobby from relative unknown to doing fly tying demos up and down the front range. He has several patterns published in Modern Midges and had an article published about his streamer technique in Fly Fisherman magazine in the 2009 July Issue. Chad has tied flies at the West Denver Fly Tying Clinic, AFFTA flyfishing show and Denver's Fly Fishing Show. He specializes in European patterns and European Materials, but also upgrading and coming up with new patterns that get tested in the Rocky Mountain West. Chad does custom orders for flies which keeps him busy at the vise. He has also been recently added to the Partridge of Redditch International Pro Team.
Mike George: I work with Deer Hair. I have tied at various venues including The Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Missouri, Sow Bug Roundup, Southern Council and International Conclaves, Fly Tying Festival in Houston, Texas, and the Small Mouth Rendezvous in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
John Gordon: I was born in 1964, and have fished my entire life. I started out in the Pacific Ocean and on the piers of Southern California. Eventually, I fished my way around the world, some of it courtesy of the United States Navy. I began fly fishing in 1997, tying flies in 1999, and building rods in 2000.
Matthew Grobert: Matthew Grobert is a life-long resident
of New Jersey. He has traveled the country extensively in search of
trout and a better understanding of the rivers and insects they live
in. Matt published his first book in 2008 – Fly Fishing New Jersey
Trout Streams, and he is currently working on a more in-depth fly
tying/fishing book due out in late 2010. He previously wrote the
weekly New Jersey Fly Fishing column for The Star Ledger, Beginners
Corner for the Northeastern Fly Fishing Guide, and has appeared in Fly
Fisherman and Fly Rod and Reel Magazines. Matt is an expert fly tyer
and has been teaching all disciplines of fly fishing for over 25
years. He lives in Central New Jersey.
Shea Gunkel: Growing up in Canon City, Colorado, Shea cut his teeth in the fly fishing world on the Arkansas river at the age of 13. Now that life and fishing has landed him in Colorado Springs, most of his free time is spent chasing trout along the South Platte river drainage and pumping out fly orders for his clients. Gunkel’s “SPlatte” series of flies have caused quite a stir among the locals and are worth a second look when rummaging around the fly bins. Originally, the focus of these flies were for personal use, but with the popularity they’ve gained, special order “Splatte’s” have landed in fly shops throughout the entire Rocky Mountain region. Shea manages the golf course maintenance department at Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs but finds time to be a part time guide for Anglers Covey and SoCo Guides. He is also a commercial tyer for select fly shops along Colorado’s front range and a proud father raising a family of future anglers.
Ken Hanley: 2005 Hall of Fame Inductee, Federation of Fly Fishers (N. California Chapter)
Mike Heck: Mike Heck has been fly fishing the beloved Cumberland Valley streams since boyhood. Mike was blessed to have been able to learn the art of fly fishing on some of the hardest and most famous spring creeks in the country. Mike is a graduate of Penn State where he acquired a degree in Forestry.
Sigurdur Hedinn: Sigurdur Hedinn is called Siggi, 48 years old, he learned to tie flies 1988 and today he is a very productive fly tier and fly designer. Siggi´s best known flies are Haugur and Von, both of them are very successful flies in Icelandic rivers. He has also designed flies like Hrutur, Gosi and Skuggi. Haugur - the name means a pile or grave of a Viking, Von (Hope), Hrútur (Ram), Gosi (Joker) and Skuggi (Shadow). Siggi has worked as a professional guide in Icelandic rivers for 20+ years. He has also published a book about fly tying and was also the editor of Fishing news, a news paper owned by The Reykjavik Angling club. Siggi was among many fly tiers at one of the biggest fly-fishing show in UK, BFFI British Fly Fair International. He also produces and sells fly materials made from Icelandic horse hair called Arctic Runner
Greg Heffner: Greg Heffner is an avid fly tyer and fly fisher from Bath, New York. He is president of the Conhocton Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and a member of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, Federation of Fly Fishers, Theodore Gordon Fly Fishers, Izaak Walton Fly Fishing Club of Canada, and the Atlantic Salmon Federation. He is a demonstration fly tyer at numerous fly fishing shows, and has had articles about his flies and fly tying in the Mid-Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide, the United Fly Tyers Roundtable, Fly Fishing New England, and the Federation of Fly Fisher’s Patterns of the Masters, Vol. 6, and has published a book, Some Old, Some New, Some Borrowed: A Fly Tyer’s Notebook of Favorite Patterns to Tie and Fish. His special fly tying interest is in traditional flies and techniques, including classic salmon flies, Catskill patterns, and New England streamers. He hosts a website www.conhoctonriverflyshop.com offering flies and fly tying materials and information about fishing the Conhocton River, and is a licensed New York fishing guide. When not fishing or tying, Greg is Planning Director for Steuben County, New York.
Bud Heintz: I have been a fly tier for approximately 40 years of which 35 years have been professional. My professional tying, over the years, consists primarily of fly tying lessons at clubs, fly shops, private tying lessons, and at fly fishing shows such as: The Fly Fishing Show, ISE Shows, NCCFFF Conclaves, the International FFF Conclaves and in the 1970’s, tying custom flies for Buz Buszek’s Fly Shop, in Visalia, Ca.
Scott Hoff:
Nancy Hopping: Fly fishing is a disease that I want no cure for! I have traveled the northeast in my truck camper for over 25 years always in search of a better place to fish. I have learned
Eric Ishiwata: Eric Ishiwata splits his time between Fort Collins and Tokyo and his tying introduces Japanese methods and materials to the trout streams of the Rocky Mountains. In 2008, he co-authored with Rick Takahashi an article on tying and fishing sunken hopper patterns for Fly Fisherman Magazine.
Tim Jacobs: Tim Jacobs is a master fly tier from the Roaring Fork Valley. He is incredibly proficient in creating a wide range of multi-colored deer hair flies. Tim teaches at Glenwood Springs Middle School and works as an instructor at the Michigan Youth Trout Camp each summer. Aside from published articles and the numerous clinics he conducts, Tim is an FFF certified casting instructor who taught the Sage Casting Clinics during the 1990’s. He has guided in the Steamboat Springs area and the Roaring Fork Valley. Tim is a member of the Whiting Farms Pro Team.
Aaron Jasper:
Aaron Jasper is a third grade teacher, owner of Fly Fishing Evolution
guide service, published author, and the co-founder of
www.troutpredator.com . He fishes over 200 days per year and his true
passion in life is sharing all the information he gathers with the fly
fishermen of the world. While Aaron has been fishing for nearly 30 years
now, he is fairly new to the Public Fly Fishing eye He Also believes
that our toolboxes of methods should be constantly growing and EVOLVING.
Beyond this obvious fact, our sport is in a constant state of
evolution, better equipment, better materials to use at the vise, even
genetically engineered trout. How does this apply to Aaron’s beliefs?
Even though the sport’s practices are subject to constant change,
sometimes evolving dictates that you look back; back to methods long
forgotten. So… Aaron’s view of evolution is this: the fly fisherman must
constantly evolve to become better at their craft, and in order to
evolve they must not only learn modern techniques but they must also
look backwards through history and analyze all methods available to
ensure their constant state of evolution. His guiding website is
www.troutpredator.com. He also came out with his first DVD titled
"European Nymphing: Techniques and Fly Tying." He is going to be doing a
series of teaching DVDs that are going to cover nearly ever facet of
fly fishing for trout.
Frank Johnson: I began commercial fly tying as a Junior High School kid. As a high school student I began teaching tying to Boy Scouts and others. For my entire adult life I have been, in one way or another, professionally involved in Fly Fishing and Fly Tying. I worked as a professional Fly Fishing Guide in Montana beginning in 1973 and retired from guiding in 2010. (That’s 37 years) I continue to tie about 10,000 commercial flies each year.
Joe Johnson: I am a thirteen year old avid fly fisherman and fly tier from Longmont Colorado. I started fly fishing for bluegills and bass at my local ponds when I was only five. It quickly progressed into an obsessive condition with the only thought in my mind is to catch fish. I have fished many places around North America but my favorite places are my home waters right here in Colorado. I started fly tying when I was seven and now I tie commercially for The Laughing Grizzly Fly Shop in Longmont. I do tying demos for local shops in my area when I am not fishing.
Stephen Johnson: Stephen has been fly fishing and tying flies for twenty five years. For the last ten or fifteen years he has developed a preference for small stream fishing. Stephen says that when he fishes small streams it takes him back to a time when fishing was a simpler pastime; more a matter of stalking fish and making the proper cast than competing with other anglers for a spot on the river.
Gene Kaczmarek: Gene has been tying flies for over 20 years and teaches fly tying classes for the beginner, intermediate and advanced tiers. He can be found demonstrating advanced steelhead tying technique’s at a number of the western fly fishing shows and clubs.
Larry Kingrey: Larry learned to fly fish on the Arkansas River, and is now lucky enough to work on the river he learned on over thirty years ago. He has been tying for most of that time, the last fifteen of that as a professional tier and guide. He has worked on the Green, Yampa, Elk, Colorado, and South Platte. He now manages the guide service for Royal Gorge Anglers in Canon City, and owns his own fly tying company, Larry’s Line. He is a member of Whiting Farms Pro Staff. He is also a signature tier for Idylwilde Flies of Portland, Oregon, designing patterns for their production facility. His patterns are developed and tested on the Arkansas and South Platte, to create a blend of effectiveness for freestone and Tailwater Rivers alike.
Bryan Kirk:
Dave Klausmeyer: David
Klausmeyer is the editor of Fly Tyer magzine. David has written
hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles about fly fishing and tying,
and is the author of more than half a dozen books, including Striped
Bass Flies: Patterns of the Pros, Tying Classic Freshwater Streamers,
and Trout Streams of Northern New England. In 2007, David received the
Golden Hook Award from the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum for
his contributions to educating anglers about fly fishing and tying.
Cecilia "Pudge" Kleinkauf: Pudge Kleinkauf has owned and operated Women’s Flyfishing® her instruction and guide service in Alaska, for the past twenty-five years taking both women and couples fishing for salmon, trout, Arctic grayling, char, and pike in locations all around the State. She also guides trips to Mexico and Argentina each year. Pudge ties the flies for all of her guided trips, and demonstrates fly tying for clubs and shows around the country. Her special salmon flies are used by fly anglers throughout Alaska. A contributing editor for “Fish Alaska Magazine,” and the author of three books, “Fly Fishing Women Explore Alaska,” and “River Girls: Fly Fishing for Young Women” (both Benjamin Franklin Award Winners) as well as her new book, “Fly Fishing for Alaska’s Arctic Grayling: Sailfish of the North,” Pudge also instructs for Casting for Recovery, Alaska, and is a member of the International Women Fly Fishers, the Alaska Fly Fishers, and the guide associations of both TU and the FFF. Her web site is www.womensflyfishing.net and her e-mail is pudge@womensflyfishing.net
Matt Koles: Matt"Gilligan"Koles began fly fishing the waters of the Eastern Sierra and Tahoe Region when he was 13. Gilligan brings to the river over 20 years of experience fishing and tying flies for Sierra Nevada trout. Gilligans Guide Service runs trips year round on the Truckee River and Little Truckee River.
Allen Landheer: Pennsylvania- Allen grew up fishing and honing his skills on Brodhead Creek. His first fly rod experience was at age 13. He learned by watching and fishing with Don Baylor, Ernie Schwiebert and other fine fly fisherman over the years. Allen began tying in earnest around that same time as he realized he preferred to catch fish on his own flies. Allen ties many fly styles and enjoys the challenge each presents. Styles Allen is known for are Catskill style flies, classic streamers, wet flies, spey flies and classic atlantic salmon flies both hair wings and married wings. Allen's horizons expanded as he got older and he now regularly fishes on numerous streams in CT, NY, PA and NJ including limestoners such as the Saucon, Little Lehigh, Letort, Penns Creek and Fishing Creek; notable freestone streams such as the Beaverkill, Willowemoc, Brodhead Creek, Big Bushkill and the great tail waters of the East and West Branch of the Delaware and the Farmington River. He regularly fishes the Great Lakes region for big steelhead, lake run browns and salmon. Allen is a member of Brodheads Chapter TU , Catskill Fly Tiers Guild, is a member of the Flymen Fishing Co pro team and is included in Darren MacEachern's Streamer 365 project and book. He enjoys teaching the art of fly tying and has conducted classes at numerous fly shops and Trout Unlimited meetings. In addition he is an avid demonstration tyer and has appeared an many of the major east coast fly fishing shows.
Jackson Leong: Hi, my name is Jackson Leong. I live in Portland, Oregon with my wife and 2 young daughters. I am a practicing pharmacist/manager who specializes in long term care pharmacy, where we take care of the elderly.
Rob Lewis: Rob
is a professional fly tier, river guide, lecturer and fly tying
instructor. He is one of the foremost fly pattern designers in the
country and his Realistic Series has been touted as the future of fly
design. He has been featured in magazines such as Fish & Fly, Fly
Fishing New England and Fly Tyer.
George Maciag: George Maciag has been involved in fly fishing and fly tying since childhood. He holds college degrees in biology and biology education.
Tim Mack: Tim began tying at age 12 after receiving a tying kit for Christmas from his grandparents and has been tying for 21 years now. In 2004 he left his career in pharmacy to manage ATF Fly Shop where he began tying for the shop and also tying commercially. Tim ties for his guides on the San Juan and with their help, designs new flies for that river. In 2007 Rick Takahashi asked him for some midge patterns for a new book and this past year, twelve of his patterns made it into Modern Midges. Tim is the head tying instructor for the Ft. Bliss/MVFF charter of Project Healing Waters, the instructor for Mesilla Valley Fly Fishers' "Liars and Tyers" and fly tying instructor for Borderland Fly Fishers. Tim is a pro staff member for Nymph-Heads Pro-Team.
Harry Mason: Harry took up fly fishing in the mid 1960’s, fishing the tributaries of the middle fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, and the rivers of Montana and Northern California. He began tying flies in the early 80’s and developed into a commercial tier, supplying fly shops and guides with his work. Then in 1995, he developed the internationally known web site, Troutflies.com. The site has become very popular for both its tutorials on tying trout flies and the offering for sale of high quality trout flies. Harry also designs trout flies for Solitude Fly Company.
Tim Matthews: After spending twenty years in the Navy and retiring to Atlanta, Ga. Tim has spent 5 years in the fly fishing industry as a fly shop manager and as a fly tying instructor. Chasing largemouth bass and huge Georgia bluegills is his passion as well as finding those Chattahoochee River carp. Carp fishing has become very popular in Georgia and Tim has found it to be a great sporting fish. The North Georgia Mountains is another place he finds trophy rainbow and brown trout at Nachochee Bend and on the Soque river. As a guide he has shown several people the art of fly fishing and had them take some huge trout on several of his own fly patterns. When the stripers are rising on Lake Sidney Lanier or Lake Allatoona Tim can be found running after the stripers and spotted bass.
Michael Mauri: The fish management technician caught his first fish at age six in a small stream in Bavaria.
David P. McCants: Dave has been tying for over 43 years and tie everything from size 28 zebra midges to size 8/0 Atlantic Salmon flies
Allen McGee: Allen McGee grew up fishing on the family's farm ponds in Missouri for bass and bluegill. He has been fly fishing and tying flies for trout for nearly 20 years. Allen has fly fished extensively throughout the United States and even as far away as South Korea. He enjoys pursuing big fish with light tackle particularly on difficult spring creek-type streams. He is a fly designer for the Montana Fly Company, an outdoor photographer, and author. He has written many articles for fly fishing magazines and is the author of Tying & Fishing Soft-Hackled Nymphs. Much of his fly tying has focused on developing new and innovative soft-hackle techniques and fly patterns. He believes in designing and fishing flies that imitate movement and behavior feeling that these trigger a trout’s feeding instinct. He lives in North Georgia with his wife and son.
Mark McMillan: A lifetime Coloradoan, Mark McMillan has been fly fishing for nearly 40 years and fly tying since the late 1970's. A self taught tier, he has become known for his inventive use and incorporation of common and not-so-common materials into flies of his own design. He has been a demonstration tier and instructor at various Fly Shops, Conclaves, Trout Unlimited fund raisers, and Fly Fishing and Tying shows in Colorado and the west since 2003. His patterns are effective fishing flies for trout, bass, wiper, and carp, and his strong interest in carp fishing has led him to build a shallow water carp fishing boat complete with poling platform for pursuing his beloved golden bones.
Bob Mead: Bob Mead of Scotia New York has been tying realistic flies since 1966. The Praying Mantis, Walking Stick, and Water Scorpion are just 3 of many unusual patterns he originated and have been published along with articles and interviews in books, magazines, and newspapers around the world. Recently he was sought out to tie two realistic black widow spiders as props for the TV show Royal Pains.
Ibrahim Mesinovic: My name is Ibrahim Mesinovic, but I am mostly known by Ibbe, Ibby, Ibro etc. I was born and raised in Sarajevo and I have the very intensive connection to the fishing world already from young age. I am now residing in Sweden.
Kenneth Miller: Kenneth Miller prides himself in producing well proportioned and consistent flies; even if he only ties a few per a relaxed session. He is most notable for his delicate epoxy applications and other unique synthetic material pattern coatings.
Rickey Mitchell: Kayak
fly-fishing guide, professional tier, freelance writer, photographer
and Author, Rickey Noel Mitchell, started out closed to twenty years
ago with a fly rod and float tube exploring the lakes and rivers of
Central California. After a year of or more fishing reservoirs and
dealing with the float tubes limitations he moved up in the water level
to a pontoon boat. The pontoon boat gave him the golden opportunity to
explore and fish his all time favorite waters…rivers. However it didn’t
take long to learn…on open waters this inflatable craft was a wind toy
and it lacked speed.
Walt Mueller: Walt Mueller, aka “The Otter” (always in the water and sometimes catching fish!), has been an avid fly tier for over 50 years. Living in the mountains of Colorado, he fishes all the major western rivers from New Mexico up north to Montana plus the Great Lake tributaries each fall and spring for steelhead.
Jay Murakoshi: I have been in the fly fishing industry for the past 38 years and also a commerical fly tyer for 37 years, having tied for such notables as Lefty Kreh, Trey Combs. At one time or another, I have tied for most of California’s fly shops. My patterns have been featured in
Connor Murphy: Connor, age 16, caught his first fish, a large rainbow trout, when he was three and has been “hooked” ever since. Connor has competed in dozens of fishing and casting competitions and has done some informal guiding and exhibition tying. He was a member of the America Cup Youth Team and competed in the “America Cup International Fly Fishing Tournament” Sept. 2010.
Rich Murphy: Rich Murphy is a Professional Civil Engineer in Massachusetts, a published author, a professional fly designer, a salt water fly fishing junky, and a pretty good husband to a lovely wife.
Capt. Bill Murphy: Bill started fly tying in 1991 and has been addicted to it ever since. In 1995 Bill won 1st place in "Fly Fishing Magazine" fly tying contest for his Chocolate CDC Elk Hair Caddis. He is also the owner of E-Z Body Products and is known as "The E-Z Body guy", he loves to teach fly tyers all the tips, tricks and techniques of using his tubing. Since 2005, Bill has been one of Rainy's Flies "Innovators" and currently has 14 patterns in production. During the fishing season, Capt. Bill operates Little Rhody Charters where he guides clients throughout the waters of Southern New England chasing everything form Stripers to Tuna. If your tired of tying the same old fly's, or need a few tying tips or a good fishing story, stop by and spend some time with Bill, you'll be glad you did.
Bill Newcomb: When Bill was born, he was very young so he doesn’t remember much of the event. But he absolutely recalls fishing the streams near his boyhood home. As time passed, he graduated from school and joined the Navy, and continued to fish up and down the Eastern Seaboard, the Northern Atlantic and the Caribbean. When he discovered flyfishing, the sanity men seek in life disappeared. Along with flyfishing, of course, comes flytying. On a fishing trip for salmon, he spent $20 on six flies. After seeing his friend tie a fly, he realized he could have saved that amount by tying his own. Over the years, he’s figured he spent $40,000 trying to get that $20 back. You’ll see Bill at the fishing shows. He enjoys meeting new people, swapping lies, and stealing their patterns and claiming them as his own. Unlike many of the other tyers, Bill IS a legend in his own mind.
Lori Nicholson: Lori Nicholson, was, the owner (with her husband, Terry) of Anglers All flyshop, in Littleton, Colorado for nearly 25 years. Her resume includes former Vail Ski Patrolman, Outward Bound Instructor, and US Olympic Cycling Team Member. She hosts angling trips to the Kharklovka River on the Kola Peninsula, Russia, the Kanektok River in western Alaska, and the Dean and Bulkley Rivers in coastal BC, Canada. Lori plans on volunteering for the Colorado Trout Unlimited Kid's Camp for as many years as they will have her. She is a proficient casting instructor, specializing in spey casting with 2 handed rods. As a member of Eumer Tube's Pro Staff, she now spends much of her time tying 'tube style flies, swinging for steelhead, salmon, and trout.
Safet Nikocevic: Self taught, hand fly tier, Safet was introduced to the wonders of fly fishing and fly tying at very young age. This began at the age of ten when he and his buddies chased roosters in the yard and hoped to get a perfect feather for a fly. He felt nothing is more fun than seeing seven inch brownies flipping and kicking.
Rick Nyles: Rick Nyles is owner of Sky Blue Outfitters, a guide service, located in PA. Rick has been a licensed guide in New York and Pennsylvania for over 10 years now. His fly fishing started in high school as a hobby and has evolved into his passion today. Fly Fishing for over 35 years, Rick has caught trout, red fish, rock fish, bass and salmon on a fly rod but his real love is casting a dry fly to a sipping trout. As he like to call it "let's go hunt heads". His mastery of dry fly fishing has lead him to developed a simple fly patterns using Cul De Canard, also called CDC feathers. This basic approach is quick and easy to learn. He will be sharing his fly tying knowledge and fishing techniques for trout.
Rob Parkins: Rob Parkins began flytying to save money while living in a van down by the Housatonic River in CT. In 1997, after realizing that was a myth, he started guiding on the Housatonic and then the Delaware River in NY to make enough dough to buy more materials. As a fly collector, Rob's creative tying is inspired by the true masters of the craft and he can only hope to one day tie a fly that one of them would actually fish. He now resides in Victor, ID where he guides on the Snake and Green Rivers for Westbank Anglers and the South Fork of the Snake for The Lodge at Palisades Creek. When not shoveling water for a living, Rob attempts to cast his spey pole more than 50 feet and tries to unravel the mysteries of using a whip finishing tool. He is honored to be a part of innovative team of Montana Fly Co. fly designers and the Winston Rod Co. and Hatch Reels Pro Staffs. His photographic prowess and irregular angling reports can be seen at www.rpoutside.com
Ted Patlen: Ted Patlen, winner of seven fly-tying world championships, has demonstrated at fly-fishing conventions from the slopes of the Canadian Rockies to a 12th century Italian villa; as well as on a dusty parking lot in Roscoe, New York.
Carl Pennington: As a young adult after fishing for many years with friends and family I decided to teach myself to tie flies to save a little money. Armed with a Thompson Model a vice and basic tools and materials I got started on what would become a life long pursuit of knowledge and skill in the art of fly tying. Twenty years and thousands of flies later I realized that I wasn’t saving any money bout I had developed a love for tying flies for trout. Fly tying has been a passion of mine and has grown in recent years with my appreciation for Colorado and all the great fishing waters it holds. I don’t travel much and may never fish anywhere else which is fine by me.
Richard Pilatzke: Richard Pilatzke lives in Littleton, Colorado with his wife Cheryl and lab mix dog Bella. He was born in Montreal, Canada and grew up in upstate New York. Richard has lived in Colorado for over 28 years. He has been fly tying and fly fishing for over 30 years. For the last fifteen years, he has specialized in tying flies for and fishing high mountain lakes in Colorado. He does many fly tying demonstrations at events like The Flyfishing Show, The International Sportsman’s Expo, the Black Canyon Fly Fishing Show, the Western Colorado Fly Fishing Expo, The New Mexico Trout Symposium, the Federation of Fly Fishers National Conclave and at fly tying clinics at many Denver area fly shops and TU and FFF chapters. In addition, Richard is a life member of both Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers. He is a member of Cutthroat Chapter, Trout Unlimited and a past member of the Board of Directors of Colorado Trout Unlimited. Richard’s flies have been exhibited at the Boulder Art Museum and the Prichard Art Museum in Idaho Falls. He is currently a member of the Regal Engineering and Wasatch Angling Pro Staffs. Richard and his fly patterns have been featured in books by Gary LaFontaine, Pat Dorsey, Marty Bartholomew, and Jim Schollmeyer and also in Southwest Fly Fishing. His fly patterns are displayed on the internet in both pictures and video. His biggest influences in fly tying have been Gary LaFontaine, Jack Dennis, John Betts, Craig Matthews, and Al Makkai. What Richard likes best about fly tying is the creative aspect, especially searching out little-known materials to create new patterns.
Roger Plourde: My journey into flyfishing is different than most. I did not get interested in this sport until I was in my 30’s.I woke up one day in 1991 and realized that I’d been in business as a building contractor for 16 years. I also realized that there had to be more to life than just working; I needed a hobby. Although in my youth I had lacked the patience to fish, I thought it might be relaxing to walk in a river and learn to flyfish. I decided to join a local club, The Connecticut Flyfisherman’s Association. I signed up for their flyfishing course, made friends with club members, asked a lot of questions, and fished the local rivers as I put into practice all that I was learning from my new friends. The following year I took the club’s flytying course and I was off on a journey into this new world of feathers and furs, the world of trout and saltwater flies. I was content to tie these types of flies as I worked on the efficiency and quality of my tying.
Bob Popovics:
Born and raised in New Jersey, Bob Popovics “Popfleyes” has been
saltwater fly-fishing around the globe for over to 40 years. Bob’s
involvement in the promotion of saltwater fly-fishing run as deep as the
concepts he has created at the vise. A member, former president and
executive board member of the Saltwater Flyrodders of America, Bob
helped pioneer modern day saltwater fly fishing in the northeast through
his ground breaking fly tying concepts and teaching of the sport to
anyone who was interested in learning. A true sportsman in every sense,
Bob’s contribution to saltwater fly fishing continues to prosper today
through his fly fishing, tying, and eye catching videos.
Steve Potter: Christmas of 1990 is when Steve received the gift of his first fly tying kit. In complete enjoyment he practiced for hours upon end, tying many different types of flies. Steve gained further expertise in this area from studying the pros like Billy Munn, Jimmy Nix and Chris Helm. As time went on, spinning deer hair not only became a favorite of Steve’s, but he was a natural at it.
Matthew Powell: My name is Matthew Powell and I am an avid 14 year-old fly fisherman and tier. As an Employee of Rocky Mountain Anglers in Boulder, CO, I fish all across the state with local guides and other friends. Since I was five when I caught my first fish, water, fish, bugs and all things fly-fishing began to consume my life and I now devote most of my time and money to fishing-related purposes. Although I have fished in several competitions such as the America Cup, I mostly enjoy spending time on local waters such as the Big Thompson, South Boulder Creek and Rocky Mountain National Park as well as terrorizing the bass ponds close to home. I tie hundreds of flies professionally for my shop as well as custom orders and try to fish patterns of my own when fishing new water. I enjoy public tying and am very excited to tie at the show in January.
Juan Ramirez: JJuan grew up in Northern New Mexico fishing the small streams and creeks of the Sangre De Cristos. In 1997, a switch to fly-fishing was made and he has never looked back. Over the years, he has guided on the Cimarron River in New Mexico as well as the South Platte River in Colorado.
Craig Riendeau: Craig Riendeau is an ardent warm water fly fisherman. He is the Warm Water Fly Fishing Director for the Atlanta Fly Fishing Club, VP of the Fall Line Fly Anglers in Macon, GA and founder of the Bass Bugger Division of the Smallmouth Alliance. Craig is also a fly designer for Rainy’s Flies and his patterns are often found in the pages of Fly Tyer Magazine. At River Bassin’.com Craig is the resident fly fishing pro staff member and he is also a part-time guide on Lake Lanier for spots and stripers.
Al Ritt: Al has fished as long as he can remember and was fascinated with flies almost as long. Growing up in southern Michigan he fished primarily for warm water species, but remembers making “trout flies” out of pipe cleaners, including forming his own hooks. He took his first formal tying class in 1983, soon after moving to California. Since then he’s tied flies and fly fished for trout, grayling, bass, pike, panfish, catfish, carp, steelhead, salmon, bonefish, permit and other species.
Mark Romero: My name is Mark J. Romero and i have been tying flies since 1993, and fly fishing since 1989. I began doing shows as a fly tyer in 1997, having joined the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild in 1994. I began travelling all over the country to do shows in 2002, and have been specializing in Salmon/Steelhead and Artistic (framed for the wall), flies since 2005. I was born in California in 1950 and grew up there. I moved to N.Y.C. in 1981 when i was 31. I spent 30 years working in the music business travelling all over the world with the biggest names in Jazz, working as an audio engineer (live sound & recording)/road manager/stage manager/driver/psychaitrist/baby-sitter/trouble shooter and all the rest that comes with the territory. It is this experience that influences the designs, meaning and purpose of my flies. And while they are also meant to be fished.....i tye them to be infused with the messege within the music. My flies have now become known as, Jazz Flies. I am currently working on a book all about my life, and my flies.
Carl Ronk: Carl Ronk has been fly fishing since he was eight years old. At age ten he learned to tie flies and has been tying since. Carl is now in his sixties and continues to tie and teach fly tying.
Capt. Paul Rose:
Capt. Paul Rose grew up pursuing trout on the famed waters of western
PA then chased everything salt while residing in TX. Needless to say he
is a rabid Steelers and Longhorn fan as well. He currently lives in
Charlotte, NC operating and guiding for Carolinabonefishing.com. Best
known for introducing anglers to the challenges of sight fishing for
tailing carp, these "backyard bonefish trips" are the basis for his
popular saltwater training schools. Paul’s carp popularity was recently
featured on the famed Itinerant Angler Pod Cast. He also offers trips
for bass, redfish and double- digit trout on 12 miles of private water.
Being a longtime member of the Southeast Press Association, Paul is an
accomplished outdoor writer and photographer. He is published in
Mid-Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide, NC Sportsman, Eastern Fly and
Fur-Fish-Game among others. His Internet work is found on
GlobalFlyfisher.com and FrontRangeAnglers.com. He has worked with
Carolina Outdoor Journal on two television episodes. He is also
contributing editor for Flyfishmagazine.com and an ambassador to
European anglers on FlyfishingPoint.com. Paul proudly supports the FFF
and is a board member for the Southeast Council. Paul is also a FFF
certified casting instructor.
Richard Ross: Richard became interested in fly tying in the 1990's as a way to decompress from his day job as a trader on the floor of a US securities exchange. He quickly learned that fly tying was a natural extension of his love of fly fishing. Over the last decade he has demonstrated fly tying at shows from Scandinavia to Alaska and rarely leaves home without a fly box, tying kit, rod and reel!
John Rohmer: John has been in the flyfishing industry for over 30 years. He has tied flies for over 45 years and still loves it as much as when he started. He was the owner of Arizona Flyfishing for 12 years and now is selling his innovative flies and materials online at www.azflyfishing.net. He is a contract tyer with Solitude Flies. John also co authored the book, Arizona Trout Streams and Their Hatches. He is the founder and current president of the White Mountain Lakes Foundation, a non profit organization formed to help improve trout fishing in Arizona’s high country.
Cliff Rugg: I started tying some five decades back when getting good materials was hard and getting good instruction even harder.But I was fortunate to have a series of good teachers coming out of the Catskill tradition. William Mills, the Leonard shop in Manhattan, was a gathering place for anglers awaiting the next opportunity to go astream. And my first formal lessons were there. I fished streams and rivers and lakes where ever the family spent summers. And trout became and remain the ultimate quarry for me.
Jake Ruthven: My name is Jake Ruthven, and I have been tying flies for five years now. I am 14 years old, and love the sport of fly fishing with a passion. I am a freshman in high school in Fort Collins. I received a 4.0 GPA for midterms, and also help to run the Fly Fishing Club at my school. This will be my first year tying at the show, and I look forward to answering any questions that you may have, as well as tie a fly or two. I fish mainly on the Poudre and Big Thompson rivers, pursuing the local rainbow, and brown trout. Feel free to stop by my booth, and chat for awhile. I am looking forward to the show, and hope to see all of you there.
John Ryzanych: Through his modern approach in the use of fur, feathers and synthetics John has become widely recognized as one of the sports leading creative tiers. His original designs, including the Fat Head bait fish and Air Head top water fly, are used the world over and considered cutting edge for their unique functionality and greater representation of the things sport fish eat.
Lee Schechter: Lee Schechter is a long time avid fly fisherman and tyer. His passion for fly tying focused on saltwater flies for many years but his horizons expanded as he discovered the beauty and historical significance behind traditional salmon and bass flies – often termed “gaudy” wet flies of the late 19th century. Lee’s inspiration for his work is based on the classic Orvis/Marbury wet flies and salmon flies from the books and collections of the 1800s & early 1900s. His style is unique in that he uses vintage hooks and materials as well as traditional techniques when tying the original patterns from over a century ago. He also ties “free-style” flies using designs reminiscent of the classic patterns using vintage materials – an aspect that adds creativity but at the same time brings into consideration function in terms of fly fishing & tying. Overall, while these “gaudy” flies of the 19th century are a current focus, Lee enjoys tying for all types of saltwater and freshwater fishing – in addition to casting some of those old classics to fish!
Dave Schmezer:
Mike Schmidt: Mike Schmidt is known by all of his friends as a fish junky.....every spare moment not on the water is occupied by some aspect of fly tying. From the time he could walk he was constantly being taken out on Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron, up Michigan's West coast rivers, and into the Upper Peninsula in search of fish. Regardless of where he is, Mike is always thinking about new techniques, fishing locations and fly patterns/applications to enhance the next trip for him and his clients.
Jim Schollmeyer:
Jim Schollmeyer is a profession fly fishing photojournalist from Salem,
Oregon. Raised in North Dakota where he fished for bullhead, yellow
perch, and pike (one of his favorite fish), he picked up his first fly
rod in the late 60’s and since then has been chasing hatches, tying
flies to match them, and fishing for trout throughout the West. He sold
his first photograph (a picture of a March brown mayfly to Field and
Stream in 1981, was a guide on the Deschutes River in Oregon for 9
years, and is a Life Member of the FFF. He has written for most of the
fly fishing magazines and is the author of Hatch Guide for the
Deschutes River, Hatch Guide for Western Streams, Hatch Guide for Lakes,
Nymph Fly-Tying Techniques, and co-authored with Ted Leeson The Fly
Tier’s Benchside Reference, Tying Emergers, The Benchside Introduction
to Fly Tying and Flies for Western Super Hatches (available January 20120)
Steve Schweitzer: Steve is a regular presenter and guest tyer at flyshops & clubs throughout the country each year. His Tabou series of wet flies, particularly the Tabou Caddis Emerger, has become a favorite go-to fly for local shops and guides. Steve is best known as co-founder of Globalflyfisher.com and his association with Whiting Farms, where he served as VP of Sales and is currently serving on the Farm’s Board of Directors. On Globalflyfisher.com, Steve’s popular Hyper-Compleat Guide to Tying Leaders & accompanying Leadercalc software has surpassed 1/4 million downloads since first published in 1998. It remains the most comprehensive guide on tying leaders, including formulas for over 120 leaders. Steve has authored several articles appearing in Fly Fisherman Magazine, Angling Trade, Trout, Wall Street Journal and a myriad of other regional angling publications. He also is contributing author & illustrator for Drag Free Drift – Presentation Techniques for Fly Fishing. His fly tying patterns appear in books by Chris Mann, John Shewey, FFF Masters, Rick Takahashi and others. Steve is currently working on his second book, concentrating on fly fishing a very special region in Colorado. If you stop by his tying desk and inquire, he just might discuss it with you!
David R. Shenk: On the Regal Vise Pro Tying Team. Winner of the United Kingdom Fly-Master Competition in 2009 & 2011. Patterns Published 23 times in both hardcopy books and magazines. Patterns published in Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, and USA. Seminars taught in Canada and USA. Demonstrations in Canada, Italy, USA. Two of my patterns are on display in the Catskills Fly Fishing Museum. Patterns fished worldwide. Co-Designer (with my wife) of the Susquehannock Fly Tying Desk.
Peter Simonson: Peter has been fly tying for about 14 years, initially just creating flies needed for fishing. He enjoys tying Rangeley style streamers. He became interested in tying these flies in about 2006.
Preston Singletary: Introduced by my father to fishing for salmon, steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout here in western Washington, it took me until my teen years to come to fly fishing. By the time I was in my twenties, tying flies had become something more than a favorite pastime and remains so. Over a decade ago, my acquaintance with outdoor writer Les Johnson led to an opportunity to begin writing book and product review columns, and the occasional article, for Flyfishing & Tying Journal.
Dave Skok: Dave Skok is a Boston-based fly tier, photographer and writer with over twenty years of fresh and saltwater fly fishing experience. He is a two-time winner of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby and was lucky enough to be the only fly fisherman in the sixty year history of the Derby to win the Grand Prize. He has held the IGFA 6-lb. tippet record for Atlantic Bonito since 1994. Dave's skill with rod, vise, pen and camera has been featured in over a dozen books including Bob Veverka's Innovative Saltwater Flies, Rich Murphy's Fly Fishing for Striped Bass and numerous periodicals from American Angler to Sportfishing.
John Snively: By the standards of many of the other tiers on this site he is a relative new comer, tying since the late 90's. John is best known in the industry for his innovative feather retailing operation Fly Tyer Variant (which is being continued by Whitewater Flies of Summit, N.J.) He is responsible for developing markets for many new products for Whiting Farms during that time. He has been featured in a number of magazine articles and included in tying books by Dick Talleur, Dave Klausemeyer and Paul Willock (UK). Most of his knowledge of feathers is a result of extensive one on one tutoring from Dr. Tom Whiting and their applications by Dick Talleur and many of the tiers from the Fly Fishing Shows.
Capt. Ray Stachelek: Rhode Island guide and renowned saltwater fly tier. A licensed U.S.C.G captain, he operates Cast a Fly Charters full time since retiring from teaching. With almost fifty years on the Southern New England waterways, Ray has gained a wealth of knowledge about our fishery and ecosystem. He has put clients of all abilities on larger stripers never thought attainable on a fly.
Harrison R. Steeves III: I come from a long line of fly fishermen and tiers. My great-grandfather, my grandfather and my father were all avid anglers and tied their own flies.My love of tying came from my father’s efforts at the bench, where he excelled. I learned a great deal watching the intricacies of tying through observation and pretty soon I was catching fish on my own flies.
Mike Stewart: I started fishing on the Canadian border in Vermont about 50 years ago. Currently, I am a freshwater and saltwater fly tyer / fisherman who has had the opportunity to fish in many of the most beautiful places in and outside the US. I have been tying for over 27 years. I taught myself to tie. Through the opportunities made available by the Connecticut Fly Fishermen’s Association, I further refined my techniques such that I was confident to be a demonstration tyer, sell my flies, and ultimately teach fly tying. My bit to pass on the art to the next generation.
R. L. “Stew” Stewart: R. L. “Stew” Stewart has been fly fishing and tying for over 40 years. He was a founding member of the Shasta Fly Fishers and was a Director with the Northern California Federation of Fly Fishers (NCCFFF) for 25 years. He received the NCCFFF “Man of the Year” award in 1990 and 1999. In 2004 Stew received the Federation of Fly Fishers “Charles Brooks Memorial Life Award”
Scott Stisser: I began fly fishing and fly tying in 1972. I grew up in Pleasanton California where I was fortunate to have a famous fly shop, Creative Sports Enterprises, only a few miles away in San Ramon. The fly shop was owned by non other than Andre Puyans and Dave Inks. I was mentored in my fly tying by Andre who was quite demanding of noting less than perfection. Andre’s teaching methods were methodic and focused on techniques, problem solving and understand material characteristics. I was very fortunate to have Andre as a mentor and hope to carry on in his tradition.
Rich Strolis: Rich Strolis is an independent guide on the Farmington river in the state of Connecticut. A transplant of sorts of over a decade ago, he grew up just north of the line in the foothills of the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts. Learning to fish at an early age, Rich converted to fly fishing at the age of 11 and hit the ground running. Shortly after he learned how to tie flies and a lifelong passion ensued. Always wanting an edge, Rich spends a great deal of time on the water refining techniques, designing new patterns and helping others refine their skills. Rich after years of prodding from several of his fishing friends and loyal customers has just entered his first year as a commercial tier so his unique patterns are now available for purchase. When not guiding or fishing he’s not working in his primary career of law enforcement, he can be found tending to his two little girls, Tessa and Nora, spending time with his wife Megan, or updating his website with information about the rivers he guides on as well as several monthly fly tying videos showcasing some of his personal patterns and those of others.
Eric Stroup: Eric Stroup is one of the most successful fly fishing guides in the country. As one of the few who make their entire living in the guiding industry, he has solidified his reputation with years of satisfied customers. Eric founded the Spruce Creek Fly Co. in central Pennsylvania and soon after began guiding in Montana on the Ruby, Madison and Beaverhead rivers. With the addition of his wife Tracey, the company transformed into Stroup Outfitting Company and now includes Holistic Wellness principles interweaved with the same great guiding service that the company has always provided.
Vincent Su: Vincent Su, an outdoor enthusiast who lives in the Denver area, was introduced to fly fishing by his father-in-law in 1997. He quickly grew to love both fly fishing and fly tying. After catching the first fish with a fly he tied himself, the excitement got him hooked and gave him ideas for some innovations. Vincent ended up designing his own fly tying vise, the 720 VISE. He also enjoys photography and by studying aquatic insects with macro photos, he has developed some of his own tying styles and techniques. He prefers dry flies, nymphs, and emerging fly patterns when it comes to fishing and tying. Vincent enjoys sharing knowledge and learning more about fly fishing and fly tying techniques.
Frank G. Swarner III: I was born and raised in southeastern Pennsylvania and started fishing not long after I could walk. I started fly fishing around 8 yrs old and started tying flies a year later and haven't stopped since. I cut my teeth tying trout flies then moved on to other styles of tying such as warmwater, saltwater, salmon and steelhead in order to be a well rounded tyer. Currently I enjoy tying Spey flies, Dee Flies, Married wings, and Mixed wings.
Rick Takahashi: I had $.25 in my pocket when I entered that hardware store that stocked a few items of fishing tackle. I spent a long time looking at the various pieces of equipment, much as I do today, when I spotted a hook covered with feathers; my first fly. I purchased that beautiful fly but had no idea what so ever what you were supposed to do with it. I learned that the name of the fly was a Royal Coachman. I took that fly home and looked at it for several days. I finally decided that I needed to cut the thread at the head of the fly…out popped the hackle and from that very moment I knew I had to learn how to tie flies.
Frank Thompson:
Will Travis: Will is a seventeen-year-old high school senior from Dana Point, California. Born in Dallas, TX, Will moved to Dana Point three years ago, but he has been fly fishing and tying for over nine years. Living in Southern California, Will does the majority of his fishing on the coast and in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.
Michael Tucker: Flytying for 50 years. Designed and developed Liquid filled flies with a Video out entitled Mike Tucker Liquid Filled flies. I have been written about in numerous books. The newest book is Colorado Flytyers written by Todd Hosman. The fly tyers that worked for me when I own custom aquatics 1985 was Charlie Craven, Marty Bartholemew and Shane Stalcup only to name a few tiers. Famous for The Tucker Scud. My dearest friend is George Grant and I tie his flies with computer backs and Tuckers Crawfish. New developments is flies designed with Sarah's Twist which my daughter showed me one day with lace. This is the first of its kind using Lace and Dubbing tied as one! You can go to Flytyingclips.com to see some of my work. I will be tying Tuckers scud,Crystal twist woolybugger, George Grants flies and weaving hackles to name only a few. I speacialize in the world of optics and functions of flies.
Ben Turpin: I’ve
fly fished the Mid-Atlantic Region for over 20 years, spending
thousands of hours on the water, teaching hundreds of people of all
skill levels how to fly fish through both formal fly fishing schools
and personal lessons. It all started in 1996 when someone asked me to
guide them on the Limestone Spring Creeks of Central, PA. I had a
blast and realized that I could earn money doing what I loved, teaching
people how to fly fish. In 2001 I became an Orvis Endorsed Guide.
Glenn and Andrea Van Benschoten: Glenn and Andrea Van Benschoten have been fly fishing the lakes and ponds of northern New Jersey as husband and wife for close to two decades. With a professional background in education, the couple has focused much of their time instructing newbies through magazine articles, demonstrations and lectures throughout the northeast on a sport that can seem overwhelming to a new angler. The Van’s have also authored a book “Ten Ties, Simple Flies,” which gives the newbie ten basic flies that can be used on a variety of species while utilizing and reinforcing a few fundamental techniques to tie them. They have also been featured in the television show “Garden State Adventures” demonstrating casting, fishing and fly tying techniques. As residents of North Jersey, Glenn and Andrea take advantage of the many lakes and ponds in the area to fish for bass, muskie, pickerel and more on fly while still getting on smaller streams for trout. Glenn is a certified 24-year New Jersey educator and Andrea has been a casting instructor with Casting for Recovery since 2003. More information can be found at http://www.reelsimpleflyfishing.com. They also manage a discussion group focusing on lake and pond fishing, which can be found at http://www.thebluegilljournal.com, as well as a Facebook group with the same name: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebluegilljournal/.
Ken Walrath: I have been tying flies for over 30 years. I was born in Pennsylvania into a career military family so I have had the opportunity to travel and fly fish all over the US, including both east and west coast waters, and some overseas. As a kid I used to spend my summers with my grandparents on Raquette Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. I used to watch my grandfather tie flies, holding the hook in one hand and the tying material in the other. If he needed two hands he stuck the hook in a block of wood. I used to sit for hours and watch him tie and then we would go out to the lake or the river and catch fish on what he tied. He started to teach me the art of tying when I was about 9 years old. The thrill of catching a fish with something that I had created was what kept me tying. I enjoy the challenge of fly fishing and sharing my passion with young and old alike. I have been contributing to Casting for Recovery for about 5 years and also contribute to Reel Recovery and Project Healing Waters. I tie in the Fly-fishing Show West in Denver, Colorado and belong to the Cherry Creek Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers.
Frank Whispell: My name is Frank Whispell and I have been fly fishing for the past 20+ years and tying flies for the past 15+ years. I am 51 years old and have been an avid fisherman and outdoorsman since early childhood. Since I moved to Colorado in 1987, I have developed a passion for everything fly fishing and fly tying related. I tie every year at the West Denver TU Fly Tying Clinic as well as at the Angler’s Roost in Fort Collins. I also teach fly tying and fishing.
Vincent Wilcox: Vince Wilcox’s has been a Signature tier for Idylwilde Flies since 2004 and has had over 30 patterns tied and sold commercially around North America. His flies have also been featured in books such as Dave Klausmeyer’s 501Favorite Fly Tying Tips and The Master’s Fly Box, Todd Hosman’s Colorado Trout Flies, Randall Kauffman’s Fly Patterns and Ben Roman’s Montana’s Best Fly Fishing. In addition to these books Vince’s flies have also been featured in a host of publications and he has written for Eastern Fly Fishing, Southwest Fly Fishing, Fly Fisherman, and American Angler and is a contributing writer for Fly Tyer magazine. His first in a series of books from Lyons Press “Vince Wilcox’s Naturally Artificial Signature Flies” will be released in April 2012. Ross Purnell of Fly Fisherman magazine writes “Vince Wilcox is the most creative and unorthodox tier of his generation”, look for it in Barnes & Noble, Amazon and premium fly shops everywhere. As a production fly tier he has tied hundreds of thousands of flies and when he’s not busy writing, running his on-line store and tying flies, he is guiding in Colorado, Wyoming and primarily on his northern Adirondack streams. One of the most diverse outfitters in the Adirondacks, Wiley’s Flies offers float and wade trips for trout, salmon, bass, pike and musky as well as lake and pond trips out of his fly shop in Rainbow Lake, New York. www.wileysflies.com
John Willaims: An art Major in college, after my first fly fishing trip I was hooked and began tying, mostly self taught I have many great influences by famous tiers.
Leslie Wrixon: Leslie Wrixon, a life-long New Englander, grew up fishing for striped bass and blue fish on the shores of Connecticut and on Long Island Sound. She spent summer vacations in the Catskill Mountains where she watched her grandfather fly fish. She marveled at the delicate flies, equipment and techniques of fishing with the fly. It was that time spent in the Catskills and on the Connecticut shores that left an enduring impression on her.
Brian Yamauchi: My name is Brian Yamauchi and I'm a native fisherman to the shores of Oahu, Hawaii. As a child I was lucky enough to have an Uncle that had a boat. He would take my father and I out on the weekends and fish the deep Pacific blue. Pelagics was the only thing on our minds and pelagics we caught. From blue marlin to ahi to mahi mahi and ono. My uncle always knew what was biting and where to find them.
Steve Yates: Steve is a North Carolina native who grew with a love for all things out doors. He has been an avid camper, hiker, backpacker, rock climber, bird watcher, and is a self taught lover of the identification of the local flora and fauna. Steve specializes in trout fishing and tying flies for catching trout in the Southern Appalachians. He can often be found camping and fishing on one of his favorite streams in the Great Smoky Mountain National park, or on one of the regions freestone or tail waters. He enjoys tying and fishing old historic patterns of the region and is well versed in their history, and the rich history of the Southern Appalachian region that he has fished for almost 40 years. Steve enjoys working with and teaching new fly fishermen and tiers the craft through numerous programs sponsored by the North Carolina Wildlife Commission and his local parks and recreation. Steve writes for several regional news letters and enjoys doing numerous fly tying demonstrations for local events and charities such as Troutfest, WNC Expo, Easter Seals, Wounded Warriors, TU, FFF, and casting for Recovery. See him at the show about any events you might like to have him do a quest appearance.
Deward Yocum: was born and raised in New Mexico where my father taught me how to fish but it was only 17 years ago that I fell in love with fly fishing. The sound of rushing water, birds overhead and 20 inch jumping trout of the San Juan River. I knew that I was hooked for life when I hooked up with a 20 inch jumping Brown in the tail waters of the San Juan Texas hole. It’s only been recently that I thought to give fly tying a try in fact it has been just about 7 years ago since I tied my first fly. It started when my brother gave me a fly tying kit about 9 years ago as a birthday gift. As I looked over the small booklet I thought this looks too hard to do. So I threw it in with my fly fishing books and forgot all about it. Well, a few years passed as I was going through my fly fishing books I came across the old fly tying kit and thought maybe I should give this a try. So I pulled it out and tried to tie my first fly. It looked as if someone shoved a whole bunch of yarn and feathers on a hook. It didn’t look anything like the picture in the booklet but I kept tying the same pattern over and over for two hours and after several attempts I finally got something that looked like the picture in the booklet.
Tom Ziegler: Tom, beginning at age 10, cut his fly fishing teeth on the crystal-clear spring fed streams of the Missouri Ozarks fishing for both wild trout and, in the warmer streams, the wild and native smallmouth bass. Several years ago, however, the appeal of the Rockies proved too great and he and his family moved to the Colorado Front Range where he fishes for, and takes images of, the large diversity of species available, from Cutthroat to Carp. In addition to fly fishing photography, Tom has demonstrated fly tying at several national and regional shows as well as local fly shops along the Front Range, managed a fly shop, and is a FFF Certified Casting Instructor. Check out his website at http:tomzieglerflyfishing.photoshelter.com/index
Zachary U. Zimmermann: I live in North Brunswick, New Jersey. I’ve been fishing since the age of 3 and was introduced to fly fishing at the age of 10. I’ve had the opportunity to fish at many small streams. These streams are the Pequest, the Northern branch of the Raritan a.k.a (The Gorge), The Muskeneckon River, and local ponds, rivers, and lakes. When I got my first fly rod I soon realized flies were very expensive so I figured I better learn how to tie my own. Everyone told me I had a natural talent for tying flies. It is a win win situation for me not only do I save money by tying my own flies I get to show my creativity. I tie numerous kinds of flies such as streamers, wet flies, traditional wet flies, nymphs, bass bugs, poppers, scuds and much more! Stop by my booth and I’ll give you some tips!
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