The Fly Fishing Show is proud to have the best fly tiers in the world demonstrating at our shows.  All of the demonstration fly tiers are very skilled and able to teach to all levels.  You can find about any type of pattern for any fish being tied.  Here is some info on some of the tiers:


Sue Armstrong:  Sue has been an avid fly fisher and tyer since moving to Colorado in 1981.
After retiring from full time teaching in 2004, she and her husband moved to Bushnell, Nebraska, to be nearer her husband's job in the corporate offices of Cabela's.  Being a little further away from good trout streams now, she spends much of her time riding and competing on cutting horses.  Fly tying however, remains a passion and she especially enjoys demonstrating the construction of George Grant woven hair hackle flies.

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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 the early 60’s, that love continued, not only at the local lakes in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, but on the beach, where he grew up.
As a child, Lee began fishing from the docks with a 50 cent drop line, graduating from there to spinning gear, then to a long surf rod, and finally to a fly rod.

Lee fishes the So. California surf at least 300 days per year; Whether guiding for his business, ‘FLY FISH THE SURF’ or just for fun, Lee has caught Barred Surf Perch, Corbina, Halibut, Leopard Shark, Striped Bass and all of the other surf species.  When Lee is not fishing in salt water, you can find him in the local canals guiding for Carp.

Lee also spends at least 2 or more weeks per year in Baja California fly fishing in the waters of the Sea of Cortez where his BullCandy fly has been lauded by Pam Bolles of THE BAJA BIG FISH COMPANY.  To quote Pam, “I have NEVER seen a fly absolutely dominate sales and effectiveness.  It was hard keeping one for myself as guys were fighting over them.”

On most Fridays, Lee can be found at Eric’s tackle in Ventura, California tying flies and spreading the word on the ease of fly fishing from the beach. Most conventional fisherman express surprise at the fact that there is a sport like fly fishing in the surf.

Lee is a Pro Staff member with Rajeff Sports, carrier of ECHO Rods and Airflo Fly Lines.


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.
Tom ties for several fly shops and discriminating anglers coast to coast. His trout and Salmon flies are in the collections of the Pennsylvania State Museum (Jack Eschenmann collection), the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum, Vice-President Dick Cheney, and private collectors from Europe, across the U.S., to Asia.
A full time fly-fishing professional since 1974 and one of Pennsylvania’s first licensed fishing guides, Tom is an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide who was named North East Trout Guide of the Year (2001) by Orvis. Tom is a member of the Regal Engineering (Regal Vise) Pro Staff. He and his wife Eileen live outside Boiling Springs, PA, very near Mountain Creek, the Letort, and the lovely Yellow Breeches Creek.



Martin Bawden


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’.

He is on the prostaff of Whiting Farms, Fort Shockley and Nymph-head Beads and is an FFF Certified Casting Instructor. He has been a demonstration tier and instructor at various FFF Conclaves and Fly Fishing and Tying shows across the USA as well as Holland, Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom for the past twenty years.  For ten years he was the only American tying at ‘Le Monde de la Peche a la Mouche’ in Paris, France. Some of you may recognize Ed from The Fly Fishing Show at Pleasanton and Pasadena in California before he moved to the Denver area.  Since recently moving to Colorado he is appearing at more shows in the mid-west when he isn’t exploring all that great Colorado water or making bamboo fly rods.



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.

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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.  

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Bill Blackstone


Marla Blair:  Fly-Fishing Guide/Instructor for Western Mass. & North Western, CT.
Author of “Positive Fly Fishing”  published by Lyons Press.
FFF Certified Casting Instructor
Can be seen on "The New Fly Fisher" Fishing Show, on PBS, OLN, & Discovery Channels
The subject of a Docu-Commercial, Advertising the Union News/Sunday Republican
Offers lectures, power point  programs, casting demos at trade shows
and to Fly Fishing, General Fishing, Libraries, and many different Civic Clubs
Writes for  FFF / NEC Newsletter, Internet newspaper, MassLive.com,
Woods & Waters USA, IWFF Newsletter, and more.


Mark Boname


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.
 Tyler would love the opportunity to share a great fishing experience with you in the Steamboat Valley.  For more information or to book a trip please contact Tyler:
Tyler Bowman
Guide, Bucking Rainbow Outfitters
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Telephone: (303) 506-6998
Email: Tyler.Bowman26@gmail.com


Dave Brandt


Peggy Brenner


Shawn F. Britton


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 Fly Fishing for Bonefish and Bonefish Fly Patterns considered by many to be the bibles on this great game fish. A new edition of Fly Fishing for Bonefish from Lyons Press features the latest discoveries in bonefish behavior and prey preferences as well as new angling techniques, strategy, equipment, and flies.
Dick is also an innovative fly designer, tyer, and authority on bonefish patterns. He has created several signature flats flies including the Beady Crab, the Hare Trigger, the Strip Tease, the Phantom Crab, and the Slinky Toad.
Dick has contributed to a number of other angling books, including Bob Veverka’s Innovative Saltwater Flies, Mitchell Beasley’s The Complete Book of Fly-Fishing, Alan Robinson’s Saltwater Grand Slam, Salt Water Sportsman’s Saltwater Fishing Tactics, and Bill Cummings’ Atlantic Salmon Fishing. He has also written for Salt Water Sportsman, American Angler, Fly Fishing in Saltwaters, Fly Fisherman, Saltwater Fly Fishing, the Atlantic Salmon Journal, and The Yale Angler’s Journal.
In addition, Brown has fished for Atlantic salmon in Canada’s maritime provinces and for trout and steelhead in the American West and Northwest. He lives on the north shore of Massachusetts where he and his wife, Carol Wright, pursue striped bass, bluefish, and other inshore species, when they’re not exploring bonefish and permit flats to the south or the salmon rivers of Canada.
Dick is an executive board member of the New England Saltwater Fly Rodders and a member of the International Game Fish Association, United Fly Tyers, Trout Unlimited, and Stripers Forever. He has also served on the Board of Directors of New England Fly Tyers. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Connecticut with a joint B.A. in English and history, and he is a graduate of Dartmouth College's Amos Tuck School of Business Executive Program. He spent much of his business career in the computer industry, running worldwide marketing and communications for a Fortune 500 computer firm and as CEO and founder of Brown Wright & Company—a high tech marketing company.


Randy Buchanan


Taylor Bussey


Brad Buzzi


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.
In the summers of 2000-2005, Ben helped  Andre Puyans with his Fly Fishing Seminars in Eastern Idaho at Elk Creek Ranch. Ben with the help of Andre and has worked his way to Operations Manager.
You can catch Ben tying at the International Sportsmen’s Exops and the Fly-Fishing Shows on the West Coast. If you have time stop by and see what he is tying. Ben’s time is spent now as an instructor for Wilderness Unlimited Fly Fishing clinics and The Becoming An Outdoor Women Fly Fishing clinics. Both highly attended fly fishing schools.


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.
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Bill Carnazzo:  Bill has been fly fishing for nearly 50 years, and guides on the Upper Sacramento, McCloud, Middle Fork American drainage (including the Rubicon, the North Fork of the Middle Fork, and all other streams and tributaries of this drainage), and North Yuba rivers. His guiding career began approximately 17 years ago when he bought his first home in Dunsmuir. Bill is also a master fly tyer who ties at many fly fishing shows; he also is responsible for the Fly-Tying How-To Center at the ISE show at Cal Expo each January. He was recently awarded the coveted “Ned Long Fly Tyer of the Year” award by the Northern California Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers. He has designed many original fly patterns that are known as “fish catchers,” including Bill’s Stick Caddis and other October Caddis imitations. Bill also works part time at Kiene’s Fly Shop in Sacramento, and teaches fly fishing courses at Sierra Community College and San Mateo Community College. He has authored a number of articles for The Sierra Fisherman, and California Fly Fisher magazine on a variety of topics, the latest of which was on his set of five October Caddis patterns. He was a founding member of Granite Bay Flycasters and has been club president twice. When not guiding, Bill teaches fly tying classes and clinics on nymphing and pocket water fishing.


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:  This is Larry’s thirteenth year tying at the Fly Fishing Show.  Larry is a past president of the East Jersey Chapter of Trout Unlimited where he was a member and served on the board for a decade.   Now residing in Virginia Beach, Virginia, he is a member of the Virginia Coastal Fly Anglers and has served as its’ president for three years.  Larry is a Propeller mechanic for Murphy’s Propeller Shop in Norfolk, Virginia and a professional trumpet player.  Residing in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Larry stalks the fish of the Lower Chesapeake Bay and its’ tributaries.   You can visit the Virginia Coastal Fly Anglers at VCFA.org to get more information on the club and fishing conditions of the Lower Chesapeake Bay.



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.
In fact I started tying fly’s before I became a serious fly fisherman. I started out on my own, tying Eztes Eggs for Steelhead and soon graduated to imitating stream born insects with the help of my friend and mentor, George Kolasar, who at the time was a commercial fly tyer.
George taught me in the “Catskill tradition” but with all the new materials available now, I’ve moved on to other methods and take creative liberties with the use of patterns and materials, all in the pursuit of whatever swims.
I have been a member of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild for well over ten years and teach the art of fly tying via the internet at www.riseformstudio.tv .  This year (2010) I’m also teaching fly tying classes at Ramsey Outdoors in Succasunna NJ during the winter.
My philosophy about fly tying is the same as fly fishing, you will allway’s be learning something new for the rest of your life, no matter how long you’ve been at it.
 My motto is “Fly’s that catch Fish, not just Fishermen”.


Kevin Compton:  Kevin is a 38 year-old commercial tier, fly designer for Solitude Fly Co., author, and fly-tying instructor. His company, Performance Flies, also distributes DOHIKU European Barbless Hooks in 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 tied flies for the US Team. In 2007 and 2009, he contributed flies to members of Team USA at the National Championships and at the America’s Cup. Kevin's flies have been featured in magazines such as Fly Fishing and Tying Journal and in collections such as Go-To Flies: 101 Patterns The Pros Use When All Else Fails and Modern Midges. His article, Going Barbless appeared in the August 2008 issue of Hatches Magazine.


Greg Cooke


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.
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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.
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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!
I love all types of fishing but have spent the last 30 years with a fly rod in hand. As a graphic artist and designer, fly tying was a natural extension of my creative side. It allowed me to stay close to fishing through the winter months. I’m involved in multiple fly fishing groups including: The Hudson Valley Fly Fishers, Ray Bergman TU and Joan Wulff Fly Fishers.  I’m a New York State Licensed Guide and have tied at numerous events including: The Mayfly Club, Art of the Angler’s Show, Fly Tier’s Rendezvous, and The International Fly Tying Symposium.
www.brucecorwin.com



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.
At nine years old, while looking through the window of E.F. Cornell Sporting Goods Store. Armand was approached by the owner and asked if he had a job such as selling newspapers. The answer was no. Mr. Cornell than ask if he would like the opportunity to make money. Armand, asked “Doing what?” The owner said “Tying flies?” Armand’s reply “Do you hold them by the wings?” Thus was the beginning of Armand’s career of tying flies commercially.
1980 He wrote a column called “Fishing Time” for Somerset Spectator which was a weekly newspaper until 1996. He wrote articles for My Father’s Canoe, New England Fisherman, and On the Water Magazine. A member of New England Outdoor Writers from 1980 to 2004.
1997, Armand Courchaine received the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” by United Fly Tyers and Federation of Fly Fishers




Henry Cowen:  Henry has been pursuing striped bass for over 30 years in both salt water and fresh water. He is currently guiding in fresh water on Lake Sidney Lanier (located north of Atlanta). He fishes for landlocked stripers & spotted bass as well as other salt water game fish approximately 150 days a year. Henry is an accomplished fly designer. His trademarked fly patterns are sold nationally through Umpqua Feather Merchants (largest fly wholesaler in USA) as well as Orvis. His patterns will appear and are available in the Orvis catalogue as well as Cabela’s, LL Bean, Bass Pro Shops and all fly shops 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. 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. He is an FFF certified casting instructor. Henry continues to give seminars on salt water fly fishing as well fresh water light tackle and fly fishing for striped bass. He has taught fly tying classes for salt water patterns. 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 & Hook n’ Look) as well as some regional outdoor television shows (Georgia Outdoors and Growing Up Outdoors…etc). He was featured as the fishing personality on a video entitled “Fly Fishing for Landlocked Stripers” which is available at many fly shops across the country. Henry is currently on the guide programs for Ranger Boats, Honda Marine, G3 Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Johnson Outdoors (Minnkota trolling motors), Sage Fly Rods, TFO, Simms, Tibor Reels, 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.

As well as teaching and participating in fly tying demos at Orvis, I also participate and demonstrate at most of the tyer conclaves and the Fly Fishing Shows in the western U.S.  As an Oregon Youth Angler Instructor and through the Central Oregon Fly Fishers I volunteer time to the Kokanee Karnival program.

The sport of fly fishing is for me a way to relax and enjoy the outdoors, and I like to call my method for fly fishing, “fish-hunting.” There is something very special about locating that one fish that keeps poking its nose up feeding on the tinniest of bugs and with an imitation you created you get that same fish to take it on that one perfect cast, and once in the net you give thanks and release that great creature of nature to live on.

In “2009” I received the distinction of Fly Tyer of the Year through the Oregon Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers, an award that is much coveted in the Northwest. I am humbled to be amongst those that came before me.


Stephen Cullen


Shawn Davis


Herman deGala


Casey Dunnigan:  My Name is Casey Dunnigan and I am fairly new to flyfishing and Tying as well. This will be my first year tying in the public eye. This year is my 3rd season fly fishing and I have been tying for just over a year and a half. I live in Golden, Colorado, but I am originally from Pennsylvania. I have some great patterns of my own to share with the public, as well as some traditional patterns for all of you that are new to the tying world. I have fished over 100 days each year since i have began flyfishing. I fish a lot of rivers in Colorado so do not hesitate to ask for tips about fishing them. I am more than happy to share my experience and knowledge with anyone who is serious about the fly fishing world. Tyers such as Brian Yamauchi, A.K. Best, Charlie Craven, and John Barr are my biggest inspirations. You will notice a little style of those tyers in some of my own patterns. I look forward to meeting all of you. Don't be a stranger, stop by my bench and say hello.



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.

He has fly fished Alaska, New England, Canada, western United States, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica and England. He is a fly tying veteran for freshwater as well as saltwater.  He predominately ties trout flies but enjoys tying everything from midges to sailfish flies.




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. 
I also teach beginning aquatic entomology for the beginning fly fisher.  I have been a professional fly-fishing guide in California, Oregon and about 16 years in Alaska.  I have also taught beginning and intermediate fly-fishing for the last 30 years.  My newest addiction has become salt water flats fly-fishing.  My wife and I have literally fished most of the major global fly fishing destinations.  I have accomplished 3 grand slams and 2 super slams the same week, with my biggest permit at 25 pounds. That was my personal best.  Over the years in flats fly fishing I have caught and released 25 permit to date.  I love tying salt water flies and most definitely love fishing the mangroves.




Faruk Ekich:  Inventor of the Ekich Automatic Bobbin (The Ultimate Bobbin) and the Damaseal Vice

My background is in engineering and I have a passion for tool making as well as fly tying. I decided to make my own fly tying tools because I was unhappy with what is currently available. It is my opinion in the majority of cases, the engineer didn't tie with the device long enough to really refine it into a quality product.
I have developed two products that may be of interest to fly tyers.

The first product is what I call "the Ultimate Bobbin". This bobbin:
•    automatically rewinds thread;
•    uses standard thread spools;
•    protects the finest thread;
•    possesses easy & precise thread tension control;
•    allows quick & easy spool changes;
•    enables greater tying speed;
•    provides greater hold on material per wrap;
•    and there is absolutely no thread fouling.
You can view more information on this bobbin as well as view a video of it in action here: http://www.automaticbobbin.com

The second is a vise made of Damascus steel. This vise possesses:
•    a low ex-center for the mass of the jaws;
•    a positive grip for rotation (no bar);
•    a jaw profile that holds the hook firmly with the hook point hidden;
•    good access to the hook;
•    and an adjustment feature that achieves true axis of rotation for the majority of hook sizes.
You can view more information on this vise here: http://www.automaticbobbin.com/seal.htm
Drop by and say hello.



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.

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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.

It took him until I was 18 to convince me to invest in my first fly rod, but only a couple of weeks to sell me a vise after my first trip to the Nissequogue River where I’d left half of my store-bought flies in the trees… 

As my passion for the sport grew, I expanded my collection of tackle to include a 9-weight rod and started casting from the beaches for striped bass.  After college, I had the good fortune to attend Georgetown University to pursue a graduate degree and the better fortune to spend ten years in our nation’s capital where I furthered my fishing skills developing patterns for the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay, and the trout streams of Maryland. 

In the twenty plus years since I first picked up a fly rod, I’ve collected more tying materials than I could possibly use in a lifetime, I’ve fly fished up and down the east coast, and I now run Frank’s Fly Arts, a fishing guide service in Columbia, SC.  I tie all of the flies my clients use including patterns for trout, smallmouth, largemouth, and striped bass.  I’ve taught fly tying and fly fishing classes at Calleva Outdoor Adventures, the Art Shack Gallery, and Saluda Shoals Park, and am now teaching classes at the Hammond Academy, The Saluda River Club, and even the All-Local Farmer’s Market downtown.

Stop by my booth at the Charlotte show where I’ll be tying my latest bass pattern – the Whiplash Crayfish.  And for your next visit to South Carolina, I invite you to reserve a trip on our rivers – natural treasures that hold diverse fish populations that will challenge the skills of fly fishers of all levels of experience.




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.
Fishy has been tying flies since the early fifties.  During the past twenty years he has designed nearly a hundred and fifty productive, innovative patterns for everything from bluegills to bonefish.  Many of these patterns are featured in his CREATIVE TYING column published in FLY TYER MAGAZINE. Other patterns can be found in Fishy's two fly tying books, Fishy's Flies and Fishy's Favorites and A Jar Full of Hoppers, a book of short stories on fly fishing and fly tying.  Fishy is featured at fly tying/fly fishing events from Massachusetts to Florida, where he teaches and demonstrates the art of fly tying at the vise, through his PowerPoint presentations and his new video.



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.
 
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Chad Gauerke:  I am originally from Appleton Wisconsin, where I was introduced to fly fishing as a child by my father. The sport kind of disappeared from my active lifestyle and it wasn’t until my late 20’s that I would pick up the sport again. When I did, I also picked up fly tying.  I took a fly tying class at a local shop in Denver and it kind of took off for me.  Found that I had a knack for tying flies.  It would be a few years that I would really develop into a good fly tier.  After a few years of tying and really expanding on my tying and starting to go outside the comfort box and trying new materials and patterns not to common here stateside, I began to get noticed by the likes of Charlie Craven, Rick Takahashi, Kevin Compton to mention a few.  These are the guys that really help me launch into the fly tying circles of Colorado’s Front Range.  Charlie gave me my first opportunity to demonstrate some of the techniques that I had developed and some of the patterns that I brought to the table from my research of patterns from across the pond.  I started sourcing out materials, hooks, techniques and patterns that mainly originated in the areas of Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland and adding my own twist these designs.   These are the patterns and techniques that helped me get noticed in the fly tying circles of Denver and beyond.  I am always looking to expand my knowledge, techniques, and patterns from across the pond to turn around and share them here stateside.  
2009 was a big year for me in fly tying terms, I had a fly and technique published in Fly Fisherman Magazine July Issue.  I had several patterns published in Rick Takahashi and Jerry Hubkas, Modern Midge book.  I have also added a few more fly shops to my fly tying demos and will be traveling and tying up and down the front range this winter.  I am also looking forward to Tying at the Denver Fly Fishing Show in January which will be a new adventure for me and larger audience to entertain.



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.

My flies are individually auctioned for FFF fundraisers and appear in FFF Fly Plates, some specifically for “Casting for Recovery” and “Healing Waters”. They were used in an ad campaign for The First National Bank of Olathe. They have been in several issues of “Flyfisher” Magazine, featured in the Autumn 2003 and mentioned in the Autumn 2004 issues of “Fly Tyer”, winner of the “Patent Patterns” Summer 2005 “Fly Fishing and Tying Journal”, and included in the most recent issue of “Art of Angling Journal”.  I have conducted Advanced Deer Hair seminars for the FFF Southern Council.  I was honored to be the 2004 and 2009 FFF Southern Council Fly Tyer of the year.  Other awards include first and second place medals in the FFF fly tying competition in 2006, first place in the Open category of the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and second place 2008 in the Mustad Scandinavian Open Fly Tying Competition.


Anthony Giaquinto


Jason Goodale


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.

In 2007 I qualified as one of the top ten fly fishermen in the Rocky Mountain Region. This earned me a spot in the USA National Fly Fishing Championships competing for a place on Fly Fishing Team USA.

I reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I fish wherever I can and for any species, but mostly I fish the Southern Rocky Mountain Regions of New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. I began developing my fly fishing skills on the world renowned San Juan River in Northern New Mexico. I have spent a good deal of time figuring out the intricacies of the San Juan and other tail water fisheries.

If I can help in any way please don’t hesitate to contact me Flyfishnfool@gmail.com




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.    
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Jason Haddix


Ken Hanley:  2005 Hall of Fame Inductee, Federation of Fly Fishers (N. California Chapter)

Over 14,000 students have taken advantage of Ken’s varied programs both in the field and on the water. He’s been in the adventure angling industry since 1970.

He’s the author of seven fly fishing books. He also writes and photographs for both national and regional publications in the outdoor industry. Ken has two video/DVD’s celebrating saltwater adventures.

Ken’s extensive field experience spans the globe; from the highest peaks in Tibet and the Himalaya, to the remote wilderness regions of Asia, New Zealand, Mexico, Europe, and North America. From panfish to roosterfish, he’s caught over ninety different species of fresh and saltwater gamefish.

He’s on Pro Staff with the following sponsors; SAGE Instructor, SIMMS, RIO Products Intl, Daiichi, Renzetti, Umpqua, and Patagonia.



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. 
Mike Heck is the author of, “Spring Creek Strategies”.  Mike has also had articles published in Fly Fisherman, American Angler and Fish and Fly Magazine.  Mike has appeared in the TV show, “Road Trip USA”, a Discovery channel show that aired across Europe.
Mike operates an Orvis Endorsed professional guide service for the Falling Springs, Letort, Yellow Breeches and many other South Central PA trout streams.  Mike is also an innovative fly tyer with several patterns credited to his name. 
When not on the stream, Mike can be found enjoying the great outdoors with his wife Shelley, daughter Breanne and son Fisher.  You can find Mike Heck’s Trout Guides on the web at www.fallingsprings.com or contact Mike by e-mail at trout@mris.com and by calling (717) 816-7557.



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



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
at an early age, by living and camping along the waters that I fish has given me the knowledge to go into just about any water and catch fish! This skill has also given me the gift of getting a  lot closer to wildlife as you can see in my photography.
I currently teach fly fishing  and wildlife photography skills at my log home on the mountain...In Greentown PA .I cater my classes to your needs.
Happy Trails
Nancy and critters
www.nancysphotosandflyfishing.com
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William Hrinko


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.
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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


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.
Tying has become a passion not just a hobby for him. Steelhead flies are his first love because they provide the “Freedom of expression like no other tying style.”
His fly fishing club is Mission Peak Fly Anglers in Fremont California. He is a Northern California Council/FFF board of directors and Vice President Communications and the recipient of the inaugural NCCFFF “Ned Long Memorial Fly Tier of the Year” award for 2002.


Larry Kingrey


Bryan Kirk:


Cecilia "Pudge" Kleinkauf:  Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf is Alaska’s leading woman fly fishing instructor, fly tier and guide. Renowned for her teaching skills in both fly fishing and fly tying, she is also the owner of Women’s Flyfishing®, Alaska’s premier fly fishing company offering lodge-based flyfishing schools and small-group guided trips for women and couples to a wide variety of Alaska’s best known fly fishing locations. She also leads guided trips to Argentina and, for saltwater fly fishing, to Mexico each year.

Pudge is the author or three books and a contributing editor for Fish Alaska Magazine. Both of her first two books, “Fly Fishing Women Explore Alaska”, and “River Girls: Fly Fishing for Young Women”, are Benjamin Franklin Award winners. Her third book, “Fly Fishing for Alaska’s Arctic Grayling: Sailfish of the North, from Frank Amato Publications, will be released in early 2010. 
A retired lawyer and university professor, Pudge is one of the founders of the International Women Fly Fishers, as well as member of TU, the FFF, and the AK Fly Fishers. She serves as a Fly Fishing Ambassador for patagonia®, and as a Pro Staff member for Ross Reels, 3-M Scientific Anglers™, Sierra Stream & Mountain/Tie-Fast, and Daiichi Hooks.   Find out more at www.womensflyfishing.net.


John Klemm Jr.


Peter Koga


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.
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Steve Korbay



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.
When I am not spending time with my family and working, I enjoy fly fishing and fly tying.  I have been doing both for over 20 years.  For the past 10 years, I have been demonstrating realistic tying at shows on both sides of the country. (Some of my flies can be seen in Fly Tyers of the World, Vol. 2.).
 I am a proud member of the realistic fly tying movement and enjoy every opportunity to share with others the artistic side of fly tying.  Whether it be my flies or flies from other tyers. 
One of my other hobbies is collecting realistic flies and flies from the great innovators of our craft.  It is fun meeting fellow tiers from around the country and world and learning about fly tying in their area.
Please stop by and bring along your flies to show us!


Rob Lewis


Ted Lewis


Bob Lindquist


George Maciag:  George Maciag has been involved in fly tying and fly fishing since childhood.    While obtaining college degrees in biology, he studied entomology and stream ecosystems learning much about the life cycles of both fish and insects that reside there.  As a person who taught high school and college biology for many years, he is skilled at communicating with both new and experienced tiers. He keeps pace with technological advances in fly-tying supplies and fishing equipment while maintaining his passion for classical patterns and materials used in the past, particularly the Catskill style of tying wet and dry flies. 
    George has taught fly tying and casting at the L.L. Bean store in Center Valley PA since its opening.  He has also instructed at numerous fly shops and gives both private and group lessons. His classes are very popular since he has the ability to combine science to the sometimes complicated mechanics of fly tying resulting in an enjoyable, easy-to-understand curriculum.
George is a certified guide who is intimately familiar with many eastern and central Pennsylvania streams.  Again, his teaching skills are a tremendous benefit when it comes to on-stream instruction.
    Please feel free to contact him for more information. (fliesbygeorge@rcn.com)



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.



Bruce Marino


Dennis Martin


Mike Martinek, Jr


Harry Mason


Michael Mauri:  The fish management technician caught his first fish at age six in a small stream in Bavaria.
In 1983 - at age 12 - he decided to devote himself entirely to the royal discipline. Since that time, he has been fishing exclusively with flies. His early, influential sources of inspiration were, for example, Sepp Prager at a show in 1985 and later Lefty Kreh and Steve Rajeff.
Starting in 1998, Michael Mauri has been participating in international shows and conducting single- and doublehand workshops all over the globe. As a professional flyfisher he also guides all over in Europe, from Italy up to Norway and Greenland.
Motion sequences acquired from many years of martial arts training as well as his great desire to experience something new allowed him to create his own unique casting techniques, the EFCT (Effective Fly Casting Technique). The secret of his style is the natural movement, which makes it easy to learn – for everybody!
In search of new challenges, he continuously hones his own skills while at the same time coming up with new ideas for improved equipment.
But if he’s outside on the water and becomes ones with the nature, he is still that boy of six.

Check out Michaels DVD about the magic water casts for fishing – spey casting for single hand available at www.theanglingbookstore.com.



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
He is also a designer of flies as shown in three of my original patterns –
•    Streamer for Trout/Bass/Steelhead – Big Ugly (Western Outdoors Dec 2002)
•    Salmon Fly for Steelhead/Salmon – Lavender Princess ( Winter 2001 FF&FT)

He is a  member of Diablo Valley Fly Fishers, Federation of Fly Fishers, and established a local fly tying club “Creative Comfort Flytyers” in Pleasant Hill, California.  Dave has been a Whiting Farms Pro Team Tyer for over 10 years and  enjoys working with Tom and Richard of Whiting Farms.

Most interesting catch -  a 30 pound Albacore Tuna in the Farralones off San Francisco on a 1960 Fenwick 9 weight rod with no fighting butt …was the thrill of a lifetime (with my own Flash Herring, no less) and I had the stomach bruises to prove it!  

Locally, Dave enjoys fishing Putah Creek (trout), Walnut Creek (various species), and the American River (Steelhead).
 
Dave really enjoys tying Steelhead and Atlantic salmon flies due to the creativity one can attain with color and feather flow and design.



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


Bob Mead:  Bob Mead's creative  realistic flies have inspired tyers throughout the world..  His Praying Mantis, Walking Stick, Water Scorpion, Mosquito and Ladybug, to name a few of his patterns, have appeared in books, magazines and newspapers internationally.
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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.

Patterns Ken ties are used to fly fish for Trout and Steelhead species within the Eastern Sierra mountain range as well as famed Northern California freshwater fisheries.  In addition, he ties multiple saltwater patterns which he utilizes in the Pacific Ocean surf and Mexican waters for many exotic warm water species.

As a event show tier Ken has performed at every southern California Fly Fishing Show event since their debut in Ontario, CA.  His dedicated fly tying endeavors have culminated with his acceptance as an Umpqua Feather Merchants Company - Signature Tyer and Designer.



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.
Walt developed his soft and ultra realistic “Soft Milking Egg”® egg patterns over 7 years ago. His materials now are available in 16 different colors of eggs, in 7 sizes; 2 x 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm, 3 x 6 mm clusters, 8 mm and 10 mm sizes.
 Whether tying his tiny 2 x 2 mm “Soft Sucker Spawn-OS-3” or 3 mm eggs on a tiny #20 hook, or up to multiple and larger 3 x 6 mm clusters or 10 mm eggs on 2/0 hooks for use on King Salmon, he will demonstrate how to tie multiple types of egg patterns using his wide array of materials that will improve your catch rate for all trout, steelhead, and even bass and carp!




Jay Murakoshi:  Jay has been in the fly fishing industry for 35 years.  He has been leading fly fishing specialty programs since 1973.  He is a
founding member of the “Pacific Pro Surf Association.”  Over several years, he has taught fly fishing courses at the local junior college.

Jay’s specialty is salt water fly fishing, especially
the waters off Baja and the Sea of Cortez.  He loves to target rooster’s, dorado and yellow fin tuna. He has also ventured to Australia, Honduras,
Christmas Island and Costa Rica.  During his spare
time, he loves striper, large mouth bass and shad fishing.

Jay’s commercial tying skills (both design and production) are highly sought after.  He started commercially back in 1973. His first commercial account was Orvis.  And like the saying goes “the rest is history”.  All of his flies are available
directly through his website www.fliesunlimited.com.

With decades of field experience, Jay has earned a Pro Staff position with numerous companies including G.Loomis, RIO Fly Lines, Bauer Reels, Spirit River and Daiichi.


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.
Murphy taught himself to fly cast and tie simple fresh water flies over the winter of his eighth year. He caught his first trout on a fly that next spring using a mayfly spinner pattern copied from an old Field and Stream. 
He started tying saltwater flies commercially over 20 years ago. In the winter of 1995, Murphy entered a fly designing contract with Umpqua Feather Merchants. To date, Umpqua has accepted eight of his fly patterns for their catalog: the Conomo Special, Steep Hill Special, RM Shortfin Squid,  RM Flatside, RM Needlefish, RM Rattlesnake, RM Spitfire and the Pamet Special.
Murphy has written feature articles for fly fishing periodicals that include Saltwater Flyfishing, Fish and Fly Magazine , and Fly Tyer .  His first book, Fly Fishing for Striped Bass, went to print in July 2007,  and is presently available in most major retail and internet book retail outlets.
He lives in Georgetown, Massachusetts, with Lucy, his wife and most cogent critic, and their faithful bad dog, Tahoe.


Capt. Bill Murphy


Bill Newcomb


Lori Nicholson:  Lori Nicholson bought her first fly rod (a Fenwick fiberglass pack rod) from a small fly shop south of Denver, when she was 14 years old. An avid angler, ski patrolman and Outward Bound instructor, the majority of her days were spent outdoors, in very wild places, fly-fishing and tying was her constant companion.  Twenty-five years later she married the same retail stock boy who helped her to make that original fly rod purchase, Terry.  For over a quarter of a century together, they have built Anglers All into a Rocky Mountain retail powerhouse.  She was victimized, early-on, by her love of andaramous fish and the techniques, spey casting, and flies used to catch them.  For the past dozen years or so, Lori has been tweaking all things spey to work on our local Rocky Mountain streams.  This includes some revolutionary tube fly designs, swinging or skating for trout, as well as classic steelhead and salmon tubes.


Naomi Okamoto

Mas Okui:  For the best part of six decades, Mas Okui has fished the Eastern Sierras, during which time, Hot Creek became as familiar as his reflection in the mirror.  Along the way, Mas met and fished with some of the legendary Hot Creek anglers; Bill Lawrence, Ciff Wyatt, Ned Grey, names from the past often unknown to the present day angler.  Each taught the nuances of that most challenging stream and Mas took those lessons and tried to improve on them.  Over the years he has developed patterns that consistently cause trout to come to the fly, the "Killer" being the most notable.  Scores of present day fly anglers have benefited from Mas, learning which patterns work best, frustratingly casting the long hand tied leaders, and being gently coached how to set the hook

Mass has generously sharde his knowledge with any and all who ask.  When you see him on the stream, walk up, introduce yourself, and ask.

Don Ordes


Tim Paxton:  Robert Paxton, aka: "Tim" has been an avid fly tier and fly fisherman for 50+ years.  Tim got "hooked" on fishing in his teens, fishing the piers and waters of Southern California.
In 1964 he relocated to Eureka, California, where he presently resides; and thus began his salmon and steelhead adventures.
Tim has always had the gift of gab, so it was natural for him to begin instructing children in the fine art of fly tying through school and club programs-ie 4-H.
In 1980 a business venture was started under the Paxton's Buggy Nymph.  A fine, translucent dubbing was developed by Tim and this material is supplied to shops and tiers in the US, Thailand, Japan and Singapore.  The business was sold in 2003 to two teenagers for the sum of $1.  It helped sustain them through their college days.
Tim has also developed many flies(Tim's Twit, Humboldt Honey, Buggy Nymph Hare's Ear, Herniator, Soft Pop) that have been featured in magazines, books and videos.
This man loves to attend the Fly Fishing Show and share his ideas with others; to learn, and to perhaps give just a little of what he has learned back to the community.



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.
I would have to say my signature patterns are those that require the most attention to detail and purporting such as the pheasant tail, biot emergers and parachute dry flies. I am a bit of a perfectionist when comes to the size and profile due to many years of fishing Colorado tail waters and the tiny flies they require.
Just recently two of my fly patterns have been pickup by Montana Fly Co. I’m also a staff designer for Deek Creek Flies in the UK.
http://www.danica.com/flytier/cpennington/cpennington.htm


Tracy Peterson


Joe Phaby


Richard Pilatzke


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.

Salmon flies never entered the picture until the spring of 1998 when a friend asked me to split the cost of salmon flytying lessons.  We took an intensive two-day course with Paul Ptalis.  This course opened yet another new world to me.I had known nothing of the many types of exotic birds, tinsels, silk and other materials used in salmon fly tying, I was struck by their beauty and artistry.  I was hooked from the very first day and could not learn quickly enough to satisfy my curiosity.  I read books, practiced tying and tried to gather materials.  I would go to Paul to ask for critiquing and advice.  I’d ask questions of other tyers.  I was open to anything that would help me learn the skills of the salmon fly tyer.  In this fast paced world we live in, it feels good to sit at a vice and force yourself to slow down as you strive to tie the perfect salmon fly for mounting or to give as a gift to a friend.  But perfection is elusive, there is always some part of the fly you would do a little differently if you could do it over again.  The beautiful colors and the flow of the classic patterns depicted in books and other medias by Chutes,  Ptalis, Radencich, Rossman, Schmookler and others are what I try to emulate.  The process allows me to let my imagination create new patterns.

I was born in Connecticut in 1956 into a French-Canadien family.  My wife of 31 years, Pierrette is from Quebec.  Because of this history I spend quite a bit of time fishing for trout, salmon and landlocked salmon in New Brunswick, Canada and Maine.  I always enjoy fishing close to home in the Connecticut rivers.  When I am not fishing or tying flies my friends can usually find me in my woodworking shop making cabinets, fishing nets, framing and matting artwork, repairing canoes, or making gadgets that are usually related to fishing or hunting.

A large part of this sport for me are the many friends I have made from around the world.  We discuss techniques in tying and different ways of fishing our favorite waters and the variety of hatches.

A suggestion: If you are thinking of learning to tie salmon flies, take a course with one of the many great tyers around.  Take your time, practice techniques and the rest is up to your imagination.  Join a local club and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Most members will take you out and show you the local waters.
In closing I’d like to quote Albert Cohen, “There are so many things in life people look forward to getting behind them.  Dressing a salmon fly should not be one of them”


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.

Steve’s been tying bass bugs and trout flies ever since receiving that first fly tying kit. He has demonstrated his tying skills in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and California at Federation of Fly Fishing events. Steve has also tied at the International Sportsman’s Expositions in Pleasanton, San Mateo, and Sacramento, California. The Fly Fishing Shows in San Rafael and Pleasanton, California have featured Steve as one of their tiers.

The waters of the Sierra supply various species of trout that make a bountiful day of fishing - well worth the time spent at the tying table! Steve also enjoys wetting his fly line out on the California Delta for Largemouth and Striped Bass. As a team member in 2008, Steve took first place at the 1st California Delta Bass and Fly Competition.


Roy D. Powell


Juan Ramirez:  Juan received his first tying kit when he was 15.  After a few disastrous “creations”, it was put away for a few years.  In college at Durango, CO the kit was opened and a new appreciation for the globs of fur, feathers, floss and thread was created.  Now after 15 years of tying Juan is an accomplished fly tier.   Currently a part time guide for Anglers Covey and a fly tying instructor for Ghillies Fly Shop in Colorado Springs, there are not many seconds that pass without the thought of fishing or tying that go by.  Juan is also a member of the Montana Fly Company design team and runs a bog about fly tying and fly fishing (hopperjuan.blogspot.com)

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Chris Reeves



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.
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Al Ritt:  ...Began tying flies in earnest while in California in 1983.  In 1989 he moved to the northern front range of Colorado.  Al guides in Rocky Mountain National Park, private lakes in Red Feather and Sylvan Dale Ranch for several area fly shops.  While working in the robotics and industrial automation field the majority of his career, he has also worked for 2 large sporting goods retailers and a local fly shop.  Al has offered fly tying classes independently and in cooperation with area fly shops since 1995.  He appears at tying demonstrations and fly fishing expos throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.  To see Al’s schedule go to www.AlRittFlies.com.  To contact him about an appearance or class, e-mail him at al@alrittflies.com.  Currently Al is a member of the Whiting Farms, Nymph-Head, and PEAK Fishing pro staffs and is a fly designer for Montana Fly Company.  Al’s articles have appeared in Flyfishing and Tying Journal and Hatches Magazine.  Al and his fly patterns have appeared in Colorado Trout Flies by Todd Hoseman (Streamside Press), 100 Best Flies for Montana Trout by Thomas R Pero (Wild River Press), and Modern Midges by Rick Takahashi and Jerry Hubka (Headwater Books).




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.
Carl was the CEO of Terra Fly Tools, designing and selling tools for fly tying until the company was sold to Wapsi, in 2007.
Carl is currently on the Jay Fair / Tie Fast Pro Team.
Carl has been a demonstration tier at many show across the northwest for the last six years. He enjoys helping other tiers with tips and tricks.
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Paul Rossman


Dave Rothrock


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.

His company, ICON Products, manufactures and distributes specialized fly fishing products. The body forming material SOFTEX is complimented by a line of market leaders like Fly Stages (fly tyer's vise mounted organizer), Perfect Loops ("engineered" braid loops for perfect line to backing connections) and The Catch & Release "Zero Limit" line of conservation message apparel and decals.

In addition to managing the operations and development aspects of his company, John regularly performs tying demonstrations at both domestic and international fly fishing venues, and contributes articles to the sport’s leading magazines. He is also a board member of the Northern California FFF, advisor to the California Department of Fish and Game, and recently successful in sponsoring conservation legislation in his home state of California.

When time allows, he pursues his passion for fishing the salt waters of the world!


Masahito Sato


Dave Schmezer:



Mike Schmidt:  Mike Schmidt is known by all of his friends as a fish junky. Every spare He is always thinking about new techniques, fly patterns/applications and fishing opportunities. Mike started tying his own flies in college and converted, with near exclusivity, to fly-fishing. For over a decade he has tied commercially for his company located in Dublin Ohio, Anglers Choice Flies (www.anglerschoiceflies.com). Though classic winged wet flies are his mainstay at shows Mike does not focus on one particular style of fly but rather is a jack of all trades, tying patterns and refining them to fit whatever the situation may require. Mike ties a large catalogue of standard patterns as well as employing his knowledge of the sport and creativity to come up with new and innovative patterns to fool even the most wary fish.
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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!




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.
  Living in Seattle with its saltwater beaches and being close to and almost equidistant from the wild coastal rivers of the Olympic Peninsula and the trophy trout lakes of the Columbia Basin and Washington’s only blue-ribbon trout river, the Yakima, has provided the opportunity to fish for a large number of species with an unparalleled variety of flies.  Having retired from a position as a designer with a large aerospace firm ten years ago has allowed me much more time to pursue fly tying and fishing and I hope to continue to do so for as long as I am able.



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.
With thirty three years as an educator, Ray has honed his teaching skills effectively to convey fishing education in a systematic and logical approach that anyone can understand.  Ray will hold your attention with captivating photography using the latest multi-media presentations.
 Capt. Ray is an innovative fly designer. His nationally known “Angel Hair Series” pioneered the use of Angel Hair in saltwater some thirteen years ago. Many of his saltwater patterns are listed in shop catalogs and are sold thru out the country. Glitter flies have become a main staple in blue water fishing. Capt. Ray’s newest pattern, the Squid-Sicle is now available in most fly shops. He is a member of the Umpqua Feather Merchants Signature Fly Designer Team. 
Ray’s articles and photography have frequently appeared in such national magazines as Saltwater Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing Saltwater, and Fly Tier Magazine. He contributes to local newspapers and web sites. Ray demonstrates his tying techniques at national fly shows during the winter months. He does winter seminars for area fishing clubs. He is active in such local affiliates as Rhody Fly Rodders and United Fly Tyer’s RI and has served on the boards of both.



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.

Now, years later, I look back on that time and realize that it was these experiences that taught me the true intricacies and "art" of tying. Having no formal instruction was the best “teacher” that I could have had, requiring me to become innovative and imaginative, to be creative and to listen to what the materials were trying to tell me.

Whatever success I have had as an author and a fly designer is still a surprise and a mystery to me and I hope it will always remain that way. The real satisfaction is to know that others enjoy fishing with patterns that I have created, have success with these patterns, and end the day with that incredible feeling that taking a few good fish engenders. That is more than enough satisfaction for anyone.



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.
I am also very active with the Federation of Fly Fishermen where I am a member of the FFF board and the Fly Tying Board of Governors.  Other memberships include the United Fly Tyers, Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, and Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.  I have tied at the FFF Conclaves, CFFA Expos, Fly Tyers’ Rendezvous, Theodore Gordon’s Catskill Classic, and at the CFTG booth at various fly fishing shows.  I am also on the Nymph Head Pro Team.
While I tie all types of flies, I especially enjoy classic wet flies.  Not only are they a joy to behold, they harken back to our mutual fly fishing heritage, and, “Boy!” do they catch fish.



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”

Stew lives in Shingletown, CA  “The Gateway to Lassen Volcanic National Park” He is retired from the US Air Force and is currently a Real Estate Broker with Majka Real Estate in Shingletown.  His specialty is tying trout lake flies.


Scott Stisser


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.
Eric has promoted the sport of fly fishing thru his many articles in the Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide, Eastern Fly Fishing Magazine, Fly-Fisherman Magazine and Kype Magazine. In 2006, he teamed up with angling legend Charles Meck, and produced a two volume DVD set entitled Practical Fly Patterns That Catch Trout. This series was one of the best selling fly tying DVD’s of its time.
Eric’s latest work is a new book entitled, Common Sense Fly Fishing: 7 Simple Lessons To Catch More Trout. In this book, Eric relays the same principles that he teaches on the stream every day to countless numbers of anglers.
Eric Stroup has had a diversified back ground in the Fly Fishing Industry. He has been a commercial fly tyer, a fly shop owner, a writer and a guide. His efforts toward the promotion and conservation of the sport of fly fishing have been his life’s mission, and with the addition of their first child Jon, Eric and Tracey will undoubtedly be passing along the passion they both share of the great outdoors.


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.



Andy Sutton


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.

I have been tying flies for over 56 years.  I am a fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants, I write and illustrate for Fly Fisherman Magazine, am a demonstration fly tier and I just finished my first book titled “Modern Midges, Tying and Fishing The World’s Most Effective Patterns.”   My name is Rick Takahashi and I am a retired High School Art educator who hails from Fort Collins, Colorado.  This is my fourth year at the Denver
Fly Fishing Show.


Dick Talleur:  Fished: Since I was a kid in rural Dutchess County, east of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.. Got into "serious" trout-fishing circa 1953 [worms & minnows]. Started fly-fishing in 1955 [badly]. Started tying flies in 1959 [clumsily]. Decided to stick with The sport anyway, thus wasting my life [joyously]. Apologies to my parents, who expected more and deserved better, likewise to my former wife, and also a black kid named Wilson Duke, to whom I sold my chance to become President for a quarter in 1942.
In recent years, fly fishing has taken me from the Rockies to Alaska's trout and salmon wonderland to Iceland's geysers and glaciers to England's legendary chalk streams to Ireland’s enchanted rivers to Labrador and Quebec to Chilean Patagonia to Russia's Kola Peninsula, where Atlantic salmon abound. I've also spent a couple of weeks in New Zealand.
Books: I've authored: Mastering The Art Of Fly Tying, Stackpole Books, 1979; The Fly-Tyer's Primer, Lyons & Burford, 1986; Fly Fishing For Trout, Lyons & Burford, 1987, this being a complete revision of my 1974 book with Winchester Press; The Versatile Fly Tyer, a comprehensive, advanced-level fly tying book released in April, 1990 by Lyons & Burford; Talleur's Dry Fly Handbook, Lyons & Burford, March, 1992; Modern Fly-Tying Materials, which appeared in early spring, 1995. A full-color, completely-revised edition of The Fly-Tyer's Primer named Talleur’s Basic Fly Tying was published in 1997. The L.L. Bean Fly Tying Handbook, Lyons Press, 1998 and 2006; Pretty And Practical Salmon Flies, Abenaki Publishers, 1999; and Guide To Fly Tying, a full-color, updated replacement for Mastering The Art Of Fly Tying by Stackpole Books, 2000, and Inside Fly Tying, also with Stackpole, July, 2004. My latest book, Trout Flies For The 21st. Century, was released in June, 2008 by Lyons Press. I also have produced fourteen videos on fly-tying with Jim and Kelly Watt of Flyfishing Video Magazine, several of which have been converted to DVD.
And: I've done a lot of freelance writing for various magazines, including Fly Fish New England, Adirondack Life, Fly Fisherman, and Fly Rod & Reel magazines, and currently have frequent columns in American Angler and Fly Tyer magazines. I've had probably ten thousand of my photographs published. I also do angling-related slide programs and teach fly tying and fishing all over the U.S.A., Canada, England, Scandinavia, and Russia. In addition, I was featured in a 2 hour television segment about Atlantic salmon fishing in Russia, which has been aired on ESPN on Jerry McKinnis' Fishin' Hole numerous times. In 1993, I managed a salmon-fishing program in Russia on the Pana/Varzuga river system, and in 1996 and 1997, I managed another such program on the Yokanga, another magnificent Russian salmon river.



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. 
Will is a member of the United States Youth Fly Fishing Team where he had the opportunity to travel to the Czech Republic over the summer of 2009 and compete in the World Youth Fly Fishing Championships.  Will also competed in the 2009 National Fly Fishing Championships held in State College, PA where the youth team finished an impressive 5th against adult competition.
Will is also an avid fly tyer and has demonstrated his talent at fly fishing shows all over the country.  In 2005 will was awarded Jr. Fly Tyer of Year for the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers.
Will would like to thank his grandfather, uncle, and great friends in the fly fishing community who have mentored him and helped him to achieve all of his accomplishments.



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. 
My obsession naturally developed into graphite and bamboo rod building and my business, Ben Turpin Custom Rod Building and Guide Service, was born.  I’m an avid outdoorsman and enjoy hunting as well as year-round fishing in the Poconos, so my business expanded to include guided upland bird hunts for woodcock, pheasant and grouse with my Brittany’s on local hunting grounds and preserves.  I also offer Turkey hunts in Wayne County, PA. 
Currently, I guide over 20 streams, rivers and lakes in PA and NJ and light tackle bass fishing on the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers.  When I’m not on the stream or in the field I can often be found tying and designing flies, writing articles for local magazines and stream reports for my website: www.BenTurpin.com, or giving lectures about local streams and fly fishing techniques at one of the many TU chapters or Sportsmen’s shows.  My goal is to help my clients succeed, creating enjoyable memories on the water and in the field.


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. As residents of North Jersey, Glenn and Andrea take advantage of the many lakes and ponds of the area to fish for bass, muskie, pickerel and more on fly while still getting on smaller streams for trout. Glenn is a certified New Jersey educator and Andrea is a casting instructor with Casting for Recovery. More information can be found at http://www.reelsimpleflyfishing.com.



Ken Walrath:  A fly tyer for over 30 years, Ken Walrath learned to tie from his grandfather. Born in Pennsylvania into a career military family, he had the opportunity to travel and fly fish all over the US, including both east and west coast waters, and some overseas. He has had the opportunity to fish for Stripers in Rhode Island and to fish the renown San Juan River on many occasions.  He relocated back to the Denver, Colorado area after having lived in Massachusetts for many years. Ken spends many hours each week out on the rivers and streams of Colorado or at the fly tying bench.  You can see many of the flies that he ties at www.kenscustomflies.com


Steven C. Wascher


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.
 
I am always looking for new and improved ways to tie flies as well as fly fishing techniques and methods.  My latest foray has been in the arena of Spey casting and Spey fly tying.  I will fish for all creatures that live in the water.  I enjoy the smallest Brooke Trout to the largest Tarpon and tie my own flies for all of them.
 
What I love most is looking for methods of fly tying that reduce time and materials and to teach these to others to enhance their tying experience.  Teaching our next generation of fly fisher-people and fly tyers is something that I love to do, simply to bring our next generations to the rivers and lakes that I love and to, hopefully, protect them for the future.


Vincent Wilcox:  I started Wiley's Flies in 2003, shortly after my second open heart surgery.  I was born with a hole in between the chambers of my heart, which was repaired in 1977 with a Tetrology of Fallot repair. Almost 25 years lapsed without me having any major difficulties, in fact I was able to far exceed any doctors expectations, not really having any physical limitations. I was able to race Adirondack Guide Boats, run track, play football, baseball, basketball, and hockey growing up. I also tagged along with my father, an Adirondack Guide and fly tier, just about any time he left the house to fish and hunt. (I would cry hysterically if he didn't take me...works every time!) Having five generations of our family born and raised in the Adirondack Mountain town of Saranac Lake dating back to the founders had its advantages. Knowing when and where to find the best hunting and fishing, and how to go about it when we got there. Growing up we traveled the vast water routes available and I spent the majority of my time hunting and fishing with my father and his friends; whether it was spin fishing, ice fishing, or fly fishing right up until about the time I was entering my sophomore year in high school. Even though I still tagged along with dad occasionally, I found there where other things to chase then just fish & Pheasant tails. I found myself distracted by those other things right through college. I moved to Colorado in 1995 and soon realized how much I missed hiking and being on the water and shortly after became obsessed with doing just that. I was able to hike four of Colorado's 14ers, which are peaks over 14,000' in elevation, and back packed from Colorado all the way to the southern edge of the Yukon territory exploring national parks like Rocky Mountain, Glacier, and Yellowstone in the United States and Canadian national parks like Banff and Jasper in British Columbia and Alberta. Just as a side note Glacier International Peace Park is my absolute favorite, spanning from the NW corner of Montana into the Canadian Providence of Alberta, absolutely amazing park! After my second open heart surgery in December of 2001 things for me where never quite the same and I was unable to continue working a regular schedule with any consistency. I found that most days I just couldn't function on the level necessary to go about a normal day and my doctor and I decided it was time for a change. By this time I was completely obsessed with tying flies and fly fishing so it seemed like a logical step to take. I followed my heart (no pun intended) and began Wiley's Flies. Since that time I have written for Fly Fisherman and American Angler Magazine as well as becoming a contributing writer for Fly Tyer Magazine and have been working on putting a second book together.  I became a Signature Tier for Idylwilde Flies in December of 2004 and I am extremely excited about working with them to develop more patterns and make these flies available to people around the world.  I now have 28 patterns available through Idylwilde Flies www.idylwilde.com . Although a lot of things have changed for me in the way I live my life, in many ways I am living out a dream and  truly blessed. I have also returned to the Adirondacks as of February 2007 and opened up the new fly shop in Rainbow Lake.


John Willaims


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.
Years later she purchased a fly tying kit to satisfy her long-dormant fascination with tying flies and fly fishing.  Largely self-taught, Leslie has evolved into an active member of the fly tying community.
Leslie is the current president of United Fly Tyers.  She is actively involved in the Federation of Fly Fishers, serving as a member of the Fly Tying Group Board of Governors and is the Director of Fly Tying for the Northeast Council of the FFF.  She serves on the board of World Fly Fishing Japan as an advisor and Treasurer.  In 2006 Leslie was selected as the official fly tyer for Fly Fishing Team USA and traveled to the Fly Fishing World Championships in Portugal with the team.
Leslie is known as a designer of innovative flies.  She has professional affiliations with Mustad, Umpqua, Hareline, Spirit River, Whiting Farms and Angler's Sport Group.  She writes for several newsletters and maintains a running commentary of tying and angling at www.ityeflies.blogspot.com and is the proprietor of www.ityeflies.com.
Leslie's flies have appeared at fishing hot spots from Ungava to Chile and Cape Cod to Cape Town. She travels the US, Canada, Europe and South America seeking trout and searching out the mysteries of their feeding habits.  The fruits of her research and understanding of trout are evident at her vise.





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.

I moved to Colorado in 2001 and took up fly fishing a couple years after.  I never knew how involved I would get in this sport and have grown to love it.  First off, I knew nothing about aquatic insects, so I began collecting specimens from all the waters that I fished and soaked up as much knowledge as I possibly could.

In 2005 I took up fly tying and took a different approach, look at my samples and duplicate them as closely as possible.  Over the years I've managed to come up with 20 realistic fly patterns and regularly fish them in rivers and lakes throughout Colorado.


Deward Yocum


Tom Ziegler:  Tom is a recent transplant to the Front Range, lured from his hometown of St. Louis to work for Ball Aerospace in Boulder.  He cut his fly fishing teeth on the crystal clear spring-fed streams of the Missouri Ozarks, specializing in both wild trout and, in the warmer streams, the wild and native smallmouth bass.  His love of warmwater fishing was mated with tying bass bugs after watching a deer hair spinning demonstration at a local fly fishing club as a teenager.  The method he witnessed, and eventually learned, was the Lacy Gee method (aka the Wapsi method) of spinning hair.  In combination with demonstrating this method, Tom will discuss its history and the use of the final product on local ponds and streams.
 
Tom has enjoyed fly fishing since his Dad handed him a fly rod at age 10.  He is a Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) Certified Casting Instructor, has won the casting competitions at both the Southern and International FFF Conclaves, and has managed a fly shop (Clearwater Fly Shop in Columbia, MO).  He has also demonstrated fly tying at numerous national and regional shows and published a fly tying article nationally in Warmwater Fly Fishing magazine.

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