Admission Info
(Cash only at the gate)
Regardless of the weather, the show will go on!
Adult
One-Day Pass: $18
Two-Day Pass: $28
Three-Day Pass: $38
Children
5 & Under: Free
6-12: $5
MILITARY/SCOUTS
Scouts under 16 in uniform: free
Military with ID: $10
Marlborough Show Info
Dates: January 5, 6 & 7, 2024
Time
Friday: 10am – 6pm
Saturday: 9am – 5:30pm
Sunday: 9am – 4:30pm
Location: Royal Plaza Trade Center – Marlborough
181 Boston Post Road West
Marlborough, MA 01752
BACK AGAIN: The International Fly Fishing Film Festival. One night only, Friday, at 6:30pm. $15; $10 in advance.
Learning Center
Fly Fishers International (FFI) is pleased to offer FREE fly fishing instruction at the Learning Center located on the main show floor. Basic fly-casting, fly-tying, and knots, will be taught throughout the day-every day of the Fly Fishing Show.
Directions and Lodging
Accommodations:
Official Fly Fishing Show information to book your hotel will be extended from info@flyfishingshow.com and/or posted on The Fly Fishing Show website, www.flyfishingshow.com when it becomes available. Please use only the phone numbers and website links the Show provides. Please be advised other “hotel booking scalpers” are misrepresenting themselves calling customers. Please do not book through these scalpers to avoid problems or overpayment. Thank you and look for additional information to follow soon.
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center
181 Boston Post Road
West Marlborough, MA 01752
Reservations: 1-800-780-7234. Ask for the special Fly Fishing Show rates.
Request the special Fly Fishing Show rate when calling or use the link HERE, to reserve on-line with the special show rates of $115-$135 per night. To change the dates, use the blue drop down edit button on the top. Then scroll to the bottom to pick the room type and the group rates show there as well. For special rates rooms must be booked by December 19, 2023, or before the hotel sells out.
Transportation:
Boston Logan International (BOS) serves the area.
Ground transportation to Marlborough (40 miles from BOS):
Knights Limo offers shuttle service https://www.knightslimo.com/airport-shuttle-service or call 508-839-6252.
RJS provides private-limo transportation service: 857-544-2938
IBoston Limo: https://citylocalpro.com/best-limo-airport-services-in-boston-ma
Celebrities and Authors
Celebrities & Authors:
Scott Biron: Scott Biron cut his teeth learning to tie flies and fly fishing back in the1960s in the North County of New Hampshire. He has fished many of the streams north of Route 26 in NH and his favorite the Androscoggin River. An active fly tying instructor for NH Fish & Game and is popular tying and instructing in regional shows. Scott was awarded the 2017 NH Traditional Arts Grant and studied under Peggy Brenner. He has a strong interest in historical NH fly tyers and their lost patterns and has published, researched, instructed as well as demonstrated many of these lost NH fly patterns. He enjoys instructing individuals of all ages in the art of fly tying and is known for including the history of these tyers and their flies in his instruction.
Each year he is an volunteer instructor at NH Fish & Game’s Camp Barry’s Fish Camp where he instructs over 50 campers in fly tying and fly fishing. A member of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild and has authored articles for the NH Wildlife Journal. He has written fly fishing curriculum for NHFG Let’s Go Fishing Program recently developing the popular Float The Remote program teaching new fly anglers how to fish in NH’s remote trout ponds out of a float tube.
Scott is the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation and actively works to preserve, protect and conserve NH’s wildlife habitat and resources. He is on the Regal Vise, Partridge Hooks and Solarez Pro Staff’s and he is an Ambassador for the American Museum of Fly Fishing.
Frank Burr: Frank learned Tenkara fishing in Japan in 1970 at the age of 6, followed by Fly Fishing and Fly tying the following year. A native of Southern California, Frank fly fishes throughout the United States, always looking for the elusive Heritage Trout. Although Trout is his favorite species, Frank will fly fish for any species just to get in a day of fishing, like Tilapia, Peacock Bass and native Goby in Hawaii. Frank has worked in the fly fishing industry for the past 11 years for Orvis and now for Snowbee USA, assisting in the design of Ultralight Fly Rods and other products in the Snowbee line. Frank is also a Traditional Fly Fishing and Tenkara instructor and Guide specializing in Golden Trout and other Heritage Trout species in California. Frank speaks and instructs at the Fly Fishing Show and other related events, clubs and shows in the USA on a variety of fly fishing related subjects and volunteers as many days as possible each year teaching youth fly fishing programs. He has been the Trout in the Classroom coordinator for the Pasadena Casting Club and currently the TIC Director for the Southwest Council of Fly Fishers International. You can find more information about Frank at: goldentroutdude.com, oasisflyshop.com and tenkaraguidecalifornia.com
Alan Caolo: Alan is the author of two books on saltwater fly fishing, including Sight-Fishing for Striped Bass, and has written numerous articles on many aspects of the sport. He’s fished extensively throughout the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico for nearly every inshore and offshore gamefish species.
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.
Steve Culton: Steve has been writing about fishing since the first grade when he composed an essay about an outing with his father. Since then, Steve’s work has appeared in Field & Stream, American Angler, Fly Fish Journal, The Drake, Flyfishing & Tying Journal, Eastern Fly Fishing, Fly Rod & Reel Online, and Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide. Steve wears many hats: fly fishing instructor, guide, speaker, fly tyer, freelance writer, husband, father. His fly fishing interests include trout, stripers, steelhead, smallmouth bass, and small stream native brook trout. Whether he’s greased-line fishing 12” flatwings for stripers with a 5 weight rod and a 9 weight line or swinging old Yorkshire soft hackles for trout, one thing is certain: Steve likes to fish when, where, and how most other people don’t. You can see more of his work on his website, currentseams.com.
Jeff Currier: Jeff Currier resides in Hayward, WI with his wife Yvonne where he bases his globe-trotting career in fly fishing. He is on the professional advisory team for Winston Rods, Simms, Scientific Anglers, Yeti, Costa Sunglasses, Outcast Sporting Gear, Aire, Kate’s Bar, Fly Fishers International and Bauer Fly Reels and a travel ambassador for Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures. Jeff is a fly fishing lecturer and well known fish artist. He has taught the skills of fly fishing, guided fly fishers throughout Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park and escorted fly fishers on six continents. Jeff has fished in over 60 countries and caught over 450 species of fish on the fly!
Jeff’s articles, photographs and artwork have graced the pages of magazines, catalogs, brochures and books. He is the acclaimed author of Currier’s Quick and Easy Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing and Currier’s Quick and Easy Guide to Warmwater Fly Fishing guide books. Jeff is also a well sought after expert for television, radio and numerous fly fishing films.
Jeff led Team USA to its first ever top-ten finish in the World Flyfishing Championships in Jaca, Spain. During the competition Jeff managed to fool fish on every venue and placed third in the individual standings, becoming the first American ever to take home a medal in the thirty year history of the Championships. Jeff has added four more medals in World competition including a Team Gold from Italy in 2022.
Jeff lectures throughout the United States and Canada on nearly every aspect of fly fishing. He demonstrates fly casting, teaches seminars on the basics to the advanced skills of fly fishing and presents many fly fishing destination programs ranging from his home waters to the most remote corners of the globe. Some of his shows take you to destinations you’ve never heard of and will leave you in awe that such creatures can be enticed to eat a fly! Jeff brings a sense of humor, enthusiasm, approachability and more than forty years of fly fishing wherever he goes. You can follow Jeff’s fly fishing adventures, exploits, tips, advice, photography and story-telling on his expanding blog and informative web site. www.Jeffcurrier.com
George Daniel: George Daniel: George has been chasing anything that swims with his fly rod since age 6 and still has the same passion 37 years later. George has competed at a high level for Fly Fishing Team USA, earning individual back to back US National Fly Fishing Championship titles and ranked as high as 5th in the World. George has also served as captain for Fly Fishing Team USA and Coach for the US Youth Fly Fishing Team. He has competed and won other regional and national fly fishing competitions over the years. At age 30, George decided to give up competitive fly fishing and focus on what he enjoys most-teaching. George Daniel considers himself a teacher first and a fly fisher second. He has authored three best selling fly fishing books and has authored dozens of articles for national fly fishing publications, including Fly Fisherman Magazine. He continues to travel the county conducting lessons and workshops for private groups, corporations, and conservation organizations. He’s a brand ambassador for a number of fly fishing companies. He is currently the Director of the Joe Humphreys Fly Fishing Program at the Pennsylvania State University. George currently lives on an old farm homestead with his wife, two children, and boykin spaniel.
Capt. Mark Dysinger: Captain Mark has fished the New England salt most of his life. Although he is skilled in many angling methods, he is most accomplished with the fly rod. As the owner of Flyosophy Charters, he specializes in the northeast slam of striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore. Although he guides in Long Island Sound and its surrounding waters, he is also passionate about freshwater fishing and is a recognized authority on flyfishing for northern pike. Mark has fished extensively across North America, and his works have appeared in numerous print and online publications, including three books. He has been a featured innovative fly tyer for Eastern Flyfishing Magazine, and his Bunny split fly (aka Musky Bunny Twin Tail) is included in the “deadly dozen” musky patterns in Rob Tomes’ Musky on the Fly. He is an experienced teacher both on and off the water, and takes great joy in seeing others succeed. His enthusiasm and attention to detail make him a popular instructor, and his topical presentations are both informative and entertaining. Mark’s patience and enthusiasm have positively affected many fellow anglers. Mark resides on the Connecticut coast with his wife Anne and daughter Lucy.
Ed Engle: Ed Engle’s fly fishing articles have appeared regularly in newspapers and magazines for more than 30 years. In the 1970’s his articles on short line nymphing techniques were among the first to appear in national fly fishing magazines. Since that time he has taught thousands of fly fishers the subtle art of nymphing through his books and articles, on-the-water seminars, and at his popular nymphing class sponsored by the Fly Fishing Show. Ed’s newest book, Trout Lessons (2010), considers what to do when your usual fly fishing solutions don’t work. His interest in tying and fishing small flies led to the publication of Tying Small Flies (2004) and Fishing Small Flies (2005). The two-volume set is credited with helping create the current surge of interest in pursuing trout with small flies. Ed’s dedication to fishing bamboo fly rods resulted in the publication of Splitting Cane (2002) which chronicled the life and craftsmanship of sixteen working rod makers. His first book, Fly Fishing the Tailwaters (1991), was a groundbreaking explanation of how to fish the regulated rivers found below dams. Ed is a regular contributor to American Angler, The Boulder Daily Camera and Gray’s Journal. In addition, he has written for Fly Fisherman, Fly Rod & Reel, Flyfishing & Tying Journal, Trout, Fly Tyer, Sports Afield, and Saltwater Fly Fishing. Ed’s current projects include work on a new book, coming up with new small fly patterns (he’s a Signature Fly Tier for Idylwilde Flies) guiding on Colorado’s South Platte River, and teaching at fly fishing seminars throughout he country. For more information or to contact Ed go to www.EdEngleflyfishing.com
Tim Flagler: Tim Flagler is the owner of Tightline Productions, L.L.C., a video production company located in Califon, NJ. Although he produces video programs over a wide range of topics, his specialty is fly fishing. Tim is a well-known fly tying instructor. His YouTube videos are some of the best in the business and his YouTube channel, practicalpatterns.com currently has over 106,000 subscribers and 33 million views. Almost every week he produces a new fly tying or “how to” video which appear not only on his YouTube channel but on Midcurrent and the Orvis News fly fishing blog as well. They’re also featured on Trout Unlimited’s national website and in the Orvis Learning Center. In addition, he has a regular column “Beginner’s Masterclass with Tim Flagler” in Fly Tyer magazine, which selected Tim as their “Fly Tyer of the Year” in their Winter 2022 issue. Many of Tim’s tying videos take the viewer well beyond just the tying of the fly and show what it looks like underwater, what natural it represents and how it can be fished.
Tim’s a fixture at the Fly Fishing Shows – giving presentations, teaching classes and often as a Featured Tier. He enjoys guiding year round for Shannon’s Fly & Tackle in Califon, NJ. and hosts annual trips to Patagonia in the spring and to the Kootenai River in MT in the summer. He’ll be hosting trips to Iceland starting in the fall of 2023.
Rob Giannino: Rob Giannino is the Founder of Fly Fishing Journeys, an online fly fishing magazine, podcasting, and curated travel company. He is a speaker, writer, photographer, and videographer. Rob lives in Greater Boston and serves as a guest speaker at fly fishing shows, Trout Unlimited chapters, and other outdoor events. Rob owns a digital media agency helping businesses around the world promote their services online. He combines his joy for helping businesses in the digital space with his passion for fly fishing and created FlyFishingJourneys.com. Bringing fly fisherman together and sharing the love for the sport, both on the water and online fulfills a lifelong dream.
Sheila M. Hassan: Sheila M. Hassan is a Fly Fishers International Master Certified Casting Instructor. She is on the pro staff for TFO rods and Hatch Reels. Sheila is the director at the Wulff School of Fly Fishing since 2009. She is an IGFA world record holder for bonefish and bluefish. She has published two books on casting: Fly Casting: A Systematic Approach and Starting in the Salt.
Sheila offers saltwater fishing charters with her husband Capt. Bill in Buzzards Bay, Ma. She is also a Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor.
Ed Lombardo: Ed Lombardo: ESPN selected 12 of some of the best fly fishers in America to compete in its first Great Outdoor Games Competition, which was held in Lake Placid NY in the summer of 2000. Ed Lombardo was one of the twelve competitors. Some of the other competitors were Doug Swisher, Wendy & Terry Gun, and Brian O’Keefe. Ed has more than 40 years experience in fly fishing. Twenty five years ago Ed Lombardo founded The New England School of Fly Fishing at the W. Alton Jones Campus of URI. He is also Chief Fly Fishing Instructor at Addieville East Farm and Deer Creek Farm, both shooting and fly-fishing preserves. Ed is a veteran fly-fisher, guide, instructor, and expert fly tier. With over forty year’s experience, he has fished for such diverse species as trout, steelhead, Atlantic salmon, black bass, striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore. He has 28 years experience fly-fishing the fabulous Big Horn River, the Yellowstone National Park area, and Spring Creeks of Montana. He has also fished the Florida Keys for Tarpon and Bonefish. He is a professional lecturer, fly fishing writer, amateur entomologist on fly fishing, and writes for both national as well as local print and TV media. Ed is a featured speaker and fly casting celebrity for The Fly-Fishing Show in Marlboro and has done the same for 12 years at The Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expo in Worcester mass. He is also a member of the Narragansett and Northern RI Chapters of Trout Unlimited, Honorary Life Member of United Fly Tiers of RI, Honorary Life Member of the Smithfield Sportsman’s Club, and, Trustee / Member of The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association RI. Ed established and coordinated a Fly Fishing course at the University of Rhode Island’s Bay Campus and works as lead fly-fishing instructor for RI/DEM’S Dept. of Fish and Wildlife’s Aquatic Education Program for more than twenty five years. This year Ed has been honored by The State of RI and The RIDEM/Fish & Wildlife Division for his untried work and dedication in teaching thousands of men, woman, and children the Art and Science of Fly Fishing. The 2012 Ed Lombardo Conservation Trout Stamp has been dedicated to him; he tied the Adams dry fly that appears on the stamp along with his name. This is the first time that this stamp has ever been dedicated to anyone!
Bob Mallard: Bob Mallard is a blogger, writer, author, fly designer, native fish advocate, and former fly shop owner. He is the former publisher for Fly Fish America magazine, a columnist with Northwoods Sporting Journal, regular contributor to MidCurrent and Bangor Daily News, staff fly designer for Catch Fly Fishing, and Executive Director for Native Fish Coalition. His writing, photographs, and flies have been featured at the local, regional, and national level in Outdoor Life, Fly Fisherman, Fly Fish America, Fly Rod & Reel, American Angler, American Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing & Tying Journal, Fly Tyer, Angling Trade, Eastern Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing New England, Southern Trout, Tenkara Angler, The Maine Sportsman, Northwoods Sporting Journal, and Orvis News. Look for his books 50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast, 25 Best Towns Fly Fishing for Trout, Squaretail: The Definitive Guide to Brook Trout and Where to Find Them, Favorite Flies for Maine: 50 Essential Patterns from Local Experts, and Fly Fishing Maine: Local Experts on the State’s Best Waters. He lives in Skowhegan, Maine.
Landon Mayer: Landon Mayer is owner an operator of Landon Mayer Fly Fishing. His angling success is fueled by an addiction to pursuing large trout with small flies and lightweight fly-fishing equipment. Mayer enthusiastically teaches and demonstrates his techniques and on-river knowledge to fellow anglers and has developed innovative strategies for sighting, hooking, and landing selective trout. He shares these tips and secrets in his books The Hunt for Giant Trout: 25 Top Locations in the US to Catch a Trophy (new for 2019), Trout Tips: A Guide’s Secrets, Tactics and Techniques, Colorado’s Best Fly Fishing, Sight Fishing for Trout, and How to Catch the Biggest Trout of Your Life, in addition to his new film with Headwater Media: Mastering the Short Game.
Landon’s passion for fly-fishing has allowed him to make several noteworthy contributions to the sport on and off the water. This has included travels to fly-fishing related organizations of the Mid-Atlantic, West, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and Southern states, as well Landon will be sharing his teaching through fly-fishing classes, presentations, and demonstrations of his unique techniques at this year’s Marlborough, Denver, California, New Jersey, and Atlanta Fly Fishing Shows
Mayer has been guiding in Colorado full time on the South Platte River for the last 23 years, and one full season on the Nak Nek River in AK. He resides in Florissant, Colorado.
Jason Randall: Jason’s credits much of his passion for fishing to his father. “Some of my earliest and happiest memories involve fishing,” he recalls. “I remember many trips to Canada or Minnesota for pike and small mouth.” As a young man, he learned fly fishing from other mentors.
The blessings we receive are meant to be passed on to others, so to share his passion and knowledge, in 2002, Jason began a career as an outdoor writer with feature articles appearing regularly in American Angler, as well as Fly Fisherman, Fly Tyer, Eastern Fly Fishing, Northwest Fly Fishing and many other outdoor magazines. His first book, ‘Moving Water: A Fly Fisher’s Guide to Currents’ was released in 2012 by Stackpole/Headwater books. It studies the effect of current on trout, their prey species and our angling presentation. His second book ‘Feeding Time: A Fly Fisher’s Guide to What, Where and When Trout Eat’, was released in August of 2013. It focuses on matching your fishing strategies to the trout’s feeding strategies, especially when targeting large trout. In 2014, the third book in the ‘Fly Fisher’s Guide’ trilogy was released- ‘Trout Sense; A Fly Fisher’s Guide to What Trout See, Hear and Smell’, which offers anglers an opportunity to know more about the quarry they seek. In April 2017, Jason’s forth book was released from Stackpole/ Headwaters Books. Titled ‘Nymph Masters; Fly Fishing Secrets from Expert Anglers’, this book explores the depths of nymph fishing and advanced nymph fishing techniques. In 2017, Jason joined Luminaries Bob Clouser, Ed Jaworowski, the late Lefty Kreh and many others on the TFO National Advisory Team and was the lead advisor for designing the TFO Drift rod and the family of TFO Stealth nymphing rods. Jason appears and presents at shows, clubs and events throughout North America.
Philip Rowley: Phil has been fly fishing for over 30 years. His love of fly fishing has taken him across North America pursuing trout, Atlantic and Pacific salmon, char, pike, walleye and numerous other species on the fly. But Phil is best known for his stillwater exploits. A former commercial fly tyer, Phil has written for almost every major fly fishing publication in North America. He has authored three books and numerous feature articles and two regular columns. Phil’s first book Fly Patterns for Stillwaters is a best seller. In addition to his writing, Phil has four instructional DVD’s. In 2007, Phil was a member of the gold medal winning team at the Canadian Fly Fishing championships. When he isn’t on the water Phil travels North America performing at outdoor shows, providing seminars, speaking to fly clubs and conducting fly-fishing schools. Phil also provides instructional stillwater guiding on the lakes located a short distance from his Edmonton area home. Phil has appeared on a number of T.V. shows including, BC Outdoors Sports Fishing, Sport Fishing B.C., Fishing Alberta and Fishing with Shelly and Courtney. Phil is presently one of the co-hosts of the New Fly Fisher, an educational fly fishing production. Make a point of visiting Phil on-line at, www.flycraftangling.com.
Mark Usyk: Mark Usyk, self proclaimed marginal fly fisherman, has authored three books. Each one full of stories about life, where fishing happens. He lives in upstate NY and spends his time on Adirondack brook trout streams, bass lakes, and anywhere a fish might bite. He can be found in the JP Ross Fly Rods booth.
Mike Valla: A native of Binghamton, NY, Mike has been fly-fishing and tying trout flies for over 50 years. Mike received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University where he studied fisheries biology. After a short stint in Graduate School, where he studied paleobotany, he returned to Cornell where he was employed as a Research Support Specialist in the Plant Pathology and Entomology departments. He then changed careers and studied for four years at Georgetown University where he obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
Now retired from the Active Medical/Dental staff at Glens Falls Hospital in the Adirondacks of New York, where he practiced public health dentistry for indigent children. He has written numerous feature-length magazine articles for American Fly Fishing, Fly Fisherman, Fly Tyer and The American Fly Fisher. He has been an invited speaker locally, nationally and internationally. His presentations are focused on fly-fishing and fly-tying history. Mike is the 4th recipient of the prestigious Poul Jorgensen Golden Hook Award for his contributions to the art of fly tying.
Books:
Fly Fishing Guide to New York State NEW RELEASE (September 2023)
Favorite Flies for the Catskills (2020
Classic Streamer Fly Box. Stackpole Books (2020)
Tying and Fishing Bucktails and other Hairwings (2016)
Tying the Founding Flies (2015) S
The Founding Flies, 43 American Masters, Their Patterns and Influences (2013) The Classic Wet-Fly Box (2012).
The Classic Dry Fly Box (2010
Tying Catskill-Style Dry Flies (2009)
Authors:
Alan Caolo:
SIGHT-FISHING FOR STRIPED BASS
Hoagy Carmichael:
MASTER’S GUIDE TO BUILDING A BAMBOO FLY ROD
SIDE CASTS: A COLLECTION OF FLY-FISHING YARNS BY A GUY WHO CAN SPIN THEM
THE GRAND CASCAPEDIA RIVER: A HISTORY VOL. 1
THE GRAND CASCAPEDIA RIVER: A HISTORY VOL. 2
8 BY CARMICHAEL
Joe Cordeiro:
Jeff Currier:
CURRIER’S QUICK AND EASY GUIDE TO SALT WATER FLY FISHING
CURRIER’S QUICK AND EASY GUIDE TO WARMWATER FLY FISHING
George Daniel:
FLY FISHING EVOLUTION: ADVANCED STRATEGIES FOR DRY FLY, NYMPH, AND STREAMER FISHING (new release)
NYMPH FISHING NEW ANGLES, TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES
DYNAMIC NYMPHING
STRIP-SET: FLY-FISHING TECHNIQUES, TACTICS, AND PATTERNS FOR STREAMERS
Ed Engle:
FISHING SMALL FLIES
SPLITTING CANE: CONVERSATIONS WITH BAMBOO RODMAKERS
TROUT LESSONS: FREEWHEELING TACTICS AND ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR THE DIFFICULT DAYS
TYING SMALL FLIES
Sheila Hassan:
FLY CASTING: A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
STARTING IN THE SALT: SALTWATER FLY CASTING
Doug Lyons:
FLY FISHING GUIDE TO THE BATTENKILL
Bob Mallard:
FLY FISHING MAINE: LOCAL EXPERTS ON THE STATE’S BEST WATERS
FAVORITE FLIES FOR MAINE: 50 ESSENTIAL PATTERNS FROM LOCAL EXPERTS
SQUARETAIL: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO BROOK TROUT
50 BEST PLACES FLY FISH THE NORTHEAST
25 BEST TOWNS TO FLY FISHING FOR TROUT
Landon Mayer:
LANDON MAYER’S GUIDE FLIES
HUNT FOR GIANT TROUT
COLORADO’S BEST FLY FISHING: FLIES, ACCESS, AND GUIDES’ ADVICE FOR THE STATE’S PREMIER RIVERS
HOW TO CATCH THE BIGGEST TROUT OF YOUR LIFE
SIGHT FISHING FOR TROUT
101 TROUT TIPS: A GUIDE’S SECRETS, TACTICS, AND TECHNIQUES
Peter Nilsen:
RHODY FLY FISHING BOOK
MAX’S MAGIC FLY
FISH FOOLISHNESS, TOO!
Jason Randall:
NYMPH MASTERS: FLY FISHING SECRETS FROM EXPERT ANGLERS
FEEDING TIME: A FLY FISHER’S GUIDE TO WHAT, WHERE, AND WHEN TROUT EAT
MOVING WATER: A FLY FISHER’S GUIDE TO CURRENTS NYMPH MASTERS: FLY FISHING SECRETS FROM EXPERT ANGLERS
TROUT SENSE: A FLY FISHER’S GUIDE TO WHAT TROUT SEE, HEAR, & SMELL
Philip Rowley:
THE ORVIS GUIDE TO STILLWATER TROUT FISHING (New Release)
FLY PATTERNS FOR STILLWATERS: A STUDY OF TROUT, ENTOMOLOGY & TYING
STILLWATER SELECTIONS
STILLWATER SOLUTIONS
CONQUERING CHIRONOMIDS VOLUME 1
CONQUERING CHIRONOMIDS VOLUME II ADVANCED TACTICS
Robert Streeter:
NEW YORK FLY-FISHING GUIDE
WARMWATER FLY FISHING- FINDING AND CATCHING WARMWATER SPECIES
THE GREATS OF ADIRONDACK FLY FISHING
Mark Usyk:
REFLECTIONS OF A FLY ROD
CARP ARE JERKS
NOT ALL TROUT ARE GENIUSES
Mike Valla:
FF GUIDE TO NEW YORK STATE (new release)
TYING CATSKILL-STYLE DRY FLIES
FAVORITE FLIES FOR THE CATSKILLS
THE FOUNDING FLIES: 43 AMERICAN MASTERS, THEIR PATTERNS, AND INFLUENCES
TYING THE FOUNDING FLIES
TYING AND FISHING BUCKTAILS
CLASSIC STREAMER FLY BOX
THE CLASSIC DRY FLY BOX
THE CLASSIC WET FLY BOX
Fly Tiers
Fly Tiers:
Robb Alexander: Robb grew up in Massachusetts. Here, his love for fishing was born. He spent his youth chasing fish from the lakes and streams of western Mass, to the beaches, tidal creeks, and flats of Cape Cod. Robb’s hobby became a passion. As a teen he worked for Orvis in Framingham and eventually pairing with Vinny Mcfarlane running the fly department at the Natick Outdoor Store. There, Robb began sharing his talent tying commercially, providing casting lessons, and guiding trips, all while continuing to hone his skills learning from the likes of Capt. Gill Burke, Dave Skok, Bob Popovics, and Mike Martinek Jr.
In 2008 Robb moved to North Carolina. He spent time on the southern coast as a first mate for Ocean Isle Fishing Center pursuing Marlin, Wahoo, Tuna, and King Mackerel. If Robb wasn’t out on the Atlantic he was in the Appalachian Mountains in search of small mouth and wild trout.
Robb returned to Massachusetts in 2013, but his experience on water is not limited to NC and MA. Robb has fished Andros Island, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado. Currently living in Massachusetts, Robb spends his time behind the vice tying predator flies for large trout and Pike.
Jay Aylward: Jay Aylward of the Handmade Angler is a mellow fish nerd and custom fly tyer, who has been spinning for a couple of decades. The flies he ties range from tiny crippled emergers all the way to deer hair bass bugs. During the show he will be tying articulated streamers and attractor dry flies, and also taking requests. Stop by to take a look at the range of custom flies he offers, talk tying and fishing, or just watch the demonstrations. #handmadeangler #aylsflies #splatpopgulp
Matt Bailey: I am an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer from the New Hampshire. As far back as I can remember, I have loved fishing and the outdoors. My grandfather got me into fishing at a young age and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I am lucky enough to live in New England where I have access to beautiful freshwater and saltwater fisheries. Recently, I have become completely addicted to fishing for Striped Bass in the salt, as well as tying flies for the occasion, with strong influence from Bob Popovics. I honestly feel like I enjoy tying as much as I enjoy fishing at this point, just in different ways.
David Benoit: My father introduced me to fly-fishing at a very young age. I spent most of my youth fishing for brook trout in a stream near where I grew up in Upton, MA, with trips to Rangeley, Maine each year on family vacation. Military service and the Vietnam War interrupted my fly-fishing and it wasn’t till I moved to Southern New Hampshire in 1979 that I got reacquainted with the sport. I have fished numerous rivers, lakes and ponds in the 5 New England states, the New York Catskill rivers and the Canadian Maritimes, have been an FFF now FFI Master Certified Casting Instructor since 2002.I completed Sweetwater Travel’s Montana Guide School in 2004. Participated for many years as a New Hampshire “Let’s Go Fishing and Becoming an Outdoors Woman” Programs volunteer instructor.
In 2012, retired and spend the summer months, May to Mid October in West Yellowstone, Montana working part time in Bob Jacklin’s Fly Shop, fishing the rivers lakes and ponds in Yellowstone National Park and surrounding areas.
Scott Biron: Scott cut his teeth learning to tie flies and fly fishing back in the1960s in the North County of New Hampshire. He has fished many of the streams north of Route 26 in NH and his favorite the Androscoggin River. An active fly tying instructor for NH Fish & Game and is popular tying and instructing in regional shows. Scott was awarded the 2017 NH Traditional Arts Grant and studied under Peggy Brenner. He has a strong interest in historical NH fly tyers and their lost patterns and has published, researched, instructed as well as demonstrated many of these lost NH fly patterns. He enjoys instructing individuals of all ages in the art of fly tying and is known for including the history of these tyers and their flies in his instruction.
Each year he is an volunteer instructor at NH Fish & Game’s Camp Barry’s Fish Camp where he instructs over 50 campers in fly tying and fly fishing. A member of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild and has authored articles for the NH Wildlife Journal. He has written fly fishing curriculum for NHFG Let’s Go Fishing Program recently developing the popular Float The Remote program teaching new fly anglers how to fish in NH’s remote trout ponds out of a float tube.
Scott is the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation and actively works to preserve, protect and conserve NH’s wildlife habitat and resources. He is on the Regal Vise, Partridge Hooks and Solarez Pro Staff’s and he is an Ambassador for the American Museum of Fly Fishing.
David “Uptown Dave” Buduen: My name is David Buduén and I live in NYC. I’ve been flyfishing and flytying for over 35 years. I love flytying because you can take new and old materials put them together to create a pattern. I’m a father of 2 kids which I love teaching them how to fly ty. In my free time if I’m not flyfishing I’m flytying. I have the best of both worlds in fishing freshwater or saltwater. Tight Lines David Buduen.
Brad Buzzi: Brad has been tying flies commercially since 2004 and is the owner of BuzFly and the current President of The Atlantic Saltwater Flyrodders. He specializes in saltwater flies for the Northeast and East Central Coast of Florida targeting primarily Stripped Bass, Bluefish, Weakfish/Sea Trout, Albacore, Snook, Redfish, Cobia and Jack Crevalle to name a few. He grew up fishing the Jersey Shore from Sandy Hook to Island Beach State park cutting his teeth on Snappers and Fluke when he was a very young boy leaning how to fish. As he grew older, he started to fish for Stripped Bass, Bluefish, Weakfish and Albacore. In the mid 80’s his fishing expanded to fishing the East Coast of Florida, especially around Melbourne and Stuart. It was during this time he discovered Snook and never looked back. This year Brad will be Air Brushing and tying Popper along with tying flies with Light Cured Acrylics and Articulated Flies. Come check out his world class Bucktails that he processes and dies.
Joe Calcavecchia: Joe is a production tier, a saltwater master fly tier, and the creator of many splendid fly patterns such as the Striper Dragon and the Bonita Bear. He has been tying commercially for the past twenty-five years for fly shops in the New England region. He is also a fly designer for Spirit River. 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 tier.
Louis DiGena: Lou is on the Regal Pro-Staff fly tier and the Solarez and Ewing teams with 35-plus years of experience fly tying. Lou committed to designing patterns with the K.I.S.S. rule (Keep It Simple Stupid). He primarily targets trout, smallmouth, bluegill, and toothy predators throughout the United States.
His home waters are in the northeast, where he prefers fishing for Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Pickerel. He enjoys tying traditional patterns and creating new flies like C.E. Crayfish (Close Enough), Tiger Baetis, and Lou’s stonefly creeper, deadly on trout and smallmouth.
Capt. Mark Dysinger: Captain Mark has fished the New England salt most of his life. Although he is skilled in many angling methods, he is most accomplished with the fly rod. As the owner of Flyosophy Charters, he specializes in the northeast slam of striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore. Although he guides in Long Island Sound and its surrounding waters, he is also passionate about freshwater fishing and is a recognized authority on flyfishing for northern pike. Mark has fished extensively across North America, and his works have appeared in numerous print and online publications, including three books. He has been a featured innovative fly tyer for Eastern Flyfishing Magazine, and his Bunny split fly (aka Musky Bunny Twin Tail) is included in the “deadly dozen” musky patterns in Rob Tomes’ Musky on the Fly. He is an experienced teacher both on and off the water, and takes great joy in seeing others succeed. His enthusiasm and attention to detail make him a popular instructor, and his topical presentations are both informative and entertaining. Mark’s patience and enthusiasm have positively affected many fellow anglers. Mark resides on the Connecticut coast with his wife Anne and daughter Lucy.
Tim Flagler: Tim is the owner of Tightline Productions, L.L.C., a video production company located in Califon, NJ. Although he produces video programs over a wide range of topics, his specialty is fly fishing. Tim is a well-known fly tying instructor. His YouTube videos are some of the best in the business and his YouTube channel, practicalpatterns.com currently has over 106,000 subscribers and 33 million views. Almost every week he produces a new fly tying or “how to” video which appear not only on his YouTube channel but on Midcurrent and the Orvis News fly fishing blog as well. They’re also featured on Trout Unlimited’s national website and in the Orvis Learning Center. In addition, he has a regular column “Beginner’s Masterclass with Tim Flagler” in Fly Tyer magazine, which selected Tim as their “Fly Tyer of the Year” in their Winter 2022 issue. Many of Tim’s tying videos take the viewer well beyond just the tying of the fly and show what it looks like underwater, what natural it represents and how it can be fished.
Tim’s a fixture at the Fly Fishing Shows – giving presentations, teaching classes and often as a Featured Tier. He enjoys guiding year round for Shannon’s Fly & Tackle in Califon, NJ. and hosts annual trips to Patagonia in the spring and to the Kootenai River in MT in the summer. He’ll be hosting trips to Iceland starting in the fall of 2023.
David Flint: Hello, my name is Dave Flint, I’m an avid fly dresser, fly fisherman, Spey casting instructor and all round outdoorsman. I grew up fishing in the small streams of Mass, and upper New England. Our family would go tenting each year in Maine and New Hampshire. As my brother was climbing mountains, you would find me hopping rocks along the mountain streams with fishing gear. I’ve been fishing since I was a young kid but didn’t start fly fishing until I was about the age of 13.
My first fly fishing experience was in the early 70’s on the Roach River in Maine. Our family tented each year in the area and I became friends with the local camp owner in Kokadjo. One morning I watched him fly fishing, carefully maneuvering a fly in and around the currents. After successfully catching a few fish, he handed me the rod and said,” give it a try”. He showed me the type of fly he used and how to fish it. I followed his instructions and before I knew it, the line was screaming off the reel – this was no small brook trout! After a couple of leaps and with help from my new friend, my prize was brought to net. Not only had I caught my first Salmon, but it was also my first time fly fishing. The following spring, armed with my new fly rod, I spent all my time hopping rocks in the clear mountain streams. I’d dip flies in the small pools; sometimes missing a rock along the way and putting myself in the pool instead. 50 years later and I am still hopping rocks and pools.
I started dressing flies in the 80’s after joining a local club, the New England Fly Tyers. My love for dressing flies, especially Salmon flies, continues to grow. Each year, meeting new people, sharing ideas and learning new things, it’s awesome.
Through the years it’s been a privilege to contributed flies to several wonderful organizations such as the Miramichi salmon Association, Wounded Warriors project, North Atlantic Salmon Fund (certificate as Master Flytyer), and the NEFT Youth Outreach, among others. I’ve also supplied flies for some well-known books such as Rare and Unusual Fly-Tying Materials Vol. 1 & 2, Forgotten Flies and The Art of Angling Journals, along with Bonefish Fly Patterns. As well as teaching at NEFT (and local clubs) and co-produced the NEFT Video Manual of Fly Tying.
I get such a rush from tying/demonstrating at shows/events, interacting with the tyers, venders, and guests; because with that comes the opportunity to learn new things, new tricks and to share knowledge. And the opportunity to pass on my experiences and expertise to others. My passion for fly dressing flies has become a full-blown obsession.
All flies are enjoyable to dress but my favorites are Atlantic salmon and Spey flies, soft hackles and streamers run close seconds. I’ve done everything from commercial fly tying; sending Sports with my flies all over the world, to selling custom framed artwork with specialty display flies from Misty Morning Flies. These days my focus leans toward dressing and fishing full dressed salmon flies, designing, and working new ideas into old world proven patterns and designing specialty framed art pieces for people.
We meet many people in this sport but few that make a lasting impression and fewer still whom become wonderful mentors and good friends. Some, we have fished over the same waters, gone to the same shows, even been there at the same time and not known it till meeting at a much later time in life. Very strange how life works. I can count those friends on one hand.
I’ve had the wonderful fortune to have good friends, Bill Wilbur and Jimmy Rusher. Billy is one of the best Salmon fly designers/ tyers in New England and has been an influential mentor. I’m grateful for his expertise and guidance (thanks Bill). Jimmy, as one of New England’s best longline instructors gave me a taste of Spey casting. Both have been good friends for many years. Jimmy didn’t know it at the time, but paved the way for me to find my new friends and team on the Farmington River; Spey Casting Northeast.
Both Jerry and Lisa are the best in the Northeast/ New England area at teaching the art of Spey casting. I’m honored and grateful to part this team. So, these days you will likely find me/ us on the water playing with a two hander and sharing what we love to do.
For me this sport is a way to immerse yourself in nature and relax, whether on the water or at the bench. It’s an old sport, and needs to be passed on, shared with, new enthusiastic blood. Please, share your knowledge and experiences with others, so they may enjoy them also. Especially share it with the children, for they are the sportsmen of tomorrow.
This is what we do, it is our passion, help them experience it.
Stan Fudala: I tied my first fly at 15 years old and have never stopped since. Started fly fishing with my dad a couple of years before and then I started tying and realized that the challenge was as fun as it was different. I kept with it ever since the beginning and over the years, I learned from anyone that would share their time with me. After becoming active with several local fishing and conservation groups I started to share my skills in fly tying with others, became a certified casting instructor and have taught fishing, casting and fly tying for close to 30 years for several groups as well as NH Fish and Game. After 50 years of tying fishing and teaching my goal is to still just keep it real and honest, after all it’s still just fishing.
Dominick Greico: Dominick has been trout fishing and fly tying for most of his life. A lifelong resident of Upstate New York, he has spent much of his free time exploring the vast Adirondack Park and the endless trout streams the State has to offer. His passion for fly fishing often leads him to the State of Montana in the summer to fish his favorite rivers and mountain lakes. He was fortunate to learn the art of fly tying many years ago from some of the most seasoned outdoorsman in the area. Dominick pays homage to his mentors by continually refining the patterns he was taught. He has a mission of incorporating modern materials and techniques while maintaining the core qualities of these tried and true fly patterns. He remains dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the art of fly tying.
Adam Hortenberry: My Name is Adam Hortenberry, I started Fly tying 2 and a half years ago. A lot of the flies I do are mostly for warm water species but I love all aspects of tying for both Fresh & salt.
My inspirations for tying include Names like Dave Whitlock, Kelly Galloup, Blane Chocklette, Bob Popovics, Charley Craven and many more. Fly Fishing and Fishing in general have been my interests for as long as I can remember. catching bluegill on the fly on farm ponds with my grandpa is still one of my favorite memories. My purpose nowadays is to tie quality Flys for folks and get our younger generations involved in the sport and teaching folks my favorite patterns and ways to catch warm water species such as my favorite being the smallmouth Bass. I love seeing my videos inspire young folks and people who have been around alike, fishing & Fly fishing aren’t just a hobby for me it’s my life and my passion.
David Kolesar: David began tying flies for the trout in northeastern Pennsylvania as a kid and now ties flies for the trout and striped bass swimming the waters of New Hampshire. A member of the United Fly Tyers since the mid ‘90s David is now the current president of UFT as well as one of the club’s tying instructors. He is also a member of the New England Saltwater Fly Rodders and the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild. David has been a demonstration fly tyer at the International Fly Tying Symposium, and The Fly Fishing Show for several years and for the International Federation of Fly Fishers festivals. An IFFF certified casting instructor and David teaches fly casting and fly fishing for L. L. Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools and volunteers to teach fishing and fly tying for New Hampshire Fish and Game. David will be joining the New Hampshire River Guides in the coming year guiding freshwater anglers in New Hampshire.
Dan LaPointe: I started fishing the small streams and beaver ponds of the New Hampshire’s White Mountains at a very young age. My father and occasionally my grandmother would take my brother and I out with the old steel telescoping fish poles and a can of worms that we dug out of the garden to go in search of brook trout for the supper table. This is how I caught the fishing bug. I discovered fly fishing as a teenager and have been pursuing trout and other species of fish with a fly ever since. I started tying my own flies about thirty years ago beginning with a fly-tying kit my brother gave to our three sons for Christmas one year. The fly fishing and tying eventually became a small business venture in 2008 with the introduction of an online fly shop selling the flies produced at my vise. www.danflyshop.net . My fly patterns mainly evolve around trout and smallmouth bass, these are the most abundant species of game fish found in our area of northern New England. I also do custom tying for customers, which has become an interesting and important part of my tying business. The online shop has since become a real shop that we run out of our home albeit part time. I obtained my New Hampshire Fishing Guides license in 2009 and started guiding fly fishers the following year. Besides tying for my own shop I tie for several other shops and conduct tying classes at White Mountain Community College in Berlin NH. Helping interested folks, young or old learn how to tie their own flies is one of the most enjoyable aspects of tying.
Steven Leblanc: I started tying about 25 years ago. I watched my good friend Billy one day the a wollybugger, then I saw him tye classics. I’ve been tying and practicing ever since. I love to teach what I have learned and always am willing to give that secret fly to any angler.
Bob Lindquist: Bob has been fishing feathered frauds for nearly 40 years, starting as a 12 year old boy fishing Long Island’s lakes. From dabbling with stocked trout, Bob graduated to the Delaware River system and the salt waters surrounding Long Island. Bob has tied flies at national fly tying and fishing expositions for over thirty years and has been published in many fly fishing and fly tying periodicals. Having followed in the footsteps of legendary tyers like Bill Catherwood, Bob has worked extensively with deer hair designed saltwater patterns. Recent years have found him, due to a lack of time as his children were ini college, pursuing simple but highly effective trout patterns. Most recently, the temptation of Spey fishing, steelhead and Atlantic Salmon have hooked Bob! Bob has recently added a love of photography to complement his fly fishing passions.
Bart Lombardo: Bart has been fly fishing and fly tying for over forty years. Although he travels the country to fish for trout and salmon and chases fish in the salt, his real passion is warm water fly fishing for bass, panfish, and other warm water species. As an endorsed fly tier for REGAL VISE, he enjoys teaching others about the art of fly tying. He regularly conducts fly tying classes for organizations like Orvis, LL Bean, and Trout Unlimited. Due to the popularity of his website Panfish On The Fly and his interest in warm water fly fishing he has been featured guest on a number of podcasts including The Warm Water Fly Fishing Podcast, Tenkara USA’s Tenkara Cast, and The Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast with Tom Rosenbauer. Bart’s primary interest in fly tying is developing new patterns to target panfish, bass, and other warm water species. He is a member of a few pro-staffs in the fly tying industry including Solarez and Ewing Hackle. His website where he shares information about warm water fly fishing is www.panfishonthefly.com, and he can be contacted via email at info@panfishonthefly.com.
Vinny MacFarlane: Vinny began fly fishing in the early 1980’s in the headwaters of the Margaree River in Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia. With family roots in that area he spent every summer of his youth chasing brook trout and eventually Atlantic Salmon until he graduated college in the mid 1990’s.
For the past 15 years Vinny has been working for the Natick Outdoor Store’s Fly Fishing Department. He enjoys helping costumers, beginner and expert get suited up to chase every species of fish obtainable with a fly rod. Vinny also teaches a Thursday night fly tying class at the store.
Capt. Bill Murphy: Capt. Bill Murphy: * 1993-1999 Fly Tying instructor for Narragansett Chapter Trout Unlimited. * 1994 – 1999 Served on the Board of Directors Narragansett Charter Trout Unlimited * 1995 Winner of Fly Rod & Reel magazine’s Fly Tying contest. * 2001 – Present, Owner Murphy’s Fly Box / E-Z Body Products * 2003 Joined Rainy’s Fly’s Designer staff. * 2005 Fly Fishing Magazine “Tips” columnist * 2005 Featured angler in Salt Water Fly Fishing magazine for “Notable Catches”. * Featured Fly Tying instructor for The Salt Water Edge series of fly tying videos. * Director/Producer of Little Rhody Charters Fishing Videos on YouTube. * “Celebrity Fly Tyer” at “The Fly Fishing Show”. * Bill has fished in 5 countries including Mexico, Belize, Haiti and Aruba. He has caught over 31 species caught on fly to date. BILL IS ON THE FOLLOWING GUIDE PROGRAMS: * Far Banks Pro * Rainy’s Fly’s * Fishing Solutions / I FLY * Brine Fly Innovations * Regal Engineering * Nautilus Reels * Korkers * Temple Fork Outfitters * Long Cast Products / Albie Snax Captain Bill Murphy has been fishing the salt for over 20 years and has fished from Maine to North Carolina. He has also caught everything from Stripers to Bluefin Tuna on both spinning gear and fly rod. Bill is a USCG licensed 25 ton Master with Towing Endorsement. Currently, Bill is running a Sailfish 218 equipped with a 5 piece helm enclosure, Garmin 2010 GPS/Sonar, Garmin 741xs GPS/Dual frequency Chirp Sonar/Radar, Marine Radio, Baitwell, Fresh & Saltwater washdowns, Multimedia Stereo system, Front Casting Deck and plenty of rod & gear storage. This rig is a serious fishing machine! Bill is also on the Rainy’s Fly Designer staff and currently has over 15 patterns in production. Bill is regularly invited to the International Fly Tying Symposium and The Fly Fishing Show to demonstrate his tying techniques and fly patterns. Bill is also the owner of Murphy’s Fly Box / E-Z Body Products, www.e-zbody.com and Little Rhody Charters www.littlerhodycharters.com. Bill is also a regular supporter of “Kids on the Fly” youth fly tying program.
William Newcomb: When Bill was born, he was very young so he doesn’t remember much of the event. But he absolutely recalls fishing the streams near his boyhood home. As time passed, he graduated from school and joined the Navy, and continued to fish up and down the Eastern Seaboard, the Northern Atlantic and the Caribbean. When he discovered flyfishing, the sanity men seek in life disappeared. Along with flyfishing, of course, comes flytying. On a fishing trip for salmon, he spent $20 on six flies. After seeing his friend tie a fly, he realized he could have saved that amount by tying his own. Over the years, he’s figured he spent $40,000 trying to get that $20 back. You’ll see Bill at the fishing shows. He enjoys meeting new people, swapping lies, and stealing their patterns and claiming them as his own. Unlike many of the other tyers, Bill IS a legend in his own mind.
Ted Patlen: Winner of seven fly-tying world championships, has demonstrated at fly-fishing venues from the rocky shores of the Pacific coast, across the states as well as Canada, from a 12th century convent in Italy, north to Scandinavia, to the heart of Great Britain……as well as on a hot dusty parking lot in Roscoe, New York.
Michael Perechinsky: I reside in Pennsylvania and was brought up loving the outdoors. Hunting and fishing were my sports throughout my school years. I started tying and fly-fishing in 1999. In 2000 and 2001, I placed in several tying competitions in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. My passion is tarpon on the fly. I am the owner of Pflies, a small saltwater fly-tying shop that specializes in saltwater patterns for tarpon, snook, permit, bonefish. I also tie fresh water patterns for trout and bass. There is no better feeling than having someone catch on your flies you tied!
Roger Plourde: Roger began fly fishing back in the early 1990’s and was quickly hooked on the sport. He joined the CT Fly Fishing Association and learned the fundamentals first of fly fishing and then fly tying from a great group of mentors who quickly became lifelong friends. It was an exciting journey into the world of feathers and fur, trout and salmon flies.
He has enthusiastically fished his home river, the Farmington River in CT as well as many rivers in Maine, Canada, Alaska, Montana, Chile and other locales.
Then, a course on tying classic salmon flies in 1998, ignited a new passion and he has been on a new mission ever since of learning the history, artistry and challenging techniques of the Victorian era salmon fly.
In addition to fishing and tying flies, Roger also does custom picture framing and collects and sells antique fly-fishing tackle and salmon fly tying materials. Friends can usually find him in his woodworking shop in Plainville CT when he’s not out fishing.
Glen Populorum: Glen is a self-employed automotive mechanic in Illinois, who grew up canoeing and fishing many different places in both Illinois and Wisconsin. His Uncle introduced him to fly fishing at an early age, and Glen has never looked back. He decided to try his hand at tying in the early 1980’s and liked it, as it allowed him the flexibility to tie different flies depending upon their use. Glen inherited his love of travel from his Grandmother and has used it well – fishing and even guiding in the Seychelles for bonefish, Mexico for tuna and sailfish, and to Columbia and Brazil for peacock bass and payara. He is always developing new patterns for his next fishing adventure.
Ingrid Sils: An avid angler her entire life and fly tier since the mid-1970s, Ms Sils is “the woman who has worn many hats.” In the 1980s she was a fly tier and lecturer at many shows and contributed as both author and photographer to United Fly Tyer’s Roundtable and Massachusetts Out of Doors. In the 1990s her photographs were published in Sports Illustrated, Fly Fisherman, Fly Rod and Reel, The Atlantic Salmon Journal and others. Then together with Paul Schmookler, Ms Sils shared a variety of roles including tier, photographer, author, graphic designer and publisher for The Salmon Flies of Major John Popkin Traherne, Rare and Unusual Fly Tying Materials: A Natural History, Vol 1&2 and Forgotten Flies. In the early 2000s the Gold Ink award winning Art of Angling Journal was added to her accomplishments. She has enjoyed targeting a wide variety of fresh- and saltwater species with flies she tied including small- and largemouth bass, trout, Pacific and Atlantic salmon, bluefish, striped bass, tarpon, and lemon and black fin shark. In 2017 she retired from a 40-year career as a research biologist/physiologist where she contributed to over 60 scientific articles as co-author or author.
Peter Simonson: Peter Simonson has been fly tying for over 25 years, initially just creating flies needed for fishing. He enjoys tying historic streamers from the Rangeley region of Maine. Of special interest are the unnamed and other lesser-known streamer patterns of Carrie Stevens. Peter has tied at the International Fly Tying Symposium and The Fly Fishing Show for many years, as well as at smaller shows and museum events. His work was featured in Fly Tyer magazine (Autumn 2022), in We Are Fly Fishing on-line magazine (Christmas 2022), and appears at www.petersimonsonflydresser.com. Peter studied streamer tying under Mike Martinek, and credits several old-school social media sites with providing him a rich interactive learning environment for tying streamers and classic Atlantic Salmon flies. Peter is a retired signal processing systems engineer, and when he’s not tying, he enjoys fly-fishing, kayaking, and hiking. A favorite is fishing for brook trout and big land-locked salmon from pocket water and deep pools in the upper Connecticut River of New Hampshire and from the Rangeley region of Maine. Peter has two grown sons, and lives with his wife Lynne in New Hampshire, where they have been pouring money into a small farmhouse for 40 years.
Mike Stewart: Mike is a custom fly tyer and instructor. He started fishing in 1959 on the Canadian border in Vermont. He is 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. Most of his fishing has been in New England, the Atlantic states, the Gulf Coast, and West Virginia with outings to the Rocky Mountain states, Bahamas, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Alaska, and Chile. Mike has been tying since 1982 when he taught himself to tie. Through the opportunities made available by the Connecticut Fly Fishermen’s Association, he further refined his techniques such that he was confident to be a demonstration tyer, sell his flies, and ultimately teach fly tying. His bit to pass on the art to the next generation. Mike teaches fly tying out of his home in North Granby, CT and throughout New England and New York.
He is also very active with the Fly Fishers International (Life Member) where he is a past member of the FFI Board of Directors, the Fly Tying Board of Governors (currently the Secretary and Life Member), past President of the FFI Foundation Trustees and past president of the FFI North Eastern Council. Other organizations that Mike is a member include the CFFA (life member), United Fly Tyers, Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, and Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.
Mike is on a Pro Teams such as Ewing Feather Birds, Solarez Fly Tying, Peak Fishing, and Flymen Fishing Company. He is an active demonstration fly tyer and can be found at The Fly Fishing Shows, International Fly Tying Symposium, and many other regional fly fishing shows and venues.
While he ties all types of flies, he especially enjoys 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.”
Robert Streeter: Rob just retired as the Outdoor Correspondent for the Albany, New York Times Union Newspaper. His articles covered all aspects of the outdoors including hunting, fishing, camping, paddling, and conservation.
Rob also writes for a variety of national and even overseas magazines on fly fishing, bowhunting, and the outdoors. His favorite outdoor activities are traditional bowhunting, fly fishing, and fly tying.
Dan Thomas: I was born and raised in a small town called Carbondale located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, along the Lackawanna River and began fishing with my father at the age of three, at the various rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams that surround our area. Some of which include the Lackawaxen, Lackawanna, Susquehanna and Delaware rivers. It wasn’t until the summer of 2008 that I discovered what is now, my sheer addiction to say the least; fly fishing. It all began one afternoon, while fishing a local damn. I was rummaging through my gear when I came across a plastic container full of miscellaneous hooks, sinkers, lures, and other tackle which my father had given to me. Among these was a small cardboard box containing about 5 or 6 old dry flies. I carefully studied and admired each one in amazement. I was intrigued at the fact that someone had created these things by hand. I was reluctant at first to feed such works of art to a fish, but I had to try one out. I rigged my spinning rod with a float bubble and cast my first fly. It wasn’t but a minute later, I caught my first fish on this beautifully tied Adams. The very next day I purchased my first fly rod. For the first month or so, I purchased flies from my local Orvis dealer, as I believed I didn’t possess the patience needed to tie flies myself. It wasn’t until my father had given me an old unopened fly tying kit that he had found in his basement that I actually attempted fly tying for the first time. Now, armed with a crude rusty wing nut style vise, the obsession had begun. My current employment with the Rail Road has me traveling throughout parts of Pennsylvania, Vermont, and New York, to the Canadian border. Each year I am afforded the opportunity to fish the many great rivers along the way including, the Delaware, Hudson, Susquehanna, Battenkill, Ausable, Saranac, and Chazy, as well as Lakes George, and Champlain to name a few. I enjoy the challenge of coming up with flies for these wonderful waters and enjoy even more getting to try them out.
Mike Valla: A native of Binghamton, NY, Mike has been fly-fishing and tying trout flies for over 50 years. Mike received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University where he studied fisheries biology. After a short stint in Graduate School, where he studied paleobotany, he returned to Cornell where he was employed as a Research Support Specialist in the Plant Pathology and Entomology departments. He then changed careers and studied for four years at Georgetown University where he obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
Now retired from the Active Medical/Dental staff at Glens Falls Hospital in the Adirondacks of New York, where he practiced public health dentistry for indigent children. He has written numerous feature-length magazine articles for American Fly Fishing, Fly Fisherman, Fly Tyer and The American Fly Fisher. He has been an invited speaker locally, nationally and internationally. His presentations are focused on fly-fishing and fly-tying history. Mike is the 4th recipient of the prestigious Poul Jorgensen Golden Hook Award for his contributions to the art of fly tying.
Books:
Fly Fishing Guide to New York State NEW RELEASE (September 2023)
Favorite Flies for the Catskills (2020
Classic Streamer Fly Box. Stackpole Books (2020)
Tying and Fishing Bucktails and other Hairwings (2016)
Tying the Founding Flies (2015) S
The Founding Flies, 43 American Masters, Their Patterns and Influences (2013) The Classic Wet-Fly Box (2012).
The Classic Dry Fly Box (2010
Tying Catskill-Style Dry Flies (2009)
Eric Washofer: My name is Eric Washofer and I grew up fishing freshwater as well as saltwater. I lived my whole life in NJ but didn’t fish it much. The majority of my fishing was at my families vacation house on Candlewood lake in CT where I grew up catching small and largemouth bass every chance I got. Then as I got older I would travel down to my families vacation house to fish the gulf coast of Florida which I have been doing for quite a while and love. I started fly tying as what I initially thought to be a winter hobby, but it quickly turned into an addiction. I find fly tying to be a very relaxing and creative hobby where you can constantly be learning new patterns and always put your own twist on it with material selection etc.
Lisa Weiner: Some of my earliest memories are of fishing with my Dad. I would sit on the bank and look thru his fly box. I thought the flies were some of the most beautiful things I had ever seen.
I started tying flies in the winter of 2011. My Husband gave me a beginner kit, as I had been asking to learn. Ispent every spare minute tying on a t.v. tray in our living room. I think I drove our kids nuts.
Around the same time, I learnedspey casting and I am now a partner at Spey Casting North East, where I enjoy teaching two handed casting.This seemed natural, as I wanted to chase steelhead and salmon. Tying these flies is as much of a challenge as the fish themselves. But I love learning and helping others to improve their skills.
The highlight of my tying career was being invited to tie at Atlantic Salmon Fly International 2018 in Miramichi, Canada. I met so many great people that have influenced my tying and love of the sport.
I hope to give back to this wonderful community, that has given me so much.
Bill Wilbur: I’ve been making flies for over 55 years, from midge trout flies to sailfish and marlin flies. But my specialty is Atlantic salmon flies. My greatest pattern design for Atlantic salmon has been the “Green Machine” Probable my next greatest pattern would be the “Pearl Herron” spey fly. I’ve tied flies for Ducks Unlimited, Basin Mills, Miramichi Salmon Association and North Atlantic Salmon Fund. From the North Atlantic Salmon Fund I received a certificate of Master Fly Tyer.
More TBA
Exhibitors & Map
Note from the Director
A Note from the Director:
You are cordially invited to The Marlborough Fly Fishing Show January 5, 6 & 7, 2024. The Show kicks off the 2024 angling season January 5, 6 and 7 at the convenient Royal Plaza Trade Center. We are excited that Marlborough begins our sea-to-sea fly fishing extravaganza since it is our second oldest event.
Be the first to see all the New for ’24 products at the largest fly fishing event in New England. We have new exhibitors, new speakers, new topics, and new fresh and saltwater learning opportunities for you, your family and your fly fishing buddies. Some of the highlights include:
•Stillwater programs with Phil Rowley.
•Casting demos and instruction with George Daniel, Landon Mayer, Sheila Hassan and more!
•Fly tying with Tim Flagler, Joe Cordeiro, Ed Engle and more!
•Expanded selection of Classes with the Experts where you can get one-on-one time with the Pros.
•Featured Seminars by Jeff Currier, Bob Mallard, Alan Caolo and more!
•Lodges, resorts, exotic vacation destinations offering money-saving show specials.
•The must see International Fly Fishing Film Festival world premier on Friday at 6:30 featuring award-winning fly-fishing films.
•New rods, reels, lines, accessories, clothing, waders, boots, books, DVDs and anything else you may want to purchase, plus our exclusive author’s booth.
•An expanded Learning Center for free casting and fly tying instruction.
•Conservation organizations and opportunities to volunteer for the sport you cherish.
•See new products first and save on show specials.
•Test product and vote in The Fly Fishing Show Consumer Choice Awards.
This three day fly fishing extravaganza is the cure for your cabin fever. Every day of the Marlborough Fly Fishing Show offers something different. Join us at the only event where you can find all the best new product, collectibles, and fly tying equipment, speakers, designers, and more.
Ben Furimsky and The Fly Fishing Show Family
Programs, Seminars and Classes
(click for more information about programs, seminars and classes)