Look out your window and you’ll be convinced it’s a good time to attend a winter Fly Tying and Fly Fishing show. If you get a chance, attend one of the shows in your area and learn new techniques or check out new fly patterns and gear.
I just returned from the Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo in Boise, Idaho where I was a demonstration tyer for two days. This is my third year tying at the event.
My friend Sherry Steele’s Whychus Canyon steelhead fly was selected as the show fly. Here she is tying one…or rather talking about it!
And a picture of the Whychus Canyon sherry took with her phone.
Lastly, this year’s Expo pin for the Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo.
I’ve met some wonderful people while attending Expos…as a demonstration tyer and even before I sat down at the vise.
The Wester Idaho Fly Fishing Expo is where I met two special people – Gretchen and Al Beatty, the owners of BT’s Fly Fishing Products.
I’d read about in the major fly fishing magazines for years. In fact, both were honored with the Fly Tyer magazine 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award.
They are masters at the vise and continue to share their fly tying expertise in articles and shows. If you get a chance, be sure to stop and watch them tie a fly or two. You will be impressed with the quality of flies the produce.
Among many of the people I spoke with over the weekend were two people who stopped by to remind me I helped them last year. Here are a couple of testimony’s they provided:
“You taught me to tie Sparkle Duns last year and I can’t tell you how many fish I caught with that fly!”“The Silveys Caddis Pupa pattern you gave me caught so many fish…I still have it but it’s torn to shreds.”
I really enjoy teaching people about fly fishing and fly tying…which is a major reason I started this website RiverKeeper Flies in the first place. So receiving feedback like the two comments above really make me feel good.
In addition, I spent some time with a few people new to fly tying. I’m able to simplify the tying concepts for them and explain why it is important to choose proper materials.
Speaking of Expos, I’m the Chair and Treasurer for this year’s NW Fly Tying & Fly Fishing Expo in Albany, Oregon on March 13 & 14, 2015. I’ve led a hard-working committee for the last few months making sure everything is ready for you to enjoy this event.
We have 200 fly tyers, casting instruction, classes and vendors for the two day event. Go to the NW Fly Tying & Fly Fishing Expo website and sign up for a class to improve your fly tying or fly fishing.
I’ll leave you with a couple of flies I’ve tied for two plates to be auctioned off. The first is the Borden Special, the fly selected as the Show fly. It will be displayed on the Poster Plate.
The last fly is the Lady Caroline.
You might recognize it from a recent blog post. This fly will be displayed on a steelhead spey fly plate from my Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild.
I hope to see you at the NW Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo in Albany. Stop by and say “hi”.
Great update John. The Beatty’s are amazing people who always have time for everyone. Mrs Gretchen makes some of the best dubbing in the best colors which helps even a novice like me land a few steelhead now and then. Looking forward to Albany and if I can help let me know.
Thanks to John Kreft and all he does to share his skills and knowledge in the sport of Fly Fishing! Your blogs are very informative.
John, we sure enjoyed hosting you and friends Jerry Criss and Sherry Steele at our home in Boise. Let’s do it again AND next year you might consider spending an extra day at our home tying flies after the show. Take care & …
Tight Lines – (Gretchen &) Al Beatty
John,
Thanks for the picture post. I really enjoyed seeing all our tying buddies and the great company. The safe trip was a plus. This was the first time I tied at the same table with Jerry Criss…. That was an experience in it’s self. Always learning from you and Jerry tying at the events.
Looking forward to next year,
Sherry