2016 NW Fly Tyer and Fly Fishing Expo

I’m busy getting ready for the 2016 NW Fly Tyer and Fly Fishing Expo in Albany, Oregon on March 11 & 12. I continue my Chair duties again this year. The Expo is sponsored by the Oregon Council of the International Federation of Fly Fishers, where I am the Treasurer. Now you understand why I’ve been busy!

Tying Flies During 2015 Expo

One of the major outcomes of the Expo is to make money for the Oregon Council. The benefit auction on Saturday night is always a good time to bid on your favorite fly plate, fishing trip, and other items. Two plates to be auctioned off are the Show Plate and Central Oregon Fly Tyer’s Guild Plate.

2016 Show Plate

This year’s Show Plate commemorates the Green Drake Show Pin. If you look close, you’ll see a RiverKeeper Flies photograph of a Green Drake from the Metolius. OK, here’s a better view:

I tied one of my favorite fishing flies, a Sparkle Dun to imitate the mayfly caught in its nymphal shuck.

 SPARKLE DUN – GREEN DRAKE

The Guild Plate celebrated Oregon’s major steelhead rivers.

2016 Guild Plate

I tied the Purple Skunk and Green Ant for the Snake River. Look closely on the far right for my flies.

Purple Skunk

Green Ant

I’ll be busy with my Chair and Treasurer duties, but I like to pause once each day and tie a few flies. Give me a few ideas of what flies to demonstrate this year. I’m still trying to decide.

You can still sign up for classes before the Expo until 3/5 at nwexpo.com. There are classes in fly fishing, fly tying, and casting. Two of interest to me are taught by a couple friends of mine. Jim Fisher will teach Make Your Own Fly Plates and Keith Burkhart will teach Basic Fly Mounting where you will mount one of your own flies.

What I like about fly fishing is you can make it be anything you want. And I believe the Expo celebrates that statement. I’m a fly tyer at heart. I really enjoy creating flies to fool picky fish. But I know those who aren’t and love to cast. Good for you. Don’t judge, just enjoy and revel in your own definition of fly fishing.

I hope to see you there!

Enjoy…go fish!