Billings Magic City Fly Fishing Expo 2007

The Billings Magic City Fly Fishing Expo returns to the Billings Elks Club Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28, 2007 for two days of exciting events focused on fly fishing including fly tying demonstrations, competitions, seminars, exhibits and culminating at Saturday evening?s banquet and auction. Hosted by the Billings Magic City Fly Fishers (MCFF), the Expo features Jackson Hole, Wyoming author and fly tier Scott Sanchez as its guest of honor.

Scott Sanchez plans to present two in-depth fly tying workshops (for a fee) plus two free presentations open to the public. Furthermore, Mr. Sanchez headlines the Saturday night auction and banquet and will speak about his adventures in fly-fishing.

In addition to Scott Sanchez?s participation, the Expo presents two days of workshops covering fly fishing tactics, casting demonstrations, insect biology, and trip ideas.

Also, in conjunction with the 2007 Fly Fishing Expo, the Billings Magic City Fly Fishers are having a Grand Prize Raffle?..a combination Winston Boron II rod and matching Abel 3N reel?a$1,200 value. Raffle tickets are available 1 for $10 ; 3 for $25; 8 for $50; or 20 for $100. The winner will be picked at the banquet on Saturday, April 28th.

Each day a FREE fly casting analysis workshop will be conducted by the Billings Clinic Sports and Orthopedic Department team on the grass next to the entrance of the Elks Club. Using a software program called Dartfish, a person?s fly casting abilities will be analyzed. Videotaping of a person?s flycasting style will be compared to the software?s version of ?How fly casting should be done?. Each participant will receive a CD of their test; a donation to the club would be appreciated.
FFF Education Director Matt Wilhelm will be on hand to provide advice and instruction.

Saturday?s events feature the second annual Yellowstone regional youth fly tying competition, the finale of several weeks of fly tying classes in area schools. The top 3 judged fly winners will receive their own fly rod. Fly tying demonstrations by many of the country?s most accomplished fly tiers are spread throughout each day.

And no fly fishing expo is complete without many opportunities to win prizes in bucket raffles or to bid in silent auctions. Included are two Glenn West Scholarships for kids to Rocky Mountain College?s flyfishing school in the summer. And the 2007 Billings Fly Fishing Expo sports some of the best including art, rods and reels, flies, and guided fly trips. And finally, the Expo includes exhibits of the latest fly-fishing gear, guided trips, and accessories available from the best-known and most creative companies in the country. All events are free except the banquet and Mr. Sanchez?s in-depth workshops.

The Billings Magic City Fly Fishers organized the Fly Fishing Expo to further its mission of helping people improve their knowledge and skills of fly fishing, to bring in new participants to fly fishing, especially youth, and to promote our goals of preserving the heritage of fly fishing.

Funds raised from the Expo go into the Magic City Flyfishers Foundation. The Foundation was established to provide funding for youth activities and development as well as the preservation and conservation of Montana fisheries. As a goal, the Foundation will provide scholarship funding for kids to attend Rocky Mountain College?s flyfishing school over the summer.

The Billings Magic City Fly Fishers are a chapter of Trout Unlimited, and affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers. Members conduct and support activities that advocate for sound management, preservation, restoration, and public access to Montana?s fisheries. Particular emphasis is placed on trout and the promotion and preservation of the sport of fly fishing as the means to maximize individual skill and enjoyment.