I recently received a brochure in the mail for the 2005 International Fly Tying Symposium to be held in Somerset, NJ and was wondering if any of you have ever attended one of these events and whether it was worth it.
There is a pretty impressive list of tyers attending but my previous experience at FF shows in Somerset is that they are SO crowded that you can’t see a thing in the main exhibit areas.
I guess my biggest interest was just getting a few books signed and looking for some materials or tools.
Hey Joe! Son of a gun! Good seeing you again at your Grandmothers induction to the Hall of Fame. It was a very nice ceremony.
Please keep us informed on Gene’s condition. Take care my friend,…Bob
This is a “can’t miss” show to attend at least once. I’m in Michigan and go just about every year. It’s only tying items - they don’t allow vendors to sell rods, reels, equipment, etc. (at least they’ve outlawed it at previous shows). DT is right - not particularly crowded and a fun show to walk through and talk to the “stars of the sport”. If you are a tier, you gotta go! One caution - bring LOTS of money . . . plenty of fun new things to buy.
This year the International FTS theme is “Creative Realism”. Chuck Furimsky the promoter had me rounding up my realistic tying friends all last summer. Going to be a fun time. Only a couple of truly original people couldn’t make. Ted N, Olliver E. and Bob Boyle can’t make it. Gentleman Bill Blackstone will be there AND teaching a class, Paul Whillock will be there with his new book which I had the honor and pleasure of writing the foreword for… David and Becky Martin will attend and if you haven’t seen their work…!!! The Lion Fish is absolutely a work of art! Everything they do is a piece of art! Bill Logan will be doing his first American show. How’s $5000 per 200 hour nymph grab you? It is absolutely amazing! He may also have his new 'fishing" realistics with him. Of course I’m always there and doing my usual more visiting than tying. Should have a few flies I originared on display like the mantis, walking stick bug and water scorpion plus my usual mosquito, lady bug and damsel… Hardly ever have time to get to many of the other 30some odd realistic flies that I tie.
Steve Thorton, president of the Mayfly Club will be holding court along with Dale Beamish from Calgary, Dwight Yokum, NM, Jackson Leonne, Wash., Tim Wohland, Rich Bogardus and Brad Wilson, from NY and Pa. and Jukka Tapio from Finland…Don’t swat those flies or you may end up selling your car to pay for them…
If you are a FAOL member and we havent met yet please introduce yourself. Also, if you have tried your hand at a realistic fly bring it in and show it to me and the guys.
The fun part of tying at a show is hanging with tyers and friends, meeting people, planning fishing trips…in other words shows for us tyers are just an excuse to hang around with your buddies old and new, sit up most of the night BS’in and stuffin our faces with food and drink…
Hope to see you there…Bob