Guys,
I am going to be tying at my first show in June. I have no idea what to expect. Can those of you that have tyed at shows give a first timer any advice?
Thanks,
Pete
[url=http://blacklabfliesandsupplies.com:3eabb]http://blacklabfliesandsupplies.com[/url:3eabb]
Depending one the shows format, make a list of ALL the materials you will need… check it before you go. You do not want to be up on stage and have to say; “sorry, I don’t have the hook I need” 
Oh, and?Don’t wear a plaid shirt;-)
harry mason
[url=http://www.troutflies.com:91b3e]http://www.troutflies.com[/url:91b3e]
Pete,
Once you get there and have the vise in front of you, you’ll be ‘good-to-go’. Make sure you have whatever you need packed. You might want to take a pillow just in case the seat is low. Lamp and extension cord. As ‘bones’ said, wear a solid light shirt. It makes it easier for your viewers. Tie what you enjoy tying. Don’t worry.
Allan
Tye a couple the day before and put all the things you touch into one container. That way you have all the material and tools you need.
And if you forgot something you can get a replacement for the box.
Don’t expect it all to work. Just like anytime you are talking and showing, you will miss things. Don’t let it get you flustered.
Have fun.
Hi Pete,
Harry gave some really good advise. You didn’t say what type of demo you were going to do; on camera/stage, demo table with a group of other tiers or lone tier in a fly shop booth. I handle each a bit different but usually go to a show ready to demo about three or four flies; meaning I have EVERY THING for those flies. I recomend moving to a location in your house or friends house and do a “mock up demo.” That way you can be sure you have the items/tools you need in your travel bag/box. Here is a couple of tips I’ve learned over the years:
Good luck and let us all know how things went. Take care & …
Tight Lines - Al Beatty [url=http://www.btsflyfishing.com:72155]www.btsflyfishing.com[/url:72155]
Good advice so far…
-Put everything you need for one pattern in a large freezer bag. Then set up for your 3 or 4 patterns that you will tie. That way there is no digging for stuff everything is nice and neating packaged in one freezer bag.
-Make some copies of your fly recipes. It’s always nice for attendees when they can get a nicely typed and printed handout of recipes. Put your name on it…so months from now they’ll know where they got it from.
John G.
Albuquerque, NM
In addition to the other good ideas … 1) If you are tying in a showcase with other tiers, and you know in advance who they are, you can focus on flies you like that are different than theirs. i.e. if you know the others do bass flies or streamers you can focus on dry flies. 2) Don?t tie flies that are too small for the viewers to see (size 12 should be the smallest IMO). 3) Bring a foam sheet or other arrangement to show your flies and the production of the day. I have a wooden bar with holes to hold 9 E-Z clamps. 4) Be prepared to answer questions that are ‘off topic’ of your fly because some viewers are just curious about the art in general or need to be coached on their own tying challenges.
[This message has been edited by Greg H (edited 28 March 2005).]
I’ve tied at shows and so far the answers are what I would have added.
I found Poul Jorgensen sitting at the table next to mine at one show. It turned out he was interested more in a display of my dads early 1930’s salmon flies than the cameras. That was the first big show and he broke the ice. I haven’t been nervous from then on.
If your on the floor with many tiers take the time to talk to kids. I’ve noticed some dont. I show then all of the material and show where it is used. I get repeat visits from some that show the flies they have tied that year.
If you have a few fly boxes bring thm along to display.
Bill
And, remember that the folks watching you aren’t expecting you to heal the sick or walk on water. You’ll be nervous the first time and I expect your hands will shake. I was and mine did. If you make a mistake, great. It makes you human and on most viewers level. It is also good to see how other tyers recover from a mistake. Your thread will break and that’s ok. Just do as you do at home and reattach it. No big deal. Try to keep eye contact with the viewers and tell them what you are doing and why. I did the Eugene Tyer’s Expo this past Saturday and was using some bucktail for the flies I was tying and I didn’t want it to flair. So, I mentioned that the top third of the tail has solid hair that will not flair and that it is what you want for bucktail streamers. I wasn’t tying streamers but just tossed it out. One fella whipped out his note pad and said, “tips” and wrote it down. Some of the seemingly most basic things we do might be something someone watching has no idea how or why to do it. Communication is very good and I think the successful demo tyers do these things.
I like to see kids come by too. First, they aren’t mine so I know they are going home with some one else. More importantly, they could be the tyers of the future. Try to remember how it was when you were very short.
Bottom line is to try to relax and just let it flow. Ask if there are questions too. In years past, I have even invited a viewer or two to sit at my vise just to prove that whatever I was doing wasn’t that hard. I think folks like interaction with presenters, I know I do.
Happy Trails!
Ronn
The fella who asked me to tie at two shows said “everybody is nervous about their tying skills.”
That helped me. After all, for somebody who’s never seen a fly tied, you’re the best tyer they’ve ever seen! I’m usually the best “woman tyer” they’ve ever seen, but I don’t recommend you dress differently Pete. 
There is great variation on flies and methods for tying them. Doing what works for you, but is different from the “experts”, doesn’t make you wrong, so don’t expect anybody to call a foul on you.
Lastly, Pete, I’ve seen your flies and you don’t have anything to worry about. Just go have fun.
bf, RW here
In addition to what the other folks said, take a few displays of your already tied flies. People will stick around longer, check out your wares, and give you a better chance of striking up a conversation.
I’ve tied at quite a few shows now, and I especially enjoy it when the kids stop and actually get interested. At the Sowbug Roundup a couple years ago I gave away over 4-dozen flies…all to the youngsters. My first question to them is…Do you like to fish? If they say yes they get a fly, and some encouraging and complimentary conversation.
Later, RW
“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
Thank you for all your advice. I feel better now and should be fine. For those that are going to the Roscoe fish in I will be tying at the event that Willow is in charge of on June 4th. I will be there all day so stop by and say hi. I may also have a couple bamboo fly rods for people to try out.
Thanks again,
Pete
Pete -
Let me add my $.02 worth here, if I may.
When I tie at shows, I make a real effort to tie patterns that are relatively simple and quick. Patterns with only 3 or 4 materials (excluding the hook and thread) are the order of the day for me. I have found that folks won’t stick around for a fly that takes 10 or 15 minutes to construct. I tie a lot of woven patterns and they are a bit time consuming, but I can generally hold them to about 4 or 5 minutes including verbage during the process.
Another thing I do is take a supply of the little “zip-lock” bags to put the flies in that I give away. I get mine at the craft store and they are 2" x 3". I print up a couple sheets of small address labels with my name, e-mail address, and the name of the fly on them. When I finish each fly, I put it in the little bag with the label PRE-affixed to it. If I am giving a fly to a kiddo, I always ask their parent(s) if it is ok (sharp objects and such). BTW, I pinch down the barbs on every fly I tie at shows.
One other thing before I quit…
If a young person is showing REAL interest, and there is a spare chair beside me, I will sometimes have him/her come around the table so they can sit and watch from the “tyers perspective”. Again, always asking their parent(s) if it is ok.
Most of all, relax and have fun. You will have the time of your life.
“Catch 'em all…Put some back!”
[url=http://www.warmwaterangler.net:22239]Warmwater Angler[/url:22239]
This is all good stuff - it looks like you asked for a little advice and got “dumped on.”
One more thing - bring a spare light bulb. Most people have said keep it simple. I agree. Plan on tying no more than six different pattens during the show. Take ONLY the materials for those patterns. Don’t be like I used to be - prepared to tie Comparaduns, Marinaro Thorax Duns, bead-head nymphs, trico spinners, CDC emergers, may fly nymphs,it’s too much
If you have some innovative ideas/tips for tying common patterns, you may want to try that too (maybe just to warm up). Everyone watching you will probably look like a critic at first, but they are just looking for something they can use/learn from.
Enjoy your time, and know that you’re helping a lot more people out than you will probably realize.
Pete, First congrats on being asked. You must have skills and tie well or you probably wouldn’t be doing this. I’ve tied at shows for many years. A lot of good suggestions above.so some of these may be repeats.
Don’t bring the store with you. Bring just enough to tie 3 or 4 patterns and as someone said have “kits” made up so you only have to pull out one bag of material to tie a bunch of the same fly.
Keep tools to a minimum. You don’t need 6 bobbins etc.
Have something that keeps your head cement from tipping over.
Bring an extra light bulb for your tying lamp. Bring as light weight a lamp as possible to cut down on space and weight. I now use a Mackensie attached to my vise. I love my Girraff systems and other Day Light lamps that I have but all just take up too much space. Bring a extension cord and a outlet ‘bar’.
I bring a small hand cart to carry my stuff in on.
Bring a small cooler with a few bottles of water in it and a snack or two.
Have a small display of your finished flies that you will be tying. You don’t need to bring a hundred flies. Keep it simple the first time.
If you are going to sell flies, have some business cards or cards of a similar size on hand and a pen or pencil as a lot of people will want a signature even though you may be selling fishing flies a lot of people are sticking one or two away for their collection.
Drink Decaffinated coffee if you have more than one cup in the morning and be sure to eat something with it or you hands might get a caffine shaking.
If you are going to sell flies or give them away be sure to have some zip lock bags, small plastic boxes or other containers to put them in.
If you are going to sell flies, know what you want for them ahead of time…don’t hem and haw.
Bring along a small sign that says “BACK IN 15 MINUTES” that you can put out when you need to take a break.
Talking to people as you tie is important. Ask them if they have tried tying what ever fly you happen to be tying.
Or if there is some part of the fly you are tying that they are having any trouble with.
Get to th show early enough to set up.
If the show is more than one day bring a lightweight cloth to cover your tying area with. That way you don’t have to pick everything up at days end.
I usually see if I can get an extra stool or chair so the box I keep my extra stuff in is at arms length and I don’t have to keep jockeying on and off my seat to get something. Or have everything in 2 boxes and set the empty one that held everything you just put on the table on the floor and the other box with any extra ‘kits’ or material, or flies on top of it.
Tie flies that you are comfortable with. Save the difficault ones until you are at ease with tying in public.
When you are on the tying side of the table YOU are the expert, you are the instructor, you are the one showing your tying sequences , methods or tricks. Speak gently, without bravado but with authority. People will respect that. Be open to qustions but be ready for the one in a hundred guy who will try to tell you his way of doing what you are doing. Nicely say, that thats another way of doing this but I find this to suit me better and continue on speaking to the rest of the crowd. People have paid their way in to see how you do it, not the loud mouth.
At the end of the show don’t forget to thank the promoter or host for inviting you. Doesn’t hurt to give him/her a couple of your flies as a thank you.
Most of all try to relax and enjoy yourself. You will get used to tying in public in a short time
When possible I always take a bunch of flyboxes. Folks like to go thru someone elses boxes. Conversations get started. Don’t take anything you truly prize. Something could walk away from the table if ya know what I mean.
Have fun. The person watching you is interested in flytying, and most flytyers are just plain nice people.
Bob
Just be who you are. Just tie the way you do at home. And remember there will always be someone who can tie better than you can and will come up after the show and give you tips and techniques that will make you a better tyer.
Be natural. Throw in some stories about the flies you’re tying. Why you like this pattern. What you’ve caught on it. Create a reason for the people watching to want to tie the fly. And, be personable. Most of the tyers we watched this weekend were personable and friendly, although a couple of fellows were quite full of themselves. People would watch for a second or two and move on, or would stand back and make comments. Also, don’t be afraid to throw in comments about errors or challenges you’ve had while tying a pattern. I’ve only tied in classes publicly, but when I demonstrated canoe building I found that there were about four or five questions that were asked over and over again. Be relaxed and have fun. If you’re having fun, so are those who are watching. JGW