Monthly Archives: January 2015

To follow up the last post, here are the guest fly tyers that will be on hand this year at the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo. I am honored to be invited this year as one of the guest tyers at the expo. This is a great show and if you have never been, honestly, you need to make plans to go. Check out the guest tyers below.
-Paul

Kevin D. Compton

is a commercial tier, author, speaker, tying instructor, and a fly designer for the Solitude Fly Co. He lives in central Pennsylvania near the banks of the Little Juniata River and spends part of each summer in the Colorado Rockies, fishing and tying patterns for competition anglers, guides, and the bins at Vail Valley Anglers. His fly-tying company, Performance Flies, (www.performanceflies.com) distributes select tying materials, tools, and hooks, throughout North America. In 2006, he was the runner-up in the Team USA National Fly Tying Competition sponsored by “Fly Tyer” magazine. In September of 2006, he traveled to Portugal to the World Fly Fishing Championship where he contributed flies to the US competitors. Since then he has tied for members of Team USA at the National Championships and at the America’s Cup. In September of 2010 Kevin was the runner-up (to Charlie Craven) in the first annual Ironman Fly Tying Competition at the Denver Retailer Show. Kevin’s flies have been featured in magazines such as “Fly Fishing and Tying Journal” and in collections such as Rick Takahashi’s “Modern Midges” and George Daniel’s “Dynamic Nymphing”. He’s currently at work on two fly-tying projects with Stackpole Books – “Tying Czech Nymphs” and “Styles of European Fly Patterns”. . Kevin will be demonstrating techniques of European Nymphs.

 

 

Paul Beel

is owner/writer and fly tyer of the website and fly tying business, Frankenfly (www.frankenfly.com). His passion for fishing came from watching his grandfather create homemade lures as a kid. He felt he could continue in his grandfather’s footsteps as a fly tyer. Paul’s tying specialty is Modern Streamers and Classic Michigan Dry Flies. He also enjoys fishing for Bass and Trout. Paul is a Commercial Fly Tyer for Gates Au Sable Lodge and Fly Shop; he is on the Regal Vise Pro Staff, Partridge of Redditch Pro Team, Engrico Puglisi Pro Staff, and Deer Creek Pro Staff. Paul will be demonstrating his Modern Streamers and Classic Michigan Dry Flies.

 

 

Alan “Al” Ritt

grew up here in Michigan where his passion for fishing was born. In the early 80’s, while living in Northern California, just after he started tying flies, he started fly fishing. In 1989 he moved to Northern Front Range of Colorado (Longmont) where he and his wife Diana reside. Al is currently on the Pro-staff of Whiting Farms, PEAK Fishing, Flymen Fishing Company, Performance Flies, Clear Goo Glue, Fishing for a Cause, Performance Flies, Pro Sportfisher, Diiachi Hooks, and is a fly designer for Montana Fly Company. Al is on the board of IFFF Fly Tying Governors and is also a guide on Colorado and Sylvan Dale Ranch just outside of Loveland. Al has also written articles in various magazines, and has published a book, “25 Best Most Versatile Flies.” You can visit Al’s website at www.alrittflies.com. Alan will be demonstrating various Western Trout Flies.

 

 

Jason Haddix

is originally from Illinois, but currently resides in the small Colorado town of Wellington. Jason is an experienced and veteran guide who enjoys taking clients into Colorado’s Front Range and the beautiful, productive waters of southern Wyoming. When he’s not guiding, Jason spends as much personal time on the water as possible and then it’s back to the vise, designing and developing new flies, as well as making modifications to old ones. Jason owns and operates his own tying business, Waters Edge Fly Tying Company. Not only are Jason’s flies extremely productive, but because of the processes he uses, they are also very durable. Jason’s has affiliations and Pro-Staff status with various companies including Rite Bobbins, Peak Vises, Enrico Puglisi Products, Daiichi hooks, Rip Lips Fishing, Flymen Fishing Products and Rivers Wild. You can visit his website at www.watersedgeflyco.com. Jason will be demonstrating his famed Warm water flies plus others.

 

 

Jerry Regan

is a 3rd generation fly tyer and is one of the true keepers of Michigan’s Fly Fishing History. Jerry is one of the best commercial fly tyers in the business. As was Trout Unlimited, Jerry was born along the fabled Trout Waters of the Au Sable River near Grayling. As a kid he learned fly tying and fishing from Michigan’s Genuine Legends Earl Madsen and Ernie Borcher. Unique to Jerry’s tying patterns, he has never used the synthetics that have flooded the marketplace, but has continued to use genuine, non-synthetic fly tying materials. Jerry will be demonstrating the flies of the Classic Au Sable fly patterns.

 

 

Dennis Potter

started tying over 30 years ago before fishing on the Ausable River in Northern Michigan. He spent four seasons at the Gates Ausable Lodge as a Fly Fishing Instructor and he still enjoys teaching fly tying. His fly designs are fished extensively and with great success throughout the U.S. Dennis has various Fly Tying Videos on the market and is owner of the Riverhouse Fly Company. You will be able to find him tying at the show, with his well known high resolution tying Demo video. You can visit Dennis’s website at www.riverhouseflyco.com. Dennis will be demonstrating various well known Trout Patterns and Fly Tying Techniques.

 

 

Eli Berant

grew up and lives in Michigan, and so has been surrounded by big water all his life. After getting his first fly tying kit at the age of 15, fly fishing and fly tying has been his passion ever since. Even though he really enjoys the “traditional” fly fishing experience; Eli took the concepts of the huge saltwater flies
and applied them to his exploits here back in the big waters in Michigan. If you are interested in “Big Flies” for Lake Trout, Musky, Bass, or whatever will consume them, you can order these flies at Great Lakes Fly (www.greatlakesfly.com). Eli will be tying his Monster Musky and Pike Flies.

 

 

Jim Reed

is a world class deer hair tyer from Howell, Michigan, and has spun many amazing deer hair bugs. In 2006 in an FFF competition Jim was awarded six world champion medals on all six entries of flies he submitted. Along with being a master at the spinning of Deer Hair, Jim is also a master in other fly tying areas. He is a very versatile tyer. Jim has demonstrated and taught around the Great Lakes Region & Midwest. Along with tying out at the FFF Conclave in Livingston, he has demonstrated out at the Somerset Symposium in New Jersey. Jim will be tying his famous deer hair flies along with other patterns.

 

 

Mike Schmidt

has been owner & Fly Tyer for Angler’s Choice Flies, based out of Dublin, Ohio, for more than a decade now mainly because of the encouragement and influence of his dad. His fly tying consists of Winged Wet, Warmwater, Coldwater, and Saltwater patterns. Some of the Mike’s accomplishments consist of Orvis Fly Designer, Contract and Fly Tying Instructor for Mad River Outfitters and Signature Tyer for JagFly Company/Steelhead Alley. He also has published articles in Hatches online magazine. Mike’s website can be viewed at www.anglerschoiceflies.com. Mike will be demonstrating abundance of Big Fly Patterns along with his famed Winged Wet Flies.

 

 

Wayne Samson

has been fly fishing and tying for well over ten years. Originally a warm water fisherman, he started experimenting with bass bugs using deer hair. Soon he met Chris Helm of Toledo, Ohio, considered by most to be perhaps the finest deer hair tyer, and a friendship quickly developed. Wayne’s specialty remains deer hair bugs and hair work in general. However, he also ties epoxy flies, saltwater flies, classic Atlantic salmon flies and most all Trout flies as well. Wayne enjoys all styles of fishing from warm water, saltwater & Bass to cold water Steelhead and Trout. Wayne is one part of the duo from Glenn River Fly Co., LTD. Website: www.glennriver.com. Wayne will be demonstrating Saltwater Fly Patterns.

 

 

Todd A. Schotts

is a member of the Michigan Fly Fishing Club. Along with volunteering for various club functions, he also chairs the Club’s Annual Smallmouth Outing & contributes articles to the Club’s newsletter. Schotts owns and operates a production fly tying company, “Grizzly Flies by Schottsie,” that he started over 10 years ago and is the founder of “Michigan Bobbin Slingers” (fly tyers) page on Facebook. Some of his patterns in the works are to be featured in articles in “Eastern Fly Fishing” magazine, coming in the very near future. His passions include being a “Bass Bum,” (chasing Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass), but he also enjoys chasing Trout, and whatever will take a fly. Some of Todd’s patterns can be seen in Bailiwicks, located in Dexter, Michigan and through Brookhaven Lake Guide Service. You can contact him at [email protected]. Todd will be demonstrating various Warmwater & Thunder Creek Patterns.

http://midwestflyfishingexpo.com

They’re coming … from Montana … the Pacific Northwest … Colorado … and Florida.

Six of the sport’s biggest names will be making their way to the Macomb Community College Sports & Expo Center in Warren to share their fly fishing expertise with thousands of fly anglers at the 2015 edition of the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo March 14-15.

“Our cast of headliners brings a blend of familiar names and newcomers to our event,” said Expo Chairman Joe Sprys. “Bob Jacklin is a legend. Oscar Feliu, who now lives in Florida, is a Michigander at heart. He came here from Chile as a student and we consider him one of our own.

“The newcomers to this year’s Expo – Rick Hafele, Pat Dorsey and Charlie Craven – bring techniques and insights that will benefit every man, woman, boy or girl who casts a fly for trout, steelhead, salmon, bass or panfish. Andy Mill is one of the most accomplished saltwater fly anglers in the world and we know he has lots to offer to anglers who pursue tarpon, bonefish and permit.”

The 2015 Expo will have something for every fly angler, Sprys said. The show will feature dozens of free seminars about fly fishing techniques, fly tying and fly fishing destinations and bring together more than 100 exhibitors, including dozens of fly tiers, rod builders, artists, guides and outfitters and conservation organizations.

Hosted by the Michigan Fly Fishing Club, the 2015 Expo is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15. The Expo venue is located at 14500 E. 12 Mile Rd. in Warren. Admission is $10 per person; ages 16 and under are free. Two-day tickets are $15. Parking is free.

Bob Jacklin, West Yellowstone, MT: A fly fishing guide, outfitter and fly shop owner in the Yellowstone region for more than 40 years, Jacklin is acknowledged to be one of the sport’s best ambassadors. A world-class fly fisherman, fly tier, and fly casting instructor, he was inducted into the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame in 2004. Bob holds a master’s certification as a fly casting instructor, and sits on the International Fly Fishing Federation (IFFF) Board of Governors for fly casting instruction. He has been tying flies commercially since 1963 and is a past recipient of the IFFF’s Buz Buszek award for his contributions to the art of fly tying.

“There are few people in the country with as much in-depth knowledge of fly fishing, fly casting, and fly tying as Bob Jacklin,” Sprys said. “It’s impossible to walk away from an encounter with Bob without some new insight.”

Rick Hafele, Gresham, OR: Hafele began fly fishing nearly 50 years ago, 40 of which have been focused on fishing for trout in streams and lakes throughout the West. His fishing life however began in north central Illinois, far from trout or trout streams, but close to farm ponds full of bass and bluegill.

His fly fishing education continued at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, and Oregon State in Corvallis, OR. He completed a master’s degree in aquatic entomology with a minor in fisheries biology. “If learning about aquatic insects while fishing the streams of Oregon wasn’t lucky enough, after finishing my degree I actually got a job in Oregon as an aquatic biologist focusing on water quality issues, first with a private consulting firm and then with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality,” Hafele said. “For over 30 years I’ve been able to watch and study fish and the insects they eat, both professionally and with a fly rod in my hand, throughout Oregon and many other states and provinces.”

He has authored a number of books, including “The Complete Book of Western Hatches” (with Dave Hughes), “Western Mayfly Hatches” (with Hughes), “An Angler’s Guide to Aquatic Insects and Their Imitations” (with Scott Roederer) and “Nymph-Fishing Rivers and Streams.”

Andy Mill, Aspen, CO & Boca Raton, FL: A lifelong and avid fly fisherman, Mill mastered the art of tarpon fishing and went on to become only the second angler to win five Gold Cup Tarpon tournaments and be a triple crown winner in tarpon fishing (Gold Cup, Hawley, and Golden Fly). He has won 11 tarpon tournaments, the most ever for one fly fisherman. He wrote the book “A Passion for Tarpon” where he shares his experiences on catching this challenging fish.

Mill became world-famous as an Olympic downhill skier known for his speed and daring. He competed in two Olympics, finishing sixth at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics (the highest finish for a male U.S. skier in 24 years) and two World Championships. He was inducted into the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in 1994.

Following his skiing career, Mill created and produced the Sportsmen’s Journal television series for the Outdoor Life Network. A lifelong angler who grew up in the Colorado Rockies, Mill has spent the last two decades in furious pursuit of tarpon on the fly. He has applied his stamina and grace as an athlete, his intense ability to focus, and his exceptional instincts as a hunter to reach the pinnacle of this exciting sport. Not only has he won a record 11 tarpon tournaments, he is the only fly fisherman to ever win tournaments for tarpon, bonefish and permit. He divides his year between Aspen, Colorado and Boca Raton, Florida.

“The common thing about skiing and fly fishing,” he said, “is breaking the sport down and being able to put a number of pieces to the puzzle together. The more pieces that you have in your repertoire, the better you are going to be.”

Pat Dorsey, Evergreen, CO: Dorsey has been guiding for more than 20 years, spending roughly 200 days a year on the water. A partner in the Blue Quill Angler fly shop, he oversees and trains more than two dozen guides and helps to set the standard for integrity and professionalism in the Blue Quill Angler guide operation.

“Fly fishing is a problem-solving exercise, “ Dorsey said. “The more you know about the fish, their environment and the specific techniques required to catch them, the better angler you will become. There is no ‘luck’ involved in fly-fishing. It’s a set of learned skills and your ability to execute them that make you a great angler.”

Charlie Craven, Arvada, CO: Craven has been a commercial fly tier for more than 30 years, tying flies for almost every species of game fish — freshwater and saltwater — though he specializes in trout flies for the Rockies. He is a signature tier for Umpqua Feather Merchants, which produces 15 of his patterns. Craven is co-owner of Charlie’s Fly Box in Olde Town Arvada, CO, which was the winner of the 2009 Fly Fishing Retailer of the Year Award.

“Growing up in Colorado,” Craven said, “I have had the chance to work and fish with some of the most innovative tiers and anglers in the world. While I owe a lot of my success to them, I have also learned that I am always my own worst critic and find that I’m forever looking for a better way of doing things. I have learned that you can’t be satisfied with a fly that looks good in the box; it has to fish well, too. So many ‘new’ patterns these days are beautiful to look at but haven’t been water tested. A truly great pattern has to catch fish, be reasonably durable, and solve a problem.”

Oscar Feliu, The Villages, FL: A native of Chile, Feliu came to the United States in 1969. As a student in Michigan, he conducted aquatic studies in several of the state’s rivers. His innovative fly patterns became well known throughout the Great Lakes region and were the subject of several newspaper and magazine articles. These publications include The Lansing State Journal, the IFFF’s Flyfisher Magazine, Trout Canada, Fly Fishing Magazine, Scientific Anglers Quarterly, American Angler, Field & Stream, Fly-Fish America and Michigan Out Of
Doors.

Midwest Fly Fishing Expo website: http://midwestflyfishingexpo.com

Midwest Fly Fishing Expo  on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Fly-Fishing-Expo/1425109104397853

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MFFCEXPO

This weekend is the Indiana Fly Fishing Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana. It will be at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the Ag-Hort Building. FrankenFly will be there, so I really hope to see some of my FrankenFly readers there.
You can read all of the details and see a list of the speakers at the Indiana Fly Fishing Expo website. I just want to throw one big name out there you might be interested in, Bob Clouser will be there.

Hope to see you this weekend! It should be a ton of fun!

-Paul