jjsjigs
Banned
For the first time ever the Flyfishing Show which has been hosted in Somerset, NJ came to good ‘ol Pee-Aye. On Saturday March 5, 2011, I was one of that crowd. In a stroke of pure genius I’d managed to put on my best salesman’s cap and convince my wife that attending the Show would be a great mini- vacation idea!
While getting off I-476 I realized that God made a toilet for vehicle traffic, terrible highway patterns, lack of parking area, and extreme congestion. He coined it the “Metro Philadelphia” area. But, even though traffic and parking was horrid… the location works for The Fly Fishing Show because it’s in a high-population area. You have the confluences of many Interstates, Turnpikes, and the giant monument of commerce, The King of Prussia Mall. But at this show the rabid, die-hard, fish-every-chance-you-get-weather-be-damned fly rod lunatics showed up!
In the world of angling “Fly guys” are a smaller percentage than the rest of the Spin and Bait anglers. Still, with the decimal point several places to the left, it seems almost incomprehensible that enough fly fishing professionals, writers, media and merchants exists to fill a convention center. But fill one they did. From March 5 to March 6th, 2011 the most fanatical of the truly obsessed converged on the Valley Forge Convention Center for the Fly Fishing Show. Over 100+ exhibitors covered several acres of floor space, demonstrating the newest, shiniest and hottest products in the industry. Saturday's crowd, the hard core crew, was out if full effect. Scouting for bargains and the elusive 6 dollar a dozen fly assortments before all the good fly patterns were gone. Sadly, I did not find that elusive $6 dollar a dozen assortment kit.
Best Presentation: Joe Humphreys – “Dry Fly –The Top Water Game” He lecture was an interactive presentation never before seen at any Flyfishing Show or anywhere in the fly fishing industry. His cutting edge teaching technologies engage you like never before possible. Where was this stuff when I was in beginnings of my flyfishing? So after his lecture I made it a point to stop at the author’s booth and I got to shake hands with Joe Humphreys. I’ve met Joe a few times over the years and he always has some words of wisdom to share. He is in “semi-retirement” and it was nice to see him at the show I strongly urge anyone who wishes to improve in any aspect of flyfishing to sit and listen to Joe, or read one of his books. Especially, Joe's classic "how-to" book; Trout Tactics.
Flyfishing “Celebrities” where everywhere at this show... from tiers’ to guides, to retailers who have left their mark on the fly angler. One got the chance to rub elbows with such legends in the flyfishing world like; Barry and Cathy Beck, Don Bastian, Charlie Meck, Bob Clouser, Ben Turpin, Eric Stroup, Tom Baltz, and “Ozzie” Ozefovich.
ABOVE: Cathy Beck put on a fantastic fly casting clinic at one of two casting ponds at the show. When her clinic was over one could try out and cast different 2011 models of all the new rods, lines, and reels from some of the bigger rod manufacturers in the country like, Hardy, G. Loomis, Orvis, Temple Fork Outfitters, Bigdaddy Fly Rods, and Ben Turpin Custom Rods.
ABOVE: Best Discount Vendor: Badger Creek Fly Tying - offering the usual $9 mix and match dozens. It does not get any better than that. For all of us who do not tie as fast as we would like, here is a great way to begin the season with a full box without breaking the bank. Added Bonus: $1.50 for a Morrish mouse - a pattern no good warmwater fly box should be without. They had the best prices on full tying capes, dubbing, chenille, hooks, and tools. (They emptied my wallet quicker than any other vendor there!) If you knew what you were looking for one could find some good deals.
Any and all flyfishing gear, trips, conservation organizational efforts could be had at this show from all of the major retailers and “players” within the national flyfishing community. One could book a guide trip to local waters in PA, to exotic locales to fish for Brook Trout in Labrador or salt water fishing in sunny Belize. Highlighted throughout the show were vendors mostly from Pennsylvania/New York such as A&A Outfitters, TCO Fly Shop, The Evening Hatch Fly Shop, Collins Hackle Farm, The Sporting Gentleman. Conservation Efforts through flyfishing were well represented as well with booths from the PFBC, Project Healing Waters, Trout Unlimited, Lehigh Coldwater Alliance, and the Mid Atlantic Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers.
I simply enjoyed all the fly tying that was showcased. All of the tiers’ featured had their “best bobbins forward” so to speak… From cold water to warm water, and even salt water tiers’ were represented.
ABOVE: This is the famed Enrico Puglisi tying some of his Saltwater Patterns. His fly tying materials are some of the best in the business. I, for one, use a lot of his materials I incorporate into my bass flies. I got the chance to watch him tie 3 different patterns. He was a gracious host and was willing to demonstrate a lot of his cutting-edge methods.
ABOVE: Spun deer hair flies. Time consuming to make, but oh-so deadly for fishing for bass in Stillwater. These “hair-bug” flies were perfect in every thread wrap and color change. I was amazed at the ease that this tyer could produce them.
ABOVE: I was most impressed with Michael Frank, of Frank’s Fly Arts. His warmwater flytying for Largemouth and Striped Bass were some of the most realistic patterns I saw at the show. He creates flies that vibrate in the water similar to a Spinnerbait. He has a small fish tank at his table where one could test out his flies. His tying is very progressive and pushes the boundaries between spin and fly. I immediately recognized that him and I were “cut from the same cloth” as warmwater fly tiers’. After a brief conversation with Mr. Frank, he pushed aside show etiquette and allowed me to sit with him and tie for a few minutes. As I demonstrated one of my bass flies, we both agreed that our tying methods were akin to one another and we both knew immediately that as impressionistic tiers’ we were definitely “kindred spirits“.
ABOVE: Best “Wow” Factor of the show: Right within the myriad of vendor booths were two 100 foot casting pools where instructional methodology was being taught.
ABOVE: Runner up “Wow”: Whitewater Fly Companies Signature Tier who produces some of the nicest “Old School” classic trout flies and fully dressed Atlantic Salmon Flies.
Closing Thoughts...
The 2011 Philadelphia Fly Fishing Show was a study in paradox. While the show felt smaller, it also felt like it was far more polished and productive than the Somerset, NJ show. There was a lot to be happy about show. There was a lot of good, pointed discussion. I got to meet a lot of friends that I don’t regularly see. But there was, in the end, little in the way of surprises. What is the future of the sport? How will it grow? When will the growth start and what will be the precipitating event that kicks it off? These are all questions that should be addressed at the next Flyfishing Show.
What I ultimately gained from talking to 98% of the vendors and tiers’ at the show is this: The industry as a whole is going to aggressively make instructional resources available to shops and angler prospects in coming months... the industry is finally realizing that it's more important to convince new people to fly fish in the first place, than to sell the same old folks more and more technical product they may or may not really need. It leads me that flyfishing will become more popular in the upcoming years.
I also had some good eats too!
Maggiano's Italian Ristorante - best Italian food ever! Yum! Lobster Carbonara
Teriyakakki Asian Cuisine - Squid and sushi!! To die for!!!
While getting off I-476 I realized that God made a toilet for vehicle traffic, terrible highway patterns, lack of parking area, and extreme congestion. He coined it the “Metro Philadelphia” area. But, even though traffic and parking was horrid… the location works for The Fly Fishing Show because it’s in a high-population area. You have the confluences of many Interstates, Turnpikes, and the giant monument of commerce, The King of Prussia Mall. But at this show the rabid, die-hard, fish-every-chance-you-get-weather-be-damned fly rod lunatics showed up!
In the world of angling “Fly guys” are a smaller percentage than the rest of the Spin and Bait anglers. Still, with the decimal point several places to the left, it seems almost incomprehensible that enough fly fishing professionals, writers, media and merchants exists to fill a convention center. But fill one they did. From March 5 to March 6th, 2011 the most fanatical of the truly obsessed converged on the Valley Forge Convention Center for the Fly Fishing Show. Over 100+ exhibitors covered several acres of floor space, demonstrating the newest, shiniest and hottest products in the industry. Saturday's crowd, the hard core crew, was out if full effect. Scouting for bargains and the elusive 6 dollar a dozen fly assortments before all the good fly patterns were gone. Sadly, I did not find that elusive $6 dollar a dozen assortment kit.
Best Presentation: Joe Humphreys – “Dry Fly –The Top Water Game” He lecture was an interactive presentation never before seen at any Flyfishing Show or anywhere in the fly fishing industry. His cutting edge teaching technologies engage you like never before possible. Where was this stuff when I was in beginnings of my flyfishing? So after his lecture I made it a point to stop at the author’s booth and I got to shake hands with Joe Humphreys. I’ve met Joe a few times over the years and he always has some words of wisdom to share. He is in “semi-retirement” and it was nice to see him at the show I strongly urge anyone who wishes to improve in any aspect of flyfishing to sit and listen to Joe, or read one of his books. Especially, Joe's classic "how-to" book; Trout Tactics.
Flyfishing “Celebrities” where everywhere at this show... from tiers’ to guides, to retailers who have left their mark on the fly angler. One got the chance to rub elbows with such legends in the flyfishing world like; Barry and Cathy Beck, Don Bastian, Charlie Meck, Bob Clouser, Ben Turpin, Eric Stroup, Tom Baltz, and “Ozzie” Ozefovich.
ABOVE: Cathy Beck put on a fantastic fly casting clinic at one of two casting ponds at the show. When her clinic was over one could try out and cast different 2011 models of all the new rods, lines, and reels from some of the bigger rod manufacturers in the country like, Hardy, G. Loomis, Orvis, Temple Fork Outfitters, Bigdaddy Fly Rods, and Ben Turpin Custom Rods.
ABOVE: Best Discount Vendor: Badger Creek Fly Tying - offering the usual $9 mix and match dozens. It does not get any better than that. For all of us who do not tie as fast as we would like, here is a great way to begin the season with a full box without breaking the bank. Added Bonus: $1.50 for a Morrish mouse - a pattern no good warmwater fly box should be without. They had the best prices on full tying capes, dubbing, chenille, hooks, and tools. (They emptied my wallet quicker than any other vendor there!) If you knew what you were looking for one could find some good deals.
Any and all flyfishing gear, trips, conservation organizational efforts could be had at this show from all of the major retailers and “players” within the national flyfishing community. One could book a guide trip to local waters in PA, to exotic locales to fish for Brook Trout in Labrador or salt water fishing in sunny Belize. Highlighted throughout the show were vendors mostly from Pennsylvania/New York such as A&A Outfitters, TCO Fly Shop, The Evening Hatch Fly Shop, Collins Hackle Farm, The Sporting Gentleman. Conservation Efforts through flyfishing were well represented as well with booths from the PFBC, Project Healing Waters, Trout Unlimited, Lehigh Coldwater Alliance, and the Mid Atlantic Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers.
I simply enjoyed all the fly tying that was showcased. All of the tiers’ featured had their “best bobbins forward” so to speak… From cold water to warm water, and even salt water tiers’ were represented.
ABOVE: This is the famed Enrico Puglisi tying some of his Saltwater Patterns. His fly tying materials are some of the best in the business. I, for one, use a lot of his materials I incorporate into my bass flies. I got the chance to watch him tie 3 different patterns. He was a gracious host and was willing to demonstrate a lot of his cutting-edge methods.
ABOVE: Spun deer hair flies. Time consuming to make, but oh-so deadly for fishing for bass in Stillwater. These “hair-bug” flies were perfect in every thread wrap and color change. I was amazed at the ease that this tyer could produce them.
ABOVE: I was most impressed with Michael Frank, of Frank’s Fly Arts. His warmwater flytying for Largemouth and Striped Bass were some of the most realistic patterns I saw at the show. He creates flies that vibrate in the water similar to a Spinnerbait. He has a small fish tank at his table where one could test out his flies. His tying is very progressive and pushes the boundaries between spin and fly. I immediately recognized that him and I were “cut from the same cloth” as warmwater fly tiers’. After a brief conversation with Mr. Frank, he pushed aside show etiquette and allowed me to sit with him and tie for a few minutes. As I demonstrated one of my bass flies, we both agreed that our tying methods were akin to one another and we both knew immediately that as impressionistic tiers’ we were definitely “kindred spirits“.
ABOVE: Best “Wow” Factor of the show: Right within the myriad of vendor booths were two 100 foot casting pools where instructional methodology was being taught.
ABOVE: Runner up “Wow”: Whitewater Fly Companies Signature Tier who produces some of the nicest “Old School” classic trout flies and fully dressed Atlantic Salmon Flies.
Closing Thoughts...
The 2011 Philadelphia Fly Fishing Show was a study in paradox. While the show felt smaller, it also felt like it was far more polished and productive than the Somerset, NJ show. There was a lot to be happy about show. There was a lot of good, pointed discussion. I got to meet a lot of friends that I don’t regularly see. But there was, in the end, little in the way of surprises. What is the future of the sport? How will it grow? When will the growth start and what will be the precipitating event that kicks it off? These are all questions that should be addressed at the next Flyfishing Show.
What I ultimately gained from talking to 98% of the vendors and tiers’ at the show is this: The industry as a whole is going to aggressively make instructional resources available to shops and angler prospects in coming months... the industry is finally realizing that it's more important to convince new people to fly fish in the first place, than to sell the same old folks more and more technical product they may or may not really need. It leads me that flyfishing will become more popular in the upcoming years.
I also had some good eats too!
Maggiano's Italian Ristorante - best Italian food ever! Yum! Lobster Carbonara
Teriyakakki Asian Cuisine - Squid and sushi!! To die for!!!