Fly Fishing Show for 2008

[AKSkim]

Another year another show you would think after all these years you might be getting tired of it, but I haven’t.

The game plan this year leading up to it remained the same as previous years, review tying materials needed, down load the program and review the guess speakers, date, times they will be presenting, prioritize as to interest and time slot for that day.

The first thing I noticed was the program change this year, very much user friendly. It replaced the nine pages that I down loaded, so out came the highlighter and I was set for the next two days with my primary and secondary choices identified.

Every year the show has its own unique feel and this year it was no different. Some of the larger regular NJ fly shops are gone, The Fly Hatch and Down and Trout both had big booths. Dave was there selling travel packages for your fly tying materials and stopped by for a long chat. Also like his Orvis shop, the people in there were very knowledgeable and friendly.

The large casting pool in the back was moved and was much narrower which I liked. If you wanted to try a rod there was another area in the far corner to cast off the carpet. Saturday afternoon there was a very noticeable line waiting their turn to test drive the rod of their choice. For some reason the narrower casting demo pool this seemed better, or it was because when I did make it there, there wasn’t the thick crowds. I guess it was just timing on my part. The sound system could have been a bit better.

Two dozen lodges and just as many outfitters with booths scattered throughout the hall. Hate to say it but without them the show might not still be in existence.

The fly tyers were pushed further down the hall along the wall and two rows in the corner and they did away with the row of tyers who use to be across from Tight Lines booth.

The first presentation I attended on Friday and again of Saturday was Ken Tutalo’s A System Approach to Flyfishing the Upper Delaware. It was obvious from the start a few things, he was very knowable about his trade and very organized in his presentation. The hours and hours he must have put into his program to me were very evident. He broke up the fishing by seasons. A novel approach and for me it was easy to see the change in locations, fly patterns, and approach needed to be successful up there no matter what the season.

Mike Hogue’s What’s new in Fly Tying is a staple for me. I am always amazed by the lack of interest in his topic. This year there were only a half dozen of us in the room for the presentation, a “hands on presentation.” He always comes in with some new and interesting materials for us and this year it was no different. You can’t come away and not feel that you have gained a good deal of knowledge not only about the materials and tools he spoke about, but asking questions on any type of material.

I sat in on Fly Fishing Central PA – The Streams, The Fish, The Fly patterns presentation and maybe next year he will have an outline he could follow. But all in all I have an interest in fishing PA and well there is always some thing new to learn.

The only true disappointment this year was the Landlocked Salmon Fishing in Maine presentation. The man never showed up, well I gave it five minutes before I got up and left.

Nice turn out for our own Matt Grobert and New Jersey Trout Stream Tactics. The book seller was out of his books by Saturday afternoon! I should have picked up my copy on Friday. I didn’t have a chance to speak with him but you could sense the exhilaration of having your first book on sale at the largest fly show in the country and before the second day all your books were sold. Congratulations to Matt and everyone who purchased a copy. Hope this trend keeps up.

Ed Engle is always very informative and the ease in which he presents his program is always a treat.

Another gem was Tom Brtalik’s Prospecting for Trout: A Guide’s Perspective. He was chalk full of good and useful information that was easy for the novice and the well worn veteran to take in. He guides on spring creeks and anyone who fishes that type of water knows just how difficult and technically challenging it can be. I have to admit I was very impressed and I will this spring hire him as a guide and really tax his knowledge base. I have the feeling I will learn more from him in one day than another five years of fishing spring creeks.

In my previous life I had the opportunity to send many of my people off to schools to advance their careers and each and every time I did so upon their return I would always take the time and ask them how they liked the course and what did they gain from it? The responses ran the gambit, but there was always one answer that would just drive me completely up the wall was, “I didn’t learn a thing… or it was too basic.” I personally don’t care if you have years and years of experience and had to sit through a week or two of basic material, I don’t care who you are there is ALWAYS SOME THING to be learned! Just have to be open to hear it.

As always, I gained a bit more insight into the sport we care about, now I can’t wait till next years Fly Fishing Show.

AK Skim