Hi Guys!
Glad to see some of the folks on here are planning to attend Fly Fest 2010.
My good buddy Ronbo, has already stated that kids are welcome, and that we usually have a couple in attendance and tying!
Simply stated Fly Fest is what you want to make it out to be.
My concept for this event has been from the beginning to keep it along the lines of "just some guys getting together to tie some flies." nothing commercial, nothing intimidating. Just fun.
As stated before the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum folks are going to be running their first Ice Fishing Derby on their pond the same day as Fly Fest. So there will be lots to do!
Here's my official announcement of the whole she-bang! :
"Fly Fest 2010"
Saturday Feb. 13th, 2010
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Place: Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum, Old Route 17, Livingston Manor, N.Y.
Cost: $ 5.00
Fly Fest 2010 is an informal fly tying get-together. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced fly tier, Fly Fest 2009 is the place to be.
What can be better that sitting around with a group of people who have the same interest in fly fishing as you do on a mid winter's day?
Here is a brief overview of the day:
Some of us will be starting the day off by meeting at the "Roscoe Diner" for breakfast at 8 a.m.. If you happen to be around and that time then come on in and join us, all are welcome!
At 10 a.m. the CFFC&M will open it's doors and the tying shall begin!
The "Fly Fest" will be held right smack dab in the Museum, where all the exhibits are. If we fill up that room, the Museum folks will open up the bldg. next door. At present we are looking to seat 4-6 tiers per table. Tables are 6' long, we will strive to make everybody comfortable.
There are plenty of outlets in the Museum for your tying lights, however if you can also bring an extension cord please do. If you have a couple of extra cords and a power strip or two, then please bring them as we can never have too many cords. A good idea in this area is to be sure your name is on the cord and strip, as this makes it a lot easier to ensure that the right cord goes home with the right person!
We will have coffee and donuts, etc. over in the Museum Office/Gift Shop.
This is important: " NO FOOD or DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN THE MUSEUM!"
Besides getting up from your chair and taking a short walk to grab a cup and a donut, is a good way to stretch your legs and introduce yourself to others.
This event is just as much for making friends as it is for tying flies!
Lunch is up to you, you are free to come and go as you please!
Take a quick tour of the "Bea-Moc" or visit some of the shops in the area if you like, why not?
"Fly Fest 2010" will be for each one of you, whatever you make it to be.
ALSO:
At "Fly Fest 2010" we will be accepting FLY donations for:
"REEL RECOVERY"a national non-profit organization that conducts fly fishing retreats for men recovering from life-threatening cancer .
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http://www.reelrecovery.org<!-- m -->
If you would like to donate some of your flies, they can be the ones you tie at "Fly Fest 2010" or flies that you have already have in your collection, simply drop them in the
"REEL RECOVERY FLY DONATION BOX" at Fly Fest.
I know that it is easy sometimes to get focused on tying flies, I suggest that you do take some time to "visit" other tables and take a peek at what some of the other folks are doing.
There is a lot that we can learn from each other, to paraphrase or quote (if I remember this correctly) the late Poul Jorgensen,
" Fly tying is a school that nobody ever graduates from!"
All money collected/raised at "Fly Fest 2010" will be donated to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum.
To help us get an idea of how many people to set up for please sign-up by simply posting your user-name right after this post.
Please feel free to ask all the questions about "Fly Fest 2010" you like.
Also we are giving away 3 number 1 grade Charlie Collins dry fly necks, in a little contest that I am calling "Best of Fest", all the attendees and visitors to Fly Fest will vote for their favorite fly, from the ones submitted to the contest.
Here's the info:
"Best of Fest" Fan Favorites
Hey Everybody,
Catskill Flies Fly Shop has graciously donated 3 Collins # 1 grade Dry Fly Hackle Capes to "Fly Fest 2010"
So, here is what we're going to do:
We are going to have a "fun" fly tying competition.
"Best of Fest"
Here's the deal:
YOU tie a fly and submit it. Sounds Simple Right?
Well, here's the catch!
YOUR Fly must be tied at Fly Fest 2010 and submitted at "Fly Fest 2010"
The earlier during "Fly Fest 2010" that you submit YOUR fly the better your chances are at winning one of the three # 1 grade Collins Dry Fly Necks.
"Why is that YOU ask?"
Simple! Every person who comes into the Museum where "Fly Fest 2010" is being held will have the opportunity to cast a vote for the Fly they like the best! The 3 winners will be based upon the voting of the "Fans". When we say everybody we mean everybody! That includes all you guys who are tying and "visitors" as well!
So the earlier YOUR fly is on display the better YOUR chances are at it being seen by the most people, therefore the better YOUR chances are at getting the most votes!
All Flies submitted will be tagged with a number, the tier's name will not be attached to the fly, so the voters will not know who tied the fly.
We will have a list of who each fly (that has been number tagged) was tied by.
The 3 flies that receive the most "Fan" votes will be the winners. Each one of the winning tiers will receive one of the Collins Necks.
Pretty Cool!
Huh!
Okay, so here are some guidelines:
#1 YOUR fly must be a "Trout Fly", eg. Dry Fly, Wet Fly, Nymph, Emerger, or a Streamer/Bucktail. (NO Salmon, Realistic, ART or Saltwater Flies).
#2 Please, NO "Campaigning", or eliciting votes for your fly. Just let YOUR fly tell its own story!
#3 Should there be a tie for any of the top 3 spots. We will use a simple method like arm wrestling or something even dumber to "break" the tie.
#4 Most important "Have Fun".
#5 The competition will end at 3:00p.m. The #1 Grade Collins Necks donated by Catskill Flies will be awarded at 3:30 p.m.
If you have any questions, please feel free to post.
Also keep checking in on this topic as I may do some "tweaking" here and there as suggestions come in from YOU guys!
Andy B, sorry you won't be there, you will be missed!
Dennis and Dennis M. hope to see you guys there!
Thanks, JB Martin