Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The International Fly Tying Symposium

The British Invasion they are calling it for the upcoming International Fly Tying Symposium Somerset, New Jersey on November 22 and 23rd. Over 100 tyers from both North America and Europe will be here to show off their mad tying skills. In addition to the tyers there will be over 50 vendors peddling their products of flytying material, hooks, vises, books and videos. Check out the website for more information. http://www.internationalflytyingsymposium.com/

I would like to attend this event some time to see some of the patterns that are coming from our friends across the pond and see their style of tying up close.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Fly Tying Zone



This post of the Fly Tying Zone is based on Grip Hooks! Grip Hooks are manufactured by ScientificFly from South Africa. Excellent designs, beautiful black, black nickel, and bronze finishes,. The hook ranges include standard trout fly hooks; barbless trout fly hooks; bass hooks; saltwater hooks; and carp hooks. Grips' characteristic long points make for sharper points and retain fish better, particularly while fishing barbless.

Check out their website for the list of hook models being offered. http://scientificfly.com/
For more information contact. or a list of USA dealers, contact:


Kevin D Compton
216-862-9382 EST
griphooksusa@gmail.com

Kevin turned me onto this hooks last fall and I have nothing bad to say about the hooks. I have been using them along with Dohiku, Knapek, Hanak and Skalka hooks recently.

I have been tying more and more of my flies on these hooks and moving away from the barbed hooks. Just a preference and easy release of the fish. I don't need to use my hemostats at all when fishing barbless, because the hook slides very easy out of the fish or my self, when hooked. LOL. Below is a Picture and model # of Grips Barbless hook models.


Dry Fly 11011bl


Grip Caddis Pupa & Emerger 14723BL



Grip Dry Fly 11013bl



Grip Dry Fly & Nymph 11801bl

Grip Dry Fly 11911bl


If you get a chance give these a hooks a try!

Happy Tying!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Fly Fishing Retailer

Fly Fishing Retailer 2008 Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Colorado September 14-16. What is the Fly Fishing Retailer? FlyFishing Retailer World Trade Expo is where brands are launched, innovations are unveiled and connections are made. Designed for the specialty FlyFishing industry, where your manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, shop owners, internet shops, buyers, guides, outfitters, distributors, importers, exporters, press and industry influencers come to see all the new products being pushed by the manufacturers. This show is not open to the general public and you need to be connected to the flyfishing industry in one way or another to be able to attend.

Here is the list of some of the companies that will be exhibiting at the show.
Abel, AFFTA, American Fly Outfitters, Angler Sport Group, Angler's Book Supply, Bauer Fly Reel, Brodin Landing Nets, BW Sports, Canadian Fly Fisher, Chota Outdoor Gear, Clear Creek Products, Cliff Outdoors, Costa del Mar Sunglasses, Croakies, Dan Baileys Fly Shop, Dr. Slick, ExOfficio, Federation of Fly Fishers, Fetha Styx Custom Rods, Fishpond, Flambeau, G. Loomis, Galvan Fly Reels, Giorgio Benecchi's Products, Hardy, Hareline dubbin, Islander Reels, Keough hackles, Lagartun, Larva Lace, Loon Outdoors, Loop Tackle, Montana Fly Co, Nautilus Reels, NRS, Orvis, Patagonia, Petitjean Fishing, Rainy's, Redington, Rio, Ross Reels, Sage, Scientific Anglers, Scott, Simms, Spirit River, Streamworks, Targus, Temple Fork, Umpqua Feather Merchants, Vosseler, Wapsi Fly, Whiting Farms, William Joseph, and Yellowdog Flyfishing Adventures, just to name a few.

Note: Missing from this years exhibitors, is Cloudveil, which I find kind of funny since they are running a huge ad in the Fly Fishing Retailer Preshow guide. Both the show guide and website doesn't show Cloudveil as an exhibitor. They were at the recent Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. Which gets me to wonder why they are not showing or listed yet as an exhibitor at the upcoming Fly Fishing Retailer show. They are kinda of new to fly fishing community by a few years, so why would they not show at the Fly Fishing Retailer and run a huge one page ad as inspired angling apparel. They have great stuff. I have yet to try their waders and boots, or some of their accessories, but I am a huge fan of their shirts, pants, and regular clothing. Hmmm?