Marlborough Fly Fishing Show Notes and Thanks

Another year, another Marlborough Fly Fishing Show, and I had a most excellent time. (I hope you did, too.) Even Sunday’s ice storm was fun, albeit in a what-a-disaster-let’s-make-the-best-of-it kind of way. Special kudos to the brave souls who came to my 10am presentation, Lost Secrets of Legendary Anglers. And thanks so much to everyone who attended the other two, Wet Flies 2.0, and Targeting Big Stripers From The Shore. I truly appreciate your support. Next up: Fly Fishing Show, Edison, NJ, Wet Flies 2.0 Seminar, 3:15pm in the Catch Room. See you then!

A lot of talent there. Yet somehow they let that Culton guy in. Humor aside, I enjoy going to other people’s seminars — I’m not only interested in their presentation techniques, but also in adding new arrows to my fly fishing quiver. Ed, George, and Jason are some of the nicest people you’ll meet. We hung out and had a beer Saturday night. Dang, I shoulda taken a picture of that. 

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Some gorgeous creatures tied by my flatwing brother Joe Cordiero. I spent a few hours on the show floor Friday shaking hands and visiting old friends. I kept it cheap, managing to get away with just 3 spools of Pearsall’s Gossamer Silk.

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Old friend Captain Ray Stachelek. I really like a modified version of his soft-hackled bunny fur small squid fly. 

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Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions makes the world’s best fly tying videos — and he’s also my hero because he gifted me a perfect shot of an October caddis for my Wet Flies 2.0 presentation.

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Hat swag, a token of appreciation from the Cape Cod Flyrodders. Thanks, guys! I had a really good turnout for Targeting Big Stripers From The Shore on Saturday, and I was pleased that so many audience members were able to hang around after the talk for some hallway Q&A.

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Wake up, Sunday AM. A slow day at the show, so I checked out George Daniels’, new friend Matt Supinski’s, Ed Engle’s, and later, Jason Randall’s presentations. Oh. And I managed to do one too. How stoked was I to have an audience in the middle of an ice storm!?!

snowday

I’m getting ready for the Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough this weekend. (You should be, too.)

The new presentations are in the can and the rehearsals are going swell. Hoping for a strong turnout from my readers. Come out and support your favorite (or hopefully at least one of your favorites) fly fishing guy, and don’t forget to say hello!

My schedule for the Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, MA, January 18, 19 & 20, 2019  starts with Wet Flies 2.0. Friday, January 18, 2:30pm in the Catch Room.

On Saturday, January 19, 10am in Room A of the Destination Theater, I’ll be presenting Targeting Big Stripers From The Shore.

We wrap things up Sunday, January 20 10am in Room B of the Destination Theater with Lost Secrets of Legendary Anglers.

All I need now is an audience.

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“Targeting Big Stripers From The Shore” in the can and “Wet Flies 101” at CFFA

Just put the finishing touches on a new presentation, Targeting Big Stripers From The Shore — Fly Fishing Tactics and Techniques. It will debut at the Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough Saturday, January 19, 10am in Room A of the Destination Theater. 

Want to catch bass like this? See you Saturday!

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I’ve also been asked to present at the CFFA Expo, Saturday, February 2 at Maneely’s in South Windsor. The program will be Wet Flies 101, starting at 9:30. I will also be on tier’s row, but I have a coaching commitment in the afternoon, so I’ll only be there until 12:30pm.

Steve Culton 2019 Appearance Schedule

A busy first few weeks, kicking off with the Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, MA, and Edison, NJ. If you’re the person in charge of finding a speaker for your group, now’s the time to book for 2019.

I’ll be presenting all three days at the Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, MA, January 18, 19 & 20, 2019. Three brand new programs, each making their debut.

Wet Flies 2.0. This seminar takes a deeper dive into the ancient and mystical art of wet fly fishing. This will be almost all new material, and a natural extension of the very popular “Wet Flies 101.” Friday, January 18, 2:30pm in the Catch Room.

On Saturday, January 19, 10am in Room A of the Destination Theater, I’ll be presenting Targeting Big Stripers From The Shore. Catching bigger bass on the fly while wading is always challenging, even more so in these tough striper times. Come find out some of my secrets.

Speaking of secrets, we wrap things up Sunday, January 20 10am in Room B of the Destination Theater with Lost Secrets of Legendary Anglers. How do iconic fly anglers consistently manage to catch all those fish? Shhh…it’s a secret.

Moving on to Edison, NJ: one day only, Friday, January 25, Wet Flies 2.0 Seminar, 3:15pm in the Catch Room.

The best little fly fishing show is the CFFA Expo, Saturday, February 2 at Maneely’s in South Windsor. I will once again be on tier’s row; I have a coaching commitment in the afternoon, so I’ll only be there from 9am-12:30pm.

Sal at Legends on the Farmington is planning a cool weekend fly fishing/tying event at his lodge, I believe in February. More details on that and my level of participation as they come in.

As always, please don’t hesitate to seek me out and say hello. I always like to meet fellow currentseamsers — or a large truttasuarus.

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Best of 2018 #1: A Striper on the Fly from the Shore for 12 Consecutive Months

Whew! After nine December outings, over 30 hours of fishing, four different locations, it all came together at the 11th hour (both figuratively and literally). I didn’t think it was going to happen. December was by far the toughest month, with high and cold water, wind and subfreezing temperatures, and a maddeningly inconsistent bite. It only proves that catching a striper on the fly from the shore for twelve consecutive months takes skill, planning, perseverance, and — this cannot be understated — luck. Am I going for 13? Maybe. Stay tuned.

It all began on a whim. It was a warm(er) January night, and the tide lined up with some free time. Forty-five minutes in, there he was. I was crazy enough to try again in February, succeed, and off I went.

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Once you get past March, things get a little easier. They certainly get warmer, as you can see from the gloveless, submerged (not happening in February) July water hand. 

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WHACK! I was dragging the deer hair head streamer across the surface to change it out when the fish hit. What a great story about how I caught my December bass! But wait. What is that? Not a striper. Nope, it’s a five-pound Northern Pike. I can’t remember ever being so depressed about catching a quality fish on the surface in 35 degree water. Good thing I didn’t lip it.

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I planned on paying homage to a friend (who’s had a very tough go with cancer this year) by catching the December fish with one of his flies, but I lost one on the bottom, and I wanted to keep the other. Ultimately, the winning fly was a three-feather flatwing/bucktail hybrid version of the Crazy Menhaden. I called Ken on the way home to tell him about it, and he said, “You should call that fly the ’12 Consecutive Months December Striper On The Fly From The Shore Crazy Menhaden.'” Who am I to argue?

Crazy CU

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Cold but happy Post-December Striper Flashlight Hat Man.

Flashlight hat man