What a fantastic Fly Fishing Show in Edison! I was there for two whirlwind days, stretching the space-time continuum and pushing the fun barrier to its limits. Many, many thanks to everyone who came to a seminar, took a class, watched me tie, or simply stopped to say hello. My apologies if I had to rush off mid-conversation — my schedule was literally back-to-back on both days. If I didn’t get to answer a question or talk fly fishing, you know where to find me.
One of the things I look forward to most is reconnecting with old and new friends. So the first thing I did Friday morning was head straight for the Blue Quill Angler booth to hang out with Chris Steinbeck and Pat Dorsey. I’ve only known Pat for a year, and Chris for even less, but I can tell you these are two people who make the fly fishing world a better place. Chris was my guide in Colorado in August and he taught me a lot. Highly recommended if you’re ever fishing the South Platte.Walking Tyers’ Row is always a good use of your time. I can’t tell you the number of patterns or techniques that I see every show that I want to try. Like Celebrities, all the tyers are very approachable and ready to discuss tying and fishing. This is Chester Rosocha, my tying tablemate from the International Fly Tying Symposium back in November.Not a bad lineup! What an honor to be on the same list as these luminaries. Friday was the “easier” of my two days — a seminar, then a Destination Theater talk, then a class. I had a good crowd for the seminar, Finding Small Stream Nirvana, and we had a long follow-up discussion. The DT talk, Wet Flies 101, was also well-attended. I’ve hopefully created some more dangerous wet fly machines. Saturday I was literally running from one place to the next. I got so caught up in the Modern Wet Fly Strategies Q&A session that I forgot I had to be in the DT in five minutes. I was thrilled to have such a large crowd watch me as Featured Fly Tier, and even more thrilled that every hackle I selected for my wet flies and spiders behaved. A shout out and thanks you to everyone who saw me speak, and to those who took my classes. I hope you hit the water this year ready to try some new ideas and new flies.It’s hard to make out that guy on the left, but yes, it’s me, doing what I love most — helping people become better anglers.This is from Modern Wet Fly Strategies. See you at the CFFA Show this Saturday!
Glad you got to spend enjoyable time with Pat and Chris. Diane and I will see them this weekend at the Atlanta show. We fished with them for a week last summer. Two days with Pat on Brad and Kathy Coors private stretch of the Tarryall. Then with Chris on the South Platte where I was fortunate enough to land a 23″ ‘bow. Quite a battle but thankfully he released me unharmed. We’re going back this spring, hopefully at a good time for some soft hackle fishing. We fished the Farmington with Pat Torrey back in 2001 and a couple more times with Pat since. I’m a soft hackle addict and big fan of Nemes, Leisenring and Hidy. I never miss a Current Seams edition and regularly fish your patterns – thank you very much. Keep up the great work.
Hi Ron, thanks for reading and commenting. I’m envious of your upcoming trip, and I’m delighted that you’re a fellow soft hackle aficionado. I don’t know if you knew, but sadly Pat Torrey passed away in the fall of 2022. I will continue to fish his tiny BWO soft hackle with fond remembrance.
Hi Steve. Although very sad, thank you for letting us know about Pat’s passing. As far as I know, at least he and his wife got to make that trip to Paris right after we fished together. Next time we’re up that way, maybe we can fish with you, or just have a beer.
currentseams.com 
Hey Steve
Glad you got to spend enjoyable time with Pat and Chris. Diane and I will see them this weekend at the Atlanta show. We fished with them for a week last summer. Two days with Pat on Brad and Kathy Coors private stretch of the Tarryall. Then with Chris on the South Platte where I was fortunate enough to land a 23″ ‘bow. Quite a battle but thankfully he released me unharmed. We’re going back this spring, hopefully at a good time for some soft hackle fishing. We fished the Farmington with Pat Torrey back in 2001 and a couple more times with Pat since. I’m a soft hackle addict and big fan of Nemes, Leisenring and Hidy. I never miss a Current Seams edition and regularly fish your patterns – thank you very much. Keep up the great work.
Ron Sharpe
Hi Ron, thanks for reading and commenting. I’m envious of your upcoming trip, and I’m delighted that you’re a fellow soft hackle aficionado. I don’t know if you knew, but sadly Pat Torrey passed away in the fall of 2022. I will continue to fish his tiny BWO soft hackle with fond remembrance.
Hi Steve. Although very sad, thank you for letting us know about Pat’s passing. As far as I know, at least he and his wife got to make that trip to Paris right after we fished together. Next time we’re up that way, maybe we can fish with you, or just have a beer.
Take care….Ron
Take
You know where to find me.
I wasn’t able to attend this year but I do know that it is people like you who infuse new life into fly fishing. Keep up your involvement.
Aww, Ray… that is so nice of you to say. Truly appreciated.