My second Symposium is in the books, and like last year, I had a most wonderful time. Saturday was the busiest of the two days, both in terms of my schedule and attendees. After getting set up and saying my pre-show hellos, I tied up a storm before my noon seminar.
What an honor to be included in this slate of presenters. I was thrilled that my seminar was one of the better-attended talks for the weekend. If you were in the audience, thanks so much for coming, and I applaud the group for having so many excellent questions. I had to scoot to my 1pm wet fly tying class, which went very well. It’s always easy to teach people who are curious and enthusiastic.I’ve won the tying table-mate lottery for two years in a row. This is is Paul Gruver from Wake Forest, NC. He was kind and thoughtful and a pleasure to be with. At these event, there’s often a lot of fly swapping, so I’d like to thank Paul for the gifts, which I will fish with pleasure. One of the main points of a tying show is to learn, and I made sure to take the time to see what Paul was tying, and how he was doing it. What a master craftsman!The Saturday night banquet is always a high point of the show. In addition to dinner, you get a swag bag loaded with all kinds of useful tying stuff. Plus, there’s a raffle, and wouldn’t you know it? Mr. Someone-Who-Never-Wins-Anything won a fly box! I sat with luminaries like Tom Rosenbauer and Tim Flagler, but my newest bestest buddy is Lou DiGena, who had the planning skills and foresight to bring a couple of bottles of red wine to share with the table. Atta boy, Lou! Oh…did I mention he also brought a bottle of 10 year-old bourbon? Many thanks for your generosity.Some surprise guests, Bob and Andy! I didn’t recognize them without their waders. Bob and Andy are two Farmington River fishing buddies who, several years ago, graciously shared their water with me, a total stranger, during the Hendrickson hatch. We seem to have an unplanned reunion every year, since we all like this mark, but in April 2023 we missed each other. What an unexpected treat to get to see them.Lou DiGena and Tim Flagler doing their thing in the main hallway Sunday afternoon. I believe their table was the New Jersey Fly Tyers Guild. That a lot of talent representing.Barry Ord Clarke of The Featherbender fame working his magic. Barry has written, co-written and contributed to more than 30 books about fly tying. He has won medals in some of the worlds most prestigious fly tying competitions. So when I went to introduce myself, I was totally stoked to find out that not only did he already know who I am, he’s also a fan. Barry is supremely nice, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him tie. See you next time, mate.
And there you have it. I can’t say this enough: if you’re not going to fly fishing and tying shows, you’re really missing out on the opportunity to meet, watch, and speak with some of the best fly anglers and tyers on the planet. Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop by my table, and I’ll see you at the Fly Fishing Shows in Marlborough and Edison in January 2024.
Hi Bill, I really wasn’t looking with an eye towards vise inventory! But since I use a Regal, I’m inclined to notice them, and yes, there were a lot. But there were lots of others as well, and unfortunately I’m not up to speed on ID-ing other brands. Both Regal and Norvise had booths.
currentseams.com 
Nice
I’ll see you at the Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough
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·.´¯·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸. ><(((º>James Taylor Thetford, Vermont
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Excellent, James. I’m already looking forward to it! 🙂
Always enjoy your writing
Michael, I’m so delighted to hear that. You made my day! Thanks for reading Currentseams.
What was the most common vise used? I will say it was a Regal.
Bill
Hi Bill, I really wasn’t looking with an eye towards vise inventory! But since I use a Regal, I’m inclined to notice them, and yes, there were a lot. But there were lots of others as well, and unfortunately I’m not up to speed on ID-ing other brands. Both Regal and Norvise had booths.