I got some exciting news on Wednesday: I’ve been named as one of the “Featured Tiers” at the International Fly Tying Symposium on November 21-22 in Lancaster, PA. What an honor! I’m tremendously excited about this. The Featured Tier gig will be on Sunday, and it’s a nice followup to my Seminar on Saturday. In my Featured Tier slot, I’ll be demoing “Wet Flies and Soft Hackles for Northeast Streams.” I’ve yet formally decide on the specific flies, but I’ve got a pretty good idea of what will be on the vise. They’ll all be fish-catchers and proven patterns. Stay tuned for more details.
What a lineup! I’m both honored an humbled to be included with these people. When I’m not speaking, I’ll be on the show floor at a tying table. Batting leadoff on Sunday. I’ll start the day at my tying table, do the demo, then return to my table. This is going to be good!
I’m in a bit of a reflective mood this morning. Without an audience, a speaker is just talking to himself. Of course, I do this frequently throughout the day, or when I’m fishing, and naturally, when I’m rehearsing, which I’m proud to say I still do before every speaking engagement. So I don’t take these thank-you messages lightly. Last week was a busy one, three gigs in three nights. On Tuesday, I presented Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River, my all-new, upgraded talk based on the book, to Thames Valley TU. While I was unable to take advantage of their generous offer for a pre-game dinner, I made up for it with a stop at Five Guys on the way home. TVTU is a dedicated group, and it was a treat to see so many old friends.
Thursday, I ventured down to Philadelphia where I visited the Main Line Fly-Tyers. I’d spoken to them once before, via Zoom during Covid, so this was my first in-person talk. I was thrilled to have over 50 attendees! This time, I was able to take advantage of their pre-talk hospitality at Phil’s Tavern. Excellent cheeseburger (the patty melt if you must know). Really, really enjoyable. Thank you so much to both groups for being so welcoming, for your interest in the book, and for asking so many good questions.
Coming soon to a fly fishing club near you. My next gig is October 15 with the Croton Watershed TU.
Speaking of questions, in between it all was the Ask About Fly Fishing podcast. It’s recorded live, but you can listen to it any time you like with this link. I’m so grateful to Roger, the host, for giving me the opportunity to talk about the river and promote the book.
I’m going to try like hell to get some more fishing-specific posts up this week. (I know you’re rooting for me.) But to do that, I gotta attend to a lot of other things on my list. Which is what I’m going to do right now.
I now, I know, I’ve got a little broken-record syndrome with these posts, but I don’t want you to miss out. (It seems like every week, I get an email that says something like, “I wish I knew you were going to be there…”) So let’s get to it.
Tuesday night. 9/15, I’m at Thames Valley TU. Doors open at 6pm. I go on around 7:15pm. All are welcome. The subject will be the Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River, and I will have books for purchase and signing. Of course, you want to know where it is: the North Franklin Fire Dept., 5 Tyler Drive, North Franklin CT. This is an all-new Farmington River presentation, so unless you were at the SEMass TU meeting last week, you haven’t seen it!
Wednesday night is the much anticipated Ask About Fly Fishing Podcast. It goes live at 9pm ET. Here’s their promo description: “On our upcoming broadcast “Fly Fishing the Farmington River: Trout, Hatches & Tactics” with Steve Culton we will give away a one-year membership to Fly Fishers International, a one-year membership to Trout Unlimited, and a copy of his latest book Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River (you have to be listening to the live show to win this). To qualify for the drawings, you need to register. Use this link to visit our registration page, complete the form, then send us your information, and you’ll be included in the drawing.” I hope you get a chance to listen in, and please ask lots of questions!
Last but not least, I’m road tripping to Philadelphia to speak to the Main Line Fly Tyers on Thursday night, 9/17. It will be held at the Greater Plymouth Community Center in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Doors open at 6:30pm. As with the TVTU gig, the subject will be the Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River, and I will have books for purchase and signing.
And maybe…just maybe…I’ll get out to do some fishing at some point. Stripers beckon. Wild brook trout beckon. The Farmington River beckons…
Happy day-after-Labor Day. I actually fished this weekend, on the Cape no less, and was rewarded with two hours of blissful solitude under the stars, an outstanding cigar (Olmec Grande Maduro), and…not a touch. Can you believe that it’s September 8th and I still haven’t caught a striper this year? Only 7 outings, but hey, come on now. Not to worry. It’s going to happen soon.
Also happening soon is my speaking engagement with SE Mass TU — tonight, in fact — in Middleborough, MA. It’s the first of many gigs this fall that center around the book, Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River. The meeting starts at 7pm at the Mitchell Memorial Club, and walk-ins are welcome. I’ll have books for sale and signing. Next week, Sept. 15, 7pm, I’m at Thames Valley TU in CT. Thursday, Sept. 17, I visit the Main Line Fly Tyers in Philadelphia. Ditto ditto books for sale and signing.
If you can’t make any of those dates, you can catch me from the comfort of your home on Wednesday, Sept 16. I’m honored to be the guest of the Ask About Fly Fishing Podcast, which will be broadcast live at 9pm ET. If you can’t make it, you can still listen to it at a later date. You can ask questions, and I’ll answer them live on the air — or is it ether? They also do a free drawing — I’m not sure what the prize is — which you need to register for. It’s going to be fun, and I’m really looking forward to it. See you around!
Happy Monday! Despite the weather — Saturday was one of the ten best weather days of the summer — we had a strong turnout at the book signing event at The Compleat Angler in Darien. We had one customer buy three books, and three more buy two books. I love it! As I did with UpCountry Sportfishing, I signed dozens of copies for them to have on hand, so it’s not too late for you to get a signed copy at either location. If you’re looking to order a signed, dedicated-to-you book directly from me, you can still do that, too.
Or, you can see me at one of the many stops I’ll be making this fall and winter at shows and club meetings throughout the northeast. I’ll be bringing a box o’ books, and you can get a signed copy from me at any of the clubs. (You should plan on buying at the bookstore at the Symposium and Fly Fishing Shows.) There will be more dates added as they come in!
I’m truly grateful for all the positive feedback I’m getting from you about the book. What a thrill to know that you’re liking what you’re reading.
A reminder that the DEEP will be drawing down the Farmington River in early September for their annual fish census and broodstock collection for the Survivor Strain program. I don’t have the date yet, but I suspect it will come after Labor Day.
I hate to see summer go, but I’m looking forward to some serious fall fishing. Brook trout, stripers, Farmington River trout, steelhead…man, I’m just about salivating.
Many thanks to UpCountry Sportfishing for hosting the book signing event on Saturday — and many thanks to everyone who showed up to buy a copy of my book, Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River, or have me sign their already-purchased copy. I was truly delighted by your enthusiasm for the book, and that the writing resonated with so many of you. It’s a little surreal and a bit humbling seeing people waiting in a line to have you sign their copy of your book, but of course it’s all good. Again, my most sincere thank yous!
If you missed the UpCountry signing, or if you live downstate or in the NYC/Westchester area, I’ll be at The Compleat Angler this Saturday, August 29, from 11am-2pm. Same deal: you can buy a book there, or you can bring in your already-purchased copy. Hope to see you there, and stay tuned for more signing events.
But wait, there’s more. I’ll also be making the rounds this fall and winter to fly fishing clubs throughout the northeast to talk about the book and the river. Plus, the IFTS in November and The Fly Fishing Show, and the CFFA Expo. If you’re in charge of booking speakers for your club, I’m a professional speaker and I’d love to present to your group. Contact me and we’ll set up a date.
My apologies for not having a more fun or substantive post for today, but I am being relentlessly harassed by the Time-Space Continuum. I’m sure you understand. So for today, a reminder that I will be doing a book signing on Saturday, August 22 at UpCountry Sportfishing in New Hartford from 11am-2pm. You’ll be able to bring a book you’ve already bought for signing, or UpCountry will have books available for purchase. Also, one week later, Saturday, August 29, I’ll be at The Compleat Angler in Darien, CT from 11am-2pm. Hope to see you there, and I hope you’re enjoying the river, the summer, and the book.
Hot on the heels of the release of my new book, the Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River, I will be doing two book signings at Connecticut fly shops. On Saturday, August 22, I’ll be at UpCountry Sportfishing in New Hartford from 11am-2pm. You’ll be able to bring a book you’ve already bought for signing, or UpCountry will have books available for purchase. One week later, Saturday, August 29, I’ll be at The Compleat Angler in Darien, CT from 11am-2pm. Ditto bringing your book or buying one there. Support your local fly shop (and of course your local author). Hope to see you there!
There have been discussions with other area fly shops for book signing events — no firm dates yet — but naturally you can read all about them here as they are posted. I’ll also be making the rounds at many northeastern TU and other fly fishing clubs. If you’re looking for a speaker, here I am!
The book is getting rave reviews, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m so grateful for your support. Get your copy signed by yours truly this month at UpCountry Sportfishing and The Compleat Angler.
IFTS has a new town and a new venue — the Lancaster, PA Convention Center! Previously held in Somerset, NJ, the Hilton location that hosted the event is closing, hence the new digs. From the IFTS website: “Join us in November for our 35th Anniversary International Fly Tying Symposium. This year’s Symposium will be held at the Lancaster County Convention Center, Lancaster, PA. The weekend will be full of seminars, classes and fly tiers with many overseas artists demonstrating and lecturing.” So mark Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 on your calendars.
Fly tying is serious business, especially if you want to learn from some of the world’s best tyers. On the other hand, fly tying is a hoot, as Barry Ord Clarke, Tim Cammisa, and the guy in the middle demonstrate.
I realize this new location will put the show out of practical reach for many of you in New England; you’ll have to make the call on whether or not to drive the new distance. I can tell you that this is one of my favorite shows, and the location is excellent. I’ll have a tying table and will be doing a seminar on wet flies, day/time TBD. I hope to see you there!
The Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River is getting closer. I had my first conversation yesterday with my book publicist. (I’m going to let the fact that I have a book publicist go to my head for about 15 seconds — it feels good — and now I can get over it and move along.) We have a lot to talk about.
As was foretold by fearless forecaster Chuck G., the official release date is Tuesday, August 4. That’s about 4 months of wait time. If we keep busy fishing this spring and summer, it’ll be here before we know it.
There will be multiple ways for you to get a copy. The first is to pre-order from your favorite bookseller. (The publisher encourages pre-orders.) You can also inquire at your favorite fly shop to make sure they’re aware of the book release. I will be reaching out to several popular fly shops in the state to set up book signing/promo events. (Naturally, I’ll tell you about those here and on social media as they come to fruition.) If you attend the Fly Fishing Shows in Marlborough, Edison, and Lancaster, the book store at those shows will certainly be selling copies. If you’re taking a lesson from me, or having me speak at your club, I’ll try to always have a few copies with me.
Then, there’s this way, which is beginning to roughly take shape: get a copy directly from me, which I will personalize and sign and ship to you. The cost is TBD; the cover price is $39.95, plus I’ll have to add on shipping/materials cost. While I’m researching that, if you’re interested in going this route, please do this: Send me an email or reply to this thread saying that you’re planning on getting a personalized copy from me. I need to gauge the interest before I commit to this. Also, please note, if this happens, it will be a one-time situation deal. I have no desire to be an online merchant. Payment will likely be by cash, check, or P2P payment app like Venmo or PayPal. There may be a chance that I can get these copies out before the official release date, but don’t quote me on that. Sorry, no international orders — way too hard.
It’s all tremendously exciting. And I thank everyone for your patience and interest and readership.
