Category Archives: 2026 Schedule and Events

Thank you, Compleat Angler, a very busy fall, and other odds & ends

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.

Thank you, UpCountry Sportfishing, and on to Compleat Angler this weekend!

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.

Screenshot

Reminder: Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River book signing this Saturday at UpCountry Sportfishing

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.

We got books and pens and we’re ready to sign.

Book signing events at UpCountry Sportfishing 8/22 & Compleat Angler 8/29

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.

International Fly Tying Symposium moves to Lancaster, PA

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!

Farmington River book news: August 4 it is, pre-orders, and who wants to buy a signed copy directly from me?

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.

Lancaster Redux and no fishing today.

I should be out on the river today with two clients, but I could tell yesterday from the rising gauge heights and the rain yet to come, we’d be cancelling. So here we are today at currentseams.com headquarters. Aside from high water, I’m sure this cold front and wind isn’t doing the bite any favors. We’re looking at almost 1,800cfs in the PTMA. It feels really good not to be second guessing my decision.

Back from Lancaster, and it’s bittersweet now that show season is officially over for me. I still have three talks this spring — one this week at the Cape Cod Flyrodders — but I never realized how much I love doing the Fly Fishing Show until I thought about this being the last blast until IFTS in November. I’d never done the Lancaster Show before this year. Here’s what I can tell you. It has a very chill, comforting vibe. The people are pleasant and inquisitive and enthusiastic. It’s a small show, which adds to its charm. I can’t wait to do it again.

Saturday was typical busy for me at the FFS, with two talks and a class. The wild card this weekend was that my wife was with me. She planned to golf while I was doing my thing. At 10am Saturday, I made my way up from my tying table to the seminar room. That’s when I discovered that my laptop was missing. Rut-roh. It’s in the Jeep! Fortunately, I had the talk on a thumb drive, was able to borrow a laptop (thanks, Emily!) and get it configured with the projector (thanks, Frank!) and start just about on time. I can’t thank the show staff enough for coming to my rescue. I didn’t know what to expect, but I drew a great crowd for my 10:30am Modern Wet Fly Strategies talk. The post-talk Q&A was likewise excellent. Meantime, my wonderful wife came back to the show to drop off my laptop, which I had in time for my noon Farmington River talk. Another strong showing, so, as they say during a rock concert, “Thank you, Lancaster!”
Sunday was far more relaxed; I had only my tying table (a FFS first for me) and another noon Farmington talk. I took the time to put my money where my mouth is when it comes to learning. I had Lou DiGena show me how to tie his wonderful crayfish jig pattern, the CE (Close Enough) Crayfish. I had Fritz Miller demonstrate how he ties in bucktail to form a thin, veiled collar (Fritz also sells some exceptional bucktail). I asked Bart Lombardo about tying small poppers for smallmouth. The Fly Fishing Show remains a tremendous opportunity to watch and talk and ask questions and learn from the best.

And then, it was over. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat about wet flies. Thank you to the girl who was so excited to see a Snipe and Purple that she was jumping up and down (you made my weekend!). Thank you to Fritz Miller and Alan Rupp for being such swell tablemates. Thank you Heather Purvis for the fly. Thank you for the opportunity to talk and teach and share the wonderful sport of fly fishing. See you at the IFTS in November.

Steve Culton Lancaster Fly Fishing Show Schedule and class space still available!

Come one, come all to my debut appearance at the Lancaster, PA, Fly Fishing Show. I’m really looking forward to this, and as usual, I have a fairly tight schedule on Saturday, March 14. It starts with my 10:30am Seminar in the Release Room, Modern Wet Fly Strategies. At noon, I’m in Destination Theater Room E, presenting The Farmington River. And from 2:00pm-4:30pm, it’s Classes With The Experts: Tying & Fishing Wet Flies with Steve Culton. These classes are a tremendous opportunity to learn in a very favorable student:teacher ratio environment. Click HERE for more info or to register.

Sunday gives me a wee bit more breathing room. At 12 noon, I’m Destination Theater Room D, The Farmington River. And at this show, I’m be doing something I’ve never done at any Fly Fishing Show: tying at table on the main show floor. You’ll find me there both days when I’m not talking. Please come say hello!

Here’s a PDF of the above image:

FVTU Chapter awarded the Merit of the Cheeseburger with IPA clusters

What a treat to return to see my friends at the Farmington Valley TU Chapter last night. FVTU understands that a fed presenter is a happy presenter, and I relished my delicious burger, piled high with mushrooms and onions, washed down with a tasty Headway IPA draft. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you! The subject was “Wet Flies 2.0,” which takes a deeper dive into the subject. This group is filled with many dedicated, inquisitive anglers, and I particularly enjoyed the post-talk Q&A session. There was a palpable excitement in the room for the Farmington River book, and I’m planning on returning in the fall for a talk on the book and the river.

Photo courtesy of an unknown FVTU member. The meeting room at the Back Nine Tavern in New Britain is a terrific venue for presenting.

Steve Culton Winter-Spring 2026 appearances update and Lancaster Fly Fishing Show March 14-15 schedule

I hope this Monday finds you happy and healthy and ready to fish! Or, at least think about fishing. I believe we’ve all had enough of this particularly loathsome winter, and the warmer weather this week should continue the melting trend. I haven’t fished since the first week of January, and I could really use some time on the water. The Farmington River beckons….

No fishing doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy. I spent most of last week working on my tying area, cleaning and organizing, and I think I’m in a place where I’m ready to tie with a minimum of frustration (where the heck is my patch of rusty deer belly hair?) You’ll get to see it all in a future post/video etc. I’m also gearing up for the Lancaster, PA, Fly Fishing Show, now less than four weeks away, so for those of you in the area, be there or be square. Talks, classes, tying — I’m going to be doing it all. This will be my first time at this show, so I’m hoping for a strong turnout.

I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my friends at the FVTU Chapter this week. Note also the rescheduling of the Cape Cod presentation. If you’re the person in charge of hiring speakers for your club, I do in-person and Zoom presentations. Send me an email or call me, and we’ll get the ball rolling.

I’ll be posting more details on Lancaster here and on Instagram — @stevecultonflyfishing if you’re not already following — in the coming weeks. Thanks as always for reading, and for your enthusiasm.