IFTS Featured Tier Sunday, Nov 16 at 10:15am: “Farmington River Favorites”

Nov6

I’m thrilled and honored to again be named as a Featured Tier at the International Fly Tying Symposium. This year’s IFTS is Nov. 15-16, and I’ll be Featured Tier on Sunday at 10:15am. The subject is “Farmington River Favorites,” but the patterns I’ll be tying will work throughout the northeast. The morning slot gives you plenty of time to see me, hit the show floor, grab some swag, and be back in time for the second half of the 1pm NFL games!

**I’m humbled to be a part of this lineup. But you can also see any of the dozens of other master fly tyers on the show floor any time over the weekend.**

“Farmington River Favorites” will detail four patterns — more if time allows — that cover major hatches and fly styles. You’ll get a wet fly, a dry, a nymph, and a streamer. All are high-confidence, proven guide flies, fairly simple to tie, and staples in my box. As I mentioned, there’s an excellent chance these patterns will shine on your home waters. I’m looking forward to seeing you, so please be sure to come say hello.

**You can see me live, and on the big screen! We’ll do Q&A, and if you want to hear about my new book, “Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River,” we can do that, too.**

IFTS Seminar: “Tying and Fishing Wet Flies,” Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1:45pm

Nov4

One of the better values in fly fishing is the admission price you pay at the Fly Fishing Show — and in this case, its sister show, the International Fly Tying Symposium. IFTS is Nov. 15-16 in Somerset, NJ. For just 20 bucks –15 on Sunday — you get the chance to learn how to tie and fish from some of the best fly anglers around. In addition to formal tying demos, you can walk the show floor and see so many masters of the craft spinning up wondrous creations. And then, there are the seminars, which are included in your admission price.

**Not a bad lineup. Think you could learn something from these people? Although, I’d watch out for that Culton guy….**

On Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1:45pm, I’ll be presenting “Tying and Fishing Wet Flies.” This seminar is exactly what its title suggests. I’ll teach you about wet fly types, and the kinds of feathers, furs, and materials you’ll need to tie them (and where you can find them on the show floor). Then, we’ll do the next best thing to going on a stream, as I take you through some basic wet fly presentations, strategies, and tactics. You’ll want to know how to build a wet fly team leader, and I’ve got you covered. And of course, we’ll do Q&A after.

If you’re not fishing wet flies, you’re not catching nearly as many fish as you could be. Even if you currently tie and fish wet flies, I guarantee you’ll learn something new. See you there!

Just over two weeks away: International Fly Tying Symposium, Nov 15 &16

Oct28

If you want to be a rock star, you can’t just hang out with Aerosmith for the weekend. But if you tie flies, and want to get better, here’s your chance to do the equivalent with some of the best tiers in the world. You know a lot of the names: Tim Cammisa; Barry Ord Clarke; Tim Flagler; Cheech Pierce; Jeff Rowley; Son Tao. Those are just six of the dozens of work-class tiers who will be there. There are tying demos, seminars, and tying classes. But in its best, purest form, IFTS lets you walk the show floor and meet and greet and watch and learn and talk with all of these people.

If you want to become a better tier — or just learn a few pro tips — go hang out with my buddies Lou DiGena and Bart Lombardo. They’re two of the nicest, most skilled tyers in the world, and they’ll both be at the IFTS this year.

I’ll be on the show floor tying — please come say hello — and I’m honored to be doing a Seminar and making a Featured Tier appearance. The seminar is Saturday, Nov 15 at 1:45pm — Tying and Fishing Wet Flies. It’s free with your show admission. Sunday Nov 16 at 10:15am, I’m Featured Tier presenting Farmington River Favorites. That’s also part of your admission. I don’t mind telling you that I’ll be giving away some flies to a few random attendees over the weekend, so there’s some more incentive for you to attend.

If you’re not fishing LaFontaine’s Diving Caddis, you’re missing the chance to rack up impressive numbers. I’ll show you how to tie this and other high-confidence patterns at this year’s IFTS!

And did I mention the vendors? Every year I come away from this show with some hard-to-find material (s). Bring a shopping list! Naturally, if you’re there, please come say hello. It’s always gratifying to place faces to names.

Mark your calendars: the International Fly Tying Symposium is Nov. 15 & 16 in Somerset, NJ

Sep23

The International Fly Tying Symposium is the world’s largest show dedicated to fly tying. And what a show it is! Vendors with all kinds of good stuff (bring a shopping list — I always come away with some nifty items); some of the best-known fly tyers in the world (like Tim Cammissa, Tim Flagler, Barry Clarke, Cheech Pierce, and Son Tao, just to name a few) all ready to meet and greet and answer your questions; live tying demos (free with admission, and I’m doing one of them); seminars (ditto free and me); and tying classes led by experts (you must pre-register here).

My wet fly seminar on Saturday the 15th is unique to the Symposium, so there’s your reason to come. I’ll talk about materials, tying, wet fly styles, and when, where , and how to fish them. It’s the next best thing to a private lesson.

**My Sunday 11/16 demo will do two things: show you how to tie four proven, high confidence patterns for this highly technical river, and get you home in time for Sunday afternoon football.**

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: events like this are a tremendous opportunity learn new techniques, improve your skills, and catch more fish. Please stop by my tying table, or come see me talk, and be sure to say hello.

And that’s a show season wrap!

Feb4

Many thanks to the CFFA for hosting the 2025 Expo. I had a blast on Tier’s Row, and I managed to escape only one dollar lighter. (Thanks, Antoine, for the freebie!) Thanks also go to everyone who stopped by the table to see me tie or ask about the book.

I had the last speaking slot at 1:30pm, and even though the show had thinned out by then, I still had a full room. I can’t thank you enough if you were in attendance, and I’m grateful for all the questions you asked.

Speaking of the book, I’m back into it full swing this week. I’m grateful to be doing that as I listen to the wind howl through the trees and watch the snow melt. Here’s to some warmer weather (it’s coming!) and some quality time on the water.

CFFA tomorrow, Edison wrap-up, back to the Book

Jan31

A reminder that tomorrow, Saturday, February 1, is the CFFA Expo at Nomad’s in South Windsor, 9am-3pm. I’ll be on Tier’s Row, and speaking at 1:30pm on Fly Fishing CT’s Small Streams. See you there!

Edison Fly Fishing Show redux: Another fantastic show. Of all the shows I do, this one’s my favorite. Both my talks, Finding Small Stream Nirvana, and Wet Flies 101, were very well attended — if you saw me speak, thanks for coming. Thanks also to everyone who took my classes — you were an enthusiastic, attentive group. And if you snagged me on the show floor while I was running to another gig, my apologies for having to take off so quickly. I bought some Renomed scissors and some wet fly capes I needed. Good stuff.

**You probably know this guy. The Fly Fishing Show remains one of the best opportunities for you to meet and speak with and learn from some of the best, most knowledgeable fly fishers in the world.**

**Wu’s Shanghai Dumpling in Edison. It’s what’s for dinner. Every year, I look forward to getting my spicy pork dumpling and spicy pork Udon fix. Authentic and delicious!**

Speaking of Tom Rosenbauer, you should listen to his Orvis podcast with my buddy Josh Miller. Josh is a fairly new friend, and what I’ve learned so far is that he’s an incredibly pleasant, very fishy guy who knows a ton about fly fishing. Aside from speaking and tying and teaching, my favorite part of the show is making new friends and seeing old ones. I got to know a bunch of my fellow “Celebrities” this year that I really hadn’t spent any time with before, and it made for some already fond memories.

Last but not least, the Christmas/New Year hiatus is over. I have resumed work on the Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River book –it’s not going to write itself — and that means I’ll be getting back to one or two posts a week while I focus on that project. I appreciate your patience.

CFFA Show this Saturday, Feb 1: The Best Little Fly Fishing Show Around

Jan27

I will be appearing again at the CFFA Fly Fishing Expo, this Saturday, 9am-3pm, at Nomads Adventure Quest in South Windsor, CT. This truly is the best little fly fishing show around: vendors, tiers, speakers, and more. I’ll be on Tier’s Row, and at 1:30pm I’ll be presenting a program on Fly Fishing Connecticut’s Small Streams. Hope to see you there, and please come say hello!

Steve Culton Edison Fly Fishing Show Schedule and Farmington River Frozen

Jan23

First things first: the Edison Fly Fishing Show starts tomorrow, Friday, January 24. I’m there two days, Friday and Saturday, doing a class and a seminar each day. The seminars are included in the price of your admission, and we have Finding Small Stream Nirvana in the Catch Room on Friday at 10:15am, and Wet Flies 101 in the Strike Room Saturday at 9:45am. I’m teaching classes both days in the afternoon. There’s still room if you want to sign up for Tying and Fishing Wet Flies on Friday and Beyond Cast & Strip: Presentation Flies for Stripers on Saturday. You must register for those classes here.

Here’s a pdf of my show schedule:

Last but not least, I went to the Farmington River yesterday to shoot photos. Due to the Arctic blast we’re experiencing, Church Pool is completely covered with ice, from the bridge down the length of the pool. If you must go fishing, you best bet is from the dam to Riverton. However, once you get just above Riveton, there is shelf ice, so beware. Also, none of the lots or pullouts are plowed, so I wouldn’t attempt to navigate snow drifts unless I had a very reliable 4WD vehicle. Just go to Edison and have a fly fishing blast (and stay warm while you’re doing it).

Snapshots from Marlborough — on to Edison!

Jan21

A very busy, very fun show last weekend in Marlborough. I bought some stuff, taught some classes, demoed some flies, gave some talks, made some new friends, and reconnected with old ones. Then there was the wine drinking…but let’s get back on topic.

No crappy hotel coffee for this man — especially with Lost Shoe being just a 10-minute drive away. What better way to kick off the show than with a lovely cup of pour-over Peruvian before my first talk? Oh. Lost Shoe also makes beer. So I got some of that, too. It’s waiting patiently in my fridge as I write this.

I had a terrific crowd for my first talk of the show, The Farmington River. With the book coming out — actually still being written, but I like the positive thinking perspective — it’s gratifying to see so much interest in the river, especially from people who have never fished it. I did the same talk on Saturday, and had another strong crowd. Thanks so much for coming!

**Tim Flagler as Featured Fly Tier. Tim of course is an exceptional tier, and his tying videos are among the best around. Did I mention he’s also a nice guy?**

**Local talent Lisa Weiner working on one of her impressive salmon flies. She’s using silk gloves to apply stranded floss. Lisa’s a pro, but you too can try this home.**

Jersey boys Lou DiGena and Bart Lombardo on Tyer’s Row. Both of my friends are very talented tiers with some serious technical skills. You can learn a lot just by going to these shows and watching and listening and asking questions. Even though I’m a presenter, I go see other people when I have free time. It’s how you get better.

**Ed Engle from Colorado is another good friend. He’s written several books, and I have two of them, *Tying Small Flies*, and *Trout Lessons*. Both highly recommended!**

What you don’t see here is my morning Destination Theater appearance and my afternoon class. But busy is good! Hot on the heels of my Farmington River talk, I was featured tier for my Farmington River demo…

**…where currenseams follower Bill Kindl was kind enough to take this photo. It was an honor to be Featured Tier twice at this show.**

And now, we’re off to Edison. I’ll be at the show for two days, Friday and Saturday. I’ll post my schedule before then. See you there. And as always, I truly appreciate your support.