IFTS 2025 redux, Regal Pro Staff, page proofs for the book are in!

Nov18

Much to talk about today. I’m currently recovering from last weekend’s International Fly Tying Symposium. That is, I’ve unpacked everything, gotten back to my regular sleep and eating (and coffee!) schedule, and here I am, clacking away at my keyboard on currentseams.com.

While this is the largest fly tying show in the world, there’s a sense of intimacy about IFTS that resonates with me. (If Goldilocks tied flies, she’d be all over this show.) I behaved myself wallet-wise, coming away only with a pack of size 14 Ahrex North Country Spider hooks (LE810). My Saturday seminar on Tying and Fishing Wet Flies was very well-attended, and I want to thank everyone for showing up and for asking so many thoughtful questions. I couldn’t have asked for a better tying bench mate than Peter Simonson, who specializes in classic Carrie Stevens-style streamers. I spent the rest of the day tying wet flies and soft hackles and socializing and answering questions about the Farmington River book.

**The view from my bench Saturday morning. What a treat to reconnect with so many old and newer friends, and to put faces to names of currentseams subscribers.**

After a delicious banquet Saturday evening — complete with a wonderful fly tying swag bag from show sponsor J.Stockard — I was featured fly tier Sunday morning. The subject was Farmington River Favorites, and we managed to get through each of the four food groups (nymph, wet, dry, streamer). Again, many thanks to everyone who attended. I truly appreciate your support.

But the highlight of the show for me was formally becoming a member of the Regal Pro Staff. I’ve been tying on a custom Regal Revolution for years, so this was particularly gratifying. Those of you who know me know that I don’t endorse anything on these pages that I don’t use and love, and I’ll be talking more about my Regal vise in future posts.

**And now, me too! There are so many incredibly talented tiers in this group, and I’m honored to be a part of the team.**

Finally, I’m back on the book for a bit: page proofs are in! These are basically an e-version of the layout of the book, complete with photos and other visual reference. I go through it, make minor corrections as needed, send it back to the publisher, and the whole shebang goes to press early next year. Exciting times! People stopping by the table showed a lot of interest in the book, and even if you don’t fish the Farmington a lot, I’m comfortable telling you that much of it — fly patterns, how to, hatches — is applicable to southern New England trout streams.

And now, I’m off to read.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Farmington River manuscript has left the building!

Jun3

Writing a book is all about milestones and deadlines, and the first truly big ones are now in the rear view mirror. Yesterday I sent the complete manuscript to the publisher, along with photos and captions. Next step will be their read and review, and then my edits and re-writes. The target publish date is still next summer. Many of you have asked about orders and pre-orders — that’s exciting to hear! I don’t have any information on that yet, but of course when I do, I’ll let you know here and elsewhere on social media.

Now, I’m going fishing.

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.

Fall Fishing on the Farmington and other gleanings from the book

Oct17

Hello, fellow fly fishers and readers! I ‘ve been on an intense writing jag this week, trying to finish up the bug and food forage sections of the book. I think it’s going to be very helpful. It’s divided into mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, midges, and other stuff trout like to eat. There will be some hatch details (although it’s not meant to be a biology or Latin names monograph). And then, for you fly tyers, there will be photos and recipes of some essential, proven fly patterns, mostly from local experts, guides, and anglers.

**Current situation…add the sfx of fingers on keyboard…**

To the Farmington we go! Water remains low, but fishable. It’s plenty cold and that’s the good news. Caddis is the main hatch right now, soon to be joined by Tiny BWOs. We’re getting near spawning time, so if you see a redd — a light oval shaped patch is gravelly riffles — keep your distance. Mark its location in your memory so you don’t walk through it in the winter and accidentally wipe out the next generation of wild browns. Please do not target trout on redds — it’s bad form.

Two more notes: as we get deeper into fall, streamers will increasingly come into play as a primary fishing method, as will egg patterns. Try an egg this winter as an attractor on a two fly nymph rig, and make the top dropper something small and match-the-hatch. And remember that the entire river from the dam down to the steel bridge in Unionville is catch-and-release. If you see poaching, please call the TIP line: 800-424-HELP. Program it into your phone so you’ll have it ready when you need it.

Carry on.