We have a top speaker in mind.
Joe Calcavecchia is a production tier, a saltwater master fly tier, and the creator of many well-renowned fly patterns such as theStriper Dragon, Mojo Squid, and the Bonita Bear. He has been tying commercially for the past Thirty years for fly shops in the New England region. He is also a fly designer for Pacific Fly Group, on the Solarez Pro Team, Pro staff member of Ewing Feathers and on the Regal Vise Pro Staff. He is a master teacher in fly tying and instructs students with a jovial manner that is always infectious to everyone in attendance. Joe takes part in many fishing expos where he is able to talk and engage with visitors and showcase his style of tying. Ask him to tie a Clouser on the Regal Revolution and watch the vice smoke!
Henry Ramsay is a fly fishing writer, custom fly tier, presenter and photographer. He is the author of "Matching Major Eastern Hatches, New Patterns for Selective Trout" and co-author of "Keystone Fly Fishing Guide, The Ultimate Guide to Pennsylvania’s Best Water”. He contributes to “Fly Fisherman” and “Eastern Fly Fishing” magazines and has appeared in a list of other books and publications. His fly fishing career began more than 45 years ago on a stream in central Pennsylvania and his travels have taken him to many of the best streams and rivers across his home state of Pennsylvania, New York, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and other states. He conducts fly tying classes and presents at many shows, Trout Unlimited Chapters and clubs in the eastern U.S. Henry is a contract fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants and is a member of the Pro Staffs for Daiichi Hooks and Regal Vise. His website is www.ramsayflies.com
Tim Cammisa has been addicted to fly fishing and tying for his entire life. He is one of the new generation of tyers who have taken to social media to promote and teach the sport. Tim posts tutorials on YouTube. With over 250 videos and counting, topics including purchasing and reviewing gear, tying specific patterns, and giving back to charities like Project Healing Waters. He has headlined events including the Fly Fishing Show, International Fly Tying Symposium, and Midwest Fly Fishing Expo. Tim speaks on a regular basis with Trout Unlimited chapters and other groups, both in-person and remotely. "Fly Tying for Everyone," Tim's first book, was published in 2021 and is written to teach a broad range of tying techniques to tiers of all levels. Tim and his wife Heather live in Harmony, PA, but you're likely to find them chasing wild trout most weekends in Central PA. Tim’s book, Fly Tying for everyone, is available on Amazon.
An original founding member of our club over 50 years ago, Ed He is not only a legend in fly fishing, but also an original founding member and past President of Main Line Fly-Tyers. Ed is one of the finest fly-casters in the world and a pioneer in salt-water fly fishing. Ed’s first book on fly casting, The Cast: Theories and Applications for more effective techniques, was published in 1992 and has become a classic in the field. His latest book, "Perfecting the Cast: Adapting Casting Principles for Any Fly-Fishing Situation", just published last year! Ed will discuss the principles of fly casting he has mastered and how these can be applied the many casting challenges we face on the water. He will give an in-depth analysis of casting and teaching casting. His presentation explores the fundamentals of casting, examining the mechanical principles that determine all casts, as opposed to traditional, selective rules. Not a different way of casting, but a different way of thinking about casting. This comprehensive program teaches anglers how to identify and correct their problems, based on four simple principles. Using graphics, still photos, and video clips, this talk challenges anglers to question time-honored ideas about casting strokes, rod loading, loop control, distance, roll casting, slack line casts, curve casting, and much more. New approaches to analyzing the double haul, and correcting problems such as shock waves and tailing loops.
Muskies? Big, Ugly and mean. Muskies are what is known as an apex predator. That means that they are on the top of the food chain and fear nothing. Very exciting to fish for, but are there any around here? The surprising answer is yes. The Pa. fish commission has been stocking Pa. rivers and lakes with Muskies for years and it appears they do quite well. Several lakes in our area have good Muskie populations and I have heard from several sources that there are many good size muskies in the Schuykill River. Want a break from trout? Rick Kustich will be here to explain how to catch Muskies. Rick Kustich is a fly-fishing writer, instructor and guide. He is author of Hunting Musky with a Fly and Advanced fly fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead. Rick's work has appeared in numerous national and regional publications. He has also spent time as a fly shope owner and fly-fishing book publisher Rick began fly -fishing nearly fifty years ago on the lakes and streams of uptate New York. He has since traveled extensively to experience the finest fly-fishing throughout North America, but continues to find some of the best fishing often exists in your own backyard.
.png)
You know Tim from his many online tying videos. Some of the best in the industry! Tim will be providing us a presentation on fishing after dark. At certain times of the year, fishing after the sun goes down can be spectacular and the chances of hooking into a monster are better than any other part of the day. Fishing in the dark does take some getting used to, but with a few tricks, some basic equipment, and minor modifications to technique, it can be an absolute blast. The presentation will include a wealth of video shot recently and over the last couple of years and yes, it includes plenty of big fish.
John Shaner is a long time resident of the Catskill mountains. He has fished the famed Catskill streams his entire life as well as traveled the world to fish both fresh and salt water species. He has intimate knowledge of the history of and how to fish the Beaverkill and the Willowemoc. Most club members know that American fly fishing began in the Poconos, on streams such as the Broadhead. Unfortunately, in the late 19th century the quality of fishing on the Broadhead and other streams in the Poconos declined due to over harvesting of trout. It was then that fly fishing moved north and began on several of the great Catskill streams such as the the Beaverkill, the Willowemoc, the Schoharie, and Esopus. John's talk will focus on two of the most famous, the Beaverkill and the Willowemoc We have all fished the Delaware and the West Branch of the Delaware, but how many have traveled up further into New York to fish the Beaverkill.? The Beaverkill and the Willowemoc are also part of the Delaware system, but have a very different character. The West Branch and Main stem area are tail water fisheries and depend on cold water from a dam. This is what allows them to stay cold all summer. The Beaverkill , on the other hand, is a beautiful, free flowing mountain freestone stream. It has wonderful hatches though the spring, but tends to get low and warms in the summer. I have fished many streams in Pennsylvania but none are quite like the Beaverkill. It has great runs and pools filled with trout. If you are up in the Catskill mountains in spring or fall the Beaverkill can be a great choice to fish.
Steve Culton lives in Connecticut. He is a fly fishing guide and instructor, fly tier, and freelance writer. His work has appeared in Field & Stream, American Angler, The Fly Fish Journal, The Drake, Fly Fishing & Tying Journal, Eastern Fly Fishing, Fly Rod & Reel Online, and the Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide. He also writes a website, Currentseams.com Most of all, he is just a guy who loves fly fishing. His passions include trout, striped bass, steelhead, smallmouth bass, and small streams with wild brook trout populations. He occasionally teaches out of UpCountry Sport fishing in New Hartford, CT. Currentseams.com is a library of Steve’s articles, stories, fly tying, fishing reports, videos, his guide service The Fisherman LLC, and more. The site gets regular updates, so be sure to check it out every few days. If you like what you see here, help me out and tell a friend. Feel free to ask questions if you have them. Leave a comment on his writing. Or just say hi.
Son Tao is an active duty Army First Sergeant based out of Colorado, award winning fly tier and accomplished angler. He’s been tying for 5 years and on the pro team/ambassador for prestigious organizations like Whiting Farm, Semperfli, Fishpond, Abel Reels, Simms Fishing, Ahrex Hooks, Douglas Fly Fishing and Solarez USA. Son won the 5th annual Project Healing Waters International Fly Tying Competition in 2017; one year after he started his tying journey and has since become one of the most well known fly fishing figures on social media due to his meticulous attention to detail, photography skills and tendency to catch big fish. Son enjoys tying a variety of patterns but has a special fondness for classic dry flies. He’s very active with numerous veteran organizations and can be fond on Instagram @son_tao and Facebook at “The Tao of Flies.”
Anyone who has been a member of the club for a while knows two things about Sam Vigorita. One, he catches a lot of trout and, two, he loves to fish the Upper Delaware. Sam Vigorita is a long-time member of the Main line fly-tyers and is an extremely dedicated fly fisherman. From May to the end of August he takes every opportunity he can to go up and fish the Upper Delaware. Based on his experience Sam has development unique fly patterns and strategies for fishing the Upper D system. The Upper Delaware is a wonderful and unique ecological system that presents very difficult challenges and it takes years to learn to fish well. These streams are large, they have very diverse insect life and it is difficult to read their water. Even experienced fly fisherman can struggle to catch fish. Whenever you go there, the fisherman is challenged with problems of where to fish, what flies to use and which techniques will work. Sam will share his experience and knowledge of the Upper Delaware this Thursday. He plans to discuss topics such as fishing techniques for the Upper Delaware, reading the water and the major fly patterns he uses. Take advantage of the knowledge of a master and attend Thursday's meeting.
Aaron Jasper fishes an average of 200-250 days a year, and has been fly fishing since the age seven. He really lucked out when he began fly fishing, because his Aunt was an acquaintance of Lefty Kreh. In the beginning Aaron was lucky enough to be given several lessons, at fishing shows, from Lefty. A major influence in Aaron Jasper's life was his grandpa who taught and mentored the young fly fisherman.. Grandpa showed Aaron how to catch tons of trout on bait, lures and flies. To this day, Aaron recalls that he has never seen anyone who could match his grandpa's skill at catching trophy stripers. All of this knowledge was passed down from Grandpa Jasper to Aaron during countless fishing trips together. Aaron's early fly fishing took him to New Jersey trout streams such as the Flat Brook, Ramapo and Pequest Rivers. Since that time, Aaron has been fortunate to fish some of the greatest trout streams around the country, fishing extensively in the Eastern United States, as well as traveling across the country to experience some of the very best fly fishing available out West. As a result of his travels, Aaron has learned many techniques, flies and rigs that have enabled him to constantly grow and improve as a fisherman. In recent years Aaron has become a true student of many European nymphing techniques and other methods of trout fishing. Along with traditional style wet fly fishing, Aaron has become a great source of Euro-Nymphing (European nymphing) knowledge. While this style of fishing is an investment to learn, it is very often unequaled in it's fish catching potential. Aaron enjoys fishing in many different conditions, because he enjoys the challenge. Whether it's snowing or freezing cold, you will find him fishing. If the streams are blown out, he will be there. He fish in these extreme conditions to find new techniques that will work, and Euro-Nymphing's versatility has allowed Aaron to really perfect his fish catching abilities, regardless of conditions. In 2007, along with his friend and web designer Justin Massimo, Aaron Jasper founded Trout Predator Online, a fly fishing community specifically aimed at disseminating and sharing good information about fly fishing techniques and destinations. Since then the community has grown to over 2600 members and is home to some of the very best information on the web about Euro-Nymphing. Aaron and Justin produce multiple short videos every month on everything from fly tying tutorials and tips to short destination adventure videos, all can be found on their website including information on European nymphing techniques. To learn more about Aaron Jasper and his fly fishing techniques visit Trout Predator Online.
Rick is the owner of Sky Blue Outfitters LLC, a fly-fishing guide service located in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. They offer walk and wade trips, drift boat trips and overnight destination trips. Rick has been guiding in Pennsylvania since 1999. He offers fly fishing educational programs and clinics to bump up your skill level. His June presentation will focus on tactics for fishing for trout with dry flies in very difficult situations. Sky Blue Outfitters is the leading fly fishing guide service in Pennsylvania. Since 1999 Sky Blue has guided on the best streams in the Keystone State, Penns Creek, Spring Creek, Big Fishing Creek, Pine Creek, Kettle Creek, Slate Run, Cedar Run, Little Juniata River, Lackawanna River, Little Lehigh, Tulpehocken Creek, Manatawny Creek, Yellow Breeches and Big Spring. They offer drift boat trips on the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers for smallmouth bass along with trips to the Delaware River and Lehigh Rivers for trout. Join us for a walk and wade, one of our PA overnight packages, drift boat trip or on one of our destination trips to Montana, Outer Banks or Labrador.
Jeff will give a full on introduction to saltwater fly fishing that will inspire the curious first timers to organize a trip and refresh the intermediate to advanced salt anglers no matter how much experience they have. In this show Jeff reviews equipment, shows you what to expect and also suggests where to go. If you’re extremely experienced in saltwater fly fishing don’t worry, you won’t be bored. Jeff gets his points across with stunning photography. Much of this show covers USA salt waters from the striped bass estuaries of New England to the surf perch and halibut beaches of California. He also talks about the monster redfish of Louisiana and the flats of Florida where you can catch bonefish, tarpon and permit. And none of Jeff’s shows go without at least one teaser piece from an off the grid destination. About Jeff: Jeff Currier resides in Victor, Idaho where he bases his globe-trotting career in fly fishing. He is an active member of the R.L. Winston Rod Co Professional Advisory Team as well as Simms, Scientific Anglers, Fly Fishers International, Yeti and Bauer Reels. Jeff is also an “Ambassador” for Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures hosting exotic trips and exploring new destinations throughout the world. Jeff is a fly fishing lecturer and well known fish artist. He has taught the skills of fly fishing, guided throughout Wyoming, Idaho and Yellowstone National Park and escorted fly fishers on six continents. Jeff has fished in sixty-two countries and caught over 420 species of fish on the fly! Jeff’s articles, photographs and artwork have graced the pages of magazines, catalogs, brochures and books. He is the acclaimed author of Currier’s Quick and Easy Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing and Currier’s Quick and Easy Guide to Warm water Fly Fishing guide books. Jeff is also a well sought after expert for television, radio, podcasts and numerous fly fishing films. Jeff has won numerous fly casting competitions and the Jackson Hole One Fly. He led Team USA to its first ever top-ten finish in the World Fly fishing Championships in Jaca, Spain. During the competition Jeff managed to fool fish on every venue and placed third in the individual standings, becoming the first American ever to take home a medal in the thirty year history of the Championships. In June of 2017 Jeff did it again in the World Masters Fly Fishing Championships in Portugal then took it a step further bringing home the Silver Medal from South Africa in 2019. Jeff lectures throughout the United States and Canada on nearly every aspect of fly fishing. He demonstrates fly casting, teaches seminars on the basics to the advanced skills of fly fishing and presents many fly fishing destination programs ranging from his home waters to the most remote corners of the globe. Some of his shows take you to destinations you’ve never heard of and will leave you in awe that such creatures can be enticed to eat a fly! Jeff brings a sense of humor, enthusiasm, approachability and more than forty years of fly fishing wherever he goes. You can follow Jeff’s fly fishing adventures, exploits, tips, advice, photography and story-telling on his expanding blog and informative website. http://www.jeffcurrier.com
Ninety percent of the time nymphing is the most effective way to catch trout. While we all dream of an excellent hatch and rising trout, most of the time when we are on the water the hatching is limited and the trout are not on the surface. In that condition nymphs and nymphing is the usually the most effective method. Euro nymphing is the craze of the day; however, it is important to understand that any nymphing technique has it's limits. Dave will take us on an in-depth look at various techniques to address a variety of conditions. We'll also discuss tackle, flies and applications which, when coupled with these techniques, can increase the “effectiveness quotient” of any angler. P.S. "Effectiveness quotient" is trout speak for actually catching a few fish.
Greg Hoover is widely acknowledged as North America’s most knowledgeable fly fishing entomologist. We are looking forward to his presentation: “Methuselah of the Insect World - Periodical Cicadas” Brood X of the periodical cicadas (known as the "Big Eastern Brood") will emerge this year in Pennsylvania counties that comprise the southeastern and south-central 2/3’s of our state. After their 17-year underground existence, nymphs will provision their escape routes from the soil during mid to late May. Adults will emerge and be active starting in late May. Adult activity will end in early July in many states in the eastern United States. Greg will discuss the natural history, biology, and folklore associated with these insects. For fly tiers, Greg will discuss tying an effective pattern to imitate the adult stage of these insects and will make suggestions for fly fishing during this true wonder of nature. Greg’s program is designed to be informative as well as entertaining for both the beginning fly fisher as well as for those with many years on the water. About Greg: He received his Master’s degree based on his thesis researching Penns Creek’s famous green drake hatch. Greg has conducted hundreds of seminars on the identification and imitation of trout stream insects and their relatives. He’s taught entomology for 28 years at the Pennsylvania State University’s main campus, where for the past 21 years, he has enjoyed his role as the faculty advisor to the Penn State Fly Fishing Club. He taught both undergraduate & graduate level courses in Freshwater Entomology at Penn State and is also knowledgeable of terrestrial insects as well! He was the recipient of the George Harvey Award for unselfishly promoting the sport of fly-fishing through the teaching of others. He was the 2012 Order of the Hat award recipient from the Fly Fisher’s Club of Harrisburg, an honor given to an individual for contributions to the conservation of natural resources and fly rod angling. In addition to aquatic entomology he’s been teaching the courses, Principles of Fly Tying and Fly Fishing for Trout, and Mastery of Fly Fishing, in the Department of Kinesiology at PSU’s main campus, continuing the tradition started by the late George Harvey. He is an accomplished and innovative fly tier and a darn good fly fisher as well. He cut his teeth with a fly rod for more than 55 years on PA’s hard-fished public water. He has coauthored and/or contributed to several books, including GREAT RIVERS–GREAT HATCHES (with Charlie Meck), LIMESTONE LEGENDS that covered the 50-year history of the Fly Fishers’ Club of Harrisburg, and MODERN TERRESTRIALS, by Rick Takahashi and Jerry Hubka. He has authored many articles on trout stream insects and fly fishing published in Outdoor Life, Fly Tyer, American Angler, and Mid-Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide (including the monthly column, Fish Food). He is a fly rod ambassador for Temple Fork Outfitters. He teaches at both the Brookies School and Bass School that are youth conservation education efforts led by the Wildlife Leadership Academy of the Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education. He is a river helper for the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of Casting for Recovery. He was a Board of Director for the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum Association. Finally, he has presented at regional shows and to many different fly-fishing organizations in the eastern and mid-western United States.
Matt is a life long resident of New Jersey. He has been fly fishing and fly tying for 50+ years, having started both at ten years of age. The first flies Matt tied were the brightly flies shown in the fly plates of Ray Bergman's classic book, Trout. Those flies took trout, small bass and sunfish, but it was trout that inspired him to learn more about the Catskill tradition of fly tying and fly presentation to lure trout to fur and feathers. In the years that followed, Matt has traveled the country extensively in search of trout and a better understanding of the rivers and the insects that live in them. Most recently, he is the featured fly tier in dozens of instructional videos produced by Tightline Productions. These can be viewed on Youtube and Vimeo. Matt published his first book in 2008 on Fly Fishing New Jersey Trout Streams. He previously wrote the weekly New Jersey Fly Fishing column for The Star Ledger. He has been teaching all disciplines of fly fishing for over 30 years.
Jake Villwock, Owner and Head Guide of Relentless Fly Fishing, has been an industry professional for over 12 years. Growing up in a commercial fishing family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, fishing has been part of his life from day one - so it should come as no surprise that he has chosen a career in the fishing industry. After graduating from High Point University with a business degree, Jake worked as a deck hand and fly fishing guide in Sitka, Alaska. He spent the winters dog sledding in both Fairbanks, AK and Deep Creek, MD. After he moved back to the east coast in 2009, Jake worked for TCO Fly Shop at the Reading, PA, and Bryn Mawr, PA locations. Jake has helped open and manage their newest location in Boiling Springs, PA since March 2016. After 8 years as a full-time retail employee at TCO, Jake has decided to start his own business, Relentless Fly Fishing, who will serve as TCO's contract guide service. Jake guides in PA and NY for trout, smallmouth, steelhead, and musky. He knows a network of guides with connections in Ohio, Montana, Michigan, New York, and Alaska should you wish to explore fishing in those regions. In addition to guiding, Jake is an Orvis Signature tier, blog-writer, author, fly contributor to Eastern Fly Fishing magazine as well as serves on various pro-staffs of leading industry companies such as, Hatch Reels, Scientific Anglers, Scott Fly Rods, Clackacraft Drift Boats, Simms Fishing, Regal Vises, and Ahrex Hooks. You can purchase custom tied flies by Jake and logo gear through this website. Links to his blog as well as to free instructional fly tying videos from his YouTube channel, Relentless TV are also available. Fly fishing is Jake's passion. Set up a guided trip and see what Relentless Fly Fishing is all about!
Don Baylor comes with his immense knowledge base of Pennsylvania streams, insects and hatches to present “HATCHES OF THE UPPER DELAWARE” – His program focuses on the Upper Delaware tail water – East and West Branches and Main Stem. This system is unique in the Northeast. A rich tail water, it has a diverse fauna with many species of aquatic insects which produce hatches that are uncommon in eastern trout waters. The Upper Delaware is the premiere destination for trout fisherman in the tri-state area. The wild rainbow and brown trout in this system run up to and even over twenty inches and five pounds. In addition, because the Upper Delaware is shallow, it is relatively easy to wade and the fish are very willing to rise to dry flies. The trout are abundant in all three branches. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your perspective, they are very difficult to catch. The diverse and abundant insect life allows the fish to become very selective. In addition, water in all three branches flows at smooth and moderate rates which allows the trout to closely scan your fly and decide whether or not to take it. To be successful you need to have the right fly and right presentation. Don Baylor’s long experience and expertise can help all of us increase our odds of success on this beautiful and challenging tail water. Also, no serious Pennsylvania fly fisherman can not fish this river. It is just too good. Included in his presentation are: A seasonal guide to the hatches How the artificial temperature regime affects hatch times Suggested patterns and techniques Which species produce the “super hatches” Little-known hatches What to do during no-hatch periods
Henry Ramsay is a fly fishing writer, custom fly tier, presenter and photographer. He is the author of "Matching Major Eastern Hatches, New Patterns for Selective Trout" and co-author of "Keystone Fly Fishing Guide, The Ultimate Guide to Pennsylvania’s Best Water”. He contributes to “Fly Fisherman” and “Eastern Fly Fishing” magazines and has appeared in a list of other books and publications. His fly fishing career began more than 45 years ago on a stream in central Pennsylvania and his travels have taken him to many of the best streams and rivers across his home state of Pennsylvania, New York, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and other states. He conducts fly tying classes and presents at many shows, Trout Unlimited Chapters and clubs in the eastern U.S. Henry is a contract fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants and is a member of the Pro Staffs for Daiichi Hooks and Regal Vise. His website is www.ramsayflies.com
Charlie will be presenting for us all we could ever wish to know about hackle. Club members have been using Charlie's hackle for years. He has a varied and unique collection of barred and specialty hackles not found anywhere! Charlie asks you to come ready to ask any and all questions you may have about hackle and tying with it. We are also fortunate in that he will be bringing a wide selection of hackle available for purchase. Check your collection and identify the gaps that need to be filled....be prepared with your wallet or checkbook! If you need it, he's sure to have it available for you. Also, you will note his prices to be better than just about any other supplier of quality hackle! He also indicates that he intends to be there a little early so, if you are too, you may have first crack at what he has to offer. For his selection and prices go to" CollinsHackleFarm.com.
Tim's presentation will be on Trout Spey! Trout Spey is nothing new, it’s just a more effective way to swing flies like streamers, soft-hackles and classic wets. Yes, you can use it for nymphing and dry fly fishing, but swinging and stripping is where trout spey works best. The real difference comes when you employ either single-hand or two-hand spey casting techniques. These make for no back casts to worry about, much longer casts, easy, fast changes of cast direction, more effective mending and generally more relaxing fishing. The presentation is largely video-based but includes an equipment show-and-tell at the end.
George Daniel began fly fishing at age six in Potter County, Pennsylvania. Growing up along a native brook trout fishery designated as a “kids only section” and, being the only kid in the village who fished, George was able to fly fish and practice a lot, so he developed a true passion for it. Through his early teens, much of his fly fishing knowledge was self-taught. However, when George was 14, his family relocated to central Pennsylvania, where, at a local fly shop, he found himself talking to his fly fishing idol, Joe Humphreys. Joe kindly took George under his wing and began providing him with his first, formalized fly fishing instruction. When he was just 16-years-old, Joe began to provide instruction on all levels, e.g. the basic cast to advanced nymphing casts. George credits Joe for the bulk of his knowledge, but also graciously acknowledges many national and international fly fishing professionals who have worked with him during the past. Later, he had an opportunity to try out for Fly Fishing Team USA in Bend, Oregon. After qualifying for the team, he had the opportunity to compete in five World Fly Fishing Championships, coach both the US Youth Team and Fly Fishing Team USA in four World Championships. During this time, he has had an opportunity to travel the globe and learn from many of the best anglers in the world. George is a two-time US National Fly Fishing Champion and was ranked as high as 5th in the world. George’s true passion is in fly fishing education. He appears at clubs and fly fishing shows around the country, where he conducts lectures and seminars. He also logs more than 280 days a year on waters near and far.
I started fly fishing at age 9. I will never forget my first day where I caught a cutthroat on an ant in the first meadow of the famed Slough Creek in Yellowstone on a hand me down fiberglass 7 weight! Though I’d been fishing with hardware since I was a toddler, that day started an addiction to fly fishing that I can't seem to shake. When I fished against Lance Egan and Ryan Barnes in the former Outdoor Life Network’s Fly Fishing Master’s in 2004, I knew I had to find a way to compete in the sport I loved. It was serendipitous that I worked with both these anglers a year later after they had made Fly Fishing Team USA. I fished in my first regional and made the team myself in 2006. The ensuing years have been more educational than I could have ever imagined and I'm as hopelessly obsessed with fly fishing today as I've ever been. This obsession has brought dedication, which has helped me to have competitive success domestically and abroad. The year 2017 marked my 9th consecutive berth as an angler for Fly Fishing Team USA in the 37th Fips Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships in Slovakia. In 2015 I was incredibly fortunate to finish with the individual bronze medal and even more fortunate to have been a part of the squad that won the first team medal (a silver) for the USA at the world fly fishing championship in Bosnia. In 2016 we followed that feat with a team bronze in Vail, Colorado. Fly fishing competitions have exposed me to tactics and techniques from incredible teammates and fellow fly anglers from across the globe. Away from competitive fishing, fish have sculpted my professional life as well. I hold a bachelor's degree in ecology and a master's degree in fisheries science and spent 3 years working as a fisheries biologist before taking on Tactical Fly Fisher as a full time business in 2017. I have a wonderful wife Julia of 12 years, a four year old son Levi whose favorite fish are bull trout, and a 10 month old daughter who shows early signs of fly fishing virtuosity. What more could a guy ask for?
Marc is an authority on fly tying and fly tying history and foremost authority on tying with CDC.
Anita Coulton will provide a presentation of Pocket Water Strategies that applies to small and moderate creeks as well as big rivers. Anita’s journey with a fly rod began at age 3 when her father, an avid outdoorsman, sat her on the bank with a tattered Zebco rod. A deep love for the outdoors was born, and more importantly, a passion to pursue anything that could be caught with a fishing rod. Her extensive fly fishing experience spans over 20 years and she is comfortable in both fresh and saltwater. A former competitive angler, she has fished alongside some of the World’s best. In 2017, she earned the title of NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year. Anita is a graduate of Reel Women Guide School, based in Montana. She is proud to be an Orvis Endorsed Guide with Cross Current Guide Service, and in season you can find her navigating her Clackacraft on the Upper Delaware River, chasing some of the toughest brown trout around. In addition to guiding, Anita is active with Casting for Recovery and has been involved for over 10 years. She is also an avid writer and contributor for magazines such as Dun Magazine and Fly Fisherman.
Bill Anderson – President of the Little Juniata River Association; fly fishing instructor/guide; Innovative fly tyer; National Finalist for the Field & Stream “Hero of Conservation” award 2014; and Outdoor News – Person of the Year for 2015. Bill lives in a solar log house in Sinking Valley near Tyrone, located just five miles from the Little Juniata River. He has fished the Little J since moving to Central Pa. in 1978. Bill and his wife, Carol Ann, raised three children and are now enjoying their two English Springers and four grandkids. Since retiring early in 2004: Bill and Carol opened a coffee shop in Tyrone, Pa.; Bill and a partner started and ran a fly shop located on Spruce Creek; and , since 2005, Bill has served as the leader of the Little Juniata River Association, an award winning 501 c3 watershed conservation organization. In the winter months, Bill writes, teaches fly tying classes, and is the Senior Dog Handler for the Hillendale Hunt Club. Bill has written articles on fly fishing and the Little Juniata River for regional magazines and newspapers. Bill is the author of “Trout Boomer and the Little “j” - The story of a fly fisher and his love for the Little Juniata River”. His innovative fly pattern, the CET (Crippled Emerger Transformer) was developed over several decades of observing and fishing the hatches on the little Juniata River. He has most recently contributed the chapter for the Little Juniata River in a newly released book titled “50 Best Places Fly Fishing the Northeast” – Stonefly Press. Contact Bill at: bjuniata@verizon.net His book may be purchased at www.troutboomer.com
Steve learned early on that perfection to detail, proportion, and the utilization of quality materials was of utmost importance in the production of every pattern. Their flies had to be spot on perfect to fool the wary browns and wild brook trout of the Pine Creek Valley in North Central Pennsylvania. Steve was taught the craft at an early age by his father, who in turned learned from his mother. Steven Wascher is a third generation fly tyer who has tied flies and fly fished for over 50 years. In addition to be an accomplished tier, Steve also guided for over 15 years. Also, Steve taught a variety of tying classes for over twenty years. His classes varied in depth from basic trout flies to spinning deer hair bass bugs as well as Steelhead flies and Tube Flies. Professionally, Steve was a Special Education Teacher for over 30 years teaching a wide range of learning styles. Steve also taught for several summers at the New York State Department of Corrections – Shock Incarceration Camp in Brocton, New York. While in the education field, Steve coached Girls’ Basketball for six years and taught a college level course entitled – Introduction to Fly Fishing at Jamestown Community College from 1998 – 2000. Prior to obtaining a Bachelors and Master’s Degree, Steve served in the United States Army for three years as an Artillery Surveyor in West Germany. Currently, Steve works as a manufacturers sales representative in the fly fishing industry. He carries such product lines as: Abel and Ross Fly reels, Scott Fly Rods, Korkers Wading boots, and a host of other great product lines. Lastly, over the course of the past 10 years, Steve’s flies have be published in many books and magazines. Fly Rod and Reel, Hatches Magazine, Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide are just a few of the periodicals he has been published in.
I started fly fishing at age 9. I will never forget my first day where I caught a cutthroat on an ant in the first meadow of the famed Slough Creek in Yellowstone on a hand me down fiberglass 7 weight! Though I’d been fishing with hardware since I was a toddler, that day started an addiction to fly fishing that I can't seem to shake. When I fished against Lance Egan and Ryan Barnes in the former Outdoor Life Network’s Fly Fishing Master’s in 2004, I knew I had to find a way to compete in the sport I loved. It was serendipitous that I worked with both these anglers a year later after they had made Fly Fishing Team USA. I fished in my first regional and made the team myself in 2006. The ensuing years have been more educational than I could have ever imagined and I'm as hopelessly obsessed with fly fishing today as I've ever been. This obsession has brought dedication, which has helped me to have competitive success domestically and abroad. The year 2017 marked my 9th consecutive berth as an angler for Fly Fishing Team USA in the 37th Fips Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships in Slovakia. In 2015 I was incredibly fortunate to finish with the individual bronze medal and even more fortunate to have been a part of the squad that won the first team medal (a silver) for the USA at the world fly fishing championship in Bosnia. In 2016 we followed that feat with a team bronze in Vail, Colorado. Fly fishing competitions have exposed me to tactics and techniques from incredible teammates and fellow fly anglers from across the globe. Away from competitive fishing, fish have sculpted my professional life as well. I hold a bachelor's degree in ecology and a master's degree in fisheries science and spent 3 years working as a fisheries biologist before taking on Tactical Fly Fisher as a full time business in 2017. I have a wonderful wife Julia of 12 years, a four year old son Levi whose favorite fish are bull trout, and a 10 month old daughter who shows early signs of fly fishing virtuosity. What more could a guy ask for?
This program will introduce you to the “world-class” tailwaters located close to all of our major eastern cities from Maine to Georgia. Eastern anglers will be convinced that they don’t have to get on a plane to fly to the Rockies or even more exotic destinations to tackle trophy trout – this book and program will reveal where to find them practically in your own backyard. During his research, the author explored over one hundred eastern tailwaters and selected the top 40 which he felt were truly “world-class.” Gilmore shares the secrets, hotspots, hatches, and areas of easy access to the East’s best tailwaters. You will be guided by the author’s first-hand fishing knowledge of each river and information from his detailed stream logs, stretching back over four decades.
A father of two young boys, a husband, author, fly fishing guide and a musician, Domenick Swentosky fishes for wild brown trout in the cool limestone waters of Central Pennsylvania year round. In 2014 Domenick founded the Troutbitten website as a creative framework for documenting the things that he’d like to show his sons someday: a diary of events, and of things learned on the water. Troutbitten has grown into a fly fishing blog full of 300+ stories and technical articles as well as photography focusing on wild trout and wild places. With a philosophical slant to the stories and an advanced, tactical angle to the techniques section, Troutbitten is a popular destination for fly anglers on the web. And Troutbitten has grown into a four season Pennsylvania fly fishing guide service. Domenick also gives presentations on much of this material for clubs and schools. I follow Domenick's blog and can highly recommend it to club members. Some blogs are tactics, others are fishing philosophy, but all are worth reading.
A native of Colorado, Pat Dorsey has been guiding for over 25 years. Pat Dorsey spends well over two hundred days a year on the water, a combination of guiding customers, hosting destination travel-trips, and personal days on the water. Pat Dorsey is the head guide and co-owner of the Blue Quill Angler fly shop in Evergreen, Colorado. He oversees and trains more than 25 guides, setting the standard for integrity and professionalism in the Blue Quill Angler guide operation. Dorsey also, maintains an online stream report that monitors stream flows and conditions for the Blue, Colorado, South Platte (Cheesman, Deckers, Spinney Mountain Ranch, and Elevenmile Canyon), North Fork of the South Platte, and Williams Fork Rivers. Pat Dorsey is a Simms Ambassador, a member of the Sage Elite Pro Team, Fishpond Ambassador, Orvis Pro Team Member, Yeti Pro staff, and Scientific Anglers pro staff. Pat Dorsey is the Southwest Field Editor for Fly Fisherman Magazine. In 2005, Pat authored the book, A Fly Fishing Guide to the South Platte River, a complete how-to fly fishing manual for the entire South Platte River drainage. It encompasses a thorough look at each section of the river detailing the hatches and recommended fly patterns for each of the four seasons of the year. In 2009 Pat Dorsey authored Fly Fishing Tailwaters, a comprehensive book on how to fish tailwater fisheries. In 2010 a companion book to Fly Fishing Tailwaters hit the shelves, Tying and Fishing Tailwater Flies, which is jam-packed with how to tie Pat Dorsey’s favorite “guide flies”. This book includes 500 step-by-step tutorials, as well as, helpful tips and illustrations on how to rig and fish them. His latest book is Colorado Guide Flies, which was released in 2015. It features tips from the state’s best guides and includes approximately 600 proven guide flies with recipes. Pat Dorsey is an accomplished fly tier and has originated a number of very effective patterns such as the Mercury series, UV scud, Limeade, Cherry-Limeade, Paper Tiger, Top Secret Midge, Medallion Midge and the famed Black Beauty. Although Pat Dorsey no longer has the time to tie flies commercially, he once produced over 28,000 flies in a year. Dorsey is a fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. His signature flies are available at the Blue Quill Angler and other specialty fly shop throughout the United States. Pat Dorsey is also a Pro Team Member for Whiting Farms. Many of his flies incorporate Whiting Farm products. Pat Dorsey is a nationally known speaker. He travels the United States sharing his passion for fly fishing at trade shows and private fishing clubs. He is a Celebrity Speaker for the International Sportsmen’s Exposition in Denver and is very active in Trout Unlimited and the conservation of cold-water fisheries.
Phil has been fly fishing for over 30 years. His love of fly fishing has taken him across North America pursuing trout, Atlantic and Pacific salmon, char, pike, walleye and numerous other species on the fly. But Phil is probably best known for his stillwater exploits. A former commercial fly tier, Phil has written for almost every major fly fishing publication in North America. He has authored three books and numerous feature articles and has been the fly tying columnist for BC Outdoors Magazine for over 10 years. Phil’s first book Fly Patterns for Stillwaters is a best seller. In 2014, Phil was the proud recipient of a Life Time Achievement Award from Fly Tyer magazine. Most recently, Phil was honored to receive the 2017 Jean Guy Cote award for his contribution to Canadian fly tying. In addition to his writing, Phil has five instructional DVD’s. In 2007, Phil was a member of the gold medal winning team at the Canadian Fly Fishing championships. When he isn’t on the water, Phil travels North America performing at outdoor shows, providing seminars, speaking to fly clubs, conducting fly-fishing schools and fly tying clinics. Phil also provides instructional still-water guiding on the lakes located a short distance from his Edmonton area home. Phil has appeared on a number of T.V. shows including, BC Outdoors Sports Fishing, Sports Fishing Adventures, The New Fly Fisher, Sport Fishing B.C., Fishing Alberta, Let’s Go Outdoors and Fishing with Shelly and Courtney. Make a point of visiting or following Phil on-line at, www.flycraftangling.com or www.stillwaterflyfishingstore.com and through his social media channels, You Tube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
I doubt that there is anyone who has been in the club for more than a couple of months who is not aware of Sam's expertise in fishing the Upper Delaware. Sam's presentation is designed to show you how to find the best pools, and holding lies and where these fish live and feed. You will see where, when, & how to fish this amazing river system, The Upper Delaware River. Sam Vigorita is one of the area's most successful Trout anglers and has logged literally thousands of hours fishing and instructing on The Upper Delaware River and many East Coast trout and salmon waters. Sam is a life time member of the Main Line Fly-Tyers Club, and for the past 30 plus years has been a significant reason for the success of the club. He is a true Master when it comes to fly tying and fly fishing tactics. He knows the local fisheries and the Upper Delaware River system better than most of us know the marks on the back of our hands. You will learn how to find and target the big Trout that everyone else is only hoping to hook into. He is known for his enthusiasm of fly tying, fly fishing, casting, and his willingness to share his knowledge and teach others those techniques. Over the years he has taught hundreds, if not thousands, of men and women how to tie fly’s that catch fish! Most all of his special fly patterns, secrets, and techniques have finally been put in to print and can now be found in his new book, "Fly Patterns - An Edge Above the Rest".
In 2011 Nick joined a local guide outfit in eastern, PA and quickly expanded the business into offering float trips on some of Pennsylvania’s best waters for trout, smallmouth bass, musky and pike. During this time Nick was a featured guide multiple times in Field and Stream’s Video Series, “Hook Shots,” he contributed to Field and Stream Magazine and was published by Fly Fisherman Magazine. Nick has worked tirelessly to establish a career in guiding and in 2015 began guiding on a full-time basis. In 2017 Nick became an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide and in 2018 Nick started Wild East Outfitters. Wild East Outfitters now has a fleet of 5 drift boats and 4 guides working for the outfit and will expand as the need arises. In Spring and fall, Nick spends most of his time running float trips on the Lehigh River for trout and his summers are spent guiding on the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers for smallmouth bass. Nick has hosted trips to Montana, The Outer Banks and the Upper Delaware River. Nick plans to expand the options for hosted trips to some more exotic places that are yet to be determined but plans are underway. Nick prides himself on being one of the hardest working guides in Pennsylvania and pushing the limits and expectations of everyone he fishes with. If you spend a day with Nick be ready to have a good time and be prepared to fish hard. During Nick’s days off from guiding Nick likes to spend his time with his wife and 2 daughters as well as supporting Trout Unlimited functions and other local conservation efforts.
Tim Flagler has been fly fishing and tying for more than 30 years. He is also a presenter, instructor and fly fishing guide. He founded Tightline Productions, the preeminent fly tying video production company, specializing in promotional and instructional video in 1998. He's known worldwide for his online work and you will also see him tying at many of the national/international fly fishing/tying shows. If you have been on YouTube, Vimeo, or the Orvis Learning Center seeking instructional tying videos, you have undoubtedly seen his excellent work. Come join us to hear his presentation, "What’s Happening Now on Area Trout Streams."
Dave was born and raised in Johnstown Pennsylvania. He is a professional, licensed Pennsylvania guide, wet fly tier, and owner of Wet Fly Waterguides. He has been fly fishing since the 1970's, and has concentrated his efforts at the famed waters of Central and North Central Pennsylvania, specifically streams like; Spring Creek, Penn's Creek, Little Juniata, Kettle Creek, and Big Pine Creek. Dave specializes in the classic art of wet fly fishing. His mission is to educate new and seasoned fly fishermen about the largely forgotten art of wet fly fishing, and to show exactly how productive wet flies can be throughout the year. Over the past 30 years, Dave has spent countless hours on the stream and at the vice, perfecting and designing highly effective wet fly patterns and customized wet fly leaders. His unique guide service is one of a very few in the country that focuses on fishing with wet flies throughout the year. Dave takes great pride in teaching anglers this lost art of fly fishing and showing them that this method is as effective today as in the past. He has given numerous seminars and demonstrations on wet fly fishing to local TU chapters, FFF clubs, Boy Scout troops, H.S.fly fishing clubs, and fly fishing shows.