Wes, To a lot of people tying at a show can mean a lot of things. To some it is a way of getting sponsorship or pushing new materials. To others it is a way of educating people and to some others it is just fun. I prefer to keep it "just fun". One thing I see that I think is not needed is the amount of materials to take with you. I see some tyers come with a hand truck of plastic tubs of materials that will not even be opened. This just takes up space and gets in the way of other tyers. Just plan on tying one or two types of flies and take that material with you. Always take an extension cord. Be sure it is a grounded type that is approved. Some places will not you use a cord that is not approved. I will just speak for myself here. I made up a tying station that fits in a aluminum carrying case like the camera and tool cases that can be bought from Harbor Freight or Wal mart. This station has the tools I need for the tying session. It goes in the case with all the tools in place, two minuets to lift out the whole unit and set up at the show. There is room in the case to put most of the materials I will be using to tie the flies I will be tying. In a small shoulder bag I carry the extension cord and any other small stuff I don't put in the carrying case. Select the flies you will tie so that you can show some new materials, tying tricks or shortcuts. This is what most people come to the shows for is to see new things and new ways of tying. I try to cover what you don't normally see at shows. This last season it was the Woven Mayfly and the way I tie parachutes on that fly. One fly covered several things. The Mayfly covered woven extended bodies, a different feather and yarn wing and the parachute hackle. It was only one fly but there are a lot of people passing through that only see it once. One of the big things is to make the attendee feel like you are interested in what he wants to know. I know of only a couple of show tyers that act as they know it all. In other words, be sociable at all times. It is not " This is how it has to be done" but "This is what works for me". Be prepared to answer all beginner questions and give encouragement. If it is like most shows I have done, the attendees will like a fly, especially the young people. Be ready to give some away. I tie up extras ahead of time to have them on hand. I always have someone that wants the fly I just tied. A lot of them will offer to pay for them. Before you accept any payment ,check on the show policy. Wear clothes you will be comfortable in. Sitting all day in tight clothes is not the thing to do. If you wear a light shirt it makes it better for the fly to stand out while you are tying. I am sure others will jump in I have to quit right now, have a doctor's appointment. Tony [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Wes Wada wrote: > Hi All, > > Though I have been tying flies all of my flyfishing life (since 1978), > I really didn't get serious about working to become a very good tyer > until a couple of years ago. Of late, I have wanted to participate as a > tyer in an Expo, and should have an opportunity this coming spring. > > I have been to several of the NW Flytying Expos held each year in > Eugene, and a couple in Bend, so have seem a wide variety of > presentations. So I do have some familiarity with what goes on at > these events. > > My question: what do you feel are valuable do's and don'ts about being > a participant? I know, for example, that you should be able to tie > your fly in a reasonable amount of time to hold people's interest. I > saw one fellow using a single edged razor blade to shave a multicolored > deer hair bass bug head. He was being so very careful that it took him > about 20 minutes to complete the razor work. By that time, he had lost > 95% of the onlookers. > > The previous is a question that can also be answered by listers who > have just visited these events...what makes a presentation lively, > entertaining and instructive for you? > > Also: for the experienced Expo tyers, what has worked for you as a kit > to transport your materials, tools and supplies? > > Wes Wada > Bend, Oregon
