Re: [VFB] Fly tye expo tips?

[mark romero]

Great thread, so to speak. I've been attending these events for 10 yrs. or 
more, and tying at them for 5 or so. My main focus when i am wondering 
around from tyer to tyer is simply to learn as much as i possibly can, in 
that small amount of time i have for any one guy. Then of course you will 
end up spending quite a bit of extra time when you run across 
something/someone that just demands you do. And that's the best part, when 
all of a sudden you realize you've completely lost track of time because you 
are so engrossed, with the learning. When i tye at shows it depends on the 
situation, because i do it in two completely different situations. When i'm 
tying for the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, we do mostly flies in that vein, 
because we are representing the Guild. When i tye on my own, i do originals 
only, because that is a lot more fum for me, and that seems to translate to 
being more fun for the veiwer. There are scads of expert tyers out there who 
can demo this and demo that, and provide all the details of 
techniques/tricks/short cuts, etc. that i may not even know. So, i stick to 
what i do best, and that is to simply be creative. To come up with a brand 
new fly each time i put a hook in the vise. People seems to like the end 
results so i must be doing something right. As far as our, (my wife's and 
mine) are concerned, we use tackle boxes. One is a samaller one,(hers) and 
it is basically a trout fly kit. The other, (mine) is larger and has 
everything we need for my "Salmohead" flies. In other words steelhead and 
salmon flies materials, etc. That's about it. mark(willow)


From: Tony <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [VFB] Fly tye expo tips?
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2003 12:10:52 -0600
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

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