You're gonna get tons of good advice from this group and I don't want to duplicate any of it other than to say, don't carry too much 'stuff'. Your first inclination will be to take everything you own. Don't! Only take the materials needed to tie the pattern or patterns that you plan (in advance) to tie. You will start thinking to yourself, "...but, what if I need something?" You won't! That's why you decide in advance what you are going to tie. Enough said on that topic.
Next, I will give you an example of what I do when I demo-tie.
This past year, I have been tying my 'Granny Bugs'. Now, 'Granny Bugs' are actually a series of woven flies that I tie. There are probably six or so different flies in the series that utilize the weaving technique. I only tie one of them when I demo. Not all 6. One. Period. I take a sample of all the flies in the series and mount them in a nice wooden Umpqua presentation flybox. All patterns and various color combinations of each. That way, viewers can see all the patterns in the series, but I only demo one. And I only tie it in one color combination. Woven flies can be tied in an infinite number of color combinations (Tony will know what I am talking about), but I only tie one of those, usually Olive.
Now, I do make an exception to the color rule. I carry a small case that has a wide variety of colors of material that I use to create the weave. Some of the colors in the case are down right outlandish. Flo. Orange, Flo. Yellow, Flo. Blue, Flo. Red, you get the picture. I only use these colors when kids are watching. I ask them to tell me their two favorite colors (which I probably have) and then tie the fly in those colors. Of course after I finish it, I give them the fly.
By the way, I ALWAYS carry small ziplock bags (like the ones that dumbell eyes and such comes in) to put the flies in whether they are given to a kid or an adult. My contact info is on a sticker that is attached to the bag.
This is how I do it. Take everyone's comments and figure out what will work best for you.
Good luck with it. You're gonna have a ball.
- Gary
P.S. One other thing. From the time I begin to apply the thread to the hook until I take the finished fly out of the vise, I never stop talking about what I am doing. Keeps them interested and gives them a sort of play by play of what's going on.
- g~
At 11:00 AM 11/13/2003, you 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
