On the other hand, the allure for me for the Sow Bug is not the 'big names' or even the tying (which I'm sure is great tying), but meeting the other vfb members and sharing some comradery with them, fishing, eating, a few beers, some stories. I don't do just the national shows. I also tie at some pretty small shows, and there are some great tiers at these shows, too. The green River Show is tiny compared to the FFF or ISE shows, but I enjoy it because it is small and more relaxed. I get to be a featured tier (only because I've done that show for over 10 years) along with Jack Dennis or lately with Denny Rickards. It's where I got to meet Gary LaFontaine and spend a lot of time with him, getting to know him in the short period he had left. He had already lost the dexterous use of his hands, so I never got to see him tie. But without a busy schedule (he was there with Jack Dennis), we had time to visit and become friends. There are other local professional tiers there and we've all become good friends, too.
see part 3
