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Dozens of fly-tiers assemble in the LOGOS LOBBY spinning yarns (tall tales and awesome thruths - and mohair if they can get it), fur and feathers around the hooks clamped in their vices. Pull up a chair, watch these guys and gals work their magic. Ask questions, learn new techniques, and share some fishing stories.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE TYERS WHO HAVE CONFIRMED SO FAR. WATCH THEM AND LEARN OR TELL THEM YOUR FAVORITE TYING TRICK ... OLD DOGS CAN LEARN NEW TRICKS.
FLY TIERS
Peter Allen, Slidell, LA - is a member of the Pontchartrain Basin Fly Fishing Club. He enjoys fly tying and supporting his club at local events teaching kids, of all ages, fishing, fly tying and simple casting. His daughter, Victoria, is usually there and is proficient at teaching and tying foam poppers etc. Peter also enjoys making fly tying tools and has assembled a couple of rods. Peter's childhood was in North Yorkshire, England where he fished for Trout in small rough streams. The North of England was where 'spider' (soft hackle) flies evolved. The fly's mobility in the water has influenced the type of fly patterns he ties. He is hoping to find more time to fish for trout when retires in the near future. He has attended various Conclaves (Mountain Home, Atlanta, Lake Charles etc.) and enjoys the Rendezvous weekend at Toledo Bend State Park.
JEFF BARRETT , FRANKLIN, TN -
Gene Barrington , Cummings, GA - is 62 years young and is an Architect living in Cumming, Georgia within sight of the northeast Georgia mountains. He has fly fished for almost fifty years and has tied flies for about 35 years. His fishing and tying interests range from fresh to salt water and from wild native Brook Trout in the southeast to Blue Fin Tuna (small, less than 200 lbs) off the coast of North Carolina. His flies range in size from #26 to two 8/0s, snelled together. He has taught fly fishing and fly tying and especially enjoys passing on the sport to kids. He is a past president of the Atlanta Fly Fishing Club and the South East Council. He states, "when I die, my wife is going to sell off my fly fishing stuff, a little at a time, and live off the proceeds". It should last her several years. She already knows to take his ashes to Yellowstone.
Max Birnkammer , Smyrna, GA - Max started tying flies five years ago. He ties mostly warm water flies, which he uses to catch largemouth, spotted and shoal bass in the rivers and lakes close to home in Smyrna. He has tied at fly fishing shows and has led seminars at local fly shops. His favorite bass flies are hand painted poppers and streamers. He builds his own fly rods and can often be seen fishing from one of his vintage wooden boats. Every summer he travels to Maine to fly fish for northern smallmouth bass, which he believes is the ultimate trophy in warm water fly fishing.
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Bob Clemensen, Dunwoody, GA - Bob has been tying for over forty years. he ties flies for trout fishing in north georgia. He has tied at the southeastern festival, southern conclave, gulf coast conclave and two national conclaves. Bob is also one of the great story-tellers of all time. Come watch Bob tie flies and tell ... stories (I can't say "lies" ... they just might be true).
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Dana Griffin III, Gainesville, FL - Dana has been interested in fly tying and fly fishing since 1947 when, in July of that year, he caught a small trout on the West Fork of the San Juan River in southwest Colorado. The 8 inch rainbow fell to a Rio Grande King. Dana's interest seems to have matured into something resembling a love affair, a condition for which there apparently is no cure. Dana has originated many new fly patterns, has authored numerous articles on fly tying and fly fishing that have appeared in regional and national journals. He is the on-camera tier in two fly tying videos. He was the founder and first president of the North Florida Fly Fishers, a fly fishing club in Gainesville, Florida.
Paul Gruver , Wake Forestm, NC - An avid fisherman since childhood, Paul began tying flies when he was about 10, but he didn't start fishing with them until many years later. Today, he ties flies from size 24 midge pupa for the tailwaters, to size 2 popsicles for Alaskan salmon, and everything in between. Raised on the tradtions espoused by Ray Bergman, though, his passion is for the traditional Catskill dries, classic wets, and the feather wing streamers that graced the fly boxes of fishermen in the 1950's.
Tom Ivey ,
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Anthony Hipps, Lexington, NC - Anthony Hipps is the 2011-2012 Federation of Fly Fishers South Eastern Council (FFF-SEC) President. He has served on the Federation of Fly Fishers- Southeastern Council Board of Directors and tied flies at the FFF-SEC conclaves since 1999. He is a professional speaker, tier and tying instructor and has taught numerous tying classes. He has also presented numerous tying seminars to clubs and fly fishing events around the USA. In 2004 he was a featured tier on the Outdoor Life Network's (now Versus Network) Flyfish TV Magazine. He has been nationally recognized for his spun deer-hair bass flies, smallmouth bass nymphs, saltwater streamers and especially his unique soft-bodied foam poppers. He has served as the Federation of Fly Fishers-Southeastern Council Conclave Fly Tying Co-Chair 2003-2006. At the June 2007 FFF-SEC Conclave Anthony was awarded "The Presidents Award" for outstanding service to the FFF-SEC. Anthony has authored 5 articles published in Fly Tyer Magazine since 2006 and is currently working on a warmwater fly tying book. He is a member of the Nat Greene Fly Fishers, Greensboro, NC and has served terms as president, vice-president, program chairman, Boy Scouts Fly Fishing Merit Badge Instructor, and club fly tying instructor. Anthony also serves as a volunteer fly tying instructor for the Wounded Warriors Program out of Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, NC. Anthony's fly tying web site is www.anthonyhipps.com.
Mike Kingston , Columbia, TN - Mike Kingston has been fly fishing for over 50 years and tying flies for more than 40 of those years. His friends in the west think of him as a trout fisherman, while his new friends in Tennessee know him as a warm water fly fisherman. Mike just likes catching fish on the fly rod. He also likes to tie all types of flies from small beadhead nymphs to huge Muskie flies. He is probably best known for his deer hair bass flies and streamer patterns.
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Aaron McDaniel , Alexandri, KY - Aaron started tying flies when he was ten years old. At thirteen he and his dad Bill joined Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers club after attending their annual Beginner's Fly Tying five-week course at Northern Kentucky University one winter. Since then, Aaron has matured as both a fly-tyer and a fly-fisher and has grown into a first rate teacher of his skills. Now 22, Aaron heads up all of NKFF's Fly Tying programs and is the head-master at the Beginner's Fly Tying Class which is still held each winter. Aaron starred in the Fly Tying Show on NKFF's cable television series Fishing On The Fly, an award-winning public cable show produced by other Northern Kentucky Fly Fisher members. Not to be put off by the inaccessibility of certain fly tying materials, Aaron has become a master of alternative materials and loves to roam the craft stores for new things to use in plying his art. He really loves craft foam (being a down-home bass and bluegill fisher at his core) and creates some great flies that the warm-water species really love.
Colin McDowell , Cary, NC - Colin is a 17 year old rising senior at Cary High School in Cary, N.C. He started tying flies when he was 8 or 9 years old. He won a local fly fishing forum tying contest at age 12 as his interest and skills began to grow. He now ties every type of fly, from full dress salmon flies to size 26 midges to brick-sized musky flies. He is also a skilled and enthusiastic fly fisherman who loves the outdoors and has been to both Rivercourse in NC, and The Big Horn Youth Adventure in Montana. Although he started his fly tying under the tutelage of his dad, he has also been guided by many skilled and generous members of the fly tying community in the Southeast. For the past several years, Colin has also assisted the Carolina Fly Fishing Club, an FFF affiliate, in helping teach younger kids the basics of fly tying at many fly fishing shows and gatherings. Say hello to Colin this year, and be sure to ask him about “Lyin’ & Tyin”.
Jule McDowell, Cary, NC - I started tying flies almost 20 years ago when my wife mentioned that her brother tied his own flies. “I’ll bet you’d enjoy doing that.” she mentioned in passing. Now she’s very sorry that she said it out loud. Today there are flies of all kinds, sizes, and colors lying around my house. My wife isn’t even fazed anymore by what she finds or where she finds it. She does check the chairs before she sits down, though, and she’s stopped going barefoot in the house. I mostly tie bigger flies and mostly baitfish patterns today. That’s because those are the flies I enjoy fishing the most. Streamers, poppers, Clouser-style minnows. That’s the kind of stuff you’ll find in my vise and in my box. I like to blend natural materials with the synthetics that are durable, flashy, sexy in the water. I like tying at expos, shows, and meetings. I enjoy the teaching, learning, and sharing that happens there. Like here at this gathering. Stop by and see me. I’ll be the guy under the pile of sparkly stuff.
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Allen McGee, Alpharetta, GA - Allen McGee has been fly fishing and tying flies for trout for nearly 20 years. Allen has fly fished extensively throughout the eastern, mid-western, and Rocky Mountain western United States and even as far away as the mountains of South Korea. He enjoys pursuing big fish with light tackle particularly on difficult spring creek-type streams. He is a fly designer for the Montana Fly Company, an outdoor photographer, and author. His fly fishing articles have appeared in numerous industry magazines including Fly Fisherman, Eastern Fly Fishing, Fly Tyer, and Gray's Sporting Journal. He is the author of the book Tying & Fishing Soft-Hackled Nymphs. Much of his fly tying has focused on developing new and innovative soft-hackle techniques and fly patterns. He believes in designing and fishing flies that imitate the movement and behavior of the naturals, feeling that these trigger a trout's feeding instinct. He lives in Alpharetta, Georgia
Tyler Newman , Canton, GA - Fifteen year old Tyler Newman of Canton, Georgia has been tying flies since he was about seven years old. Fate played a hand in his fly-tying and fishing beginnings when the flyfishing tackle and tying gear of a gentleman (D.C. Robertson who had passed away) ended up in Tyler’s hands. Since then he began casting in the front yard, wading all the local ponds and streams, raising chickens so he can have his own stash of feathers, designing and selling his own flies and jewelry at local farmers' markets and volunteering many hours of his time each month for Georgia Adopt-A-Stream. Tyler has earned the Fly Fishing Merit Badge in Scouts and is now teaching some of the other scouts in his troop about it, too. He is out fishing several times a week, and his favorite fly is the olive Carter's Rubber-Legged Dragon.
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Craig Riendeau, Cumming, GA - Craig is a member of the Atlanta Fly Fishing Club and the Fall Line Fly Anglers of Macon, Georgia. An ardent warm water fly tier and angler originally from the Chicagoland area where he was fly fishing director for the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. He was a speaker and demonstrator at many Midwest fly shows. Now he plies his talents on the spots and shoalies that inhabit Georgia's waters.
Ron Thomas , Helen, GA - has been tying for about 6 years, teaches fly tying at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, Ga, sells flies to the shop and uses the flies he ties on all his guide trips. Ron has started a fly tying group called "Tie 1 On" which has grown in numbers and enthusiasm over the past year. In this group, he reaches out to new members who are interested in hooking fish on flies that they tie themselves. He not only offers fly tying time and instruction, but also spends time on the water teaching how to fish these flies ... the mentoring in this group has been great. "Tie 1 On" will also be involved in tying the "CFR" flies for the Georgia retreat in 2012. Ron teaches a fly tying class at the church he attends. He's also on the "pro staff" for Peak vises and has participated in several fly tying events ... at Bass Pro shop in Atlanta, at the Great Southern Fishing Show in Atlanta, for Georgia Outdoor Days, and at several local community group, church, and youth events. Ron also builds custom wooden fly boxes and stock them with flies that he ties. An activity that has been especially rewarding for Ron is participation in the "Fly Fishing for Vets" and the "Healing Waters" programs.
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Ryan Travis , Clarksville, TN - has been fly fishing and tying flies for almost 30 years. Raised on the blue ribbon trout waters of Montana, Ryan was fortunate to grow up fishing some of the most premier wild trout fisheries in the United States. As a youngster he tied custom flies for his father Tom Travis who owns the Montana’s Master Angler in Livingston, MT. Since then his current job as an Army helicopter pilot has limited his abilities to tie professionally although he frequents the tying bench to fill his fly boxes. Ryan is what you might call a fishing junkie he is addicted to catching any fish that eats flies. Ryan along with his wife Lindsey are active duty officers in the United States Army currently serving at Fort Campbell KY.
Tom Travis , Livingston, MT and Sebastian, FL - has been teaching fly tying for over 30 year and has taught seminars and performed fly tying demos at the SE FFF Conclave for a number of years. Tom has also tied at the British International Fly Fair, and countless other shows. Tom is a fly designer & contract tyer for the Orvis Company. Tom has also written for several of the fly fishing publications as well as doing a booklet for the National FFF. He likes to blend in strong doses of humor into his fly tying and is willing to help you anyway he can. Tom has traveled to the Southeast Conclave to assist us from his home in Livingston, Montana where he operates Montana's Master Angler Fly Fishing Guide Service and Custom Flies.
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Rex Wilson, Candler, NC - has been tying flies for 30 years. He has tied at several FFF SEC (and other) conclaves. He ties the Smokey Mountain Fly patterns.
Hamilton Wise , Columbus, GA - is completing his senior year in high school in Columbus, Georgia. Three years ago he got a fly tying kit and Bob Clouser’s book for Christmas. Wanting to expand his knowledge with a professional mentor, Hamilton chose to learn the art of fly fishing and fly tying for his senior project. He spent the past summer and this school year on his project under the mentorship of Paul Hudson from Callaway Gardens. Last June he made the trip to Helen, Georgia with his family to his first Fly Fishing Festival where he met many other enthusiasts and his passion for the sport and the art increased greatly. He is honored to be asked to demonstrate at this year’s show.
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Reid Benton , Madison, AL - Started fly fishing as a boy in Georgia , fishing for anything (mostly bluegills) then chased freshwater and saltwater fish for the last 50 years in earnest and remains an avid trout fisherman. He has fished most of the streams in the northeast, southeast and many in the west as well. Tying flies for the last 30 years. Fortunate enough to receive instruction from some of the great fly fisherman / tiers in our country. He is the director of fly tying and instructor for the Tennessee Valley Fly Fishing (TVFF) club in Huntsville , Alabama. He is a demonstration tyer for the FFF, Sowbug and others. Presently full time retired in Madison , Alabama and enjoying life.
Larry Drake , Louisville, KY - I have been a member of Trout Unlimited for about 15 years. About 6 years ago I put together, with the help of a few people, the FFF Charter club Derby City Fly Fishers and served as their first president. That year we also started the first Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Show in Louisville, KY. I have tied flies for the past 15 years that I have been fly fishing. I have been teaching fly tying for the past 10 years for trout unlimited and the past 6 years for Derby City Fly Fishers. I have tied flies for the shows in this area. I tie trout, bass, bluegill, steelhead, salmon and muskie flies, including soft-hackled wet flies, nymphs, dry flies, terrestrials, streamers and most other fresh water fly fishing flies.
Misty Dunn , Lincoln, AL - Misty started tying flies about two years ago. She had been bitten by the flyfishing bug and the infection continued to grow into the fly tying disorder. As a relative "newbie" at this game she still loves learning new tips and tricks every day and believes the most important thing is to just have fun tying and then fishing your flies
Oscar Feliu, The Villages, FL - Oscar is a native of Chile, and came to the USA in 1969. Oscar has been doing tying demonstrations and workshops for FFF for over 30 years. His fly tying has taken him through out North America and Europe. Oscar has four Instructional fly-tying DVDs on the market. His fly patterns have been the center of many Magazine articles and books on the subject. In 1989 he relocated from Michigan to Florida where he has designed several very successful Saltwater flies.
Buz Fender , Bokeelia, FL - I have been tying for approximately 20 years after taking a class from buddy Oscar Feliu. I've tied at the Florida Council FFF Conclaves, Florida Sportsman Shows & local flyfishing clubs. I'm a member of Sunshine Fly Anglers and spend eight months on Pine Island in Florida chasing primarily Redfish and Snook and four months in Michigan where my favorite target is fishing for LARGE carp in shallow shoals of Lake Michigan. I have always tied my Saltwater patterns but could do Carp flies if I wanted.
Les Fulcher, Longboat Key, FL - I am currently employed by the Sarasota County Fire Dept. and will retire in June 09. I fish primarily saltwater but am open to anything. I enjoy tying at the conclaves because of the people I meet and the new stuff I get exposed to at them.
Ed Heeg , Asheville, NC - took up fly fishing about twenty-five years ago, and started fly tying after taking lessons taught by the Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers club a year later.
Walt Holman , Madison, AL - Walt has been a fly-rodder, bug and fly designer, constructor, tyer and user for over 50 years. A long-time member of the FFF and the Tennessee Valley Fly Fishers, he has tied at conclaves and various clubs of the Southern and Southeastern councils. He has also tied at the FFF international shows in Livingston, MT and Gatlinburg, TN. Walt's foil covered pencil poppers are a major attraction every year at the FFF-SEC Conclave. Walt is a retired electrical engineer.
John Johnson , Midland, MI - is a retired chemical engineer who has over 50 years of cold water and warm water fly-fishing experience. He regularly teaches and lectures at TU, FFF, Boy Scouts, 4H, Orvis, Saginaw Valley and Central Michigan Universities. He is a licensed smallmouth guide in Michigan and a certified casting instructor.
Dave Kline , Atlanta, GA - Dave has been tying flies for 25 years. He is a founder and past president of the Flatland Fly Fishers. He got started in Pennsylvania tying traditional Catskill trout flies. A company transfer to Kansas gave him the opportunity to tie and fish many styles of warm water flies for everything from carp to catfish. Dave has been tying full dress salmon flies since the 90s. Today he likes to tie and fish traditional patterns for bass and trout. Spey flies are particular favorites.
Jack Neely , Summerfield, FL - Born in Menasha, Wisconsin in 1935, Jack grew up on an island and first tied at age of 6, sold his first fly at the local barbershop for 7 to 10 cents each and he put himself through Marquette University in part through tying flies. Jack has tied flies at Conclaves in the West Yellowstone from 1983-1987. He has taught fly tying in Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas, plus Philadelphia, Connecticut and Florida. He specializes in teaching beginners and intermediate levels of tyers. Jack currently holds the FFF office as Director of Fly Tying for the Florida Council.
Greg Saunders , Pensicola, FL - Gregory B. Saunders is a fly designer and inventor of FlyLipps, a fly tying component that adds swimming action to your patterns. Greg has demonstrated tying his creations at a variety of clubs and fairs as well as several conclaves across the country. Greg's flies and FlyLipps are available through many local fly shops as well as being nationally and internationally distributed by Wapsi, Rainy's Flies, and Orvis.
Paul Tidroski , Port Richey, FL - A fisherman for over 50 years and a fly fisherman and tyer for the last ten years, Paul began tying the classic mixed feather-wing salmon flies, Rangeley style streamers made famous by Carrie Stevens and the classic wet flies of Ray Bergman a little over four years ago. Winner of the 2003 and 2005 Fly Tyer of the Year annual competition held by the FlyTyingForum.com in both the salmon fly and trout wet fly categories. Paul' s flies are currently on exhibit and in the permanent collection of the Museum of Hunting and Fishing in Munich, Germany and the Margaree Salmon Fishing Museum in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He has been a featured tyer at various outdoors and fishing shows and the Southeast regional Conclave of the Federation of Fly Fishers. Paul lives in New Port Richey, Florida with his wife Lynne.
Carmen Zalewski , Hastings, MI - Is only nine years old and has been tying flies for several of those years. This very talented young lady is the daughter of Mike and Sharon Zalewski, owners of Shelbyville Rod Company. Carmen is in the ???th grade and enjoys ......
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