First Annual Wasatch Fly Tying Expo...

[Curtis Fry]

...is what we might call such an event if we get it put together. I know Jason you posted this on another thread, but in the interest of getting more feedback, I figured I'd post here too under a fresh thread. I had coincidentally been tossing this idea around.

I've been talking with a number of people about putting something together in SLC similar to the Eastern Idaho Expo that happens in April. I've looked into venues and costs and I think we could do it relatively "on the cheap" (i.e. no admission charge) and still have a great show. I've also contacted some fly tying material companies to see if they'd either sponsor or attend as an exhibitor. So far, response has been decent and I think we can really build up a nice list of tyers and exhibitors.

Some considerations:

1. When would we do this? We were thinking the winter months (Nov-Jan), seeing as fewer people would be fishing and more people would possibly opt to attend. Plus, it wouldn't compete with the Idaho gig as far as timing. But, if Summer/Fall works just as well, we're good with that too.

2. If you would like to participate by doing a fly tying demo or two, please let me know. I want to get a good headcount. I like the idea of having many "demo" tables where people tie for a given period of time. Then we'd also have more general sessions with a projector and cameras (similar to the ISE theater).

3. If you would like to exhibit or sell something, let me know.

4. If you just want to attend, see some good fly tyers, learn some new stuff and possibly buy some things, also please respond.

Some other activities we were discussing:
--Entomogy Workshops (Jason or others)
--"Iron Chef" style fly tying competition. This was an idea from Pete Parker and I think it would be a hoot. We give each participant a few minutes to look at a set of materials with a choice of hooks. Then they get the "secret ingredient" (dog fur, old slipper, lawn chair fibers etc) and have to tie a fly in 10 minutes or something using the secret material as their main component.
--Gear and fly auction for charity.
--General Fly tying competition.
--Others?

Also, who in the Stonefly Society would be the person to talk to about possibly participating in this?

Once I have a decent idea what we can expect, I'm going to reserve a spot in SLC to do this. So how's that sound?

[wildnative]

Any room for a pessimist?

I'd support it.

Believe it or not I'm working on a stand-up routine with jokes about fly fishermen and fly tiers. Of course, if you're too sensitive and serious about the subject matter, you may not want to attend.

[Mr. T]

This sounds like it could be alot of fun, I would be surprised, given the outoodoor interests in this state, if this thing wouldn't be a huge hit.

[Cary]

...

Also, who in the Stonefly Society would be the person to talk to about possibly participating in this?


Utah Dave and Tanglerman.. I mean Anglerman. Maybe me, maybe Jdub.

[Utah DaveII]

honestly,

Jason and I have tlaked about this quite a bit over the years. That is one fo the main reasons we created his position at Stoenfly. We want this to happen. Talk to Jason, and know that you have my full support. I'd also like to get casting and other stuff involved as well.

[mike doughty]

sounds like a killer time. if i'm not deployed i will be there.

[mike doughty]

Are they thinkin of sending your unit out Mike?
i might be

[«°Ñøvã°»]

Tried to PM ya Mike with no luck so ill post this here ...sorry dont mean to grope the thread
i found this on another site just incase you get shipped out this might give ya some hope for angling
http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=372819&page=2

[«°Ñøvã°»]

http://members.cox.net/flybox/BSFF.htm

[FishOn!]

http://members.cox.net/flybox/BSFF.htm

that is awesome!

[FishOn!]

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=372819&page=2

Man, that dude hooked up with some nice fish

[fishingod]

allow me to be the cheap bastard of the thread....i would like to sit and tie up but what is the estimated cost per booth. i definatly think its a good idea for something like this, however a 10x10 at the ise is 1000 bucks. not the kind of pocket change i usually carry around. i will attend either way if i am tying or i am watching.

[Curtis Fry]

If you want to be an exhibitor, I don't think it's going to be too steep (maybe $100 max depending on the cost of the venue). If you're going to just tie flies at one of the booths, then no charge of course.

[nightfish]

I´d definitely be interested in participating...tying & probably exhibiting.

Considerations...

-fall, after the hunts. There´s too many events in the dec-march schedule, and a tying season kick-off event would be great.

-Iron Chef event would be really cool, but I´d like to see a larger time frame, say an hour, and complete as many patterns as possible in the allowed time. Maybe 2 events...solo and team. The team would allow for 1 tyer and 1 prep/recipe person.

Thinking of a banquet?

[Salmo22]

Curtis:

Are you interested in attracting out-of-town attendees? I would seriously consider traveling from Arizona to attend. Especially if this event was along the lines of the Eastern Idaho Fly Tying Expo.

I'd like to suggest a unique program for your event. How about a booth where individuals could pay to blend bulk dubbing? I remember when Jeff Brooks posted his various "spectrumized" dubbings blends on UOTF. If I recall correctly there was a large gathering of area tiers to blend his recipes in bulk. You could have a booth with two or three large commercial blenders, numerous bins of base dubbing materials, and a list of recipes/formulas with examples of the finished blends. Attendees could (for an appropriate fee) blend bulk quantities of custom dubbing mixes. I think it would be a very popular booth and beat the heck out of trying to chase down all the various base materials from a variety of manufacturers that aren’t ever available from one shop. If others are like me, I love to get high quality dubbing in bulk. You could even have a display of flies tied using the various custom blends. For example, you could have all the ingredients to bulk blend Jeff Brooks’ spectrumized recipes with the associated fly patterns. ABox Inc. and/or Dennis’ “The FlyDesk” could serve as sponsors. I think people would find it a great bargain and love the idea that they mixed/produced their own custom blend(s) of dubbing in sufficient quantity to last a long time. What do you think?

[Curtis Fry]

Curtis:

Are you interested in attracting out-of-town attendees? I would seriously consider traveling from Arizona to attend. Especially if this event was along the lines of the Eastern Idaho Fly Tying Expo.

I'd like to suggest a unique program for your event. How about a booth where individuals could pay to blend bulk dubbing? I remember when Jeff Brooks posted his various "spectrumized" dubbings blends on UOTF. If I recall correctly there was a large gathering of area tiers to blend his recipes in bulk. You could have a booth with two or three large commercial blenders, numerous bins of base dubbing materials, and a list of recipes/formulas with examples of the finished blends. Attendees could (for an appropriate fee) blend bulk quantities of custom dubbing mixes. I think it would be a very popular booth and beat the heck out of trying to chase down all the various base materials from a variety of manufacturers that aren’t ever available from one shop. If others are like me, I love to get high quality dubbing in bulk. You could even have a display of flies tied using the various custom blends. For example, you could have all the ingredients to bulk blend Jeff Brooks’ spectrumized recipes with the associated fly patterns. ABox Inc. and/or Dennis’ “The FlyDesk” could serve as sponsors. I think people would find it a great bargain and love the idea that they mixed/produced their own custom blend(s) of dubbing in sufficient quantity to last a long time. What do you think?
At this point, I think we're open to some ideas, so that sounds like an interesting one. I've had a lot of good e-mails for ideas today and I think this thing could be a total blast! Feel free to come up from AZ and bring your buddies.

So nightfish, are you thinking November then? I tentatively requested some conference centers for Nov 17th and 18th. I figure the hunts will be done (plenty of new materials available) and people will be in the holiday shopping mode as well.

We already have a decent list of exhibitors and fly tyers, so I think this thing will rock!

[Minivan]

I could be up for something like this. I could tie up a few stillwater patterns. Some that don't really work, but look good in the vice.

I am not sure about a November date however. To me there is a reason all of the "shows", ie., boat, rv, travel, wedding, home and garden, etc. are from January through April, that is when people have cabin fever and want to attend something like that. November, for me anyway, is the month when my fishing and tying winds down. I don't think about tying until after the snow starts piling up and I have nothing else to do.

[UtahFlyGuy]

At this point, I think we're open to some ideas, so that sounds like an interesting one. I've had a lot of good e-mails for ideas today and I think this thing could be a total blast! Feel free to come up from AZ and bring your buddies.

So nightfish, are you thinking November then? I tentatively requested some conference centers for Nov 17th and 18th. I figure the hunts will be done (plenty of new materials available) and people will be in the holiday shopping mode as well.

We already have a decent list of exhibitors and fly tyers, so I think this thing will rock!
Just a quick question for those that have attended the expo in Idaho. How many people usually attend this event? Curtis do you think that a conference center is large enough or too small? I think the November time frame is best. I agree that Nightfish has the right idea. What about the support of the local shops? Maybe a few calls to them can give us more contacts, or at least some more leads. Perhaps some flyrod reps. Jason had posted that Frank Smethurst from Scott will be in town soon. A call to Western Rivers might be in order. I'm sure Steve Schmidt wouldnt mind passing along the idea.

Just a few thoughts. UFG

[Curtis Fry]

I've talked to some of the fly shops and we'll want to continue to call all the local ones as well as other reps from equipment and material vendors.

As for the date, my first thought was November in order to separate it from the Idaho event enough and to avoid other fishing conflicts. But then again, Mini has a point in that a lot of those expo's happen in the Jan-March timeframe where cabin fever has set in.

We'll think about it a bit, but I think November ends up working best for people I've talked to as well.

[UtahFlyGuy]

[QUOTE=Curtis Fry] But then again, Mini has a point in that a lot of those expo's happen in the Jan-March timeframe where cabin fever has set in.QUOTE]
Yup, couldnt agree more that Jan-March time wouldnt be good, however with all the diferent expos going on. It would be tough when the angler is torn between home improvements and fishing.

[Utah DaveII]

When Jason and and I have talked about something like this. I think that September is a good month. If we want to have some stuff outside it is not too hot or too cold and the weather is usually pretty good.

[Jason]

Curtis, me and Dave have been planning this for two years now...along with Jaymorr, Nighfish, and others. I think most of your ideas and such are great. Before you get serious, you need to get to the Idaho Tying Expo and see what it's all about...if you haven't already. They've been doing it for about 15 years now so they know what they're doing. I believe we were thinking Sept or Oct....doesn't seem like there's a lot of "shows" going on at that time. Our initial thought was to do something similar to the Idaho show and do it as a conservation group....Stonefly, TU, etc, and have the proceeds go to a certain project or cause. I guess this could be optional. Anyway, if you want to chat about give me a call.

[csgriff]

I'm fairly new here on the website (been lurking around for a while) but here is my 2 Cents. I am fairly new to tying, but what I would like to see is an event where I can watch someone tie a good pattern and then walk around the room and buy the materials so I can go home and imitate it. Also, checking out new equipment and meeting some fellow ffers are good things too.

[Curtis Fry]

Curtis, me and Dave have been planning this for two years now...along with Jaymorr, Nighfish, and others. .

Two years? Well, get off your duff and help me make this happen. j/k.

I'll call you later on.

I'm fairly new here on the website (been lurking around for a while) but here is my 2 Cents. I am fairly new to tying, but what I would like to see is an event where I can watch someone tie a good pattern and then walk around the room and buy the materials so I can go home and imitate it. Also, checking out new equipment and meeting some fellow ffers are good things too.
That's a good idea. I think we can get some vendors to supply (at a price) materials for certain flies that are demo'd.

[westay]

I don't tie flies. But I love to watch them be created. I would hope that the tiers would be allowed to sell a few of their product to slobs like me who can't reliably tie our shoes let alone something magical like a fly. I think it would be interesting if the tying were organized into themes, nymphs, emergers, dries or by river - LP, MP, UP, Weber, Ogden, Big Cottonwood, etc. or by lakes, or even by season - the favorite spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer, fall and winter. It would help us clutzes organize our fly boxes.

[csgriff]

That's a good idea. I think we can get some vendors to supply (at a price) materials for certain flies that are demo'd.

Even just having a few materials vendors available would be good. They wouldn't have to supply packages per se. I just don't like going to a show (like last weekend) with some money in my pocket hoping to pick up a few things and coming home with nothing.

[wildnative]

Mini could have a fake fire set up where we could all sit in lawn chairs and listen to him read his latest musings? Or, teach us how to find serenity and relaxation in a jail cell as oppsed to finding it while fly fishing?

[raposaNegra]

generates some serious $$$s for the local TU chapter. If done right this event could also. They have raffles, auctions, silent auctions etc, with the local shops, boat businesses and guides contributing quite abit, along with fly boxes tied up by local tiers. I would be willing to tie, display product, and donate items.

[nightfish]

If you want any vendors/reps etc to attend, september will give you a great big no-show. The industry show is the end of august this year, and all the reps and FF related companies will be out trying to sell their wares for the 2007 season. November, before thanksgiving would give the best attendance overall. As far as I know, there is only one other fly tying event then, and that´s in New Jersey.

Curtis, have you looked at the airport Hilton? They have ponds that could accommodate casting demos if the weather is good, plus they have good exhiubit space and decent lodging for event attendees.

[Curtis Fry]

If you want any vendors/reps etc to attend, september will give you a great big no-show. The industry show is the end of august this year, and all the reps and FF related companies will be out trying to sell their wares for the 2007 season. November, before thanksgiving would give the best attendance overall. As far as I know, there is only one other fly tying event then, and that´s in New Jersey.

Curtis, have you looked at the airport Hilton? They have ponds that could accommodate casting demos if the weather is good, plus they have good exhiubit space and decent lodging for event attendees.

Thanks for the heads-up Nick. I looked at the Airport Hilton, but wasn't sure if we'd like it better with something closer to downtown. I'm comparing prices and availability right now...

[wildnative]

You in it for the show or the dough?

Can I bring my big game animal heads and display them? They do have some tying hair left on them!

Let's have a dutch oven cook-off (trout recipes only).

A dressed to kill seminar (fly dressings) but you have to wear camo to attend.

Shadow casting clinic.

Rerun of "A River Runs Through It."

A clinic on proper fly fishing terminology like, "How to Call a Bobber an Indicator."

And invite W2U and PBH for that special seminar they do: "Ifin' I Can't Get 'Em on a Fly, Pass the Velveeta!"

[JayMorr]

Curtis, me and Dave have been planning this for two years now...along with Jaymorr, Nighfish, and others. I think most of your ideas and such are great. Before you get serious, you need to get to the Idaho Tying Expo and see what it's all about...if you haven't already. They've been doing it for about 15 years now so they know what they're doing. I believe we were thinking Sept or Oct....doesn't seem like there's a lot of "shows" going on at that time. Our initial thought was to do something similar to the Idaho show and do it as a conservation group....Stonefly, TU, etc, and have the proceeds go to a certain project or cause. I guess this could be optional. Anyway, if you want to chat about give me a call.
Great ideas! ARW is a great source for information regarding this type of an event. I really do like the conservation idea behind what IF has done and it would really benefit some of our local waters.

I would enjoy tying, casting, or participating in such an event.

JayMorr

[banjoflyfish]

November, before thanksgiving would give the best attendance overall. They have ponds that could accommodate casting demos if the weather is good,

What are the chances of that?

[wildnative]

Great ideas! ARW is a great source for information regarding this type of an event. I really do like the conservation idea behind what IF has done and it would really benefit some of our local waters.

I would enjoy tying, casting, or participating in such an event.

JayMorr

I vote JayMorr as the show spokesman! You have permission to park at the front door.

[JayMorr]

There are plenty of spokeman that could handle that just fine.

I will retreat back into my hiding spot Grand Masta Foam Twista.

I was never one to impose or invite myself to anything. ;)

[ARW]

I'll give you a little teaser. Last year we grossed about $75K and netted just less that half that. Not bad for little club fund-raiser.

[jccollier]

I'm in if Cheech isn't going to attend...he's kinda mean and hurtful :) ....will monitor the site for any updated info....J.

[Curtis Fry]

I'm in if Cheech isn't going to attend...he's kinda mean and hurtful :) ....will monitor the site for any updated info....J.
I hear ya man.

ARW, that's pretty dang nice. We plan on starting small and growing it from there as we can. Do you mind if I give you a call sometime soon? I want to chat about a couple of things.

[wildnative]

I'll give you a little teaser. Last year we grossed about $75K and netted just less that half that. Not bad for little club fund-raiser.
How much of that will you loose if Utah does there own and we stop coming to yours?

Or is it as the fly shops up there claim. . . Utahns never spend any money, just prod for information?

[ARW]

You boyz need to realize you will probably want to form the show under a club like the Stonefly Society.

If not you are going to have to:
1) Form a non-profit/tax exempt entity.
2) Form by-laws for that entity.
3) Get liability insurance.
4) At least in Idaho you need a gaming license for raffles etc, by going through the club, it will fall under SS/Utah TUs umbrella. I am assuming TU Utah has a gaming license for fund-raising in your state.

[BEEGER]

ARW, don't foget to mention all the big name tiers and fishers that have to be pulled in to draw the crowd. The IF show is full of them because they live in the area.

[wildnative]

ARW, don't foget to mention all the big name tiers and fishers that have to be pulled in to draw the crowd. The IF show is full of them because they live in the area.
Evidently you haven't heard of our group down here. How about these names: Jason Haslam, Curtis Fry, Dennis Brakke, Tom Doxey, Kim Jensen, Paul Stimpson, Cheech, JayMorr, Nightfish, Stef, Bob Trowbridge, Don Worthington. . . I could go on. . .wait. . .those guys and gals are tying in the IF show too.

[BEEGER]

Evidently you haven't heard of our group down here. How about these names: Jason Haslam, Curtis Fry, Dennis Brakke, Tom Doxey, Kim Jensen, Paul Stimpson, Cheech, JayMorr, Nightfish, Stef, Bob Trowbridge, Don Worthington. . . I could go on. . .wait. . .those guys and gals are tying in the IF show too.[/QUOTE]



No Doubt some over the top, good tyers and I personally know most of the people you mention. A bunch of sand baggers!! LOL!
Even these gentleman and women will tell you there is the fly fishing Mega stars that pull in the crowds.

[ARW]

There are also three other shows trying to get off the ground. The 2nd annual Boise Expo is this weekend. Bozeman was in February. And Billings is planning on starting next march as well. (The Bozeman show has not been able to really launch). Not to mention all the commercial Sports and fishing shows in the spring.

With the population base you have down there, you should be fine even if you can't pack it with the big out of state names. Fall may be a great time. Think about the Friday/Saturday right after Thanksgiving. Women go Christmas shopping, guys go to your Expo.

[the icon]

November would be the best time for most of the tyers I know because Sept. and October are some of our top fishing times in Canada and montana and Idaho. I pretty well wrap it up and begin mostly tying by the end of November. I would tie for it and provide materials and books etc. for drawings or raffles. I would however, suggest that all cocerned spend some time talking to Bruce Staples and the gang from Idaho to learn what to expect. Those guys do a much better job than anyone including the FFF.

[spotter]

November would be the best time for most of the tyers I know because Sept. and October are some of our top fishing times in Canada and montana and Idaho. I pretty well wrap it up and begin mostly tying by the end of November. I would tie for it and provide materials and books etc. for drawings or raffles. I would however, suggest that all cocerned spend some time talking to Bruce Staples and the gang from Idaho to learn what to expect. Those guys do a much better job than anyone including the FFF.

Is Mike Andreasen "the icon?"

[Curtis Fry]

Is Mike Andreasen "the icon?"

Yeah, I'd guess that. Mike is that you? BTW, that "long" fiber dubbing is way cool.

[JayMorr]

Dont forget to mention a guy named RAW! (I just pulled out your Mayfly article from a few years back). I have said this before, Utah has some incredible tyers, casters, flyfisherman. It's pretty awesome to have such talent in our own backyard. Many of times I have been able to walk in to a shop, sportsman's (or at some other flyfishing event) and see the innovations and skill from many of the members that frequent this site. Awesome stuff!

Letz get it goin!

[seabass14]

Curtis,
The only reason I have not attended the Expo in IF is because of the distance. I know for a fact that me and all my buddies that tie would love to attend something like this. I was thinking while walking around the ISE that I wished there was a show locally that was geared to just fly fisherman. I am not a big hunter and it seemed that there was too few fly fishing related booths at the show. THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!!!

[flip]

Just so you will know. Last year when I was at the Idaho show a older couple came by saying hi to the tyer I was watching. They asked me how I liked the show etc.. After they left I said "who was that" and I was told they paid for the cost of the hall each year and that is why it was free to get in. They are rich and do it just for the heck of it. With out that it would be a cost to get in. I thought you would like to know why it works so well there.. flip

[ARW]

Just so you will know. Last year when I was at the Idaho show a older couple came by saying hi to the tyer I was watching. They asked me how I liked the show etc. After they left I said "who was that" and I was told they paid for the cost of the hall each year and that is why it was free to get in. They are rich and do it just for the heck of it. With out that it would be a cost to get in. I thought you would like to know why it works so well there.. flip

That is NOT true.

We generate a huge amount of profit for the Shilo for rooms, meals, our banquet etc, and since we are a non-profit, they cut us a deal. But we pay for it.

[wildnative]

That old couple also pays all the demonstration tiers just to get them to come up and tie. HEEHAW