Explore Fly Tying by joining our FREE Feature Tier Series from 10 am to 3 pm
Delve into the rich history of fly tying, a fascinating art form deeply rooted in tradition. Dating back thousands of years, cultures worldwide have practiced the craft of creating artificial flies to allure fish. Early fly patterns were ingeniously crafted from natural materials like feathers, fur, and animal hair-techniques that still inspire contemporary fly tyers.
A New Mexico native, Tom Baltz has been a fly tier for over 40 years, the last 30 spent among the legendary tiers and anglers of the limestone valleys of south-central Pennsylvania, near Carlisle. Tom is the only four-time Pennsylvania State Fly Tying Champion and his flies have appeared in Field & Stream, Fly Fisherman Magazine, Art of Angling Journal, Eastern Fly Fishing, and American Angler magazines; the Orvis catalog (I.C.S.I. Midge, MuddBugger, Hatching Nymph, and Beetlenat); and his published book “Guide Flies.” He is a regular contributor to the Mid-Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide and appears at fly fishing shows around the country.
Allen Rupp has been tying flies for more than 35 years, a passion that started when he was chasing smallmouth bass on the Potomac River. What began as a local pursuit evolved into a global journey—his flies have now caught fish everywhere from Belize to Tanzania, Alabama to Wyoming, and waters beyond.
These days, Allen runs Fly On The Water from New York City, though you’re just as likely to find him waist-deep in water as behind the vise. He’s recently been focused on saltwater species, particularly the maddeningly elusive snook. Allen learned much of his craft from the late Dave Whitlock, a close friend and mentor whose influence runs through many of Allen’s patterns—a beautiful mix of time-tested techniques and creative innovation.
Allen will be demonstrating Dave Whitlock’s NearNuff Sculpin, one of those classic patterns that simply works.
Jerry Coviello’s presentation will be Foam Flies for Bass and Panfish—Flies are not just for Trout, as the weather warms up, I fish the streams and lakes in my area for Bass and Panfish. There is one fly I will fish all day and catch 50 panfish in a few hours, the Foam Dragon Bluegill Slayer, a fly created by Clark “Cheech” Pierce. Along with the Blue Gill Slayer, I will tie a Panfish Gurgler and Personal Flotation Device Humpy.
Jerry is an accomplished fly tier and a FFI Buz Buszek Fly Tying Memorial Award recipient, the highest award awarded to a Fly Tier, Jerry is a past Fly Fishers International Fly Tying Group Chairperson.. He is recognized by Fly Tyer Magazine as a Master Fly Tying Instructor. He serves as the President Eastern Waters Council of the Fly Fishers International. He created fly tying learning documents for the FFI Learning Center and develops Fly Tying Workshops for members to learn how to tie flies. He has a YouTube Channel “Jerry’s Fly Tying Tips” that has over 100 fly tying videos to teach how to tie flies. Jerry also teaches workshops for many clubs and show and many Online Fly Tying Workshops and Presentations. Jerry hosts a monthly Fly Tying Workshop on Zoom called “Jerry’s Fly Tying Tips Workshops” and broadcasts on his Facebook page call Jerry’s Fly Tying Tips.
***FFI Buz Buszek Memorial Fly Tying Award Recipient, Fly Fishers International Fly Tying Group Past Chairperson, Norvise Ambassador, Solarez UV Resin Pro Team Member,Ewing Feather Birds Team Member.
Jeremy Clapp’s The Fleein’ Cray originally designed by James Hughes is the most realistic swimming crayfish pattern in existence. Smallmouth, Largemouth and Trout all get fooled by this fly with incredible action. Fish it fast, fish it slow, floating line or intermediate, this fly is incredibly versatile. I’ve caught many fish with this fly in Stillwater as well, fishing it as a crayfish and in light colors as a baitfish.
John Conrad, I started tying flies over 40 years ago. My son wanted to try fly fishing, so I suggested he also learn to tie flies. We went over to Carlisle Fish and Game to the fly classes they run every winter. Now I am running the classes! My daughter and I do a lot of bass fly fishing in the summer, and she is quite good. I really enjoy tying bass flies and going to the fishing shows. I’ll be tying a frog pattern at the show.