Fishing conditions have certainly moved into winter mode with a spate of cold weather and more seasonal conditions. But as the saying goes, “it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere”; and so it is for fly fishing as well - for the very hardy, there’s always some fishing to do in our area. For the more tame (and sane), however, local fly fishing events, regional shows, and fly tying will be more the norm for the next month or so.
For the week ahead, the following three events will be taking place in our area:
- The Al Hazzard Chapter of Trout Unlimited will provide fly tying instruction at the Timber Creek Sportsman Shop on Saturdays from 11:00 to 2:00 beginning January 21 through March 24. The cost of this event is $35 and space is limited 8 tiers. Pre-registration is required. Sign up at the Timber Creek Sportsman Shop, 3204 Watson Blvd., Endwell, NY (607) 239-6511, OR e-mail John Trainor at jtrainor@stny.rr.com. This class is suitable for beginners and experienced tiers wanting to learn and improve techniques. Basic techniques in tying wet flies, nymphs, streamers and dry flies will be covered, as well as the most productive patterns developed by well-known guides Loren Williams and Ken Tutalo. Students are encouraged to bring their own tools, however, fly tying vises and tools will be provided for those in need. Materials will be supplied for class flies. Students are encouraged to purchase additional materials at the shop on an as needed basis.
- The Al Hazzard TU chapter will be holding its first chapter meeting of 2012 on January 17. This event will be held at the Vestal Public Library and will feature Joe Ackourey, local expert fly tier & guide will be the guest speaker at the January meeting. Joe will share his two part presentation, “Tricks to tying a better Compara Dun Dry Fly” and his video on "Late season nymph fishing techniques".
- The Leon Chandler TU chapter’s 19th Annual Winter Fly Tying Workshop is now in full swing. The event started January 7 and meets over a nine week period in two hour sessions, ending March 3. Several different instructors are used during the program, teaching the basics of tying flies in a progressively challenging manner. Classes are held from 6 to 8 pm on Saturday evenings at the TCC-Cooperative Extension Building at 615 Willow Street in Ithaca. Contact Megan Tifft at Winter Fly Tying Workshop, c/o Tompkins County CCE, 615 Willow Street, Ithaca, NY 14850, or 607-272-2292 (extension 138) for more information.
Our area finally experienced some-long awaited snow in the past week. The lack of snow and warmer weather in December and parts of January have been welcomed by some but fly fishermen all know these conditions can make for a bad year for cold water fish species such as trout and salmon. Let’s hope there’s more promise of snow to come this winter.
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