Pop Fleyes by Bob Popovics and Ed Jaworowski

Ok, this book isn't anything new, it's been around since 2000.  But being a new entry into the world of saltwater fly fishing, I bought the book this winter at the Fly Fishing Show and was able to have Bob Pop sign it for me.  Along with his signature, he gave me some great advice about how to use the book.  What was the advice?  Buy the book and talk to Bob about it.

To say this book is great is an understatement.  Instead of simply giving flies, the materials needed and the steps to tie this fly, you are taking into the brains of two great saltwater anglers.  You are shown how they approach the problems faced, and the trials and errors they went through to get to the finished product.  With this method, you are not simply spoon fed flies and told to go tie them, but to actually think.  Observe what is happening on the water.  What baits are available?  What do they look like?  How do they behave?  Once you have an idea of what you want to achieve with your ties, get to the vise and start to tie up some of your own prototypes.  Test them, tweak them, and repeat.

That being said, will I simply copy and tie the patterns from this book?  Yeah, I'm lazy.  But eventually I will get to the point where I am looking to solve problems that arise because I've spent so much time on the water fishing to bass and blues and whatever else I have the opportunity to fish for.  I will search for the answer to my problems only to realize that I can solve the problems myself by designing my own fly.  Which may or may not be new to the fly tying world, but who cares.  As long as it fills the void I have created for myself and I am happy then all is well with the world.

In closing, thank you Mr. Popovics and Mr. Jaworowski for writing a book that is beginner friendly and can get me started fishing and hopefully catching saltwater prey on the fly rod.  Thank you for writing a book that will spur me to create new flies and new tying techniques as I progress in this game.  If you are serious about fly fishing the saltwater or you are serious about tying saltwater flies, please get this book.

Lancaster Fly Fishing Show Wrap-up

Saturday I attended the Fly Fishing Show that was held at the Lancaster Convention Center.  This was a new location for the show as it has bounced around several spots in PA trying to find one that worked.  I think they may have hit on a winner here.  After a nice ride through the country side, the building was easy enough to find.  Parking was located via a garage attached to the convention center.  The convention center itself is fairly new and was really nice.  If you are looking for a show on the magnitude of Somerset, this isn't the show for you.  If you are looking to get to talk to the "celebrity" tiers (I used the quotes not as a knock on the tiers, as these guys and gals are great, but more as a misuse of the word celebrity), talk to vendors one-on-one or walk around the floor without being a giant crowd this show is the one.
When I first got there I walked the floor to get a lay of the land.  I wasn't looking for much, just one material I had had trouble tracking down...red antron yarn for some parachute flies I owe someone.  Found that.  I also picked up some sculpin wool to tie some Shenk's minnows.  Then it was time to head off to what I really enjoy, the featured tiers and talks.  I got to see Ed Shenk tie up the Letort Cricket and also Shenk's minnow (see purchase of scuplin wool above).  George Daniel tied up some of his favorite nymphs, all of which can be found in his book.  I also saw Bob Popovics tie up some surf candies, these will surely find a way into my boxes for the salt.  Eric Stroup was the last tier I watched and he tied up his favorite guide flies, flies he keeps in his box at all times because they are quick to tie and definitely catch fish.  I also sat in on George Daniel's talk on Dynamic Nymphing, which was a giant plug to his book, and I fell for it.  I ended up purchasing the book and having George sign it for me at the show.
After the show, I attended the International Fly Fishing Film Festival.  This was well put together and featured 7 films in the "Short" category and 6 films in the "Feature" category.  These films ranged from fishing unnamed streams with awesome editing to creating awareness of the plight of a particular river or region.  My personal favorite short was "Devil's Gold" by Castaway Films.


My favorite feature film was "Chasing the Run" by Patagonia Nation.


New Teaser - Chasing The Run | PatagoniaNation.com from PatagoniaNation on Vimeo.