Willow???? IFTS show???

[njflyguy]

What is the IFTS.....and is there a vendors area? I imagine it a tyers show will there be tied flies for sale or any good deals on materials? also where where is it exactly and what are the dates/times....Thanx..ed

 

[Andy B]

Hi NjFlyguy:


The International Fly Tying Symposium will be held on Saturday November 22 & Sunday November 23 2003 at the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset New Jersey. Willow and I will be there. Look for us at the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild boothe. I will be tying both days. I do not know Willows schedule. Now far as the show yes there are vast amounts of tyers from Don Bastian to Dick Talluer and so on. Yes the show does focus on tying but there are a good amount of vendors there that are selling materials to vises to hooks and books. Also some magazine vendors are there trying to get you to subscribe to there magazine like Fly Fishermen. The thing thats also cool beans is that there are also lectures and tying demo's. Some of the lectures and demo's due cost extra. All in all, if you are into tying or just getting started then this show is for you. Ask Dennis C. He was at the show last year and purchased some nice items. Not to mention his father forced me into buying a Sage fly rod off him that I now refuse to give back since I have caught a ton of trout off it this year. Hope this helps a little.

Andy B

 

[CR]

The symposium is awesome - the best part about it is that all the top fly tiers from around the world are just sitting at tables waiting for you to ask questions and show you how to tie anything. I've had guys spend 30 minutes showing me how to tie realistic wings on a mayfly, how to tie knots in turkey biots for legs, and how to braid bodies. There are some dealers, but the prices are not any different than in the fly shops. Two years ago there was a jungle cock dealer from England there and I managed a B grade neck for fifty bucks! I highly recommend it, and will be there myself!

 

[willowhead]

Hi njflyguy, sorry i didn't see this sooner. The guys above have pretty much covered it. It's a great show every year, becasue you can just go and learn so much and hang out with the BEST tyers on the planet. You don't have to spend a dime other than the admission if you don't want to, but you CAN usually find some real good deals. Unless there's a chance of something you really need, (materials wise) being gone, (if you snooze, you loose), don't buy on Sat., wait. Later on Sun. is the best time because the vendors do not want to take back (to their shops) anything they can sell. So they usually drop their prices a bit before having to pack up. Or, you can force the issue a bit and get a deal. "Comprendea?" No matter what type of tying you like you will find experts at it there. And they are all more than willing to help you out with anything you might need help with. There should be over 80 tyers, and Angling Arts is one of the best tying book sellers there is. Look for their booth out in the hallway, usually right across from where we (the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild) will be set up. They always have some "specials" for the show. mark