01.25.26 The Fly Fishing Show Edison 2025...

 

     Well here we go. It's 615 AM now as I sit in Titusville, New Jersey, watching the snow come down outside. We already have three inches on the ground and have fed the wood burning stove with over a dozen pieces of wood. The winter storm is here, and as far as normal minded people are concerned this years TFFS is over. 

     The picture above is one I took as I sat at the Squimpish booth tying up some flies. It's not much of a pic, but it kind of put what TFFS has morphed into. As in healthcare, where we moved from patient focused care to what I call computer focused care, TFFS has moved from a commerce event to more of a social gathering. And if look above the picture illustrates that, lots of legs, and not too many hands holding packages. But more on that later.

     Visually, the show looked liked it has each year since the move to Edison. Two casting ponds surrounded by rows of vendors with the fly tyers parked around the perimeter. And of course, no carpets. While I have no skin in the money making end of the show those that I talked two said 

the show had been from "Just okay" to "Very good". For those who've never been on the business end of the show, I have, and I can tell you the amount of planning, work, and logistics, can be a daunting task. And don't forget the biggest part of it, the cost. If you're at the show, you may not be working your regular job, or have shut the doors if you have a brick and mortar business. Then there's the booth, or several booths cost, or rent, and rentals of tables, chairs, and electric. Gas and tolls, food, lodging, and salaries for the booth workers all add and interfere with the bottom line. If you're selling packs of tab eyes it takes a bunch to cover your costs or make true money. Walking around with a wad of cash is great, but then you deduct the costs, that's where the truth in how good a show is or isn't. 

     I got there on Saturday just before the gates opened and found a so-so crowd waiting at the entrance. I heard Friday was busy for a period before it tailed off. I would the say the same for Saturday as by 2 o'clock it was just about over, except for the lingerers and those there for a booth hang. 

     I stopped by BuzFly's booth and he was able to hook me up with some AHREX hooks and thread before I sat down at Squimpish from 9-12. He said he a had a steady flow from Friday into Saturday with the bucktail searchers that came to the show to restock. I'm always thankful for the chance to sit down at Stephanies and David's booth to tie up some flies and show my support for them and Squimpish. When I was down in Hilton Head I stopped by Southern Drawl 

Outfitters and asked them if they had heard of and or stocked Squimpish and they hadn't. That was interesting to me because it would seem like a prime material to use to tie up some bigger bait patterns. 

     In between flies I was able to watch David Nelson spin up some of his brushes which come in a variety of sizes and lengths depending on what you're tying up. I like the Big Fly Brushes that I use for my Four Turn Brush Fly that I find fun and easy to tie and leaves me with 

a big fly with lots of bulk up front to push water. You can see David's flies above which illustrate what that larger front end looks like. Within yelling range I saw Pennsy's own Fred Dewes of snakehead fly fishing fame. If there's a guy dialed in to finding and catching these 

prehistoric looking predators it's him. Next to him was a thinned out version of a Joe Nicosia I used to know who was tying up some Fleye foil Surf Candies. If you've tied with those foils you 

know how difficult they can be no matter how easy the tutorials online are. What I'm left with is an off-center lumpy fly that runs sideways because it's keeled because of the acrylic. But I have to give a shot out to a surely missed Bob Popovic's for leaving us so many forward thinking things in fly fishing as he did. 

     When my shift was over at Squimpish it was time to hit the beer wagon where a Yuengling ran $9.65 per cup, and the guys who were pouring left far too much room at the top. Each time I went back I said, "Fill it up", even though by the time I took 10 steps I had lost the top 1/2 inch. But that's for the buyer to worry about. 

     Over on that end of the show I saw one change in that the RoxStar booth, who had a ton of discounted flies for sale, located near the cafeteria and bathrooms. It was a good move if it was on their part because at some part of an attendees day they either have to hit the head or grab something to eat or drink. 

     Tightlines had a big space again with a mix of rods in the air, reels behind the glass, and rows of bins to pick through. But these weren't the bin-picker-lovers bins like we see 

with those Classic Fly Fishing bins but more of heavily discounted solid and sought after materials in saddles, capes, and whatever other materials that had to pick through. I spoke with Nancy Moy and they solid traffic through the two days and that many attendees were in the search for new rods and reels. And remember if you're a fly rodder in and around the ti-state area and need a local fly shop, then Tightlines in Parsippany is worthy of a visit. They have a great line up speakers and classes there as well.

     There were some scale backs as I'll call them from years past. Grunden's had a big space with lots of folks manning the booth, but what was missing was last years line extending around the corner as people waited for a chance to grab a free and pressed-right-there hat. 

     "Rod Rows" as I'll call them, had the usual cast of good characters they're all pimping out the latest rods that are being offered. I didn't see Scott in attendance and I thought we might and even have a Shawn Combs sighting since he jumped ship from Orvis. And I was looking forward to seeing Andy Mill at Hardy's but he didn't make it this year. Hope all is well Andy. 

       I stopped by to hold that $1,700 fly rod from G. Loomis in their Asquith line. Zach Flake was manning the booth and he tried to explain to me what all that rod has to offer. He's an engineer 

and I'm a borderline idiot so you know how that went. In the end I guess it's a nice rod. Sick artist and illustrator Mike Sudal stopped by as Zach revealed all his favorite fishing spots to me and we talked about his appearance on Joe Cermele's Cut and Retie podcast, HERE. While I missed Joe because he came on Friday if you read here you know how much of a fan I am of his, from his work on Hook Shots, just Google it, and now with Cut and Retie, his own podcast.

     I took a stroll past the Streams of Dreams booth and bins but didn't want to find something and then have to haggle with that guy who's like an Underboss to Harry Huff. Harry wasn't there when I walked by and I missed saying hello. Then I hit the Bear's Den who had their own assortment of rods in the air for sale and my bud Jason Taylor on hand trading gang signs with a

few fans of his unique and sick fly tying skills. Back on the other side I ran into my-now fishing buds The Two Joe's, in Cordiero and Calcevechia. It's always good to see these guys down in  

New Jersey and in just a little over four months we'll be meeting up with Abe Piecek up on the Vineyard. No matter where we are in the house sale and moving or not I'm not missing that trip. Theresa will have to do the heavy lifting alone while I'm out standing on my ladder. 

    While I was at the Flatwing booth fly fishing legend Paul Dixon stopped by on his rounds. As you already know, Paul is one of the OG's in fly fishing for striped bass, especially sight fishing for them. OG, in today's cool kids world, means original gangsta, perfectly fitting for a Caucasian elder statesmen from East Hampton. As I sat on the couch penning this blog Theresa asked about who Paul Dixon was. She's met him but couldn't recall. I briefly told her of how nice he was to me when I dragged my Jones up to Montauk in 2014 as a possible Shakedown trip with hopes of making Montauk part of my guiding rotation each year. I also reminded her that as soon as I met her my whole fly fishing guiding career ended abruptly when I realized I wasn't truly running a business but just chasing fish and supporting an addiction. But back to Dixon, one of my favorite pictures that I took of him was the below.

Taken off the point of Montauk in 2014 when the albies were up in stupid numbers. He continued that hospitality after we all got off the water and hit the Westlake for a late bite and a beer. He invited me over to join the locals, something that doesn't always happen with intruders, especially those from New Jersey, who arrive with a boat and a Captain's license. 

     And then we have to talk about all those booths people passed by without giving them a second look. That's not to say they are bad, it's just people get from a show what they need from a fly fishing show. Like if you need your gutters protected...

     There were a ton of clubs, foods, destinations, and guides that were on hand filling up the floor space. For most people they are the walk-on-by booths unless they have a nice selection of candies or mints, then you stop, smile, take one, and say thank you. 

     And early on I found Levi Opsatnic who was down at the show working with Trident Fly Fishing, a brick and mortar and online fly fishing store based in Maine. He introduced me to their Atlas Fly Rods, which are solid and affordable rods in weights from 4-11. We took some time 

over at casting pond and had some fun throwing line. One thing I came away with is how overwhelming getting into fly fishing and tying can be if you're new to the game. If you just came to the show and walked around who would you trust and what would you buy? I think that's where a solid relationship with a local fly shop has it's worth it's weight in gold. 

     And then there was the Orvis booth. Orvis, Orvis, oh my Orvis. I had missed Tom Rosenbauer who was at the show, but he doesn't like me anyway, on Friday, but did spend some time talking with Peter Kutzer. He was able to talk me off the proverbial Orvis-is-done ledge and I left there hopeful that the company is going to continue, and not going be sold. 

     I also got some Orvis love and help from Wayne Rock, pictured above to the left, who is the Senior Merchant and General manager for Fish and Hunt. That sounds like a big time and official title. To me though, and as soon as he introduced himself as Wayne Rock, I couldn't help 

but think of Kid Rock, so hence his new Orvis pledge name. I can only imagine how Kid Rock would fit in at the Mother Ship in Manchester..."Bawitaba, da-bang, da-bang..."

     There was no Orvis van this year but there was a raft and some rods, reels, and waders. I basically asked them, "Why are you here if you have nothing new?". They explained that 

they are about to drop the Ratio line of fly reels, which will replace the Mirage as their top of the line reel offering. That is why they have been blowing out the Mirage reels at 50% off, in order to make room for this new line. While the Mirage topped out at $898 the Ratio will, I think, come it at just below $500. And that will mostly come from being manufactured overseas. They will also continue the Hydros line of reels. And of course the Helios will be their go to rod, or highest end, and most expensive. 

     I talked to Wayne about the Orvis PRO waders. "Yes we're still going to offer them". Perfect. And when I started to talk about their Orvis PRO bootfoot waders... there were crickets in the background. It's over Johnny. No more bootfoot. Stocking foot only. 

     So after some time in the booth and with the boys I came to this conclusion. Orvis isn't for sale. The Perkin's family are very fishy and hunty and would never separate themselves from that. The company direction is going back to fly fishing and wing shooting and less about fashion, apparel, and dog beds. 

    And while at the booth I saw Chicky, or Rob Ceccarini, who was my first live Orvis contact when I applied for the Endorsed Guide Program back in 2011. He was the Manhattan Orvis store manager and was aways very welcoming to me and I always enjoyed going up there for presentations or events at his store. Funny we have both found consistent paychecks these days in education, him up in Connecticut and me in New Jersey. 

     As I did my final tour I stopped in to say hello to Rich Murphy, one of my guys in striped bass fly fishing. You know how I feel about his book so I won't go there. 

   But it was good to see him and at least say hello. Of course, he tried to sell me a book or a fly. Doesn't he know I have a signed #1 copy of his book in the green-leather bound slipcase? C'mon man....

    And then there was the looming elephant in the room. What was going to happen on Sunday? Rumor on the floor had it that if you pulled out after the 6 o'clock finish on Saturday then

you would be banished to Bogeyland, like it happened in the 1934 Laurel and Hardy movie, March of the Wooden Soldiers. Really it was thought to have meant if you leave early on Saturday 2026, you can't come back, ever. I won't say who would play the evil Silas Barnaby in

a current TFFS remake of that movie that most of us watched each Thanksgiving Day, but you could have fun with that. Banning people because they want to leave for safety reasons as a storm barrels down across the entire United States? That would be a dick move. In my opinion they should have put safety and concern before money and contracts. People need to get home to work, as some are essential workers, and to their families more importantly. And traveling before the snow makes more sense and is safer then trying to get home during it. People could be stuck in New Jersey until Wednesday, plus, who's picking up those hotel bills? 

     I was told people had to visit the office or drop an email explaining their case as why they had to leave Saturday night? Are you fu%& kid....... never mind. Plus who in their right mind would go out in big weather to catch day three of a show anyway? C'mon man....

     So truly the show was done by 2 pm and by 330 those that were leaving were starting to break down. It shouldn't have been an individual decision but it came down to that. Shame on you TFFS. 

     Each time I did a lap I stopped by the crab cake booth and got a free sample. By the days end I had eaten enough to feel like I had a bushel of crabs in my gut. And when I met up with Theresa she said, "Did you try those crab cakes?". 

     So the least we could do was support the company which is from a small town up in the Pococnos. The guy said, "I'm sure you never heard of Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania, but that's where we're at". I told him back in 1996 we purchased the first of two homes in Big Bass Lake, in Goldsboro. So, small world. We figured we'd at least have something in the fridge for the next few days during the storms we plopped down the $40. 

     In the end I hope you all put yourselves and your businesses and families first and got out of Dodge. I am sure there were only handful, if any, people that came and spent $20 to get in the door today. I hope you all got home safe.

     One day I will stop going to these shows, and that will be okay. I see that attending these is like paying to go to an old grammar or high school reunion. It's not the trade show it used to be, but that's just my opinion. If the show was great for you then fantastic, I'm sure you'll be back in 2027, but be warned, a lot of those vendors may be in Bogeyland since they left early in 2026. And I don't know who will release the wooden soldiers to let them back into the show. 

01.24.26 No breaking news here...

     It's been a while since we've had a big snow event in New Jersey. Back in 2016 we had a storm hit which put up over 20 inches of snow on the ground in some parts of the State. While some people just think of snow totals what makes some storms worse is the makeup of what hits the ground. 

     This weekend we're going to get a mix of ice and snow which can really hamper snow removal and make driving treacherous. The question for this storm will be what comes first the chicken or the egg in the ice or the snow. Fluffy snow first at least gives you the chance to get out and shovel more easily before it's encapsulated in ice. 

     As with usual snow storm predictions the question is where is that "line" between just snow and real snow. The 95 corridor and the Delaware River always seem to be a dividing line but this storm is looking like a north and south event with Central Jersey and north getting the worst of it. 

     While most readers here come for the fly fishing you know that this weekend is TFFS in Edison. I heard yesterday was a good Friday opener and today should be very busy as there's uncertainty as to what's going to happen for Sunday. Like I've said maybe Edison should be a two-day show anyway. For those vendors or attendees that travel it might be an early exit on Saturday after the doors close at 6 pm. That would give them hours to get back home or risk being stranded in Edison and at one of the local hotels. So if you're going, go today. 

     And let's circle back to the snow storm and more specifically snow removal. I think most of the readers here are probably up in age. You're not the guy or gal you used to be. You're not in great shape anymore. You eat poorly and live a basically sedentary lifestyle. That annual, well really you don't go every year, physical reveals the same results, your cholesterol is high, you need to lose some weight, and your blood pressure is creeping up. Throw in beers and a few heaters from time to time and you know. So testing your left ventricle this weekend trying to save a few bucks on snow removal may not be the best idea. 

     

     If you do test the limits and suffer any chest discomfort don't play around. Chest pain comes from your heart not getting enough oxygen to the heart muscle that keeps you alive. There's two different things that could be going on angina or myocardial infarction, with the first option being better then the latter. If you've been giving a script for nitroglycerin then make sure you have it handy. If you take a baby aspirin each day or a few times a week then make sure you have one on board. But if you experience chest pain go to the ER, time is heart muscle. 

    Yesterday I didn't make TTFS as I started an ER rotation with the nursing students. I can tell you that in some ER somewhere they're laying down bets on what time the first snow shoveling massive heart attack, or MI, will come through the door. It's kind of like the same betting on days like the 4th of July, like when the first M-80 blown apart fingers will come through the door. 

     So don't be that guy or girl. Don't think you'll offend the 20-something year old kids you still have living in the house by asking, well telling them, to handle ALL of the shoveling. They don't even pay you rent! In the end it might just save you some cardiac muscle. And stay off the roads! Just because you think you can drive in your newer all wheel drive Subaru doesn't mean the other people on the road have AWD OR 4WD vehicles and know how to drive in bad weather. 

     So go to TFFS early, then stop by ShopRite on the way home and pick up whatever is left on the shelves, and wake up Sunday planning on sitting on the couch watching the late NFL football games. Monday will be a snow day for the kiddies and the old folks unless your an essential person, like a cop, firemen, nurse, or doctor- who'll be ready to take your out of shape chest pain ass to the cardiac cath lab when that chest pain kicks in. Be safe out there!

01.23.26 I guess it was time...

     Like most of you out there my fly tying space hasn't been visited in some time. We ended the fall run of 2025 with a big dud and then went through all the joys of Christmas, or whatever your holiday is, and then New Years. It usually takes a show or two to get the motivation up to start tying for the spring. So my fly tying room had become a mess and a staging area for things that probably should have been stored elsewhere. 

     When it was at its best it was a cool place to hang out in and spin up some flies. While it looks well organized in the above pic that wasn't how it usually looked. So today I went into a hard edit mode with just as much fly tying material making its way into the garbage as well as into one of those black and yellow bins I picked up at Home Depot. They hold a bunch and are easily stackable in the staging area in a big first floor closet, the moving van for the way down south, and either in its final resting place in a garage or attic, or hopefully not, a storage unit. 

     I went through all of my books and put the doubles and the old ones into a box to be donated. I thought of donating the materials I have and will never use but who wants them. I've realized if I were stranded on an island and just had a fly rod and all of the SF Blends that I own I would stay well fed. 

     I got rid of things that were short, cut up, or twisted up. I also went through my flies and they either found a nice resting place in a plastic sleeve or the plastic of a contractor garbage bag. Going through all of my bucktail was a hoot and many had been infested with some kind of vermin or insect that made the hairs a home or a meal. 

     My prized fly fishing possessions were on display in the large case. They include Rich Murphy's #1 signed book in the leather sleeve, flies tied by Popovic's, Clouser, Murphy, and the one and only striped bass fly spun up by Pat Cohen. There was also a sweet striped bass cut out of metal by Skelfish, and I'm going to have him make a matching one in the redfish variety. 

     I spent most of the day getting that room all done and packed up. I left out a few things to tie this Saturday at TTFS but I'm sure I'll need to buy or borrow something that I forgot. While I'm looking forward to tying up buggy crab flies for the flats there's also pogies and mullet, big ones, down in and around Beaufort and Hilton Head to keep me needing those Hollow flies tied with Squimpish and the remaining bucktail that I salvaged. I hope by Saturday Brad doesn't get cleaned out as I'm in need of a good restocking. 

01.22.26 The Fly Fishing show is back in Edison this weekend...

     I've likened attending The Fly Fishing Show (TFFS) to the many Grateful Dead shows I went to over the years, They always started with "Have a great show" and ended with "How was your show?". The reason I ask about 'your" show is because each person gets into their own grove and is either moved or not. TFFS circuit opened up with Marlborough last weekend and I heard mixed reviews. The general feeling I get after last years show, and the falls Inter-State Fly Tying Symposium is it's just more of the same. Same layout. Same people in the same spots. Same speakers. Same show, just a different year. And that's part of the problem when industry shows remain the same each year.    

     Some may say I've been kind of hard on fly fishing shows, and that's okay. Each year I kind of predict what we may see and always do a review, just from my opinion, a day or so after. Some things remain constant, Fridays the big opener with a push at the gate for those who had the day off or are retired, Saturdays are busy, while Sundays, well, are a waste of time. That may be a bit harsh, but really, a lot of vendors are coming off a Saturday night hang and bender and can't wait to break there booths down, pack up, and head back home. And for some the traveling is the hardest part. 

     When I was down at Southern Drawl Outfitters in Hilton Head I asked if they did the TFFS in Atlanta, they had not, and never will, as last year was the last year it was held. The show starts east, heads west, and then circles back for a finale in Lancaster. The circuit is Marlborough, Edison, Denver, Seattle/ Bellevue, Pleasanton, Ca, and then the last weekend Amish Country March 14-15. Of the six shows three are three dayers and three are two dayers. Many people say two days is all you need because that third day is torture. 

     One of the big factors about the TFFS in the northeast is the weather. I can remember testing for Federation of Fly Fishers Casting Instructor (FFF CI) test in January in the show outside the venue in Somerset back some 15 years ago. To note, I failed it twice. But the show went on and continues to go on each year whether or not. In those years that I can remember whether it always hits mid to late show, not the during the set up days or on the opener. 

     This weekend we, well maybe the entire country, is bracing for some type of weather event. Of course predictions are just that but they're calling for New Jersey to get somewhere between 2 inches to 2 feet, if that helps. It'll be cold Saturday and then the snow starts and may continue until Monday. So nobody knows exactly, but something is coming. 

     The other obstacle for some with the TFFS is what is happening with the NFL on any given year during the weekend. January is playoff time and there's usually a mix of games to be watched. Last week in Marlborough the Patriot's had a playoff game at home on the Sunday and that's a no-miss for many fly fishing New Englander's. This weekend the playoffs kick-off 

at 3pm with the Patriots vs Broncos and then the later game having the Rams go head to head with the Seahawks. By the time the games begin TFFS show is pretty much over, but throw in the weather and most have thrown in the towel. I feel bad for Josh Miller giving a seminar on Sunday at 245 PM titled "Dry Dropper- Beyond the Basics", I hate to say it but it won't be standing room only. 

     So what are some things to look for this weekend. Again, I'm seeing more of the same as last year. Let's start off with the vendors and places you can go and support your "local" fly shops. Hey since you don't go to them anymore they bring it to you. Tightlines in Parsippany is bringing the shop to the show having a 10 booth spot. TCO will be filling up 15 booths worth of space with a lot of it apparel to search through. The Bears Den will be on the back wall near Streams of Dreams where Harry Huff will have bins from all the fly shops he's bought out and exotic parts of animals from around the world. Keogh/Hairline/ AHREX/Regal Vices will be in their usual 

spots but this year Butch's Hot Stuff Hot Sauce will have a 10 x 10 right next to them. Precision Fly Tackle will have a row of booths, and I'm pretty sure they are the ones that have the picking-through bins which are always a big draw. 

     And on the other side of the casting booths the fly rod/reel/ line manufacturers will be in their usual spots. T&T, St.Croix, Hardy and Grey's, SA, and G. Loomis all have booths. I anticipate Loomis to get a lot of attention as anglers will wan to cast or at least see what a $1,750 fly rod looks like. Orvis is back with three booths which are mostly taken up by their van. Ok. But what 

else will they be pimping? I'm actually surprised they're still doing the show these days. They didn't do Marlborough which is in their neck of the woods but they are heading to Denver after Edison.  I'm sure whoever is there for them, will have a lot of 'splaining to do with all the stuff that's upended that company over the last year. TFO will be there but they're not hanging with the casting pond crowd. They're worth a look if you're in need of an affordable rod.

     And there will be the usual booths to stop by and browse and buy from. BuzzFly will be there with his tails, but an early warning, get there quick as Brad's production has been off and availability will be first come first served. He was missed at the symposium so if you need to stock up get there early. My to buds in the Joe's, Cordiero and Calcevechia, Flatwing and Saltwater Custom Flys, will be there with everything from saddles to eyes and flies to buy. Squimpish will be there as well and I'll be at that booth on Saturday from 9-12. 

     There will be a bunch of destinations, outfitters, and guides to stop and chat with. Ireland, Africa, and the Caribbean will be represented as well as some from the south, west, and north. It's good to see John McMurray of One More Cast Charters doing the show this year. And the guy from Dubarry of Ireland will be standing in that tub of water enticing people to buy some waterproof footwear. 

     And of course there will be the show space fillers. There will be booths full of fudge, pickles, sauces, and coffee. I'm also sure you'll be able to get some ink done at the show as there's always a tat guy or girl set up somewhere. There will insurance to buy and of course the two 

competing gutter guard operations to save you from clogged up gutters and ice dams. And I'll have to keep Theresa away from the handsome guy at the Cutco booth, last year I swore we were going home with $2,000 worth of new knives. 

     Along the perimeter there will be the single fly tier tables whose backs and butts will be cold as they back up to the large windows. If they're reading this I advise them to pack a sweatshirt or maybe bring a small heater to run around their table, if they've budgeted to flip Ben some money for an outlet to plug into. They've moved the clubs around and now they take up space 

on the floor in places rather than on the sides near the front entrance. Atlantic, Bayshore, Coastal, Main Line, Theodore Gordon, and the Catskills Guild will be on hand. On table I'll be stopping at is to visit with my main man Rich Murphy. As always, if you don't have his book, Fly Fishing for Striped Bass, stop being cheap and pick up a copy for him. 

     So that's about it. It appears, on paper, to be exactly what last year looked like. With the cold coming the non-carpeted floors will keep your feet hurting and cold if you plan on staying there for a long stretch. There will be casting demos and seminars included with your $20 one day pass. For some extra scratch you can take a class which will run you about $100. It appears that 

at one time some of these classes were presented as seminars, now they're behind close doors with pay-to-play entrance only. And kudos to Tim Flagler of Tightline Production fame. He's presenting at the show and what caught my eye was the (newly revised) next to his 

time slot. I've always said that presenters need to change it up a bit if they're going to do these shows year after year with the same presentation. It gets old and doesn't call for attendees to do a second visit. Content gets stale, especially if you have the same pictures from 2013. 

     So there you have it. TFFS Edison 2026. More of the same. So similar that I could take the 2025 pictures I took and use them on Monday's review post. That's the problem with TFFS, and not the vendors or people working the show. While the show must go on it has to change it up a bit. It hasn't changed or grown with the times. Yes, the money may be there, in the vendors rent and the cash only, genius move, entrance fees, but the content is really the same, and like an old presentation, it's gets stale. 

     So stop by the ATM before you go so you can get in and have a few bucks for the tiny items you may need to pick up. If you're in need of a bigger item check out some of the local fly shops to make a purchase and support them. Grab a bagel before you go inside that way you won't be appalled by the $10 draft beer prices at the bar. And, just like before the Dead concerts, have yourself a great show. And be careful driving home in the storm after the show. 

     And if anyone reading this wants to buy my Fish Skull, Flymen, Fly Tester drop me a text. They're now going for $198 new and I have the original which I'll let go for $80.

It's fun to play around with or a cool way to display your flies at the show or when doing a presentation. I'll be there Saturday if you want it. Here's my number 732 261 7291.