The two-day show featured more than 50 flytyers and rodmaking craftsmen, as well as artists, appraisers, antique dealers, vendors and demonstrations. There were also seminars and discussions on learning to fly fish, building a bamboo fly rod, tying successful traditional steamers, fish and fishing of the Salmon River and writing.
"The amount of talent here is amazing," said Fred Wilson of Middlebury. "If you want to learn something about any aspect of fly fishing, you'll find somebody here who knows about it. It's a unique way to share information and get pointers."
Wilson was showcasing products he created as owner of Flip Fly Tye. All his of products are hand tied with an attention to detail, he said, and are designed for numerous fishing applications. He's primarily an online vendor, though his tyes are offered in some stores such as the Compleat Angler in Darien. He also does a lot of work to promote youth fishing, giving demonstrations and teaching the fundamentals of tying.
"I feel it's an opportunity to give back. I'm blessed with the skills I have, I think the right thing to do is pay it forward," Wilson said.
That feeling of giving back was strong at the Arts of the Angler Show. Nancy Taylor traveled down from Maine to attend the show and collect donations for Casting for Recovery. The nonprofit supports fly fishing retreats for survivors of breast cancer.
"The women have so much fun," said Taylor, who is also a trustee with the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum. "It's great for them physically, as well as psychologically to be out in a clean, fresh area as they learn about fishing."
She said the retreats, which also include doctors, psychotherapists and oncology nurses, bring women together who have the connection of having survived breast cancer. While they bond over that connection and share their stories, they also form a new connection as they learn to fly fish.
She said the attendees of the show were supportive, donating money to the cause as well as items that could be auctioned to raise more funds.
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