Several area fly tiers will come together March 23 at the Elkhart Conservation Club for the annual Tie-A-Thon to create flies for the charity group, Reel Recovery.
Woolly Bugger is a great fly that catches a ton of fish. It is easy to tie and a great fly to donate to the Tie-a-thon.The premise of the annual Tie-a-thon is like an old fashion barn raisin, as several fly tiers gather to tie as many flies as they can to donate to the cause. Joining forces again this year to tie flies are with members of the St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers, Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, The Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock, Reel Women, Reel Men of Indianapolis, Grand Rapids Fly Tyers, Fly Girls, Anglers of the Au Sable, Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Duneland Fly Fishers and individuals.
Reel Recovery was founded in 2003 by a group of avid fly-fishers, inspired by their fishing buddys on-going battle with brain cancer. Combining expert fly-fishing instruction with directed courageous conversations, the organization provides men with all forms of cancer a unique opportunity to share their stories, learn a new skill, and gain renewed hope as they confront their challenges. For more information, check out reelrecovery.org.
If you are not a fast tier and cant complete 100 flies during the Tie-A-Thon, now is a good time to get a jump on it. The group welcomes more than 100 from anyone who wants to tie flies in advance, so you dont have to attend the Tie-A-Thon to help out. Simply pick one pattern to tie, buy a box of 100 hooks and the materials and begin tying.
You dont have to be an expert tier to donate flies or participate. The event gives you a chance to become very good tying at least one type of fly. If you need help learning a pattern, contact Tim Scott (timelscott@gmail or 574-538-1936) who will offer a lesson.
The Tie-A-Thons goal this year is to surpass its previous all-time high of 13,300 flies tied. Fly patterns and sizes that are needed include Adams (14), Elk Hair Caddis (14-16), Dubbing/Hackle Ant (18-20), Griffith Gnat (20-22), Soft Hackle (14 -16), BWO RG Emerger (18-22), Caddis Nymph (16-18), Hares Ear (12-14), Pheasant Tail (14-16), Woolly Bugger (10), Mickey Finn (8), Clousers Minnow (8).
During the Tie-A-Thon, a guest tier will be on hand to demonstrate his or her special pattern each hour and a video system will make it easier to see from the fly tying stations. The Tie-a-thon will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome, but should reserve a spot for the event so lunch plans can be made.
The previous six Tie-a-thons distributed over 42,000 flies to the youth camp of the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the youth camp for the Brotherhood of the Junglecock, Reel and Heal of Toledo, , Casting for Recovery of Indiana and Project Healing Waters.
To learn more about the Tie-a-thon, visit sjrvff.com or kvctu.org or Tie-a-ton on Facebook.