Fly Tying Group
   

So, you want to tie at the FFF Conclave!

(first posted February 21, 2010; last updated March 21, 2011)

by Gene Kaczmarek, FFF Standing Committee Fly Tying Chair/ FTG BOG

You would love to tie at the FFF Conclaves, so you ask “How do people get invited to tie at the FFF Conclave?” Great question. There is no hidden agenda; the FFF Fly Tying Group is always looking for the best tiers for our events.  We are not trying to keep anyone out and there is really no inside track. We know you want to see the best tiers available who can teach you new things or help solve problems.

Each year we struggle with this question, “Who should we invite?" We start with those who have tied in the past, then we ask the tying chair of each Council to recommend tiers they believe should be added to the list.

In 2007 a group of noted tiers was asked by the FFF leadership to form the “Fly Tying Group”. We are tiers we have the passion to teach and help other tiers to become better at their craft (art). We all have tied at many regional and national Conclaves. Tiers at the FFF Conclave need to be teacher, educators, and showmen, to capture the attention of the Conclave attendees. If you are interested in the Group please join.

So back to, “How can YOU get invited to tie at the Conclave?”

First you need to tie for your club and then get invited to your Council's show. You should also get to know your Council fly tying chair, they are always looking for new tiers for their show. Volunteer to tie, help out at their show, and volunteer to do anything that has to do with flies. Mounting flies for your local show as a fund raiser, photograph the fly tiers, anything to get you noticed. Once you have tied for your Council, and get to be known as an innovative tier, a good teacher and good rep for the FFF and the fly tying community as well, then ask them to nominate you to tie at the national. No fly tying chair in your Council? Volunteer to do the job! That will get you noticed fast.

Another way is to come to the national Conclave, just as an attendee, get to know the tiers. Talk to the staff, show them examples of your work, volunteer to fill in as a tier if someone does not show (it happens every year), and you might just get lucky.

Hope to see all of you in West Yellowstone and your name added to the database of FFF tiers.