Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
The 2016 WNC Fly Fishing Expo returns to the WNC Agricultural Center on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3. The event includes vendor booths, clinics, demonstrations and much more.
This year marks the eigth year for the event, where more than 60 booths of fly fishing industry businesses will be displayed under one roof. The exp hours are noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.
Western North Carolina has one of the most diverse fly fishing communities in the country due to the abundance of angling opportunities. From trout to bass in rivers and lakes, there’s something for every style of fly fishing.
Tickets cost $15 at the door for adults. Children 16 years old and younger are free. (Special promotion: Friday’s ticket purchase is good for Saturday too.)
Here’s more of what you’ll find at the fly fishing expo:
· Orvis 101 classes: Learn the Basics of fly fishing
· Fly Tying Clinics: From the Novice to Advanced, tyers will be available to help you sharpen your skill.
· Fly Casting: From learning how to cast a fly rod to improving upon your skill level, certified casting instructors will be available to teach you.
· Meet Fly shops from around the region: Every flyshop has a niche and this expo gives you the opportunity to meet all of them under one roof.
· Gear Manufactures: Reps will be showing the latest innovation in fly fishing gear.
· Meet the areas fly fishing organizations: Casting Carolinas, Project Healing Waters, Trout Unlimited and many more.
2016 Presentation Schedule
Friday Tent A
1:15 PM Hank Patterson – Fly Fishing Comedian and “World’s Greatest Fly Fishing Guide”*
2:45 PM Abbi Bagwell – Make Fly Fishing Fun Again! Bluelineing the Blue Ridge
4:00 PM Josh Laferty – Musky and Warmwater species on Fly
5:15 PM Hank Patterson – *Encore Presentation
Friday Tent B
12:30 PM Patrick Folkrod – East TN South Holston and Watauga Rivers
2:30 PM Jeff Trigg – Fly Fishing Arkansas’s White River
4:00 PM John Miko – Tenkara – Unreel Fly Fishing
Saturday Tent A
10:00 AM Hank Patterson – Fly Fishing Comedian and “World’s Greatest Fly Fishing Guide”*
11:30 AM Abbi Bagwell – Make Fly Fishing Fun Again! Bluelineing the Blue Ridge
1:00 PM Josh Laferty – Musky and Warmwater species on Fly
2:00 PM Hank Patterson – *Encore Presentation
Saturday Tent B
9:30 AM Patrick Folkrod – East TN South Holston and Watauga Rivers
11:00 AM Jeff Trigg – Fly Fishing Arkansas’s White River
12:30 PM John Miko – Tenkara – Unreel Fly Fishing
Casting Pond Demonstrations
Friday Dec. 2nd
2:30 PM – Kevin Howell – “Winner of the ESPN Fly Fishing Master”
4:00 PM – Kent Edmond – Casting for any Situation
Saturday Dec. 3rd
11:15 AM – Brown Hobson – Loop Control
12:30 PM – IFFF Fly Casting Lessons*
*Inquire at IFFF Booth
Orvis 101 Classes (Fly Fishing Basics)
Friday Dec. 2nd – 2:30 PM & 4:00 pm
Saturday Dec. 3rd – 11:15 AM
Schedule Subject to Change
For more info visit www.wncflyfishingexpo.com
