WFS 539 - Commercial Tying with Allen Rupp - Dave Whitlock, Fly Tying School, Fly Fishing Festival

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/539

Presented By: Northern Rockies Adventures

Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors

Get ready to journey into the enthralling world of fly-tying as we bring you an episode packed with expert insights and personal anecdotes that will surely refine your fly-tying skills and deepen your appreciation for this remarkable sport. Join us as our esteemed guest, Allen, takes us down memory lane, recounting his first encounter with fly fishing, his evolution in the sport, and his unique connection to the legendary Dave Whitlock. Hear about his upcoming teaching stint at the Texas and Virginia fly fishing festivals and his recent endeavors fishing for diverse species from striped bass to smallmouth bass.

Allen brings his wealth of knowledge to the conversation, sharing his experience in creating custom flies for different types of fish and locations. He takes us through the creation of his popular fly, the Clouser Bend Back Minnow - a Clouser Minnow inspired with an added bend back hook and Dave Whitlock's hard mono weed guard to relive the fly-tying legends' legacy.

We then steer the conversation to the technical side of fly tying, delving into material selection and sharing valuable tips for beginners. We even talk about Allen's favorite pizza, setting the stage for the upcoming beer and wine festival in Virginia. Allen returns to round up the conversation, emphasizing the art of fly tying, his big influence from Dave Whitlock, and the benefits of seeking guidance from local fly shops. It's a whirlwind of knowledge, passion, and camaraderie—so tune in and get hooked on the fascinating world of fly tying!

Episode Chapters - Commercial Fly Tying

(0:01:01) - Fly Tying and Festivals with Dave Whitlock Species fished, upcoming festivals, Dave Whitlock's techniques, mentor-mentee relationship, and fly patterns.

(0:13:43) - Fly Tying Techniques and Tips Tying techniques for saltwater flies, including attaching eyes and tails, using adhesives, and preventing tail wrapping.

(0:21:35) - Fly Patterns and Techniques for Tying We talked about custom flies for different fish and locations.

(0:31:43) - Hook Foundations Fly-tying tips include using Zappa Gap and tight thread wraps to secure lead eyes on hooks with a non-smooth finish.

(0:35:30) - Considerations and Tips for Fly Tying Fly-tying for beginners, investing in a good vice and materials, and upcoming classes and festivals.

(0:46:20) - Fly Tying Techniques and Material Selection Fly tying techniques, material selection, and evolution of style.

(0:51:16) - Art of Fly Tying and Dave Whitlock's Legacy Fly-tying art with Dave Whitlock, discussing weed guards, famous patterns, legacy, art, and continuing it through donations.

(0:59:34) - Vice, Pizza, and Fishing Conversations We talked about Bob Clouser and discussed the upcoming Virginia fly-tying festival.

(1:05:26) - Fly Tying Tips and Local Shops Fly tying art, tips for beginners, and the influence of renowned fly tier Dave Whitlock are discussed with professional fly tier Allen.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/539