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Dentry: Some flies are simply fit to be tied

Published January 25, 2006 at midnight

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For some fly fishers, the compelling goal is pursuit of the fish itself, preferably a big one. Some would rather fish for native gems in wild environs. Others go fishing mostly to enjoy scenic or unique places.

Some fly anglers don't have to fish at all - particularly in late winter, around the time I call the Moon of the Fly Tier. About now.

Among life's simple pleasures, the Zen-like art of spinning off a few of our own creations from fur, feathers and fishhooks ranks at the top for many contemplative anglers.

The advantages of tying our own flies extend far past saving a few bucks over buying store-bought patterns. For many, personal fly-tying is therapy. It also provides an opportunity to reminisce about past fishing epiphanies, or to project the fly in the vise into future dream scenarios.

Of course, flies you have tied yourself catch fish better, with pride and accomplishment. That is true especially of homemade flies that look and perform beautifully.

To help with that, two superb opportunities are in the offing for home tiers to learn or brush up on tricks of the age-old craft. Some of those tricks are new, as are dozens of newly designed patterns.

The fly-tying theater at the 29th Denver Sportsmen's Exposition will provide one setting where a foot-weary visitor can sit, relax and learn tips and hitches from professional tiers and anglers.

From the salt-water flies of Coloradan Pete Parker to ants tied by Jack Dennis and a realistic mouse by Don Ordes, of Fantasy Fly Co. in Casper, the lineup ranges from huge and colorful streamers to tiny, deadly nymphs.

The crew manning the vise at the video tying theater also includes Al Makkai, tying "the Adams family"; Gary Borger, on designing flies; Rob McLean, tying Barred Leach patterns; Rick Takahashi, with Paint Brush-series flies; Eric Pettine, tying patterns for the North Platte River; and Littleton author Pat Dorsey, whipping out flies for tailwaters.

The schedule for hourly fly-tying theater demonstrations is posted on the Expo's Web site, www. SportsExpos.com.

Another excellent opportunity for tiers to learn and improve their skills will be the 30th Fly Tying Clinic, coming Feb. 11 to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, off West Sixth Avenue at Indiana Street.

The popular event, sponsored by the West Denver chapter of Trout Unlimited, pulls together five dozen of the West's best fly tiers. Instruction will be offered up close at individual tying tables (also excellent places to chat with experts about fishing spots) and at a big-screen theater seating 200 people.

Admission for the Fly Tying Clinic is $7, free for children 12 and younger. Hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information:

TROUT BUMMING: A gang of fly fishers with media expertise spent five months driving bad roads and sleeping in the dirt across the tip of South America to produce a 1 1/2-hour movie that should inspire envy among any would-be fishing vagrant.

Trout Bum Diaries, Volume 1: Patagonia, by The Angling Exploration Group, will be the featured film at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at a fundraiser hosted by Denver Trout Unlimited at the Mile High Station, 2027 W. Colfax Ave.

The event will raise funds for DTU projects, including a new youth fly-fishing program. Admission is $20. Information: . A film preview is available at

Sportsmen's Expo

• What: The 29th International Sportsmen's Exposition, with 700 exhibitors of outdoor equipment and services, more than 100 expert seminars on hunting and fishing skills and destinations in the West and worldwide, fly-tying theater, sporting-dog demonstrations, fly-casting pool, giant aquarium with hourly fishing seminars, opportunities to meet with celebrities and Colorado wildlife managers.

• Where: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver.

• When: Thursday-Sunday. Thursday and Friday, noon-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Admission: Adults, $12; children 12 and younger, free.

• Information: