PRESS RELEASE: Learn the art of fly-tying at the Gilley April 5
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Join Downeast Trout Unlimited and the Wendell Gilley Museum for a fun fly-tying workshop for students of all experience levels on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be options for beginning, intermediate and advanced students age 8 and older. Veteran fly tyers Bob Bechtold, Mike Elkavitch and Al West will be on hand to guide students through the process with demonstrations and lots of hands-on help.
Beginners will learn the Maple Syrup and Wooly Bugger flies, while intermediate students will tackle the Golden Retriever and Marabou Micky Finn. Advanced students will learn the Marabou Black Ghost and Orange Stimulator flies.
All materials will be provided. Class size is limited, and registration is required. The fee is $26 per person for Museum members and $30 for non-members. This workshop is four hours long, so bring a snack or lunch. Register at www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/calendar
Event co-sponsor Downeast Trout Unlimited is a non-profit conservation organization.
The instructors are all group members and volunteer with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing-Machias.
Mike Elkavitch has been tying flies for about 30 years starting in New Hampshire. He enjoys the tying process and catching fish on flies he has tied and created. He is a member of Downeast Trout Unlimited and the Pleasant River Fish and Game Conservation Association.
Al West has more than 60 years of experience fly fishing and tying flies. He graduated from the University of Maine, Orono with BS in Biology in 1972 and worked for more than 40 years in various New England fisheries. He is a Registered Maine Guide, VP of Pleasant River Fish & Game Conservation Association, and serves on the Board of Directors Downeast Trout Unlimited. He also teaches a five-week course every spring focusing on casting, proper gear, reading the water, and fly selection.
Bob Bechtold graduated from East Stroudsburg University with an MS in aquatic biology in 1996. He was introduced to fishing at a young age by his grandmother and still has his first fishing pole. He began fly fishing more than 40 years ago, and has been tying flies for the past 20 years. He said he enjoys sharing what he has learned with others, and growing the sport of fly fishing and the art of fly tying.