The WNC Fly Fishing Expo and a little fishing made for an excellent weekend. I left town yesterday morning bound for Asheville. As I packed the truck, our golden retriever knew we were leaving. The first time he sees the fishing gear being packed, he quickly becomes excited almost to point where he can't control himself. Once you say the words "By-by" he'll break through the storm door and race to the truck. "Not this time," I said, and he eventually calmed down and realized he couldn't tag along this time. His reaction to our arrival home was "Oh... yeah... you're home". "I'll just be over here if you need me".

Greeted yesterday AM by a sad retriever. Couldn't go fishing this time.

The expo went very well. I was fortunately able to meet and hang out with a good number of friends and fellow anglers. Brad Sprinkle, Randy Ratliff, Jule and Colin McDowell, and Frank Smith being a few of them. Brad Sprinkle (teachrtec over on the THFF Forum), who owns Trash Flies.com allowed me to tie at his table. If you've never watched Brad tie, you owe it to yourself. Brad has created some of the most creative and effective flies you'll ever see. Brad incorporates copper wires from electronic cords, wire insulators, foam from flip flops, and "trash" from household items. He calls his creations "Trash Flies". They're made from things the average tyer wouldn't think of using. It's truly amazing what you can use for fly tying.

Frank Smith, owner of Hunter Banks Fly Shop, asked Colin and I if we were able to possibly tie at a smaller tying class/small convention in March, so that event is quite possibly next on my list. Don't know many specifics though. Then, Troutfest 2011 in May.

So, without further ado, here's some pictures from this weekend...

A decent North Mills rainbow.

Glover McMurray's masterpiece. Creative as all get out.

The casting pond.

Brad Sprinkle's mouse pattern made from the foam off of a flip flop.