California Fly Fishing Expo Benefits Project Healing Waters
OutdoorHub 03.15.13
Representatives from all facets of flyfishing – tackle manufacturers, guides, lodges, fly tiers, and exotic locations – will be at the Fishermen’s Spot, 14411 Burbank Blvd., Van Nuys, for a free two day exposition, April 6 and 7; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with a raffle to benefit Project Healing Waters.
The expo will be held both inside the store and at an adjacent parking lot with speakers, films, fly tying demonstrations, 2013 products and other aspects of the sport, both fresh and saltwater. The event coincides with the forthcoming opening of the Sierra trout season as well as the warming of ocean waters.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans through fly-fishing and fly-tying education and outings. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing offers its services and programs to injured military service personnel and disabled veterans throughout the country.
“Project Healing Waters has recognized the benefits associated with flyfishing in the rehabilitation of our nation’s veterans suffering from physical and psychological trauma incurred while defending our nation. Program participants are joined by PHW volunteers at their points of rehabilitation, where they learn skills such as casting, fly tying, rod building and other techniques. These skills are then used as participants are hosted at various flyfishing events to apply their newly acquired skills,” said Steve Ellis of the Fishermen’s Spot and Project Healing Waters volunteer.
Raffle prizes include an Abel reel, Ross reel, TFO Switch flyrod, Simms jacket, Echo micro practice rods, Smith Optical and Costa polarized sunglasses.
One free raffle ticket will be given to each Expo visitor. Additional tickets are available for $5 each or 5 for $20. Winners do not need to be present to win.
Speakers and audio/visual presentations are scheduled by David D’Beaupre, Secrets to Success in the Eastern Sierra; Conway Bowman, Flyfishing for Carp in Southern California; Chris Taylor, Tactics for Big Trout in the San Juan (New Mexico) River; Jason Newmack, Fishing Missouri River Hatches; Jeff DeBrown, Baja Roosterfish and Beyond; and a presentation on Catching Saltwater Bass on the Fly.
Fly tiers demonstrating their art include Federation of Fly Fishers Buz Buszek Award Winners Bill Blackstone, Steve Fernandez and John Vanderhoof along with Capt. Vaughn Podmore, Adam Perez, Dave Valadez, John Shaner and Naomi Okamoto.
Lodges, guides or flyfishing destinations slated to be at the Expo are The Reel Baja, Baja California Sur, Mexico; Henry’s Fork Lodge, Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, Idaho; The Lodge at Eagle Rock – Missouri River, Montana; San Juan River, New Mexico; and River Ranche, Bow River, Alberta, Canada.
Tackle manufacturers and manufacturers’ representatives on hand to display and demonstrate new products include Abel Reels, Simms, Sage, Redington, Rio, Tibor, Ross, Scientific Anglers, Umpqua Feather Merchants, Buff, Galvan Reels, Royal Wulff Lines, Temple Fork Outfitters, Pacific Fly Group, Winston Rods, Fishpond, Hardy USA and Adams Built.
Food trucks will be in the adjacent lot and on the streets.
For additional information, a schedule of speakers and topics, phone (818) 785-7306.
