This weekend the Fly Fishing Show rolls through New England in its usual location at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center in Marlborough, MA. I went today and am already looking forward to coming back next year. If you’ve never been, it’s a great trip, and the $18 to get in the door gives you access to the show floor and a whole bunch of presentations over in the hotel next door.

I most enjoyed shmoozing with the fly tiers on the far side of the expo floor. I spent my money with them, taking home some beautiful flies. If you prefer tying, there’s a bunch of vendors with all the materials and accessories you could ever need.

Here are ten takeaways and pointers if you make it over on Saturday or Sunday, or to any of the future events in Edison, NJ, Atlanta, GA, Bellevue, WA, Denver, CO, Pleasanton, CA, and Lancaster, PA. If you’ve never been, I recommend it, and it’s something that you can enjoy by yourself if you don’t have a fishy friend or family member to tag along. If nothing else, it’s a great way to break up the winter doldrums.

- Bring cash for the entrance fee and for small batch flies. There’s an ATM on site but it will charge you a bunch of fees. If you didn’t buy your tickets in advance, you’ll have to pay cash at the door. You can get tickets online with a credit card and pay an additional $2.44 service fee. Many of the smaller vendors such as fly tiers don’t have iPads or Stripe machines or take Venmo. Today I started proactively asking the tiers if they took cards or Venmo when my cash dwindled, and thankfully a couple were happy to accept a Venmo payment.
- Skip the giveaway at the entrance. When you get your ticket and hand stamped there are a bunch of iPads where you can fill out a form to enter a giveaway. Go for it if you feel like it, but it’s a hassle and you might find yourself signed up for a bunch of emails you didn’t expect.
- Check out the presentations in the “Destination Theater.” This is in the hotel itself. Walk inside through the revolving doors and then head down to the right where you’ll see a long hallway. On Saturday and Sunday there are great looking presentations by Abbie Schuster, Bob Romano, Tim Flagler, George Sylvestre, and plenty of others. The presentations are about 45 minutes long or so with time for Q&A. I attended one with Alan Caolo today where he actually used a slide projector with photographic slides, not something I’ve seen in a long time.
- Support female tiers! I bought some beautiful size 12 soft hackles from Ingrid Sils, including the Partridge & Orange, one of my favorites.
- Get some trout flies from Dan LaPointe. I got a couple gorgeous flies from Dan of Dan’s Fly Shop in Gorham, NH. He calls it a Hare Fur Emerger and I plan to use it for brookies in Northern New England this coming summer.
- Get some bass bugs from Jay Aylward of The Handmade Angler. I couldn’t believe it when I saw that Jay was selling his Pad Racer fly for targeting largemouth bass as I thought it was top secret. This fly won’t get tangled when fished in weed beds and I’m happy to finally have one of my own.
- Get some saltwater flies. There are a bunch of regional tiers from all over New England and beyond selling flies for the salt. I picked up a couple nice looking Lefty’s Deceivers from Adam Hortenberry of Rhode Island. I also had a good time chatting with Scott Mentzer based out of Florida. These guys are using quality hooks and materials and are a hoot to shoot the breeze with.
- Meet Jeff Currier and his wife Granny and check out their booth. Jeff is originally from New Hampshire and sells a bunch of his art at the show. I hear he even does custom art if you bring a piece of gear or want to pick up a new Cliff Outdoors fly box. He’s always willing to talk flies and fish. While I didn’t get a chance to talk with him today I’m sure I’ll catch him next time.
- Park in the far lot. Don’t bother trying to find parking in the two lots right next to the expo center. The “Lot Full” sign isn’t lying. Just put on a jacket, park by the hotel, and get some steps in.
- Look at the fancy reels featured at the Bear’s Den Fly Fishing Co booth. They have reels that cost from $1-$2k such as custom painted Abel reels. I’m not interested in ever owning one of these works of art, but they’re fun to look at.

Most of all, I would just say be curious and enjoy yourself. There are all sorts of lodges and destinations there. For example, I enjoyed chatting with the gentleman from Mongolia today representing the Taimen Lodge. President Jimmy Carter (rest in peace) traveled to and fished Mongolia.

Let me know if you make it there and what your favorite exhibitor, fly tier, or presentation is. Spring is coming!
Highlighted comment from Steve below about an upcoming fly fishing show in Connecticut – “Another great show (with local experts and fly fishing tackle dealers)is the CT Fly Fishers Association Annual show on February 1st just north of Hartford CT. Tons of local tiers, good buys on material, and tips for local fishing in my experience.”
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I went today to Marlborough. Great show – many great presentations. The ones I learned the most from were by Lou Zambello (Maine) and Bob Lindquist (Delaware). Author booth was great place to speak with and learn more from experts. I brought my Maine Gazeteer and several State Delorme Atlases. Authors were incredibly helpful in circling some of their recommended places. Great event!
John – glad to hear. Lou Zambello is amazing, I have all his books and have seen presentations by him, good stuff. I’m sure the Lindquist was press was great too.
Great idea bringing the Gazetteer!
Another great show (with local experts and fly fishing tackle dealers)is the CT Fly Fishers Association Annual show on February 1st just north of Hartford CT. Tons of local tiers, good buys on material, and tips for local fishing in my experience.
Good tip Steve! Thank you. I’ll note it in the blog.