Free Fly Tying Demonstrations

Little River Outfitters is a fly tying shop.  You will notice that as soon as you walk into the store.  The walls are covered with materials and tools.  We have probably the largest selection you have seen. 

Due to that fact, we know a lot of people who tie flies.  Many started here in our classes.  And others have been tying flies for decades.  Some of our customers are experts at tying trout, bass, salmon and saltwater flies.  We have many customers who make poppers.  Fly tying is an important part of the culture at Little River Outfitters.

Fourteen years ago we started holding free fly tying demonstrations during the winter months.  Back then it was about the only way we could get customers into the store when the fishing in the Smokies was slow.  That tradition has continued. 

Not only does it give customers something to do on a cold winter day, there is a whole lot of information shared by these talented fly tyers who come here to demonstrate their skills.

Our Fly Tying Demonstrations don’t cost a thing.  You don’t have to make a reservation, just show up.  The coffee is free and there is plenty of room to sit down and watch.  Ask questions and you will get answers.  Most of our demonstrations are held on Saturdays starting at 10:00 am and running through 2:00 pm.  We usually have two fly tyers each Saturday. 

Free Fly Tying Demonstrations start in November and except for a brief break during the holidays they continue through February.  The tyers in the photos at the left are some of our regular tyers.  There are others too. 

So, here is something to look forward to during the winter months.  Come on over, relax and enjoy yourself.  You will learn from these fine people.

2013 Schedule (So Far)

January 2013

Saturday 5th – Roger Lowe and Jack Gregory – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Saturday 12th – Walter Babb and Josh Pfeiffer - 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Saturday19th – Mike Bone - 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Saturday 26th – Rob Fightmaster - 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

February 2013

Saturday 2nd – Mike Adams and Tim Ivey - 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Saturday 9th – Tim Doyle - 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday 9th – John Thurman- 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Saturday 16th - Bill Boyd Jr. and Bill Boyd Sr. - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

Saturday 23rd - Ray Ball - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Saturday 23rd - Clayton Gist - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

About the Tyers

Walter Babb has been fly fishing in the mountains for 50 years. He teaches fly tying and beginner fly fishing class here at the shop. He is also a professional bamboo rod maker.

Brian Courtney is a pastor in Philadelphia, Tennessee. He is an avid fly fisherman and teaches fly tying classes at Little River Outfitters.

Roger Lowe is a professional guide from Waynesville, North Carolina.

Tim Doyle is a professional guide from here in Blount County. He has been fly fishing in the mountains all his life.

Hugh Hartsell is a professional guide working in the Smokies and area tailwaters.

John Thurman is an aquatic biologist and fly fisherman/upland bird hunter.

Sarah Weeks is the Director of Development at Friends of the Smokies. She is an avid angler and Trout Unlimited volunteer. She is also active in Casting For Recovery. She serves on the Executive Committee of Troutfest and on the Marketing Committee.

Rex Wilson lives in Canton, North Carolina and has fly fished in the Mountains most of his life. He is an excellent Smokies fly tyer.

Captain Drew Delashmit is a professional guide in Key West, Florida. He specializes in fishing for tarpon, bonefish and permit. He grew up here in Blount County and worked at the shop while attending the University of Tennessee. Upon graduation he moved to Key West, got his Captain's license and started a business there.

Buzz Buffing is a retired aquatic biologist and full time fisherman. He fly fishes more than anyone we know.

Jack Gregory grew up in Walland, Tennessee and has fished the Smokies most of his life. He has also spent a lot of time in Yellowstone and loves fly fishing in saltwater. Jack serves on the Executive Committee of Troutfest.

Kevin Howell owns Davidson River Outfitters in Pisqua Forest, North Carolina. He also guides and competes in casting contests.

Jeff Barrett is a guide living in Nashville, Tennessee. Jeff served as President of Middle Tennessee Fly Fishers.

Ray Ball grew up in the Smokies and has fly fished and tied Smokies patterns all of his life. Ray is an excellent trout angler with a great sense of humor.

Bill Boyd Jr, Bill Boyd Sr. and Wendy Williams are known as the Dubbing Teasers. They perform at fly fishing shows and other venues. They are talented fly tyers but also entertaining to the audience.

Jim Evans started fly fishing and tying when he was a kid. He grew up fishing the Smokies streams and tailwaters including the Little "T".

Mike Bone is a partner in Clinch River Outfitters, a guide service that has been in existance for years. He and the guides specialize in fishing tailwaters from drift boats. They are all excellent guides.

Tim Ivey lives in Georgia. He is a professional fly tyer and demonstrates his skills at several fly fishing shows every year.

David Knapp is a school teacher in Crossville, Tennessee. He loves fly fishing for trout. He is an excellent Smokies angler and loves to fish the Caney Fork River. David worked here in the shop one summer while on break from college. Great guy!

Mike Adams is a professional fly fishing guide working mainly on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers.

Dean grew up in North Carolina fishing in the Smokies. He enjoys catching saltwater fish and landlocked stripers. His specialty is making foam poppers and flies for large gamefish using his own techniques that he developed. Dean is also an excellent fly tying instructor and has taught as well as demonstrated his skills in the Southeast United States. He was awarded Fly Tyer of the Year by the Southeast Council of the Fly Fishing Federation.

Dave Carson is a professional guide in the Smoky Mountains. His specialty is tying realistic flies. He has demonstrated at the shop often and at FFF Conclaves.

This is not a complete list of people who tie here at the shop.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE 2013 SCHEDULE

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