BLACK CANYON FLY FISHING SHOW

 

Gunnison Gorge Anglers started The Black Canyon Fly Fishing Show in 1999 (formerly called the Western Colorado Fly Fishing Exposition), at the Pavilion in Montrose CO. The following 3 years GGA moved the show to Grand Junction to partner with Grand Valley Anglers. In 2004 GGA moved back to Montrose renaming their show to provide an event for the local communities.

 

Local vendors, fly shops, sporting goods, and agencies set up booths, tiers from all over the country come to demonstrate their love of fly tying. Other events include a Friday night social (wine tasting), women’s events, youth events, fly casting demos, programs, a Saturday night banquet, auctions, silent auctions raffles and door prizes.

 

Money raised by GGA is used for its many projects GGA has started over the years. Recently Riverbottom Park was completed. This was made possible by a $5000 study paid for by GGA.

 

The show is more than projects it is first and foremost an event for our club members. The friendship developed by having fun and working together cannot be replaced. Secondly it is an event for our community. The show is open to the public with no charge. Jimmy Nelson started a youth flytying/flyfishing event that is second to none. Regrettably Jimmy passed away. Dave Pipkin has stepped up and replaced Jimmy and is expanding the event. Well over 100 of our youth attended, and most learned how to tie a fly, tie a knot, learn a little bit about entomology, and cast a rod. Further showing our commitment to our youth, our evening program was presented by 8 year old Tyler Befus from Montrose CO.

 

The master of ceremonies was our president Marshall Pendergrass. Show chairman was Gale Doudy. Assistant chair was Ed Kehoe. Auction, raffle, and donations was Tony Chelf, advertising was Cynthia Hansen. Without a large number of GGA members volunteering time at the show, it could not have been possible to do. All who participated pat yourself on the back. Good job.  2008 show chairman is Ed Kehoe, fly tying chair is Kurt Zelazny. More help is needed, please call Ed if you can help.

 

Programs are presented during the day hourly. There have been programs of fly fishing Alaska, Argentina, Chile, Belize, fishing throughout the United States and local waters in CO. Programs have been presented by Telluride Outside, Black Canyon Anglers, Brent Curtice, Bill Dvorak, Jeff Hatton, Larry Kingrey, Cimarron Creek, Joel Evans, Brad Befus, Lamoine Hyde, and Sharon Lance,

 

Another popular event was a fly fishing fashion show put on by lady anglers. Clothing and gear was modeled and the event was well attended.

 

The Saturday night banquet is catered by GGA members Harold and Yvonne Williamson who are the owners of Blue Ribbon BBQ right here in Montrose. People come from Texas for their BBQ. Everybody leaves full.

 

The auctions and raffles in the evening are full of several outstanding items. There are fly rods, fly reels, fly fishing equipment, hosted and guided fly fishing trips, door prizes, and most importantly “fun to be had by all”. It is about the camaraderie. 

 

Enough cannot be said about the fly tyers, without them there would not be a show. They come to share their knowledge, their love of tying, their love of flyfishing, and their support of GGA’s goals. Two shifts of demonstrators tie on Saturday from 9am to 12:30 and 12:30 to 4pm. The only complaint received about the show is there is too much going on at once.