To my loyal & valued customers,
Days are getting longer and hopes are starting to rise that this year will bring sufficient water to all our area rivers and waterways. Someone once told me that “Fish need water.” I’m testing out that theory for its validity!
This season at the shop is proving to be an eventful and auspicious time as lots of seminars, classes and presentations are planned designed to be as inclusive and inviting as I can make it. Please look at what is it come in the days ahead and sign up ASAP. There is something for everyone in the fly community. Fly Tyers corner is free, as is all the presentations. Take advantage, learn and commiserate with like-minded anglers.
Pat Perkins — In addition to building a superb bamboo rod is now doing restorations on all types of bamboo rods. If you have a bamboo road and it is in need of repair, please contact the shop for details.
Thank you to everyone for another successful year at the shop and I hope to see many of you at these events.
Thank you & See you on the water,
Charlie Shadan
February 2024 Fly Tying Sale:
10% off all tying materials, hooks, vises, etc. Mention that you read this notice and get an additional 2% off your purchase.
During February also, thousands of flies are on sale at $1.99 each. I have tied a large portion of these and I feel confident about their quality. Minimum purchase is 1 dozen to get the price of $1.99/each. Stock up now for the coming season.
ESFS Jan/Feb 2024 Shop Presentations
1) Sunday, February 11th — Steve Angers from North Country Anglers in North Conway, NH. will be doing a presentation on fishing New Hampshire’s secret waters for wild Brook Trout. He will discuss places and flies to promote his new book on this subject. He will also sign your book if you already have it. Steve will also promote other area rivers to fish in his fly shop area. Presentation will start at 12pm with some time at the end for Q&A. No charge to all. Call or email my shop for reservations as seating will be limited to 15-18+ people.
2) Sunday, March 3rd — Jonathan Bunker from Squaretail Angler Guide Service will be putting on a presentation about fishing the Deerfield River in Massachusetts. He will discuss geography, flies, techniques and focus his discussion on the wild Brown Trout fishing which will soon become a hot topic. Presentation will start at 11:30am and last for about 1 hour with plenty of time for Q&A. A 1/2 day trip on the Deerfield will be raffled off on that day for the ticket price of $20. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to get a trip for $20. Seating will be limited to 15-18+ people. Call the shop or email for reservations.
ESFS Jan/Feb 2024 Fly Tying Classes
1) Saturday, February 10th – Beginner/Intermediate Salt H20 Tying Class
Evening Sun Fly Shop is pleased to announce that Joe Calcavecchia, New England’s premier salt water tyer is conducting a 4-hour tying class from 10am – 2pm on February 10th at the shop. Joe will be tying some common and very useful flies for our neck of the woods. Beginners/Intermediate tyers are welcome. Don’t miss this chance to learn saltwater tying from the area’s premier teacher and Tyer. Cost of class — $95 includes all hooks and materials. Call or email the shop to sign up. Only 5-6 students allowed. ONE SPOT LEFT. You don’t want to miss this class!!
2) Sunday, February 25th – Articulated Streamers
Jay Aylward, a western Mass. guide and accomplished fly tier, will be conducting a class on tying articulated Streamers. These streamers have proven very effective in hunting large Brown Trout on the Deerfield, Hoosac and Farmington Rivers. Jay will provide all materials and hooks for this exciting class. Bring your own vise and tools. Class will run for 9am until 12pm. Limited to 6 people only. Call or email to reserve your spot. Cost of class — $100.00. Jay is on the HMH Pro Staff team and has some of his flies offered for sale in the Montana Fly catalog. This is a tying opportunity that you don’t want to miss!
ESFS Jan/Feb 2024 Fly Tyers Corner Sessions
1) Date Pending TBD — Ryan Le Clerc will do a tying seminar on some of his favorite patterns to fish the Swift River in Belchertown. He has created some deadly patterns for the river. Call or email the shop for details. No charge to all. Seminar begins at 11am and goes until 1:30pm.
2) Sunday, February 18th — Mike Ferchak will be tying a selection of some of his favorite patterns including soft hackles, elk hair caddis, Swift River midge emergers and a favorite springtime stone fly pattern. Call or email the shop for details. No charge to all. Seminar begins at 11am and goes until 1pm.
3) Sunday, March 10th — Tyler Farmer will be demonstrating how to tie articulated streamers for use in attracting and catching large browns. Tyler is from Michigan and has been tying and using streamers for years with great success.
ESFS Future 2024 Classes
1) Sunday, April 14th — Beginners Learn to Fly Fish School 7:45am – 5pm. Call or email to reserve your spot. $275.00
2) Sunday, April 21st — Beginners Learn to Fly Fish School 7:45am – 5pm. Call or email to reserve your spot. $275.00
3) Saturday, April 27th — Beginners Learn to Fly Fish School 7:45am – 5pm. Call or email to reserve your spot. $275.00
4) Saturday, May 4th — Aquatic Bugology Class 9am – 4pm. Call or email to reserve your spot. Class fills up fast. $125.00 SOLD OUT
5) Sunday, May 5th — Aquatic Bugology Class #2. Due to popular demand. Second class added. 9am – 4pm. Call or email to reserve your spot. Class fills up fast. $125.00
6) Saturday, May 19th — Learn to Nymph Fish Class 2 sessions — 8am – 12pm/1pm – 5pm. Call or email to reserve your spot. $110.00
So You Think You Know Everything?
The ESFS will be running every month interesting factoids…
Many sources claim that the original Groundhog Day took place in 1887, when residents of Punxsutawney set out to Gobbler’s Knob, known as Phil’s “official” home, but the first piece of evidence Yoder (an old European encyclopedia) found of townspeople trusting a groundhog for the weather, a diary entry, was dated 1840. And since Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants mostly arrived in the mid-to-late 18th century, it’s likely that the holiday existed for decades earlier than we have recorded, per the Library of Congress.