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Fly-tying expo set for Eugene on March 27 By MARK FREEMAN A contingent of Rogue Valley fly-tyers will represent Southern Oregon at a regional fly-tying exposition set for March 27 in Eugene. The 11th annual Northwest Fly Tyers Expo will feature close to 160 fly-tyers representing Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, California and even Ontario, Canada. The expo is sponsored by the Eugene-based Oregon Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers. The one-day event is at the Lane County Convention Center. The day's activities include a banquet dinner, council awards presentation and an oral auction. Reservations for dinner are recommended, and the deadline for obtaining a reservation is Friday. Advance tickets for the dinner are $15, $18 at the door. For reservations, telephone 541-686-9790. The expo always draws many of the well-known and innovative fly-tyers from across the Pacific Northwest as well as a contingent of excellent tyers known only in their regions. The Rogue Valley's tyers are largely members of the valley's two fly-fishing clubs, the Grants Pass-based Southern Oregon Fly Fishers and the Medford-based Rogue Flyfishers Association. Grants Pass tyers scheduled to demonstrate their craft are: Loren Black, Bruce Bochman, Steve Bonner, John Edwards, Gary Fuller, Gerald James, Rusty Randall and Bob Roberts. From Jackson County, the following tyers are also scheduled: Marlon Rampy and Jack Schlotter, Medford; Doug Snyder, Eagle Point; and Dave Roberts and C.J. Smolen, Shady Cove. Participants will be tying flies and answering questions during four two-hour sessions between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. March 27. The tyers will present fly patterns for trout, bass, steelhead, saltwater, sea-run cutthroat, Pacific salmon and Atlantic salmon. Admission to the tying event is $5 for adults and $3 for students, with children under 12 admitted free with an adult. In addition to the fly-tying demonstrations, there will be fly-tying materials for sale as well as a silent auction and raffle. At the evening dinner, festivities will include an oral auction containing custom fly rods, various tackle items, collector-plate flies, guided fishing trips and various forms of art with an anglers' theme. The auction is open to the general public and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the day will help fund the Oregon Councils' education and conservation efforts across the state. The Rogue River Guides Association has installed new leadership for the 1999 year. Ron Oachs, a retired Jackson County Sheriff's marine deputy, was elected president of the 80-member organization, which represents fishing and hunting guides and their interests in the Rogue Valley. Boyd Kramer was named vice president, with Pat Havens secretary. Chris Carson is the treasurer. The association also has Keith Ogawa as its upper river director, and Brian Malone representing Grants Pass-area guides as the lower river director. Outdoor Journal main page Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA