Fly fishing is considered a religion for many who live and visit the Wood River Valley and cast onto the Big Wood River or Silver Creek. Fly-fishing enthusiasts and those thinking about taking up the sport will be able to peruse the newest gear available this weekend at the second annual Silver Creek Outfitters' fly-fishing product fair.
Catching a big fish requires skill and know-how, but good equipment helps too. This year's product fair on Saturday, July 18, at Silver Creek Outfitters in Ketchum will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be catered by Apple's as well as include drinks and a tent for learning how to tie flies for adults and kids.
"We are doing this to give our customers an opportunity to check out the newest and greatest fishing products available," said John McLaughlin, Silver Creek Outfitters' fishing department manager. "We had a great time last year and people came and went all day. This year we are making the event bigger."
Attendees will be able to try on innovative waders and boots, including the Vibram wading boot, created to keep invasive species out of rivers and streams.
"Felt boots can carry micro-organisms from one river to another," McLaughlin said. "The Vibram boot is made from a rubber material, which is less likely to spread micro-organisms because they cannot attach themselves to the rubber."
Silver Creek Outfitters will also have representatives from fishing-equipment companies Winston, Sage, Simms and Cloudveil, as well as Ketchum-based Waterworks Lamson, will be on hand to discuss products and give demonstrations. There will be fly rods from Beulah, Oakley sun glasses, men's and women's fishing clothing from ExOfficio and fly reels from Hardy, a company from England.
"Everything will be available to try out all day long," McLaughlin said. "For anyone who is interested in learning how to fly fish, this is a great opportunity."
There is no pressure to purchase any products, but it is an opportunity for people to talk directly to the companies. For details call 726-5282.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Silver Creek Outfitters will hold a fly-fishing product fair on Saturday, July 18. Photo by
