George Davis is a U.S. Navy Veteran. He loves fishing, hiking, cross country ski-ing, kayaking and biking. He has tied flies for more than 30 years. He is an honorary lifetime member of the Spokane Fly Fishing Club. After George lost his sight, he longed to tie flies again — never wanting want to give up one of his favorite hobbies. Project Healing Waters helped and encouraged him to keep tying flies. He now does it all by touch and feel.
And now George is challenging YOU to tie some flies — blindfolded — all in the spirit of FUN and helping the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Spokane Program raise funds to provide fly tying and fly fishing activities for even more Veterans. Join George and other Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing participants at SpringFest 2017 for this great event.
Flies will be judged by a panel of judges and prizes will be awarded. There are 3 levels and you can participate in one, two or all three tying sessions.
To register, contact Sylvia Bach at 208-771-9697.
Here are some of the guidelines of the Contest:
Rib: UTC Ultrawire X-Small – copper
Body: Peacock herl, 3-6 strands
Hackle: Hungarian Partridge feather or brown saddle hackle
Bead Head Woolly Bugger (Level 2)
Hook: #6-12 Tiemco TMC 5212 streamer hook or equivalent
Bead: 5/32 or 3/16 (4 – 4.7 mm) gold bead to hook size
Thread: Uni 8/0 or UTC 70 color to match body
Tail: Marabou to match body color (add strands of flash when tying in)
Body: Lead wire .020 / chenille – color of choice
Hackle: Dry Fly Hackle or Whiting Bugger pack sized for the hook – color of choice
Ribbing: UTC Ultrawire – copper-brown, copper or olive
Thorax: Peacock herl
Bead: 1/8 or 7/64 (3 – 3.5 mm) white or gold bead to hook size
Gills: White poly yarn or Antron
SpringFest 2017 will take place at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in Coeur d’Alene, ID on May 20 & 21, 2017. To register for this great event and contest, email