Events

feathers & cocktails #1…this wednesday 2/8 at 6pm – free fly tying demo with Al Q

I have decided to start a little series of fly tying sessions entitled feathers & cocktails. The first one will be held next Wednesday at the Shade Hotel dining patio around 6pm. There will be plenty of parking around the hotel. I will be demonstrating a really cool shrimp pattern designed by my good friend, Enrico Puglisi, called the EP Spawning Shrimp. This pattern is deadly on all species willing to eat a shrimp fly. You can tie them light with bean chain eyes or heavy with 7/32 dazzle or lead eyes. I like to used them for bonefish in skinny water, They will even entice a permit on the flats. I am sure our local corbina will eat one too. I will have very limited fly tying supplies, so please try to bring your own materials or just come to watch and take notes. It should be a fun –filled evening filled with appetizers, cocktails and lots of fish stories. I want to thank my good friend, Bill Matthews who helped organize this location for us and manages this restaurant’s hospitality and food for the Zislis Group. Bill is also a licensed captain with FlyTime fly-fishing and charters our local waters for calico bass, bonita, barracuda and other inshore species. Come on down meet some new flyfisherman and have a few laughs with us. Cheers –Al Q

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culver city art walk, this saturday…

I hope some of you guys at this Saturday’s, Culver City Arts District’s Art Walk from 2pm to 6pm. I will be selling some of my fly fishing artwork and fly creations. I will have a few Gyotaku prints from my 12# line class world record calico bass (largest to date caught on fly) for sale.

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I will also do some of my original colored pencil hand fly sketches (5×7 printed card stock, suitable for framing)

…and a few hand tied anchovies and squids in sardine cans…first come,  limited supply (couldn’t eat enough sardines to make a lot more! LOL)

can

Click here for more info: http://tornadocreative.com/events/
Participating Artists:
Caroline Beghin-Kircher
Kevin Bradley
Jerolyn Crute Sackman
Ruth Katzenstein Souza
Diana Mausser
Nancy Nimoy
Al Quattrocchi 
Chris Rohloff
Jeff Smith
Gary Steinborn
Joni Takeshita
Alison Wright

The event will take place in the new Helms Design Center, on the Washington Boulevard side of the historic Helms Bakery complex. 8745 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
Free parking at the Metro Station and in the Venice lot at the Helms Bakery.

There will be drinks and light snacks available and rockin’ live music from Par Avion. (our favorite surf band!)

Please invite your friends and share this event on social media. We look forward to this artistic collaboration and hope to see you all there!

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come one, come all, to the greatest ball of them all!

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Our good buddy Alex Ramirez was kind enough to bring down some new fly rods from Sage and Redington for everyone to field test and some shades to look through from Smith/Optics as well…

Bring some cash if you are interested in buying flies from our awesome fly tiers this year and there will be a special used fly gear table with some great deals for those looking for discounted used fly rods and misc. gear.

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the flyzone…

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The Fly Zone is a custom program design for individuals or groups to better their all around skills as anglers. It includes casting, tackle, outfitting and techniques for any environment or circumstance. Contact Al or Jim for more info: al@tornadodesign.la /jim@iticorp.net

This past Saturday, Jim Solomon and myself had the opportunity to complete a two day “fly fishing the beach” Fly Zone course with some of the fine folks at the Pasadena Fly Club.

We started at the casting pond and went over the casting stroke and learning to cast and manage a sinking shooting head, knots, tackle, flies and techniques which included a slide presentation. This past Saturday, we all met down at the beach to practice some of the skills we covered which included casting and reading water. Learning the proper skills and techniques necessary to be a successful angler on the beach is something that will make every angler better when they return back to a creek, lake or river.

Jim showing the proper hand position for casting. Photo by Al Q

Jim showing the proper hand position for casting. Photo by Al Q

photo by Al Q

photo by Al Q

photo by Al Q

photo by Al Q

Photo by Al Q

Photo by Al Q

Getting first hand experience. Photo by Al Q

Getting first hand experience. Photo by Al Q

A great group of anglers. Photo by Al Q

A great group of anglers. Photo by Al Q

 

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new fleye sketches from Pop and Q…

The master, Bob Popovics wearing the first original "Beast" tee

The master, Bob Popovics wearing the first original “Beast” tee. Artwork by Al Q

original sketch by Bob Popovics.

original sketch by Bob Popovics.

original sketch by Bob Popovics

original sketch by Bob Popovics

original drawing by Al Q

original drawing by Al Q All rights reserved.

final color scheme and design by Al Q

final color scheme and design by Al Q All rights reserved.

I was recently asked by my friend, Bob Popovics to sketch up a few of his most inovative fly patterns for some tee shirts he will use to help promote his new book soon to be released entitled, “Fleye Designs” I can’t wait to get me hands on this new book, it should be out the beginning of next year. His last book is now a classic entitled, Popfleyes, and I consider it to be the bible for saltwater fly tying. If you tie flies and haven’t seen that book you are living in a cave. Bob is my mentor as a fly tier and ever since I met this man over twenty years ago, he has been one of the most generous people I know, always willing to help me better my game as a person and fly fisherman. I felt honored to be able to represent these patterns with my drawing style mainly because I know them so well personally tying them and watching Bob tie them over the years. I though I would share some of the thinking and sketching process here. I should be receiving my first two samples soon, the rear floating squid and the beast. The ultra shrimp and schoolie should be on deck… I think these shirts will be available for sale at the Tuffleye booth during the Somerset Fly Show in New Jersey the end of January…

Orignial sketh by Bob Popovics for the "Schoolie" flee

Orignial sketh by Bob Popovics for the “Schoolie” fleye

original Schoolie Fleye drawing and color design by Al Q (all rights reserved)

original Schoolie Fleye drawing and color design by Al Q (all rights reserved)

original sketch for the RF Squid by Al Q

original sketch for the Rear Floating Squid by Al Q (All rights reserved.)

Original sketch for the utlra shrimp fleye by Bob Popovics

Original sketch for the utlra shrimp fleye by Bob Popovics

original drawing and color design by Al Q

The Ultra Shrimp fleye, original drawing and color design by Al Q (All rights reserved.)

original drawing and color design by Al Q

Rear Floating Squid fleye, original drawing and color design by Al Q (All rights reserved.)

 

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carp throwdown results…

fishing licenses and boat permit line at the local lodge. Photo by Al Quattrocchi

fishing licenses and boat permit line at the local lodge. Photo by Al Quattrocchi

Photo by Steve Piper

Photo by Steve Piper

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the anticipation of the launch. Photo by Al Quattrocchi

the anticipation of the launch. Photo by Al Quattrocchi

Photo by Al Quattrocchi

Photo by Al Quattrocchi

the national anthem was a recording by Louis Armstrong to get things kicked off. Photo by AL Quattrocchi

the national anthem was a recording by Louis Armstrong to get things kicked off. Photo by AL Quattrocchi

There were 40 registered anglers that participated in Conway Bowman and Al Q's Carp Throwdown at Lake Henshaw this past June 13th. It was a record breaking crowd. Photo by Al Quattrocchi

There were 40 registered anglers that participated in Conway Bowman and Al Q’s Carp Throwdown at Lake Henshaw this past June 13th. It was a record breaking crowd. Photo by Al Quattrocchi

It was our fourth annual Carp Throwdown at Lake Henshaw and it didn’t disappoint all those that participated. It is one of my favorite events and we always get a great group of gals and guys that love the comradery and top water carp action. Hope to see some new faces next year! 🙂

CTD_results_2015   Visit the official Carp Throwdown website for updated information!

 

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carp sight casting primer…

CTD_TU

 

Conway and I will have a very informal presentation on carp behavior and presentation techniques at Lake Hodges on Saturday, May 30th between 9am & noon. We will all meet at the main lawn area by the concession building at Lake Hodges. Conway will cover casting and presentation, fly patterns and lake strategy. Ask lots of questions. John Hendrickson will be on hand as well, and I would pick his brain, he’s one of the best carp fly fisherman around.
It is sort of a pre throwdown primer to the main event at Henshaw on Saturday, June 13th. Hope to see some new carp faces there, its a good opportunity to ask questions and tighten the loops. The boys at the Fly Stop will bring some hot carp flies for you guys to check out or purchase as well…cheers

 

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One Surf Fly this Saturday at Mission Beach!

Sponsor_Thanks_Page.indd

Click to Enlarge! You must be present to collect raffle prizes!

Screen shot 2011-03-04 at 4.22.21 PM FB_Cover_OSF2015_OPTI osf8_map

 

go to OneSurfFly for more info!

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let the games begin…save the date

Save the date. Saturday, June 13th at Lake Henshaw! Sign up through the The Fly Stop in La Jolla.

Save the date. Saturday, June 13th at Lake Henshaw!
Sign up through the The Fly Stop in La Jolla.

For more info: Visit Us!

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the one surf fly is coming…

Beach Banner

Beach Banner

the official One Surf Fly poster

the official One Surf Fly poster

Check OneSurfFly for updates. We should have a really nice raffle for Shane this year. There will also be a few silent auction items including one of Shane’s personal Winston 8 foot, two piece bamboo fly rods valued at $1500. Hope to see some new faces out there this year. This may very well be my last One Surf Fly so please come out and show some love…

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