tie-fest

Let The Show Begin!

Micahdammeyer Fly Tying January 16, 2017fly fishing big gunpowder falls, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, The Fly Fishing Show, tie-fest

We’re hitting the road for the show season again this year. While we skipped The Fly Fishing Show’s stop in NJ last year we’ll be back in the Garden State this year.

The need for an NJ fix is a strong one. There will be a lot of pizza and bagels consumed while staying there. Best of all we’re looking forward to catching up with everyone and seeing a lot of old familiar faces.

Next up is the Lancaster Fly Fishing Show March 4th and 5th and my favorite all tying event Lefty’s Tie Fest right down here in Maryland. I’ll have more on that one as we get closer.

Hope to see you at the shows this winter!

Micah

What a Long Strange Trip!

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, fishing, Fly Tying, Shows/Expos, The Fly Fishing Show January 31, 2015Big Gunpowder Falls, Eastern Trophy Tailwaters, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, fly fishing gunpowder falls, Fly Fishing Show, Gunpowder Falls fishing report, Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing Guide, LEfty's Tie Fest, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, The Fly Fishing Show, tie-fest, Tom Gilmore

It’s been busy over at Knee Deep Headquarters for the past few months. We’ve added a second intern here at the “office” and the buildup kept us pretty busy for a while. Now that there are two interns here, we’re having a ball cleaning up spills and changing diapers.

It was great to see everyone at the NJ Fly Fishing Show. Thanks to everyone who asked to see baby pictures and brought me coffee! I was lucky enough to sit with my old pal Matt Grobert. We rarely get to see each other outside of show season but it’s like it was last week every time we catch up. He’s been a good role model of mine since I was a kid (he’s not that old) and nobody enjoys sharing the art of fly tying and fishing more than Matt. I can’t wait to see everyone again at Lancaster!

Hey, you East coasters, there’s a new book out by Tom Gilmore just for us and I’m IN IT! I can’t believe it either. Tom must not have been thinking straight when he asked for some input on The Big Gunpowder; I’m grateful for his lapse in judgment. Call your local shop and ask them to get you a copy…then plan a road trip to some new water. It’s got all the info you need on the how and where andsome great extras like real maps! (imagine a guide book with usable maps!)

We’ll see you at Tie fest and Lancaster soon!

-Micah and the expanding crew

Micahdammeyer Fly Tying November 17, 2014Flies for big gunpowder Falls, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, Fly Tying Show, Gunpowder Falls fishing report, Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, The Fly Fishing Show, tie-fest, trout fishing

The International Fly Tying Symposium is this coming weekend and you need to get yourself there. If you’ve never tied a fly but want to learn, this is the place to see the world’s best tiers and talk to them about technique as well as pick up a few flies for your box along the way. If you’ve already got the bug and have been thinking about making the trip to ‘Jersey for the show, you owe it to yourself. There’s no better place to pick up hard to find materials and spend some time talking to the people who raise the birds and dye the fur.

I’ll be there, sharing a table with my good pal Ken Walrath. Stop by and say “Hi”. If you don’t already follow Knee Deep on Facebook and Twitter, this is a good time to connect. We’ll let you know what isle we’re in and post some pics for the folks who can’t attend.

See you at the show!

Micah

We’re headed to Hacklebarney TU , Thursday!

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, fishing, Shows/Expos March 11, 2014Big Gunpowder Falls, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, fly fishing gunpowder falls, Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing Guide, Hacklebarney TU, Maryland Fly Fishing, Stoneflies, The Fly Fishing Show, tie-fest, Where to find Knee Deep Fly Fishing

Just when I thought the show season was over, it’s time to pack up and head to my old stomping grounds at NJ’s Hacklebarney Trout Unlimited meeting. This Thursday night, we’ll be there talking about fishing The Big Gunpowder Falls and telling all sorts of lies. I hope you can make it if you’re in the area. I’m really looking forward to it!

I owe a big thanks to everyone who came out to Lefty’s Tie Fest last weekend and especially to everyone who came to hear my talk at the show. I couldn’t have asked for a better reception! It was great to see so many kids at Tie Fest. While it makes me feel old, I’m excited to see what the future holds for the world of fly tying. If you’ve got kids who are interested in tying, it’s a must attend event to put on the list for next year.

Hey, it’s still cold but the stoneflies are coming. we’ve got some new stuff in the works so keep checking in!

Keep your tip on the water,

Micah

Baby Steps

Micahdammeyer Fly Tying, Shows/Expos, Winter February 3, 2014February 3, 2014Dr. Slick, Fly Show Lancaster, Lefty Kreh's Tiefest, Peak vise, The Fly Fishing Show, tie-fest

Ok, so he’s not there yet but Luke is going to make a fine fly tier some day. I can spot ’em! Maybe I’ll ask the good folks over at Dr. Slick if they have any plans for a “Safety Scissor”. If you made it to the Fly Show up in Somerset, you may have seen me working with a new set of “Razor” scissors. I’ve been holding them hostage since the show and I love them. Honestly, they’re so sharp that I don’t have to close them to snip my 6/0 thread. Luke is definitely not ready for those. He’d be more like Luke Skywalker with those in his hands. The Dr. Slick team is helping me put together a new arsenal of tools for this spring and I’m looking forward to all the new ways to apply bandages to my fingers. I can’t wait.

Spring is coming. I swear. It happens every year. Just when you can’t take it any more, the sun shines again and it’s time to fish. After all these fishing expos and today’s run down to the Maryland DNR offices to renew my guide’s license just this morning, I’ve got cabin fever bad. I’m looking forward to some upcoming shows like the big Fly Fishing Show up in Lancaster, PA and Lefty’s Tie Fest. Both are great opportunities to keep spirits high and get your fishing fix. Both the “fly show” and CCA/Tie Fest have facebook pages where you can stay up to date of what’s going to be at the shows. While we’re at it, have you “liked” OUR PAGE? Tie fest is a hardcore tying event and packed with some of the best tiers and a few shops selling materials (even a few rod companies). I think it’s a great chance to get up close and personal with the tiers and really learn a few tricks. Get yourself to both shows and you won’t regret it.

Keep cranking them out. Longer days are coming!

-Micah

A filmmaker needs your help

Micahdammeyer Uncategorized March 13, 2013Great Salmon Tour, Knee Deep Fly Fishing, LEfty's Tie Fest, Salmon, tie-fest, trout fishing

I met Peter Johnsen at Tie Fest last weekend. He’s working on a film project that sounds pretty cool. His “Great Salmon Tour” is setting out to “document the diversity of salmon and explore the deep cultural and personal connections we humans have to these fish.” That sounds good to me. I happen to have a deep cultural connection to fish

Check out the clip on his Kickstarter page. It looks promising. Maybe skip the mocafrapachino this afternoon and send that $4 his way. He’s already off to a good start. If it goes well, maybe there’ll be a brook trout film in the future.

Keep your tip on the water,

Micah

Thank You!

Micahdammeyer Uncategorized March 12, 2013Knee Deep Fly Fishing, Knee Deep fly Fishing LLC, LEfty's Tie Fest, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, The Fly Fishing Show, tie-fest, winter, Winter Fly Fishing

For us here at Knee Deep (it’s a group effort) the show and expo circuit is wrapping up and, while sitting in a pile of boxes, plastic tubs, and extension cords, it’s nice to know that the air is warming up outside. Traveling to the shows and meeting so many anglers has been rewarding. It’s especially refreshing to meet new anglers and see their enthusiasm. Nothing makes you want to hit the water like hearing someone talk about their first trout on the fly. For those who really get the fly fishing bug, that feeling is the same for every fish caught after that first one.

For me the winter is a time to see old friends from near and far. As a kid, it was when family would come to town and we’d fish tiny streams for brook trout up in NJ. Nowadays, it’s a reminder of all the great fishermen (and women!) that I’ve been lucky enough to have fished with in the last 25 years and who’ve shaped who I’ve become. One pal I tied next to at the shows has known me since I was a 10 year old kid riding my bike to the river with a fly rod in hand. Some of the guys who let me tag along on trips to NY state all those years ago came to see me in in NJ and there is no way to describe how fantastic that feels. They’re still letting me tag along on their fishing adventures all these years later. It’s all been a reminder that the fly fishing family is very large but has a great spirit and will continue on for many years down the road.

Last but not least, during this season’s show circuit I’ve met so many supportive spouses along the way. Some of us have wives who may or may not fish but are supportive enough to set us free from the house every once in a while to share angling with others. Maybe it’s easier to let us run than listen to grumble while painting the house or working on the car. I don’t know how they live with us sometimes. I know I couldn’t have done it without my wife and I’m sure there are many other fishermen out there who feel the same way. Thanks Dear!

Thank you to everyone who attended the shows and stopped by to say “Hello” this winter. Knee Deep Fly Fishing wouldn’t be here without you.

Keep your tip on the water!

Sincerely,

Micah

Lefty’s Tie Fest This Weekend!

Micahdammeyer Uncategorized March 7, 2013March 8, 2013Big Gunpowder Falls, CCA, CCA Maryland, DC Fishing, DC Fishing Guide, DC Fly tying, fly fishing gunpowder falls, flyfishing, Knee Deep Fly Fishing, LEfty's Tie Fest, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, tie-fest, Tiefest, Washington DC Fly Fishing Guide

Tie Fest Is almost here! Saturday is THE day to go get your tying fix with some of fly fishing’s most addicted tiers. There will be people tying, telling big fish tales, and shops showing off their gear. I’ll be there tying and telling some of the hardest to believe stories. IT’s going to be a fun day and I hear the facility will have a great restaurant with tasty grub AND a bar. What more could you ask for?

Get yourself there!

Micah & The Knee Deep Team

Hooks Up!

Micahdammeyer Uncategorized February 8, 2013Big Gunpowder Falls, Big Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing guide, DC Fishing, Fishing, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, Gunpowder, Gunpowder Falls, Gunpowder Falls fishing report, Lefty Kreh's Tiefest, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, Stoneflies, Streamer Fishing, The Fly Fishing Show, The Fly Fishing Show Lancaster, The Fly Fishing Show PA, tie-fest, trout fishing, winter

For anglers, this is the time of the winter when cabin fever starts to take hold. Maybe it’s when we’re in the car in the mornings and we notice we now need sunglasses again rather than headlights. For the hardcore trout bums, perhaps they notice the dog is waiting for them to get up and get moving. Whatever it is, we know spring is coming. We just have to hold on!

If you didn’t make it to Somerset, NJ for The Fly Fishing Show, you’ve got another chance to get your fix. The crew is on their way to Lancaster, PA for the weekend of March 2^nd/3rd.I’ll be there tying and telling even bigger fish stories (it’s been a long winter) and hope to see some of you there.

The next weekend, March 9^th, is Lefty Kreh’s “Tie Fest” closer to home in Grasonville, MD with the gang from CCA Maryland. This one is going to be pretty cool. It’s the region’s best tiers and guides getting together to share what’s coming out the jaws of their vises. There’s even a bar so you can buy them a beer and try to get them to let go of a few secrets. I’ll be tying there too so be sure and stop in for an hour or two just to say hello.

Looking forward to these two events should help to ease the pain of winter. Last year the stoneflies were climbing out of the water by the second week of March so there’s an end in sight!

Tight lines,

Micah