Tom Helgeson's Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo opens Friday for a three-day run at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel.
Featured presenters are Gary and Jason Borger (Jason will demonstrate fly casting, and Gary will tie flies at the St. Paul Fly Tyers' Theater), Tim Holschlag on smallmouth fishing, Pat Ehlers on giant pike and saltwater fly fishing basics and Kevin Feenstra on steelhead fishing.
Also scheduled to give seminars are Robert Tomes and Brad Bohen on muskies, Mike Rehr on Gulf Coast tarpon, Bill Sherer on fly fishing northeast Wisconsin and Damian Wilmot on the streams and rivers of Lake Superior's south shore.
Kip Velth will talk about fishing the St. Croix, Wayne Bartz about fishing southeast Minnesota and Dave Barron will lead a seminar on fishing southwest Wisconsin.
Beginner fly anglers and those interested in the sport who have not yet tried it can visit any of the handful of learning stations that will be set up at the show.
Topics covered at the show will be entomology, fly tying, tackle (how to choose the correct rod, reel and line) and knot tying.
Environmental topics will be covered as well, including the threat invasive species pose to Minnesota waters and fish.
Additionally, a reception for women fly fishers, novice and experienced alike, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. A writer's workshop is also planned, and entomologist Dean Hansen's "Living River Bug Exhibit" will offer a primer on bug basics.
