Come Hell Or High Water


Come Hell Or High Water April 13th 2013

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS


Introduction: "Hell or High Water" is an annual fly fishing festival and film tour to be hosted at West Branch Angler. The idea is to celebrate the Catskills, beginning of Spring and a new fly fishing season. We have been working closely with the major fly fishing manufacturers and local business's to bring something for everyone. This will be an event to remember mark the dates in your calendar today.



Click The Link Below For A Full Recap of The 2012 Hell or High Water Fly Fishing Festival By Hatches Magazine


hatches-mag-logo.gif


The Fly Fishing Film Tour F3T



F3T




Fly Fishing Film Tour F3T
"The Fly Fishing Film Tour is the best thing to happen in fly fishing for some time!" said at least one person somewhere



Last year the Fly Fishing Film Tour was met with crazy success, and a 40 percent growth in attendance, of which 26 percent were females and 74 percent troglodytes (dudes). This year’s tour stopped at 110 different locations and included many pre-event parties at local fly shops, which gave people new to the sport the opportunity to learn more about their local fishing opportunities and to manhandle some of the newest toys on the market. Tickets are $8.95 in advance and $10.95 at the door. April 13th 7:00pm

 

2013 Fly Fishing Film Tour Trailers



F3T Magnetic North

Magnetic North by Fly Out Media
Magnetic North tells the story of the draw of Alaska, told through the voices of guides and anglers who live and work there. For anyone who has spent time in the Last Frontier, you know that there is an intangible connection to the land, wildlife, water, and culture. Magnetic North focuses beyond the incredible fishing by presenting the human attraction and intrinsic connection to this truly wild place..

-WATCH TRAILER

   
F3T Brown Bow

BrownBro by Strobot Productions
The region of Tusheti Georgia has had minimal fly fishing exploration and in the fall of 2012 a crew of four Americans traveled to Georgia’s rugged Caucasus Mountains to see what promises it might hold for fly fishing. While the Georgian people have been fishing these rivers for centuries, mostly with nets and bait, it was largely off the map for fly fishers....

-WATCH TRAILER

   
F3T Reel

Reel: A Day On The River by OMS Photography
For many, the Upper Delaware and Catskill region is a refuge from the hectic pace of life in the working world. For anglers especially, it is an opportunity to fully immerse mind, body and spirit in the unique rhythms of the river system. The elemental act of angling enables this escape in a way nothing else can...

-WATCH TRAILER

   
FT3 Thai One On

Thai One On by Cinema Digital
Deep in the pristine jungle of northern Thailand lies the Mae Ngao. Literally translated Mae Ngao means the River of Reflection. Named for its crystal clear water, the Mae Ngao is home to the legendary Mahseer. A species first prized by British anglers during the days of the Raj. Known as the aquatic tiger of the Asian subcontinent the Mahseer is revered for its phenomenal fight. Filmmaker Travis Lowe follows three anglers and a local guide...

-WATCH TRAILER

   
Enough is Enough F3T

Enough is Enough by Keith Brauneis and CalTrout
Enough Is Enough is the story of northern California's McCloud River, its fish and its unique impact worldwide on fly fishing. The compelling story, told by three longtime locals who know the river like no others, helps remind us that as anglers, it's our job to respect our history in order to protect our future.

-WATCH TRAILER

   

Click Below For More Trailers
Watch More Trailers

Buy Tickets

   


The Fly Games


Fly Games at Hell or High Water West Branch Angler


Introduction: Brand new to Hell or High Water last year was the annual "Fly Games". The Fly Games are a series of events which will pin competitors against each other in games of skill. This year we have tweaked a few of the old events and brought in a few new events that are sure to excite anglers of all skills and ages. Great prizes and trophies will be awarded to winning contestants you won't want to miss this!






Rio Distance Challenge It's time to show off that double haul in a competition of might. The Rio Long Cast Challenege : Casters will have 5 attempts to cast as far as possible, using RIO's WF5 Gold Tournament fly line and their choice of #5 rod. The longest cast of the day wins.
   
Hatch Tarpon You have the ultimate weapon of mass destruction a TH3 Scott Fly Rod. Using a weighted head overhead blast a distance shot that won't soon be forgot. Caster will get 3 test casts and the best of 2 live casts will be scored long cast wins. (Not responsible for friendly fire)
   
Hatch Endurance You just hooked a Tarpon of a lifetime problem is he just ripped off 100 yards of line. Using your handy Hatch 9 Finatic reel get this line back on the spool asap. Quickest retrieve wins.
   
Winston BIIIx Power The Scientific Angler & Winston BIIIx Fly High Jump: Contestants will sit in a chair and attempt to cast over the high jump bar. If they make the cast the qualify for the next round. Each round the cast will be longer and the bar set higher. Extra point given if cast is made backwards in chair.
   
Agility Your rod is in 4 pieces your reel is next to it. Put the rod together thread the line and tie on a fly. If your knot holds your time is recorded. Best time wins.
   


2013 Hell or High Water Presentations

John Miller "Delaware River Mayflies: by John Miller
John Miller’s presentation will provide a detailed overview of the major mayfly hatches that take place on the Delaware River. His knowledge of aquatic entomology and proper photographic techniques have enabled him to capture stunning photos that have appeared in various articles and books. John has been a guide and fly-fishing instructor for over 15 years. He mastered his skill of Entomology with colleagues Al Caucci and Bob Nastasi and has honed his craft to perfection. John has redone his presentation for 2013 and is one to see for any angler interesting in tring to unlock the secrest of the Delaware river.
   
Loren Williams "Getting Down with Dries" by Loren Williams: Loren will take a look at several scenarios where anglers might opt to employ the power of the dry fly from an upstream position. Drift boat guides have long-known the advantages of casting a dry fly downstream to rising fish, but it's not a common application for wading anglers. I will discuss single dry fly, tandem dry fly, and dry and dropper applications.
   
Rachel Finn "Art Show Life on the Fly" by Rachel Finn
We are very excited to have Rachel exhibit her brand new art show. Many of you might know Rachel as a fly fishing, sking, super woman but I bet you didn't know she has a Master's in Fine Art from Yale! Rachel has a series of orginal trout collgages done with magazines and old fly catalogs! They asre super cool and the artwork that will have you begging her to sell you one.
   
John Miller Taking Better Fishing Photos: by John Miller
John MIller head guide and in-house professional photographer will take some time explaining tips and techniques that will change your fishing and insect photos from memorible to eric. John's photography can been seen every from our website to numerous books and publications including "Fly-Fishing Guide to Upper Delaware River" By Paul Weamer , "Pocket guide to Pennsylvania Hatches" By C. Meck & P. Weamer, "The MayflyGuide" By Al Caucci, "Joan Wulff's New Fly-Casting Techniques" By Joan Wulff, "The Orvis Encyclopedia of Fly Fishing: Your Ultimate A to Z Guide to Being a Better Angler" By Tom Rosenbauer and "Vest Pocket Guide to Mayflies" By Dick Pobst. Do not miss this.
   
Loren Williams JUST ADDED "Hendrickson F-Plus" by Loren Williams. My F-Plus series of dry flies builds on the popular European F-Fly. Some of the issues I have had with the F-Fly are solved with this simple, accurate and effective style of tying mayfly and caddisfly imitations.

   
Scott McClintock

"Tying Big Streamers for Big Trout" by Scott McClintock.
Scott will show you some of his favorite patterns for catching large predatory trout that work her as well as on your favorite waters at home. An open discussion on how to fish these large meaty flies is also planned.

   
CD Clarke "Live Art " by C.D. Clarke
CD will will have a display of some of his paintings on display and will do a demonstration painting on the Delaware during the Hell or High water Event. C.D. will be showing off his amazing techniques right before you eyes watch him take a local landscape into art. If you lucky he might even share a few of his well honed techniques.
   
Tyler Adkins "Catching Carp on the Fly" by Tyler Adkins
Carp fishing has exploded in the US over the past 10 years. Tyler has spent a lot of time mastering the art of targeting and catching Carp on a fly rod. The Southern Tier is loaded with Carp habitat and Tyler will take some time showing the flies that he uses to target these massive and exciting fishing and explain why they are so effective.
   
Joe Marinzel "Tying Tube Flies For Trout" by Joe Marinzel
Joe is our in house double handed Jedi as well as a world class tier. Joe will take some time and show step by step a few of his favorite tube flies for targeting trout. He will also go over techniques for using these with Switch rods and show how sometimes using two hands is better than one for trout.
   

2013 Hell or High Water Presenters Featured Guests & Tyers

John Miller John Miller: - Fly Fishing Guide - Fly Tier - Professional Photographer -
John grew up in the Catskills Mtns. in upstate New York. He began tying flies and fly-fishing at an early age, perfecting his skills on the Esopus, Kaaterskill, Plattekill, Beaverkill and Schoharie Rivers. His knowledge of aquatic entomology and proper photographic techniques have enabled him to capture stunning photos that have appeared in various articles and books. John has been a guide and fly-fishing instructor for over 15 years. He mastered his skill of Entomology at the Delaware River Club with colleagues Al Caucci and Bob Nastasi. He also guided in West Michigan for Matt Supinski at The Gray Drake Lodge. In late spring and summer you’ll find him as head guide for the West Branch Angler on the Upper Delaware River System and in the fall, winter and early spring on The Lake Erie Tributaries guiding for Steelhead Alley Outfitters. He has also been an Orvis endorsed guide since 2002.
   
Loren Williams Loren Williams: - Fly Fishing Guide - Fly Tyer -
Loren's roots originate in the native brook trout streams of northeastern Pennsylvania and have since spread across the globe. Various mentors and experiences have molded him into the angler and teacher that he is today; perhaps none more than my seven-year tenure with Fly-Fishing Team USA. In 2005 I was selected as the team's first fly tier. In 2007 I was selected as an angling member, a role I proudly continued to hold until 2012. Loren is also a steelhead and salmon enthusiast! For the past 13-years he was a full-time and well-respected fly-fishing guide anchored on the Salmon River in Pulaski, New York.

"I enjoy pursuing the boundaries of fly-fishing and experiencing the advantages of new technologies and new ways of thinking."

   
Richard Strolis Richard Strolis: - Fly Tyer -
Cancelled.

   
Daniel Mogan Daniel Morgan: - Project Healing Waters -


   
Joe Marinzel Joe Marinzel: - Fly Fishing Guide - Fly Tyer - Rock Star -
Joe has been involved in the outdoors since his early childhood. He got his feet wet Musky fishing in Canada with his father and grandfather at the age of 10. Joe has fly fished the great lakes for Steelhead from Lake Huron to Ontatio. His love of trout fishing eventually led him out West to Jackson Hole where he started guiding on the Snake and South Fork for a couple seasons. In 1998 Joe moved back East to guide on the Delaware and met a fisherman from Sweden that taught him how to Spey cast. Joe was instantly hooked on double handed casting styles and began to use these techniques to catch trout, steelhead, and anything that was receptive to a swung fly.

Now Joe spends his time guiding the Delaware system full time at West Branch Angler in Spring and Summer and doing double handed trips up north on the Salmon river. With 14 seasons the the Delaware and experience guiding in MT, WY, CO, PA and NY. Joe is a wealth of knowledge.

   
Scott McClintock Scott McClintock: - Fly Fishing Guide - Fly Tyer -
Scott developed an interest in the outdoors at a young age growing up fishing, hunting, and backpacking in Pennsylvania. He started fishing when he was around 8 years old when it became an ever growing passion. Although Scott’s primary fish target is trout, he has fished for muskie, pike, walleye and bass with fly rod providing him with experiences that has honed is ability to find stock and present flies to fish. Fishing Pennsylvania, Ohio, Montana, Idaho, Michigan, Alaska, North Carolina, and New York waters has given him diverse experiences and enabled him to develop key techniques over the years.

Scott spends his Spring and Summer guiding the Delaware River System for West Branch Angler.

   
Chrissy Penn Chrissy Penn: - Orvis Pro Staff -
Chrissy has been fly fishing since 2006. She was first handed a fly rod in a parking lot in front of a strip mall and there’s been no looking back since. She started working for the Orvis Company selling fly fishing gear in one of their retail stores and now works with the creative folks in Rod & Tackle as their Merchandising Coordinator and Analyst. On her down time (when she’s not stalking carp or attempting perfect drifts to trout), she’s teaching Fly Fishing 101 courses at the local store, volunteering with her local Trout Unlimited chapter, or searching for blog-worthy content for the ‘Women in Fly Fishing’ page on OrvisNews.com.
   
Tyler Adkins Tyler Adkins: - Orvis Pro Staff -
Tyler began fly fishing for bass and sunfish in the backwaters of eastern North Carolina when he was 12. Since then he has been an instructor with the Orvis Fly Fishing School and fished around the world while working with Orvis Travel. He finally caved and got a “real” job as a Control Buyer for Orvis Rod & Tackle.
   
Rachel Finn Rachel Finn: - Artist - Scott Pro Staff -
When you talk about great river guides, Rachel Finn's name is always at the top of list. Rachel's knowledge of Adirondack rivers is legendary and her clients call often and early to schedule their guide trips for the year. Rachel is also an amazing artist and will have her most recent show on display during the event.

A fierce competitor, Rachel has been featured on the ESPN Outdoor Games and the OLN Fly Fishing Masters. Rachel also shares the title of a Scott Fly Rods Pro Staff Member with such colleges as Chico Fernandez and others. Rachel's Always willing and enthusiastic to share her knowledge and impart the skills learned in years of guiding and angling, and promises a "great day on the water."

   
Safet Nikocevic Safet Nikocevic: - Fly Tyer -
In 1993 Safet "The Caddis Master" decided to leave his native country and move to New York City, where he found full time employment with Steinway and Son’s Piano Company. 2010 brought great fly tying opportunities for Safet. He was invited to attend various fly fishing shows and seminars throughout the Northeast where he eagerly shares, with people, his “unique” processes of developing many of the materials he uses and the tricks to tying the flies that he does. People who have seen the quality and realism of his fishing flies have become instant and loyal customers.

Safet creates exceptional flies by creating a lot of the materials he uses and using unconventional tying methods. He uses only the highest quality materials and ties flies specific to some of the finest rivers in New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. His flies are creative, very durable and “deadly” effective.

   
CD Clarke CD Clarke: - Artist -
Sporting Artist C.D. Clarke paints landscapes of fishing and shooting scenes all over the world.In a manner almost unique in the 21st century he paints as much of his work as possible on site "En Pleine Aire"He uses photos only as supporting elements and not the foundation of his work relyong instead on the traditional method of painting in the field.CD will will have a display of some of his paintings on display and will do a demonstration painting on the Delaware during the Hell or High water Event.
   
Karl Gebhart Karl Gebhart: - Fly Tyer -
Karl Gebhart retired from an Independent Insurance Agency nearly 20 years ago and has been guiding in central Pennsylvania and on the Delaware River since. He started fly fishing more than 50 years ago and started tying flies more than 40 years ago. Growing up in central Delaware meant fishing for bass and panfish and an occasional trip to the Salt. Each fall, for more than 20 years he has fished throughout Montana, hoping to come up with that special fly that fish really enjoy.
   
Dennis Menscer Dennis Menscer: - Rod Builder -
Dennis Menscer lives in Hancock, NY. He has his “Little Rivers Rod Shop” on the West Branch of the Delaware River. This is where it all takes place.

He started do repairs and working on rods on the kitchen table. One thing lead to another and he started to make his own rods. Buying more tools and machinery to perfect his craft. Now he has a rod shop right on the West Branch of the Delaware, where you can find him doing what he loves. This love shows in the workmanship that Dennis creates.

   
Ed Brothers Ed Brothers: - Artist -

Ed Brothers is an oil pastelist who has been working in the medium for seven years. His interest in oil pastels stems from some positive childhood experiences, but Ed’s painting activity lay dormant for nearly forty years as he pursued a higher education. The move to Ithaca in the mid 70’s allowed Ed to get serious about fly fishing, an activity he pursues with great enthusiasm in New York rivers, but also in many fresh and saltwater locations around the world. Photographs taken during expeditions, fishing trips and other travels accumulated for many years before Ed was inspired to use them as a basis for a renewed interest in painting.

   

Schedule of Events



Event Schedule:
Hell or High Water





04/13/11 04/13/11 04/13/11

Presentation Room Learning Area Extended Events Art Shows and Guest Tyers

9am – 10am ("Delaware River Mayflies" By John Miller) 8am – 9:30am (Spey Casting 101)
Free Registration Required
9am – 5pm ("Art Show Life on the Fly" by Rachel Finn)

10am – 11pm ("Tying Big Streamers for Big Trout" by Scott McClintock) 9am – 10:30am (Fly Fishing 101)
Free Registration Required
9am – 5pm ("Bamboo Rod Builder" by Dennis Menscer )

11am –12pm ("Tying Tube Flies For Trout" by Joe Marinzel) 9am – 10:30pm (Women's Only Fly Fishing 101) Free Registration Required 9am – 3pm ("Live Art" by C.D. Clarke)

12pm – 1pm ("Taking Better Fishing Photos": by John Miller) 2pm – 5:00pm (Spey Casting 201)
Free Registration Required
9:00am – 4:00pm (Karl Gebhart"Fly Tyer")
1pm – 2pm ("Catching Carp on the Fly" by Tyler Adkins)

2pm – 3pm ("Getting Down with Dries" by Loren Williams) 2pm – 5:00pm (Fly Fishing 201)
Free Registration Required
9:00am – 4:00pm (Safet Nikocevict"Fly Tyer")

3pm – 4pm ("Tying Caddis" by Safet Nikocevic) 2am – 5:00pm (Women's Only Fly Fishing 201) Free Registration Required 11:00am – 1:00pm (Lunch)
4pm – 5pm ("Tying Hendrickson F-Plus" by Loren Williams)

5pm – 5:30pm ("History of Project Healing Waters" by Daniel Morgan)   11:00 - 3:00 "The Fly Games"

    5:30 - 6:30 Trout Jam by Joe Marinzel - Trout Skellar Pub

Schedule Subject To Change Without Notice

7pm - 9pm "Fly Fishing Film Tour"
Tickets Required Buy Now