Hello, my name is Dave Flint, I’m an avid fly dresser, fly fisherman, Spey casting instructor and all round outdoorsman. I grew up fishing in the small streams of Mass, and upper New England. Our family would go tenting each year in Maine and New Hampshire. As my brother was climbing mountains, you would find me hopping rocks along the mountain streams with fishing gear. I’ve been fishing since I was a young kid but didn’t start fly fishing until I was about the age of 13.
My first fly fishing experience was in the early 70’s on the Roach River in Maine. Our family tented each year in the area and I became friends with the local camp owner in Kokadjo. One morning I watched him fly fishing, carefully maneuvering a fly in and around the currents. After successfully catching a few fish, he handed me the rod and said,” give it a try”. He showed me the type of fly he used and how to fish it. I followed his instructions and before I knew it, the line was screaming off the reel - this was no small brook trout! After a couple of leaps and with help from my new friend, my prize was brought to net. Not only had I caught my first Salmon, but it was also my first time fly fishing. The following spring, armed with my new fly rod, I spent all my time hopping rocks in the clear mountain streams. I’d dip flies in the small pools; sometimes missing a rock along the way and putting myself in the pool instead. 50 years later and I am still hopping rocks and pools.
I started dressing flies in the 80’s after joining a local club, the New England Fly Tyers.
My love for dressing flies, especially Salmon flies, continues to grow. Each year, meeting new people, sharing ideas and learning new things, it’s awesome.
Through the years it’s been a privilege to contributed flies to several wonderful organizations such as the Miramichi salmon Association, Wounded Warriors project, North Atlantic Salmon Fund (certificate as Master Flytyer), and the NEFT Youth Outreach, among others. I’ve also supplied flies for some well-known books such as Rare and Unusual Fly-Tying Materials Vol. 1 & 2, Forgotten Flies and The Art of Angling Journals, along with Bonefish Fly Patterns. As well as teaching at NEFT (and local clubs) and co-produced the NEFT Video Manual of Fly Tying.
I get such a rush from tying/demonstrating at shows/events, interacting with the tyers, venders, and guests; because with that comes the opportunity to learn new things, new tricks and to share knowledge. And the opportunity to pass on my experiences and expertise to others. My passion for fly dressing has become a full-blown obsession.
All flies are enjoyable to dress but my favorites are Atlantic salmon and Spey flies, soft hackles and streamers run close seconds. I’ve done everything from commercial fly tying; sending Sports with my flies all over the world, to selling custom framed artwork with specialty display flies from Misty Morning Flies.
These days my focus leans toward dressing and fishing full dressed salmon flies, designing, and working new ideas into old world proven patterns and designing specialty framed art pieces for people.
We meet many people in this sport but few that make a lasting impression and fewer still whom become wonderful mentors and good friends. Some, we have fished over the same waters, gone to the same shows, even been there at the same time and not known it till meeting at a much later time in life. Very strange how life works. I can count those friends on one hand.
I’ve had the wonderful fortune to have good friends, Bill Wilbur and Jimmy Rusher. Billy is one of the best Salmon fly designers/ tyers in New England and has been an influential mentor. I’m grateful for his expertise and guidance (thanks Bill). Jimmy, as one of New England’s best longline instructors gave me a taste of Spey casting. Both have been good friends for many years. Jimmy didn’t know it at the time, but paved the way for me to find my new friends and team on the Farmington River; Spey Casting Northeast.
Both Jerry and Lisa are the best in the Northeast/ New England area at teaching the art of Spey casting. I’m honored and grateful to part this team. So, these days you will likely find me/ us on the water playing with a two hander and sharing what we love to do.
For me this sport is a way to immerse yourself in nature and relax, whether on the water or at the bench. It’s an old sport, and needs to be passed on, shared with, new enthusiastic blood. Please, share your knowledge and experiences with others, so they may enjoy them also. Especially share it with the children, for they are the sportsmen of tomorrow.
This is what we do, it is our passion, help them experience it.
My first fly fishing experience was in the early 70’s on the Roach River in Maine. Our family tented each year in the area and I became friends with the local camp owner in Kokadjo. One morning I watched him fly fishing, carefully maneuvering a fly in and around the currents. After successfully catching a few fish, he handed me the rod and said,” give it a try”. He showed me the type of fly he used and how to fish it. I followed his instructions and before I knew it, the line was screaming off the reel - this was no small brook trout! After a couple of leaps and with help from my new friend, my prize was brought to net. Not only had I caught my first Salmon, but it was also my first time fly fishing. The following spring, armed with my new fly rod, I spent all my time hopping rocks in the clear mountain streams. I’d dip flies in the small pools; sometimes missing a rock along the way and putting myself in the pool instead. 50 years later and I am still hopping rocks and pools.
I started dressing flies in the 80’s after joining a local club, the New England Fly Tyers.
My love for dressing flies, especially Salmon flies, continues to grow. Each year, meeting new people, sharing ideas and learning new things, it’s awesome.
Through the years it’s been a privilege to contributed flies to several wonderful organizations such as the Miramichi salmon Association, Wounded Warriors project, North Atlantic Salmon Fund (certificate as Master Flytyer), and the NEFT Youth Outreach, among others. I’ve also supplied flies for some well-known books such as Rare and Unusual Fly-Tying Materials Vol. 1 & 2, Forgotten Flies and The Art of Angling Journals, along with Bonefish Fly Patterns. As well as teaching at NEFT (and local clubs) and co-produced the NEFT Video Manual of Fly Tying.
I get such a rush from tying/demonstrating at shows/events, interacting with the tyers, venders, and guests; because with that comes the opportunity to learn new things, new tricks and to share knowledge. And the opportunity to pass on my experiences and expertise to others. My passion for fly dressing has become a full-blown obsession.
All flies are enjoyable to dress but my favorites are Atlantic salmon and Spey flies, soft hackles and streamers run close seconds. I’ve done everything from commercial fly tying; sending Sports with my flies all over the world, to selling custom framed artwork with specialty display flies from Misty Morning Flies.
These days my focus leans toward dressing and fishing full dressed salmon flies, designing, and working new ideas into old world proven patterns and designing specialty framed art pieces for people.
We meet many people in this sport but few that make a lasting impression and fewer still whom become wonderful mentors and good friends. Some, we have fished over the same waters, gone to the same shows, even been there at the same time and not known it till meeting at a much later time in life. Very strange how life works. I can count those friends on one hand.
I’ve had the wonderful fortune to have good friends, Bill Wilbur and Jimmy Rusher. Billy is one of the best Salmon fly designers/ tyers in New England and has been an influential mentor. I’m grateful for his expertise and guidance (thanks Bill). Jimmy, as one of New England’s best longline instructors gave me a taste of Spey casting. Both have been good friends for many years. Jimmy didn’t know it at the time, but paved the way for me to find my new friends and team on the Farmington River; Spey Casting Northeast.
Both Jerry and Lisa are the best in the Northeast/ New England area at teaching the art of Spey casting. I’m honored and grateful to part this team. So, these days you will likely find me/ us on the water playing with a two hander and sharing what we love to do.
For me this sport is a way to immerse yourself in nature and relax, whether on the water or at the bench. It’s an old sport, and needs to be passed on, shared with, new enthusiastic blood. Please, share your knowledge and experiences with others, so they may enjoy them also. Especially share it with the children, for they are the sportsmen of tomorrow.
This is what we do, it is our passion, help them experience it.