Planning is well underway for the International Atlantic Salmon Fly Symposium to be held during the Federation of Fly Fishers' International Fly Fishing Show & Conclave. The symposium is scheduled for Wednesday August 5 of show week, and will be held in the Shilo Convention Center 780 Lindsay Blvd in Idaho Falls. Hotel reservations at the Shilo can be made at (800) 222-2244. A block of rooms has been reserved for all those attending the show at discount rates that vary from $65 to $75 per night. Please identify yourself as attending the fly fishing show to receive the show discount. The symposium is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. and run until 4:30 p.m., and no additional fees will be charged for the symposium other than the $5.00 show daily entry fee.

Current plans for the format and content of the symposium are for a series of 15 workshops on the various aspects of dressing salmon flies, along with displays of framed flies and related materials. The symposium is scheduled to consist of three 2 1/2 hour sessions with each session comprised of up to five workshops. Some examples of the types of workshops to expect include: tips, tags and tails; floss and tinsel bodies; body hackles, ribbings, and throats; sides, roofs and toppings; mounting and framing flies; hooks and gut eyes; and materials care and selection. Each of the workshops will be presented by someone different. So even if two workshops on tips, tags, and tails are given, having someone different presenting each, will provide show attendees with two different techniques or approaches to tips, tags, and tails.

As of this month, several members of the `Salmon Flyer" have committed to present a workshop or contribute to the symposium by helping out "behind the scenes." As for example, Henrik Strangaard of Copenhagen, Denmark will demonstrate how to make blind-eye hooks; Michael Radencich will demonstrate his technique for floss and tinsel underbodies; Ken Sylvia has offered to conduct a workshop on mounting and framing flies; John Shewey will discuss selecting materials for wing veilings and roofs; and Wayne Luallen will demonstrate his techniques for thread control and materials placement. In addition, Michel Fontan will share with us his expertise in dressing "Hybrids."

If you are interested in attending or wish to contribute please feel free to contact the symposium organizers either, Gary Grant, Co-Chairman 1998 International Fly Fishing Show & Conclave, or Marvin Nolte.

When dressing the body veiling of the classic Jock Scott that calls for toucan, you may want to consider as a substitute for toucan; dyed ring neck pheasant "ring" or hen neck feathers; broad, flat Golden pheasant crest (found where crest abuts tippets); dyed Cul de Canard; various small birds and parrots that have yellow orange feathers.

When using the golden pheasant crest feathers try using two veilings on top and two on the bottom, not bothering to stack them precisely. That creates a " busier" took, more like toucan.

If the white-tipped turkey underwing rides up between the married wings such that it is barely visible here is possible solution that might help. Try humping the wing more before tying it in, then hump it again after it is tied in.