Join Our Mailing List
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.
Scott Allen is a United States Air Force veteran, a former Government contractor, and former Orvis Fishing Manager. He has had the opportunity to fish all around the world, wherever work took him. Allen has spent the greater part of the last two decades fishing the local waterways of Virginia and Maryland, as well as hosting fishing trips to West Virginia, Tennessee, Montana, and Belize. Instruction has always been a common thread throughout his career. He is a Fly Fishers International Certified Casting
Instructor and is passionate about providing high-quality casting instruction to novices and enthusiasts alike. Allen provides casting instruction at Allen Fly Casting and at the Orvis Chesapeake Bay Fly Fishing School. He is the Treasurer and Casting Director for Fly Fishers International Chesapeake Council, the Secretary for the Virginia Council Trout Unlimited and the Vice President for the Northern Virginia Chapter Trout Unlimited. This is his first year as a speaker at the Virginia Fly & Wine! Need some casting tips? Don’t miss his lecture on the FFI’s Fly Casting Skills Program.
Beau Beasley has fished the waters of the Old Dominion since early childhood and knows them as only a native can. His insider’s knowledge of Virginia ranges from the mountain brook trout streams of the Shenandoah National Park to the salty windswept shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Although he’s pursued trout on Montana’s Bighorn River, landed every species of salmon in Alaska, and successfully brought to hand five-pound brook trout in Labrador, his first love is still fishing poppers on a Virginia farm pond. Beau has garnered multiple awards for his articles covering conservation of such diverse species as menhaden and bonefish. He has distinguished himself as a thorough, impartial investigative journalist covering thorny issues like public sporting access to local waters and lands. His writing has appeared in numerous regional and national publications. Beau serves as the Director of the Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival.
Retired Marine Jim Bensinger, owner of Fiber Flies Dubbing, is obsessed with all things fly fishing—and especially with fly tying. Bensinger has developed a line of materials derived from Alpaca, which is perfect for dubbing and user-friendly enough that amateur fly tiers will love it. Bensinger also serves as the Marine Corps Base Quantico Program Lead for Project Healing Waters. He has led hundreds of fly-tying classes and has a gift for bringing novices into the fly-tying fold. Bensinger is on the national pro staff for Norvise and will teach a specialized “Beginner Fly Tying” class which will be held on Saturday. To register for this limited seating class go here.
For nearly a decade Conservation Police Officer Bonnie Braziel has worked for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to enforce the state’s hunting, fishing, and boating laws and to help solve criminal investigations with her K9 partner Grace. Braziel has a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies and a minor in Business from Virginia Wesleyan College.
Officer Braziel will speak to attendees of the 2026 Beyond the Cast Women’s Fly Fishing Symposium on how to interact safely with wildlife. Braziel is a passionate hunter and angler; she and her dog Grace serve in the Hampton Roads Area of Southeast Virginia.
Cory Cuje has been fly fishing and fly tying since he was 7 years old. As a child on the Beaverkill River, his father taught him traditional fly fishing and the fundamentals of nymphing for trout without a fly line (known today as Euro Nymphing). He developed a passion for trout fishing and became a student of the sport. Cuje is a well-rounded fly fisherman, and his YouTube channel, Old Dominion Trout Bum, highlights his experiences on the water, as well as his passion to teach and pass on to others what he has learned from this wonderful sport.
If you want to increase your fish landing ration, perhaps you should take Cory's class on Effective Euro Casting. This specialty class is only open to 5 students, and students must bring their own rod.
Captain Bruce Chard has more than 30 years of experience navigating the highly technical waters of the Florida Keys, where he specializes in sight fishing for bonefish, tarpon, and permit. An FFI Master Certified Fly Casting Instructor, Chard has become one of the top saltwater fly-casting instructors in the country, teaching casting schools in such far-flung destinations as Belize, Mexico, Argentina, Guatemala, the Bahamas, Christmas Island, the Seychelles--and of course the Keys. Chard’s accomplishments include designing and creating a complete series of saltwater fly lines for Airflo’s Bruce Chard Professional Series; designing and creating a complete series of saltwater fly line tapers for Scientific Angler’s “Saltwater Grand Slam Series,” which won a “Best of Show” award at the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show in Las Vegas; and designing over 24 custom fly patterns with Riverborn Fly Company. He is an FFI (Fly Fishers International) ambassador and also serves as an advisor, brand ambassador, pro tyer, or elite pro staffer for numerous industry leaders including Scientific Anglers, G. Loomis, Hatch Outdoors, Simms, Costa, Yeti, Regal Vise, and Gamakatsu Hooks.
Chard’s media profile also looms large: He has had several guest-hosting stints on the Discovery Channel’s “Seasons on the Fly”; serves as a saltwater contributor to Fly Fisherman; has been featured on the cover of 19 different high-profile fly-fishing magazines, in more than seven Gray’s Sporting Journal photo essays, and on numerous popular fly-fishing podcasts including “Wet Fly Swing,” “WFS Guide,” “Gink & Gasoline,” “Fly Fishing Insider,” “Ask About Fly Fishing,” and “Bonefish on the Brain’”; and is a saltwater contributor to “Gink & Gasoline,” one of the top fly-fishing blogs in the industry.
With a deep commitment to conservation, Chard emphasizes sustainable fishing practices, ensuring that future generations can enjoy rich marine ecosystems. His commitment to the Keys in particular is personal: Chard and his wife Sara call the Keys home, along with their son BJ, who is following in his father’s footsteps as a professional Keys fly-fishing guide who also teaches and hosts fly-fishing adventure trips worldwide.
Don't miss Captain Chard's limited seating specialty classes An Insider's Guide to Fishing the Saltwater Flats (Friday and An Insiders Guide to Fishing for Bonefish (Saturday).
John Demuth learned to fish growing up near the South Holston and Watauga Rivers in East Tennessee, and his wife Katie learned to fish growing up near the rivers of the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. John and Katie became passionate about fly fishing and tying flies together, and John quickly became drawn to the world of fly tying and continues to grow in his fly tying skills. Katie also enjoys photography as a hobby and takes many photos of tied flies and fish. Her photos and photography tips have been featured in several fly fishing magazines, retail magazines, websites, and blogs. John ties a variety of both fresh and saltwater flies and is always looking to learn something new from other fly tying legends and friends. He is passionate about sharing what he has learned with other fly tiers and enjoys this aspect the most about fly tying. John and Katie also look forward to sharing fly tying and fly fishing experiences and skills on through their live show, “Whip Finish Wednesday” which is now being streamed on their YouTube channel. The two also enjoy taking part in fly fishing shows and demonstrations and have attended many across the country (and now world) together. John and Katie are both pro team members and ambassadors for several fly fishing and fly tying companies, including Semperfli and Renzetti. John is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and Katie is a veteran of the United States Army. He and Katie have four children who keep them busy when they are taking a break from fly fishing, tying flies, and traveling.
For more than 30 years Mike Heck has fished Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley, learning the art of fly fishing on some of the hardest and most famous spring creeks in the country. With a degree in forestry from Penn State University, professional trout guide Heck understands the complex interaction of foliage, insect, and stream. He is the author of Spring Creek Strategies, the co-author of Tying Dry Flies and Keystone Fly Fishing, and has had articles published in Fly Fisherman, American Angler, and Fish and Fly magazines. Heck has also appeared on Road Trip USA, a Discovery channel television show that aired across Europe. He is an innovative fly tyer, with several patterns credited to his name. His signature fly patterns are used worldwide and when not tying Heck guides on the Falling Springs, Big Spring, Letort, Yellow Breeches and other great trout streams in south central Pennsylvania.
The first time I picked up a fly rod was at a Boy Scout camp in Colorado, and that moment has stayed with me ever since. From then on, the outdoors became more than a hobby — it’s been a passion that shapes everything I do.
Life’s taken me on some unexpected paths: serving in the military, earning a degree, and eventually discovering Project Healing Waters, where I began guiding veterans on the water. That experience launched my guiding career and deepened my love for helping others connect with nature.
What I enjoy most about guiding isn’t just putting someone on a trophy fish or a beautiful bird — though those moments are unforgettable. It’s giving people a break from the noise of everyday life, a chance to get outside, learn something new, and reconnect with what truly inspires them.
For me, it’s about more than fishing or hunting. It’s about sharing wild places, making memories, and living life to the fullest.
The Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival is pleased to have Wes Hodges, of Wesley Hodges Fly Fishing as one of our featured speakers this year.
West Virginia native Bubba Holt has fished all over--but his passion for angling always brings him back to the Mountain State, where he has fished more than 650 streams. In 2013, Holt survived a near-fatal car accident, which required that he relearn how to walk. His best friends knew the remedy: get him back on the water. (Holt's story is featured in the book Healing Waters: Veterans’ Stories of Recovery in Their Own Words.) Striving to give back, Holt is part of a team organizing the annual Trout Unlimited-sponsored veteran fly-fishing outing at Thornwood (WV) 4H Camp. He also spent several years organizing the state fly-fishing school for the West Virginia State Council of TU. When he isn't at home in Parkersburg with wife Sarah, children Brett and Emma, and hounds Maggie, Jazzie, and Rosie, Holt may be found in the mountains, at the Outer Banks, or chasing musky on the fly. Bubba Holt's life is a testament to the healing power of water, the deep camaraderie of fellow anglers, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Don't miss Holt's new specialty limited seating class being offered this year. Wine & Woolly Buggers co-taught by Shannon Horton owner of Horton's Vineyard. This class combines education of the most effective trout flies in the Mid-Atlantic and combines it with a wine tasting 101 class. Stay tuned for more details on this new class.
Shannon Horton was raised in the wine industry. Her father Dennis instilled in her the importance of hard work and to follow her passion. That passion has led Horton to work in a more active role at her family's own Horton Vineyards. Her wine knowledge has come as “on-the-job training,” which started at a young age: Horton remembers punching down reds after school when she was no more than 10 years old. Many family events and conversations centered around the weather, the crop, and the wine in the cellar. She is proud to be a part of what her father built. Shannon Horton is also the only East Coast-based national board member of the Rhone Rangers.
Shannon is a long-time vendor at the festival, but this is her first year teaching a class at the festival. Want to bush up on some wine basics? Don’t miss her Wine & Wolly Buggers Class. What better way to learn about trout flies while tasting some great Horton Vineyard wines?
C
illa Johnson has been fishing since she was 15 years old. Based in Northern Virginia, she can be found with her husband and children, at her job as a federal business development manager--or fishing. She supports our troops through organizations Bravo Zulu Outdoors and Heroes on the Water, and supports women in the outdoors through the Women’s Fishing Federation. A serious kayak angler, Johnson is a Pan-American Bass Kayak gold and silver medalist for Team USA; competes in her local kayak tournament clubs Northern Virginia Kayak Bass Anglers (NVKBA) and Mid-Atlantic Kayak Bass Fishing (MAKBF); and competes nationally with the Hobie Bass Open Series and Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF). Her many industry sponsors include Dugout Bait & Tackle, Jackson Kayaks, YakAttack, and Torqeedo. The 2025 Virginia Fly & Wine is delighted to welcome back Cilla Johnson, who will teach the public everything they need to know about fishing from a kayak!
Avid fly angler Joe Jackson (AKA Sergeant Bass Fisher) is a prolific fly tyer best known for artistic masterpieces with deer hair, including his Baby Yoda, Hummingbird, and T-Rex. An Army vet, Jackson was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan; after being medically retired with 14 years of service, Jackson discovered fly tying through Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, where he found more therapeutic relief than he did in the therapist's chair. Jackson began tying flies in November 2016; by May 2017 his unique style had already garnered attention at an annual Project Healing Waters fly-tying event. Jackson tied in public for the first time at the International Fly-Tying Symposium in November 2017; meanwhile, his quirky art flies were creating a buzz on social media. Today Jackson is a pro-staffer for Partridge Hooks, Lidrig, Squimpish Flies, Nature's Spirit, Solarez, J.Stockard, Umpqua Feather Merchants, TFO, and Regal Vise. He spends most of his time tying flies, fishing, and volunteering with various veteran-focused nonprofits like Project Healing Waters and Guitars4Vets.
A self - confessed fly fishing fool, Bob Lindquist lives in Callicoon, NY, where he guides on his beloved Delaware River. Before retirement, he waded the waters of Long Island casting feathered frauds for over forty years. His favorite targets were false albacore, striped bass, weakfish and the wild brook trout of a local spring creek, the Carmans River. Bob has fished the Catskills, particularly the Delaware River System, since 1983. His passion for this magnificent river system inspired Bob to build his retirement home on the banks of the Main Stem of the Delaware River. As a guide, Bob uses the skills learned fishing Delaware River system to catch the demanding rainbows, browns and warmwater fish in this legendary fishery. In addition, Bob has a blossoming passion for both Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead. Bob has worked with numerous fly fishing industry companies including Whiting Farms, Solarez, and Ahrex as well as a world class Atlantic salmon lodge in Labrador, Big River Camps.
Trained in mathematics, physics, philosophy and education, Bob takes an analytic approach to fly fishing. His work has lead to articles that have appeared in or are set to appear in Fly Tyer, Salt Water Fly Fishing, Fly Fisherman, American Fly Fishing, Gray’s Sporting Journal, On The Fly, and Japanese Fly Fisherman magazines. He is a recognized fly tyer who has appeared at many shows including those held in Edison, Lancaster, Marlborough, Virginia, Connecticut, Texas and Long Island. Recently, Bob has added a passion for photography to his fly fishing and tying addictions, having his work appear in photoessays in magazines and a gallery. As a retired teacher and coach, Bob uses his public speaking skills to give presentations throughout the Mid Atlantic and North East regions.
His father introduced Steve Maldonado of Evergreen, Colorado, to the outdoors as a child, and he has been fishing ever since. He is an Umpqua Signature Fly Designer with numerous patterns to his credit, including Maldo’s Trico, Maldo’s PMD Emerger, and Maldonado’s Jungle Junkie. He is also a pro staffer with Semperfli, Regal Vise, Scientific Anglers, Ahrex Hooks, and Solarez. A huge saltwater angling fan, Maldonado has fished all over the United States as well as Belize, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Canada. He is passionate about fly fishing and fly tying and teaching others to match the hatch and learn to tie flies.
This is Steve's third visit to the Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival, and we are simply delighted to have him at this year's event. Don't miss Steve while he's at the Featured Fly Tyers booth, and if you want some in-depth instruction on streamers , don't miss his class Size Matters: - Tying Big Predator Streamers with Steve Maldonado
Wayne McGee‘s lifelong dream has been to run a world-class fishing operation on a prolific river system in Alaska’s Bristol Bay. Luckily for his many clients, McGee’s dream came true! For the past 18 years, McGee has fished across Alaska–including his “home water,” the Alagnak River, where you’ll find his Alaska Trophy Adventures Lodge. McGee doesn’t limit his fishing to Alaska, though: he has pursued everything from tigerfish and Nile perch in the Congo and Nile Rivers of Africa, to Atlantic salmon and sea trout in Norway and Scotland. In a former life McGee owned a charter boat company based in Senegal, West Africa, where he chased blue marlin, tuna, and sailfish. Today his heart is firmly fixed in Alaska’s Bristol Bay and the wild Alagnak River–and he’s eager to share the region’s beauty and bounty with you!
Josh Miller's first book, Euro Nymphing: Tips, Tactics, and Techniques (Stackpole), debuted in spring 2024. From 2016 through 2020, Miller was a member of the USA Fly Fishing Team and head coach of the US youth team, which won gold in the 2023 World Championship in Bosnia. He has competed in the regional and national competition circuits and has assisted in coaching four world youth fly-fishing championships. Miller is a full-time guide and traveling instructor and is a signature tyer for Orvis, Fulling Mill, and others. He endorses Thomas & Thomas and Scientific Anglers. Josh Miller lives with his wife Sarah and son Jonah in western Pennsylvania. He is the owner of Trout Yeah Guide Service.
This is Josh’s second year with the festival, and he will be teaching a variety of limited seating specialty classes. His Fishing Hopper Droppers class sold out last year, so don’t wait if you plan to take this class. Also stay tuned for other classes under development.
Captain Reid Parker is co-owner of Richmond-based Current Culture Fly guide service. Parker, who has lived and fished in central and eastern Virginia since he was six years old, enjoys fly fishing for pretty much anything that swims in Virginia's tidal waters. He specializes in guiding fly-fishing trips for striped bass, hickory and American shad, northern snakehead, bowfin, and largemouth bass. When the fishing season slows down, Parker can be found in the woods and fields bird hunting behind his Llewellin Setter.
Don’t miss his informative new talk at this year’s festival on “Landing Snakehead and Bowfin on the Fly”.
Tom Rosenbauer has been a fly fisher for 50 years and was a commercial fly tier by age 14. He has fished extensively across North America, in England’s fabled chalk streams, on Christmas Island, and in the Bahamas, Belize, Kamchatka, and Chile. He is credited with bringing bead-head flies to North America and is the inventor of the Big Eye hook, Magnetic Net Retriever, and tungsten beads for fly tying. Rosenbauer has some 20 fly fishing books in print including The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide; Reading Trout Streams; Prospecting for Trout; Casting Illusions; Fly Fishing in America; Approach and Presentation; Trout Foods and Their Imitations; Nymphing Techniques; Leaders, Knots, and Tippets; Dry-Fly Techniques; The Orvis Fly Fishing Encyclopedia; and The Orvis Fly-Tying Guide, which won a 2001 National Outdoor Book Award. Salt, Rosenbauer’s collaboration with photographer Andy Anderson, also won a National Outdoor Book Award in 2014. He has been published in Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Catalog Age, Fly Fisherman, Gray’s Sporting Journal, Sporting Classics, Fly Rod & Reel, Audubon, Men’s Journal, and more. His latest book, Fly Fishing for Trout—The Next Level, was published in November 2016. Rosenbauer is the writer and narrator of “The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide Podcast,” one of the top outdoor podcasts on iTunes. Rosenbauer has worked for the Orvis Company for 44 years in a variety of capacities. In 2022 he was awarded Fly Rod & Reel’s Angler of the Year Award for his many educational efforts in books, magazine articles, and his podcast. He lives with his wife and son in southern Vermont on the banks of his favorite trout stream. We are delighted to have Tom Rosenbauer return this year to teach two special classes Reading the Water, & Matching the Hatch, both with limited seating.
Allen Rupp has been perfecting the art of fly tying and fly fishing since 1988, dedicating countless hours to honing his craft. His creations have proven their effectiveness by enticing fish from various corners of the globe.
From the pristine waters of Africa and enchanting flats of Belize, to the breathtaking landscapes of Chile, Mexico, Portugal, and the Seychelles, Allen's flies have been trusted companions for anglers pursuing the fish of their dreams. His meticulously crafted patterns have seduced species far and wide, leaving no doubt about their unwavering appeal.
However, Allen is not solely confined to the tying bench. Despite his mastery of fly tying, he always finds time for his true passion: fishing. Each year, he embarks on thrilling adventures, seeking the exhilaration of battling various fish species. Whether it's the powerful strikes of Bass, the finesse required for Panfish, the explosive fights of Stripers and Snook, or the delicate presentations needed for Trout, Allen embraces the challenges and joys of angling with open arms.
With unmatched experience and unyielding love for the sport, Allen continues pushing boundaries, constantly exploring new fishing grounds and sharing his expertise with fellow enthusiasts. His dedication to fly tying and the pursuit of fish inspires both seasoned anglers and novices alike.
We are pleased to have Allen teaching multiple classes this year. Catch his Streamers Made Simple Class on Friday at the festival. Allen will also be teaching his NearNuff Sculpin Class and his NearNuff Crayfish Class at the festival hotel Sunday morning. You can find more information about these classes on our tickets page.
Mark Signorino is a Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor from Erie, Pennsylvania. He is involved with the Gem City Outdoorsmen Fly Tiers and is a director for the Franklin, Pennsylvania-based FFI Affiliate club Keystone Fly Fishers. Signorino has competed in American Casting Association events, is a helper/instructor for Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission fly-fishing seminars, teaches "Fly Fishing 101" classes at state parks in Western Pennsylvania, and is a volunteer with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. He is a member of the Lake Erie Advisory Council, the purpose of which is to present new projects, easements, and land acquisitions that are funded through the monies generated from the Lake Erie Stamp fishing permit. Signorino's first article, "So you received a fly tying kit for Christmas--now what?" has been published in MidCurrent. When he isn't teaching, Signorino is an avid steelhead, trout, and bass fisherman.
We are pleased to be welcoming Mark back with us at the festival again this year. New to fly fishing? Then don't miss his specialty Beginner Fly Casting Classes.
Mike Tayloe is the Owner and Director of Operations of Finns West, a unique company in the fly fishing industry that provides custom Wilderness First Aid courses and Emergency Action Plan development for fly fishing lodges, outfitters, guides, and staff. He has combined his professions as a wilderness paramedic and fly fishing guide to provide a much-needed and often overlooked service for our industry. Tayloe has been providing remote medical support and wilderness medicine education as a wilderness/remote paramedic for over two decades, from Mount Everest to Antarctica. Tayloe has guided for several outfitters in Colorado and spent multiple winters in Chilean Patagonia guiding for Lakutaia Heli Fishing Lodge on Cape Horn. Tayloe is currently an inshore fly and light tackle Charter Captain on the Inner Banks of North Carolina.
Don’t miss his unique class Whiskey & Duct Tape: What You Need to Know About Making Your Own First Aide Kit.
Wanda Taylor has been a professional guide and fly casting instructor since the 80's. She’s been a feature angler or host in magazines, on radio, television, video computer fly fishing games and podcast from coast to coast. Her passion is teaching independent fly casting/fishing to women and girls, as well as, pursuing fins with a fly around the world.
Taylor is currently teaching private casting instruction and instructional guiding on the Hiwassee River, near Reliance, TN and private 1hr casting instruction on a private lake estate. An outdoor writer for Dun Magazine and Girls, Guns & Rods Taylor was the first woman in history to become a Master Certified Casting Instructor for Fly Fishers International.
We are pleased to have Wanda Taylor as the Lead Instructor for this year's Beyond the Cast Fly Fishing Symposium for Women. She will also be present at the Women's Meet & Greet on Thursday evening January 8th to kick off this year's BTCS.
Tim Urtiaga discovered fly fishing at a very young age and quickly decided he wanted to share his love for the quiet sport with others. Over the years Urtiaga has successfully guided many clients to beautiful trout on New Mexico’s famed San Juan River. After catching a few monster Northern pike on the fly, Urtiaga was himself “hooked”—and began to offer the only guided fly-fishing trips for Northern pike off of a boat. Urtiaga, who has been featured in Field & Stream and American Fly Fishing, is trying to raise awareness of Northern pike, abolish the catch-and-kill rule, and increase conservation efforts to protect this species. Urtiaga opened Eagle Nest Fly Shack in Eagle Nest, New Mexico, to provide a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts with the gear and equipment they need to become independent anglers. The Fly Shack, which really did begin as a shack beside an old gas station, thrived and grew until Urtiaga expanded to include more space and even lodging. Today Eagle Nest Fly Shack and Lodge offers eight hotel-style accommodations as well as guided fishing with four different experienced fishing guides.
Shannon Young, who began fly fishing as a teenager in the mountains of North Georgia, was a bass angler for 30 years and fished the B.A.S.S. state federation circuit for three years before opening a guide service in Western North Carolina. Young loves to instruct and guide clients in the art of European or "Czech" nymphing. He and his wife Kristin own and operate Maggie Valley Fly Shop in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. As an avid fly angler, pro-staffer for Hardy Fly Rods as well as Cortland Line Company, guide, and fly shop owner, Young is driven to welcoming novices into the quiet sport of fly fishing and introducing them to the enduring beauty of the outdoors. Young is passionate about the sport and is eager to share his knowledge with anyone wanting to learn about fly fishing in the smokies.
