Castapalooza 2015 is Set and Scheduled!

This years presenters and programs include:

• Rick Kustich- Overcoming Spey Casting Obstacles
• Jeff Liskay- Controlling the Swing and Getting the Fly to the Fish
• Greg Senyo- Selecting and Rigging the Correct Tip
• George McCabe- Single-Hand Distance Casting the Tournament Way
• Jerry Darkes- Tube Flies with ProSportfisher Components

Plus Will Turek of Midwest Spey will demonstrate the latest in teaching technology.

There will additional displays and casting games.

As always, Castapalooza is free of charge and open to the public!

Information will be added and updated on www.facebook.com/jdcastapalooza 

Castapalooza is sponsored and supported by these great companies!

Castapalooza, 2014!

April 12, 20014, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Hidden Valley Park on Ohio's Grand River.  Take Exit 212 off I-90, go south on Rt. 528, cross over the river and turn right on Klasen Rd. down to park.

Schedule of Events

On the Water

 

10:00AM – 11:00AM, Will Turek “Spey Casting for Single and Two-Hand Rods”

12:00PM – 12:30PM, Jerry Darkes “Casting BIG Flies- the Double Haul and Beyond”

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, Jeff Liskay “Fishing the Swung Fly- How to Increase your Catch”

 Ongoing (Except during presentations), Try out rods & casting instruction

In the Pavilion

12:30PM – 1:30PM, Greg Senyo “Tip Selection and Set Up for Swinging”

10:00AM – 3:00PM, Steve Wascher- Warmwater Tying Demo

10:00AM - 3:00PM, Blind Woolly Bugger Contest

On the Lawn

Ongoing- Distance and Accuracy Courses

Special prizes for the “Youngest Caster”, “Most Improved Caster”,  “Who Traveled the Furthest to get Here”- Awarded at 3:00 PM

 

 

See Me On Facebook!

Due to time limitations I have been posting all of my information, updates on Facebook.  Please feel free to check these out at https://www.facebook.com/jerry.darkes.  This will give up to date info on anything of importnace that has been happening lately.

Here are a couple pics of a recent trip on the Niagara River with my good friend, Paul Castellano, of Cast Adventures.  He is the only Niagara River boat guide I am aware of who will use flies on the big river- with great success as you can see!

Book Signing Promotions & Programs

Sorry- I have been neglecting this site a lot lately.  Most of my online info has switched over to Facebook and you can send me a friend request to get info and updates there.
I have a number of book signings and programs coming up.  Here is my schedule, as of today, for the remainder of the year.

Saturday, November 9 at Lake Erie Ultimate Angler, Erie, PA

• Book signing, "Great Lakes Connecting Waters" program and tying demo

 

 

Saturday, November 16 at Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters, Chicago, IL

• Book signing, "Great Lakes Connecting Waters" program

Thursday, December 5 at Little Forks Outfitters, Midland, MI

• Book signing and tying demo

Saturday, December 14 at Mad River Outfitters, Columbus, OH

• Book signing, "Great Lakes Connecting Waters Program", and tying demo

Hope to see everyone somewhere along the way!

Castapalooza North and Streamer Freak Sunday

Big event this coming weekend at Schultz Outfitters in Ypsilanti, MI!  On Saturday, Sept. 7, Castapalooza North will take place.  Check out a bunch of gear including the new Scott Radian Rods!  There will be plenty of rods to cast and both single and two-hand casting isntruction avaialble form casting pros including Mark Sedotti, Will turek, and Jeff Liskay.

On Sunday, September 8, tying pros including Greg Senyo, Alex Lafkas, Tommy Lynch, Eli Berant, Mike Schmidt and others will be on hand to share their streamer secrets.

For complete info on the weekends events go to:  http://eepurl.com/DkcD5

The Book is Out!

After three years of on-water "research" and hundreds of hours banging away on the computer, my first book, Fly Fishing the Inland Oceans is finally on the retail market.  This is the first-ever, comprehensive look at fly fishing IN the Great Lakes.  All five Great Lakes are reviewed along with Lake St. Clair and various connecting waters.  Both warmwater and cloldwater fish species are covered with the techniques and equipment needed to catch them.   There are also over 160 fly patterns presented with recipes for Great Lakes use.  Ask for it at your local fly shop!