Event: 1st Annual Red's Rendezvous
Dates:  April 10th and 11th
Location: Red's Fly Shop and CRR Lodge in the Yakima River Canyon

We have revisited the basics of what a quality Fly Fishing Rendezvous should offer the public.  There is something for everybody to enjoy out here, from raw beginners to advanced anglers alike and it is all nearly included for nearly free and no charge for parking! ;-) Clinics, competitions, demos, food, music, beer, and fly tying.  We've got it all.

At the Red's Rendezvous you will find:
 
*A learning opportunity for anglers of all skill levels.  ON THE WATER CLINICS will be offered both days and are most are free with admission.  Introduction to Fly Fishing, Yakima River Nymphing Techniques, Introduction to Switch Rods, Spey Casting 101, and Center Pin Fishing among others will be taught onsite, on the water.

*A chance to see, touch, and demo NEW gear.  The latest and greatest products from Sage, TFO, Winston, Ross, Rio, Clackacraft, and Simms will be on hand.  This is your chance to cast the TCX, Xi3, turn the Evolution LT, and seat yourself in the front of the Headhunter Skiff or Fly pod drift boat.
 
*Expand your LOCAL fishing opportunities by attending a Destination Theatre lineup featuring many fishing destinations within a 1 day driving distance.  Many anglers in WA have heard of the Lower Yakima Bass fishery, the Columbia River carp fishery, or even the Basin lakes, but have never taken the opportunity to explore them.  This is designed to give them the knowledge and confidence to do so without the aid of a guide. 
  
THE FEATURE PRESENTATION:  THE WA STATE FLY CASTING CHAMPIONSHIP.  We know of no fly casting competition in the Northwest as well rounded as what we have created at Red's.  After much thought, we have decided to change the format of the competition a bit and keep it on dry land for a more controlled environment. Originally, we were planning to have it "in river" with participants in the drift boat casting at targets placed along the shore but quickly realized that it was tough to keep a controlled environment, i.e. boat slightly out of line for some casters versus others.

Instead, we will have a complex hoop course that will combine distance and accuracy into one combined score.  Contestants may qualify twice, and the top 5 finalists in the Pro Division and the top 5 Non-Pro will compete at 4 pm to the awe of the crowds!

Non Professional Division:
First prize will be awarded a Sage 490 Launch rod ($330 value), Second prize a TFO 590 TiCr rod (209.95 value), and Third prize a Redington Rise reel ($159 value).  A $5.00 donation to FFF is required to participate.

Professional Divison:
First prize will be bragging rights, 2nd will be mild bragging rights, and 3rd - 5th will have to wait till next year!
 
After the Casting finals (4:00 pm) Saturday night, Canyon River Ranch lodge will host a BBQ and live music featuring Ellensburg’s own Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs.  A fee of $10.00 per person will cover food, beer and soft drinks, and music.  Bring your own picnic lunch, we will be providing a BBQ dinner.
 
The tentative course program is outlined below:

Saturday April 10
Red's Rendezvous Courses / Destination Theatre schedule:
 
RIVERSIDE CLINICS (RED'S MAIN LAUNCH)
9:30 am:  Yakima River nymph techniques by Steve Joyce
10:30 am:  Switch Rods:  When and Why? by Doug Pendleton
11:30 am:  Advanced Fly Casting and Fishing techniques by Joe Rotter (Upper Launch)
11:30 am:  Introduction to Fly Fishing by Doug Pendleton
12:30 pm:  Spey Casting 101 by Doug Pendleton
1:30 pm: How to Row a driftboat by Clackacraft staff
2:30 pm:  The Centerpin - Deadly Steelhead techniques by Eric Neufeld

3:30 pm:  Fast, Medium and Slow action rods – which one best suits you?  by Dick Sagara and Doug Pendleton
 
 
DESTINATION THEATRE (CONFERENCE ROOM IN CRR LODGE)
10:00 am:  E WA trout rivers - Yakima, Methow, and Naches rivers by Joe Rotter
11:00 am:  Lower Yakima Smallmouth Bass by Steve Joyce
12:00 am:  Kings on the Swing – the Kanektok River AK by Andrew Bennet

1:00 pm:  Ascension Bay MX by 2010 host Steve Joyce
2:00 pm:  Carp on the Fly by Gary Thompson
3:00 pm:  E WA Steelhead (Klickitat, Methow, and Wenatchee Rivers) by Joe Rotter
 
Fly Tying:
10:00 am:  Troy Lichtenegger – Yakima River patterns
11:00 am:  Gary Thompson – Bonefish Flies
12:00 pm:  Bo Lybeck – Yakima River patterns
1:00 pm:   Gary Thompson – Carp Flies
2:00 pm:  Shane Merrit – Yakima River patterns
 
Casting Competition:  10:00 am until 4:00 pm - Ran by Mike Canady and Joe Rotter:  Top 5 scorers in the Pro class, and the top 5 in the Non-Pro will compete in the finals which begins at 4:00 pm.
 

Sunday April 11th   
Pick one of the following RFS Instructional Programs, take a guided trip, or go fishing on your own!

How to Row a Drift Boat $59 per attendee 10 AM – 2 PM- Clackacraft Demo Day:  This is your chance to get behind the oars of a new CLACKACRAFT drift boat.  Bruce, Jake, and Marty, of Clackacraft, will join Red’s Pro Guide, Joe Rotter,  to teach you the ins and outs of rowing a drift boat in the river setting.  This course is not done on the river bank;  rather, it will take place in the full current flow of the mighty Yakima as you man the oars yourself, and watch the pros demonstrate common techniques and maneuvers.  This is an incredible opportunity for anyone who has ever considered buying a drift boat or would like to row one!   Reservation necessary $59.00 per attendee – bring your own boat or demo a NEW Clack.

Basic Fly Casting FREE admission 10 AM – noon – TFO Demo day:  Join Dick Sagara of TFO fly rods as he teaches basic fly casting techniques.  Dick is a great instructor who possesses an acute ability to dissect and explain the technique needed to throw the fly.  His patience is second to none and he has made monumental break throughs with anglers who were one rat’s nest away from hanging it up for good.

RFS Course - Ea WA Lake Fishing $59 per attendee 8AM – 4 PM:  The Lakes of Ea WA offer incredible fly fishing opportunities for large trout.  The fertility and biodiversity is amazing, and the fish feed on the diverse aquatic life that’s present in each of these fisheries.  Learning the right lakes to be at and the right fishing strategy for the various conditions you may find yourself dealing with is imperative to your success in putting some BIG trout in the net!  This course begins at the shop at 8:00 AM and then travels to one of the Basin Lakes where you will discuss, practice, and master the proven techniques that will bring you success in the Ea WA desert!  The course instructor is Gary Thompson who has been successfully fishing the Basin Lakes for nearly two decades.  Even though you may only fish one lake during your day, you will receive info, including directions, for many of the Ea WA Stillwater options.

Additional Information:  A limited number of rooms are available at the Canyon River Ranch lodge.  There are a plethora of public campgrounds up and down the canyon which are available on a first come first served basis.  Call 509-933-2100 to schedule a reservation at the CRR lodge. Visit us @ www.canyonriver.net

Call or email Red’s Fly Shop (509) 933-2300 to reserve your spot in the Sunday events, or with any additional questions you may have. 

Visit us @ www.redsflyshop.com

PLEASE RSVP to info@redsflyshop.com  Note the number of attendees in your group that you anticipate attending the dinner.