Martin Bawden is an innovative fly tyer and the creator of the Nymph-Head™ and Fish-Skull™ products. As owner of Flymen Fishing Company (www.flymenfishingcompany.com) Martin has fished his creative patterns all over the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Although headquartered in Brevard, North Carolina, Martin’s patterns will be highlighted in this year’s Jackson River fly tying tent each day. Stop by and learn how easy it is to create your own unique patterns using Martin’s products.

Beau Beasley (www.beaubeasley.com) is an outdoor investigative journalist whose work has appeared in nearly every national fly fishing magazine. Most recently he has tackled menhaden management and public access to and use of public waterways. His class “Who Owns the River?” is extremely popular with sportsmen, landowners, and state game agencies. Beau is the author of Fly Fishing Virginia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters and Fly Fishing the Mid-Atlantic: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters. His next book is scheduled for releases in late 2013.

John Bilotta is a Federation of Fly Fishers (www.fedflyfishers.org) Master Certified Casting Instructor who teaches in the DC area.· He is a licensed guide in Maryland and offers day trips on the Gunpowder and the Potomac and multi-day trips in Western Maryland from Dacha Dream, his cabin at Deep Creek Lake. Contact John at jbilotta@georgetownflyfishing.com.

Walt Cary is a household name to popping bug enthusiasts. Walt’s Poppers are the best popping bugs money can buy (when you can find them) and seem to last forever. Walt has been creating these fishable works of art for nearly 50 years. Be sure to stop by his booth and watch him create these great bass and bream bugs in front of your very eyes.

Bob Clouser is one of the most familiar faces in fly fishing. On staff with Temple Fork Outfitters, Bob is probably best known as the creator of the Clouser Minnow; his “Beginner Fly Tying Class” is perfect for those wishing to delve into this aspect of the sport. He is also the go-to guy for those who wish to pursue smallmouth bass. If you love bass fishing, you won’t want to miss his lectures on smallmouth bass fishing.

Dan Davala, fishing manager for Orvis-Arlington, is the founding member of the Tidal Potomac FlyRodders (www.tpfr.org). He’s an FFF Master Certified Casting Instructor and is indefatigable in his desire to teach fly fishing to anyone who’ll stand still long enough to hold a fly rod. The festival is pleased to have Dan as one of our Spey casting instructors this year.

Captain Gary Dubiel is the owner of Spec Fever Guide Service (www.specfever.com) and is quickly becoming the best-known saltwater guide in North Carolina. His angling skills have brought him international coverage on multiple fishing shows on ESPN, Outdoor Life Network, and Europe’s Discovery Channel. He’s also a master fly tyer, and his magazine articles are read widely. Though Gary is partial to speckled trout, he’s also made a name for himself landing monster-sized red drum near his home town of Oriental, North Carolina.

Kiki Galvin is the owner of Ms. Guided Fly Fishing Services and has been a fly fishing guide since 2002. She’s a member and·past president of Chesapeake Women Anglers and presently the vice president of the Northern Virginia Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Kiki has been a volunteer for Project Healing Waters since 2007 and was recently·recognized as Volunteer of the Year for the National Capital region. Kiki’s a member of both the Federation of Fly Fishers and the·International Women Fly Fishers. She’s currently on the Pro Staff for Fly Fishing

Harold Harsh is the owner of Spring Creek Outfitters (www.springcreekoutfitter.com) and one of the most respected guides in all of Maryland. For over two decades Harold has fished the hallowed waters of the Savage, Youghiogheny, and Potomac Rivers, landing trophy trout and hefty smallies. If you desire to explore western Maryland’s famous waters, Harold is the man to see. A word of warning, however: Once you see experience the beauty of western Maryland and its waters, you may not want to go home.

Austin Hepburn gets excited about catching any type of fish that pulls, but especially those that pull hard. Perhaps that’s why he fishes for everything from burly brown trout in Chile, to Blue Marlin on the high seas in locations all over the world. His company Uncommon Ventures (www.UncommonVentures.com) specializes in exotic locations and if you want to throw in some good Chilean wine on your next trip overseas, he’s the man to see. While Austin hasn’t done so yet, he claims the hunt is on for landing a massive halibut on the fly.

Ed Jaworowski is passionate about fly casting. The author of The Cast and Troubleshooting the Cast, among other fly fishing books, is an excellent instructor who connects well with his students, regardless of their skill level. He recently retired from Villanova University where he taught for 40 years and served as the chair of the Classical Studies Department. He is currently on the Temple Fork Outfitters pro staff and his Intermediate to Advanced Casting Class is just what you’ll need to take your casting skills to the next level.

Jeff Kelble stepped out of his fishing guide raft and into conservation work at the end of 2005 when he started the Shenandoah Riverkeeper Program and become the Shenandoah Riverkeeper (potomacriverkeeper.org). Jeff spends much of his time scouring the river and the land for pollution sources and fighting to stop pollution with legal enforcement and community action. Previously, Jeff worked for eight years to build a private smallmouth bass guiding business and a bed and breakfast.

Don Kirk is a well-known writer with a host of angling books to his credit. Don and his lovely wife Leah, son Jeff, and daughter-in-law Leslie, have recently launched Southern Trout Magazine. This online publication brings modern digital publishing to bear on a nostalgic sensibility, recalling the halcyon days of Don’s youth when he spent every possible minute fishing mountain trout streams near his home. If you want the inside skinny on fishing the Great Smoky Mountains, Don’s the man to see. You can also sign up for a free subscription to Southern Trout Magazine at his booth.

Lefty Kreh is doubtless the best known fly angler of our time. He is considered the father of modern fly fishing, and his best-selling books are considered by many to be fly fishing bibles. His countless magazine articles and approachable demeanor have brought thousands of new devotees to the quiet sport of fly fishing.

Tommy Lawhorne (www.southriverflyshop.com) iis a passionate fly angler with a serious bamboo fly rod addiction and a longtime member of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He is the co-owner of the recently opened South River Fly Shop, along with his good friend and co-guide Kevin Little. Tommy’s class on the South River will give you the inside scoop on one of the state’s best emerging trout fisheries.

Captain Ed Lawrence, owner of Speckulater Charters (www.speckulatercharters.com), operates out of Gloucester and knows the Middle Peninsula and the Northern Neck like the back of his hand. It is here that he pursues the elusive speckled trout. In addition to specs, Ed also fishes for stripers, flounder, redfish, and blues whenever he can.

Steve Monahan is a manufacturer’s representative for Temple Fork Outfitters (www.templeforkflyrods.com) with a passion for fly fishing. He is particularly driven to teach new anglers how to tackle the sport, and his “Fly Fishing 101 Class” is perfect for beginners. Do not arrive at his class late unless you enjoy standing!

Cory Routh (www.ruthlessfishing.com) is hands-down the best-known fly angling kayaker in the Old Dominion. Recently named the Mid-Atlantic Angler of the Year by Extreme Edge Sports, Cory is a columnist for Chesapeake Angler and a pro staffer for Temple Fork Outfitters and Freedom Hawk Kayaks. His classes on how to fish from your kayak have become so popular that we’ve had to move them outside along the banks of the South River. Meet Cory in person and get an autographed copy of his new book Kayak Fishing: The Complete Guide.

Tom Sadler is a·professional guide and instructor and dedicated Tenkara fly fisherman. His passion for Tenkara was honed in Virginia’s mountain streams fishing for native brook trout. His reputation as a Tenkara devotee makes him a sought-after guide and·speaker.·He shares his·knowledge of Tenkara on his blog MiddleRiverDispatches.com.·When he is not fishing, teaching, or guiding, he runs a public relations business, the Middle River Group, LLC, that works to protect fish, fishing, and fish habitat.

Brian Shumaker (www.susqriverguides.com) is nearly as comfortable with an oar in his hand as he is a fly rod on his beloved Susquehanna River. His class is a must if you want to know how to find smallmouth bass. Brian is on the TFO pro staff and often teaches casting classes with his mentor and good friend, Bob Clouser.

Mike Smith is not guiding for trophy-sized smallmouth bass on Virginia’s rivers (as he has been for 30 years), he is the chief fly designer for Flymen Fishing Company (www.flymenfishingcompany.com). His unique patterns are fished all over the country, but he readily admits that most get their first swim along the New River. Chances are you’ve already seen his patterns gracing the pages of fine publications like Fly Tyer, American Angler, and Eastern Fly Fishing. Most of his patterns were created for lunker bass—nevertheless trout and even saltwater species seem to crave them. Check out his New River fishing lecture and be sure to pick up a few of his latest patterns in the Flymen Fishing Company booth.

Andrew Fenstermaker grew up fishing the New River and is entering his fifth year guiding for New River Outdoor Co. under the wing of the outfit's owner and lead guide, Britt Stoudenmire. Andrew currently holds the record at NROC for the largest smallmouth ever caught out of a kayak or canoe and regularly puts his clients on citation smallmouth. In fact, Andrew's clients often land some of the biggest catches of the season. This year, Andrew is heading up James River Outdoor Co., NROC's expansion to the James River, and will be offering guided smallmouth & musky trips.

Tracey Stroup serves as a health consultant with a background in Naturopathic Medicine and trigger point therapy, which she uses to advise fly anglers on how to deal with nagging injuries. She tours the country teaching anglers about preventing the most common streamside injuries that can regrettably sideline anglers for months or even years. Tracey is a columnist with the Mid-Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide and serves on the pro-staff of Temple Fork Outfitters. Check out her “Fit Gal Fly Class,” co-taught with Wanda Taylor.

Wanda Taylor's unparalleled casting skill is the reason she teaches casting classes; her Southern charm and affability are the reason we ask her back year after year. Wanda was the first female Certified Master Casting Instructor for the International Federation of Fly Fishers and may be the best female fly caster in the country today. She teaches a “Beginner Fly Fishing Class” as well as co-teaching (with Tracey Stroup) the “Fit Gal Fly Class.” She will also moderate our “Women’s Fly Shop,” held each day in the Jackson River Tent at noon.

Colby Trow has been guiding fly anglers for over a decade. Colby fishes and guides extensively on the Shenandoah and the James Rivers and is a fixture on Mossy Creek, Virginia’s best trout stream. He and his brother Brian opened Mossy Creek Fly Fishing (www.mossycreekflyfishing.com) in 2004 and now lead over 100 new anglers a year into the sport at their successful fly fishing classes held at Wintergreen Resort.

Steve Vorkapich (www.floatmasterco.net) is the owner and inventor of Float Master Strike Indicators. Steve is a die-hard steelheader, but can be found traipsing around the waters of the Mid-Atlantic and beyond catching everything from browns to brookies. His love affair with nypmhing lead him to develop his revolutionary indicators that don’t slip when properly applied and never come of your line. If you want to take your nymphing to the next level, don’t miss his class on fishing the right angle method of fishing indicators.

Duber Winters is the General Manager of the newly opened Orvis Company Store (www.orvis.com) in Woodbridge, Virginia. A die-hard saltwater angler who cut his teeth as a guide on the salty shores of the Sunshine State, Duber was the fishing manager at the Orvis Store in Richmond before being tapped to open this new Orvis location. Duber’s knowledge of both salt- and freshwater fish, and the proper techniques and gear needed to land them, is invaluable to any angler.

Ron Weiss is the owner of online retailer Hook and Hackle (www.hookhack.com). He has been making fly rods for 25 years and does so without any special tools or equipment. An advocate of do-it-yourself rod building, Ron likes to say that “If you didn’t build the rod yourself, you’re not actually fishing!” Ron’s class, “Introduction to Rod Building,” is a must for any aspiring rod builder.

Dusty Wissmath (www.dwflyfishingschool.com) is the lead instructor for the Wissmath School of Fly Casting and is also a fly casting instructor at Whitetail Mountain Resort. When he’s not teaching a fly casting class to eager new students, you’re most likely to find him on the water. Dusty guides in the Mid-Atlantic as well as Montana and finds the time to teach some of the most popular casting classes in the area.