2025 Gulf Coast Classic
Fly Tying Workshops
2025 Gulf Coast Classic Paid Fly Tying Workshop Lineup
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The 2025 Gulf Coast Classic is just weeks away, and we’re excited to announce an outstanding lineup of paid fly-tying workshops, featuring expert tyers from across the country. Whether you're looking to master traditional techniques or explore new materials, these hands-on classes provide an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the best in the craft.
From classic streamers and dry flies to deer hair and modern saltwater patterns, this year’s workshop series offers something for everyone. Check out the details below and be sure to register early as class sizes are limited!!
Advanced Streamer Fly Tying Techniques with Allen Rupp
This workshop is designed for intermediate fly tyers looking to elevate their streamer game. Allen Rupp will break down essential techniques such as tailing, collaring, and securely attaching dumbbell and bead chain eyes to ensure durability and performance on the water. By focusing on reinforcement techniques, participants will learn how to tie streamers that withstand aggressive strikes while maintaining their shape and movement.
All necessary hooks and materials will be provided, along with a bottle of Brush-on Zap-a-Gap for each attendee.
Workshop Details:
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Date & Time: Friday, May 2, 2025 | 9:30 – 11:00 AM
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Cost: $50 per student
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Class Size: Limited to 10 participants
Note: Participants must bring their own fly-tying vise, scissors, and bobbin.
Tying the Marsh Candy with Fred Hannie
Join Fred Hannie, the 2024 Buszek Award Winner and author of Fly Tying with Monofilament and Uncommon Flies, for an exclusive workshop on tying his Marsh Candy pattern. This innovative variation of the classic Surf Candy adds a touch of realism, making it an excellent choice for fooling even the most selective fish.
Fred will guide participants through each step of the tying process, sharing his expert techniques for working with synthetic materials, layering for realism, and achieving a durable yet natural-looking baitfish profile.
All necessary materials will be provided.
Workshop Details:
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Date & Time: Friday, May 2, 2025 | 9:30 – 11:00 AM
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Cost: $20 per student
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Class Size: Limited to 10 participants
Note: Participants must bring their own vise, tools and UV Resin.
Don't miss this chance to learn from one of the most innovative minds in realistic fly tying and add a highly effective saltwater pattern to your fly box!
Classic Streamers of Herb Welch with Peggy Brenner
Herb Welch, the famous Rangeley taxidermist and painter, opened his fly shop in Oquossoc in 1903 and became known for his innovative streamer patterns. His designs, including the Cupsuptic Streamer, the Jane Craig Streamer, the Yellow Jane Craig, the Kennebago Streamer, the Welch Rarebit, and the iconic Black Ghost, remain widely used by anglers today.
This hands-on workshop will guide participants through tying two of Welch's legendary streamer patterns. Students will learn traditional tying methods, material selection, and the historical significance of these timeless flies.
All necessary materials will be provided.
Workshop Details:
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Date & Time: Friday, May 2, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
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Cost: $35 per student
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Class Size: Limited to 10 participants
Note: Participants must bring their own vise, tools, and thread.
This is a rare opportunity to learn and preserve classic streamer techniques that have stood the test of time!
Steve Maldonado's Saltwater Patterns
This workshop offers participants a unique opportunity to learn from Steve Maldonado as he shares his expertise in crafting three of his signature saltwater fly patterns:
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Sheepshead Slammer Crab – Imitates small crabs, a primary food source for sheepshead, and is designed to entice these notoriously picky feeders.
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Redfish Wrecker – Mimics crabs, shrimp, and baitfish that make up the majority of the redfish diet, making it effective in various conditions.
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Lunch Lady Tarpon – A versatile crab pattern that has also proven successful with bonefish and is designed to trigger aggressive strikes from cruising fish.
Designed for beginner to intermediate fly tyers, the class will cover essential techniques such as thread control, material manipulation, and achieving proper proportions. Steve will also demonstrate multiple methods for tying each pattern, allowing participants to discover the approaches that work best for them.
All necessary materials, such as thread and hooks, will be provided.
Workshop Details:
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Date & Time: Friday, May 2, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
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Cost: $50 per student
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Class Size: Limited to 10 participants
Note: Participants must bring their own basic fly-tying tools, including a vise, scissors, and bobbins.
By the end of the session, attendees will have the skills and confidence to tie these effective saltwater patterns, enhancing both their fly-tying repertoire and on-the-water success.
Tying Nymphs: A Hands-On Workshop with John Demuth
This workshop focuses on tying nymphs that are both durable and effective in various waters across the country. Participants will practice key techniques such as reinforcing pheasant tail wraps, creating tight and compact dubbed bodies, and constructing nymphs that sink quickly through the water column.
All necessary materials will be provided, but students must bring their own vise and tools. This class is recommended for those with basic fly-tying experience, including familiarity with using a vise, whip finishing, and handling standard tying materials.
Workshop Details:
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Date & Time: Friday, May 2, 2025 | 3:00 – 4:30 PM
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Cost: $50 per student
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Class Size: Limited to 12 participants
Don’t miss this opportunity to hone your nymph-tying skills and create flies built to perform in a variety of fishing conditions!
Mack’s Favorite Redfish Flies: How to Tie Them & When to Use Them
Redfish enthusiasts won’t want to miss this exclusive free workshop with Mack Bryson of Southeastern Fly Works at the 2025 Gulf Coast Classic Fly Fishing Festival! As a Renzetti Vise ambassador and Semperfli Pro Team member, Mack will share his go-to redfish fly patterns and expert techniques to help you fish them effectively.
In this session, Mack will introduce his top redfish flies, explaining why they work and when to use each pattern for maximum success. He will also demonstrate essential tying and fishing techniques, providing insights that will help anglers of all skill levels improve their approach on the water.
Workshop Details:
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Date & Time: Friday, May 2, 2025 | 3:00 – 4:30 PM
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Cost: Free
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Class Size: Limited to 15 participants
Spots will fill fast! Sign-up will open soon on the Classic website—stay tuned for registration details and materials lists.
NearNuff Crayfish School with Allen Rupp
In honor of legendary fly tyer Dave Whitlock, this hands-on class will dive into the techniques behind his renowned NearNuff Crayfish pattern. Allen Rupp, personally mentored by Whitlock, will share insider knowledge on the materials, design, and purpose of this highly effective fly.
Beyond tying, the workshop will explore the ecology of crayfish, covering over 400 species found in North America. Understanding their habitats and behaviors will help participants know when and where to fish the NearNuff Crayfish more effectively.
Participants will receive all necessary tying materials, along with a NearNuff Crayfish tied by Allen Rupp for reference and a bottle of Zap-A-Gap for future use.
Workshop Details:
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Date & Time: Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 9:30 – 11:00 AM
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Cost: $50 per student
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Class Size: Limited to 10 participants
Note: Students must bring their own fly-tying vise, scissors, and bobbin.
By the end of the session, participants will have the knowledge and skills to confidently tie and fish one of Whitlock’s most celebrated fly patterns.
Tying Dry Flies: A Hands-On Workshop with John Demuth
This workshop is designed to help fly tyers refine their skills in crafting clean, durable dry flies. Participants will focus on essential techniques such as tying parachutes, working with deer hair and CDC, and creating tightly dubbed bodies. The class will cover versatile patterns that are effective across the United States and beyond, ensuring anglers are prepared for a variety of fishing conditions.
This session is best suited for those with a basic understanding of fly tying, including the ability to use a vise, whip finish, and work with standard tying materials. Students must bring their own vise and tools, but all necessary materials will be provided.
Workshop Details:
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Date & Time: Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 9:30 – 11:00 AM
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Cost: $50 per student
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Class Size: Limited to 12 participants
Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your dry fly skills and take your tying to the next level!
Steve Maldonado's Jungle Junkie
Join renowned fly designer Steve Maldonado for an immersive workshop where you'll learn to tie his signature Jungle Junkie streamer fly. Originally crafted for pike and muskie, this flashtail streamer has also gained acclaim among anglers targeting species like peacock bass. Featuring a bucktail and magnum flashabou body with a laser dub head, the Jungle Junkie maintains a bulky profile without excessive weight—making it both highly effective and easy to cast.
In this hands-on session, Steve will guide participants through every step of tying the Jungle Junkie, sharing expert insights into its design and the techniques that make it a standout in both freshwater and saltwater environments. Whether you're an experienced fly tyer or a beginner looking to expand your skill set, this workshop will provide valuable knowledge and hands-on experience.
Workshop Details:
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Date & Time: Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
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Cost: $50 per student
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Class Size: Limited to 10 participants
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Required Materials: Participants must bring their own vise and tools.
Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the industry’s leading experts and add a proven predator pattern to your fly-tying collection!
Deer Hair Boot Camp with Joe Jackson and Jeff Rowley
Step up your fly-tying game with Joe Jackson and Jeff Rowley as they share their expert techniques for working with deer hair. Whether you're a total beginner or an experienced tier looking to refine your skills, this workshop will provide the knowledge and confidence to master this specialized craft.
Jeff Rowley will guide you through the entire process of crafting a proper hair bug, from hook preparation to final trimming, while Joe Jackson will identify common mistakes and teach you how to fix them without starting over. This immersive session will cover everything from selecting the right materials and tools to advanced tips and tricks for achieving professional-quality flies.
Each participant will receive a detailed take-home handout with step-by-step instructions, along with exclusive private scan links to video tutorials covering more advanced techniques.
Workshop Details:
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Date & Time: Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
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Cost: $70 per student
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Class Size: Limited to 12 participants
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Please Note: This is an observation-only class, not a tie-along session.
Don’t miss this chance to learn from two of the best in the business—reserve your spot today!
From Fur to Fly – Crafting Custom Dubbing Blends with Allen Rupp
Take your fly-tying creativity to the next level with this hands-on workshop focused on crafting custom dubbing blends. Join Allen Rupp as he guides participants through selecting and blending natural and synthetic materials to achieve the perfect textures and colors for various fly patterns.
In this session, you'll learn how to combine materials to replicate the natural hues of aquatic insects and baitfish, enhancing your fly designs for greater realism and effectiveness. With a strong focus on practical application, each student will leave the workshop with at least four unique dubbing blends they’ve created themselves.
As a special bonus, all participants will receive a one-year membership to Trout Unlimited or an extension of their existing membership.
Workshop Details
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Date & Time: Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM
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Cost: $50 per student
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Class Size: Limited to 18 participants
Don’t miss this chance to elevate your fly-tying game—reserve your spot today!