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Silver Fly Tying Skills Award

How it Works

This Fly Fishers International (FFI) Fly Tying Skills Awards Program is an educational program for all FFI members who care to take part. The Awards Program is managed for and on behalf of the FFI by the Fly Tying Group of the FFI. Participant must be an FFI member to receive the Award and recognition, it is necessary to follow the instructions outlined in “How it Works – the Process Instructions” in the handbook.

Simply tie the flies. Follow the tying instructions in the Silver Award Handbook and Videos. Contact an evaluator to confirm his/her availability to evaluate your flies and get their mailing address. Mail the flies and the completed Silver Evaluation Fly Transmittal Form to the evaluator. We suggest you mail your flies in a small compartmentalized box that will fit into a 6" x 9" cushioned mailer and mailed First Class Mail. Please write your name on or in the box.

The applicant may pay the $60.00 application fee one of two ways. If you are an FTG member the fee for the Silver Award is $30.00. There will be an additional fee of $30.00 for returning the flies to an international mailing location. Email a completed Transmittal Form to the FFI office, make a payment using a credit card at the FFI Store, or mail a copy of the completed Transmittal Form along with a check to:

Fly Fishers International
Fly Tying Group Department
1201 US Highway 10 West, Suite E
Livingston, Montana 59047

FFI staff will process receipt of the application fee by date and applicant’s name and upon receipt of the evaluated flies and confirmation that requirements for the Silver Award have been met, the applicant will be mailed their Silver Pin, Silver Certificate, their flies and a copy of the evaluations.

If you have any questions about the Fly Tying Skills Award Program, please feel free to call or email any of the persons listed as Committee Members, Evaluators, or Review Panel Members.

FORMS YOU'LL NEED
Silver Fly Tying Skills Award Handbook
Silver Award Evaluation Fly Transmittal Form PRINT
Silver Award Evaluation Fly Transmittal Form FILLABLE

FORMS FOR EVALUATORS
Silver Award Evaluation Form-Score Sheet
Approval Form PRINT
Approval Form FILLABLE

Instructional Videos

These videos, with Buszek Award recipient Al Beatty at the vice, are meant as instructional guides to be used together with the Silver Award Handbook. These instructional materials will guide tiers through the learning experience of becoming an FFI Silver Award recipient.

An important thing to remember as you are working your way through this Silver Award Program is that your goal is to follow the recipe, tie a strong, durable fly and express the proper proportions of the fly and using proper and acceptable materials. Differences arise in fly tying instructions in books, magazines, and videos. For instance, throughout the Handbook and throughout these supportive videos you will see different suggestions regarding where to start the thread on the hook. They are all correct and acceptable – In many instances it is simply a matter of personal choice. These videos are meant to be used as tying guides along with the handbook. The handbook is made up of detailed sections which, together with the videos, will guide you through the Silver Award process.

Should you have any tying questions that you cannot resolve please feel free to contact any member of the Fly Tying Skills Awards Committee (listed below).

Ginger Quill

WATCH NOW

HW Blue Charm

WATCH NOW

Lefty's Deceiver

WATCH NOW

Troth EH Caddis

WATCH NOW

BH Prince Nymph

WATCH NOW

Parachute Adams

WATCH NOW

Silver Award Panel and Evaluators

For more information regarding the program and/or process feel free to contact any of the following involved individuals: Please note that no mailing addresses are included in these listings for privacy reasons. Please contact these individuals by phone or email for the mailing addresses.

Fred DuPre'
Texas
flytyerfred@gmail.com
817-975-4205

Jack Gillis
Texas
jackgillis@outlook.com
214-718-4910

Jim Ferguson
Oregon
j.ferguson@comcast.net
503-390-5043

Jim Hudson
Missouri
operation_man@msn.com
636-262-7366

Phil Latendresse
Washington
phil.latendresse@live.com
360-391-0861

Mike Swederska
Missouri 
MikeSscale@gmail.com
573-468-4220

Norman Wells
United Kingdom
n@nhw1.co.uk
447903040138

Scott Murdock
Alaska
s.w.murdock@gci.net
907-374-6989

Leslie Wrixon
Connecticut
lesliewrixon@ityeflies.com
508-733-8535

The Silver Tying Skills Award now only requires an Evaluator to do the review and pass the tier for the award.  For questions contact:

Jack Gillis
Texas
jackgillis@outlook.com
214-718-4910