We are very excited about this year’s smoker and clinic!!

As you probably know, our streams are nationally recognized for their steelhead fishing. To celebrate the fish’s annual fall migration, we are hosting a Cigar Smoker and Fly Fishing Clinic on November 11-13, 2022 during the peak of the steelhead run. Maximum enrollment for this event is only 15 participants! We want to assure that everyone gets appropriate instruction. Sign up now!

The event will take place at the stunning Wanakah Country Club in Hamburg, NY. Steeped in history and uniquely located along the shores of Lake Erie just 15 minutes south of downtown Buffalo. Wanakah offers facilities, service and activities that place it among Western New York’s most elite country clubs. This event is a fun and educational opportunity to learn to tie flies and learn to fly fish with a couple of our well-respected local fly fishing guides including Alberto Rey, the 2021 Orvis Guide of the Year winner, who is organizing the events. You will learn the aspects of fly fishing including history, equipment, types of fish, local fisheries, types of flies, fly tying, casting and so much more.

To kick off the event, we are having a dinner and smoker on Friday evening at the country club. The smoker includes cigars with appropriately paired beverages of your choice. Two cocktails and the cigars will be being sponsored by http://www.noteadvisor.com. Additional drinks can be purchased at the bar.

On Saturday, we will start with breakfast at the country club followed by presentations on the history of fly fishing, the introduction of steelhead to the Great Lakes, and economic impact of steelhead fishing in the region. After a short break, we will finish the morning with individualized fly tying instruction. Lunch will be provided before we begin our fly fishing instruction on the local streams using the flies you tied that morning! We plan to meet as a group at the end of the day to discuss our day’s adventures at Pasquale’s Italian Restaurant at 6824 Erie Road in Derby, NY.

On Sunday, we will start again with breakfast at the country club followed by a few more presentations and more individualized fly tying instruction. Lunch will be provided before go back outside to work on our fly fishing skills using more of the flies you tied that morning! We plan to meet as a group at the end of the day to celebrate your development over the weekend at Pasquale’s Italian Restaurant.

Appropriate COVID guidelines will be followed throughout the weekend.

The price for the weekend’s worth of fly tying and fly fishing instruction, and use of waders, boots, rods, and reels, meal on Friday night with two drinks and cigars and breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday at Wanakah Country Club is $525.

Not included in the price are the dinners and drinks at Pasquale’s Italian Restaurant, additional drinks at Wanakah Country Club and the Wapsi Fly Tying Starter Kit (required). This kit can be purchased online or at the event ($90) but let me beforehand.

This is a wonderful educational event for friends, family and clients but this event is limited to fifteen participants to provide specialized individual attention to each person. Get your reservations in NOW. First come, first serve. Click here to pay and register for the event or you can use Venmo (@alberto-rey) or Paypal (alberto@albertorey.com). Please send me an email (alberto@albertorey.com) after you have paid for the event.

Thank you!

Tentative Schedule

Friday
6pm – 7pm – cocktails – cash bar available – Wanakah Country Club – casual attire as per Wanakah C.C. dress code
7 pm – dinner –  included in clinic price
8 – 10pm – social time – cocktails and cigars- two drinks and cigars are included in clinic price

Saturday
8am – breakfast – casual attire as per Wanakah C.C. dress code -included in clinic price
9am – 12pm – introductions, history of fly fishing, and begin to learn how to tie flies  
12pm – 1pm – lunch –  included in clinic price
1pm – 5:00pm – Meet at Alberto Rey’s house to try on waders and boots (211 Chestnut Street, Fredonia, NY 14063) – look at studio with ceramic and paintings while waiting for waders to try on – Janeil, Alberto’s wife, will show you around and then go fishing!
7 pm – dinner – Pasquele’s Italian Restaurant – not included in clinic price

Sunday
8am – breakfast – casual attire as per Wanakah C.C. dress code -included in clinic price
9am – 12pm – introduction to fly fishing equipment, local fisheries, types of fish, when and where to fish, types of flies, and continue to learn how to tie different flies     
12pm – 1pm – lunch –  included in clinic price
1pm – 5:00pm – Meet at Alberto Rey’s house or at a specific stream
7 pm – post-event celebratory dinner –  Pasquele’s Italian Restaurant – not included in clinic price 

Please bring:
Please bring the following for the clinic: New York State fishing license (https://decals.licensing.east.kalkomey.com/), polarized sunglasses, proper clothing appropriate for weather, waterproof jacket (preferably not brightly colored)

Follow up Event – date to be determined – Orvis Buffalo Store –  Eastern Hills Mall- 4545 Transit Rd, Williamsville, NY 1422 – Snacks and beverages – to informally follow up and answer any questions, share stories, introduce to fly fishing equipment, etc .

Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions (alberto@albertorey.com or 716.410.7003).