By DAVE BUCHANAN The Daily Sentinel

For members of that not-small society of anglers who tie their own flies, March 30-31 might as well be the first weekend of the fishing season.

Those are the days the ninth annual Western Colorado Fly Fishing Exposition, the largest fly-fishing show between Denver and Salt Lake City. This year, the expo again features a sparkling lineup of guest speakers and fly tiers at the DoubleTree Hotel in Grand Junction.

The two-day event is presented by members of the Grand Valley Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Federation of Fly Fishers, most of whom will be out in force, their volunteerism marked by their bright blue fishing shirts.

Along with nearly six dozen of the most talented tiers from across West, including super-realistic tier Deward Yocum of Los Lunas, N.M., and Polish nymphing innovator Wladyslaw “Vladi” Trzebunia, the free expo will feature on-water fishing clinics by Trzebunia and renowned tier Jack Dennis of Jackson, Wyo., and several special programs for youngsters.

Events March 30 include the fishing clinics, complimentary tours of Ross Reels and Scott Fly Rod Company and a tour of Grand Valley wineries. A “Meet The Tiers” social hour is from 5-8 p.m., and at 7 p.m., Dennis will present a fishing video titled “The Making of a Fly.”

Events begin in earnest the next morning, when the first round of fly tiers start whipping feathers, thread and lace into intricate and not-so-intricate fly patterns designed to capture the eyes of fish and the hearts and minds of anglers.

Also taking place will be casting demonstrations and instruction and fly-tying instruction for youths and adults, hourly fishing programs and the Colorado chapter of the American Casting Association hosting a combination accuracy and distance contest.

To register for the hands-on tying lessons, contact BJ Lester at 243-0146.

Also, vendors will have display booths set up to answer questions about the latest innovations in fly-fishing gear and 9-year-old Tyler Befus of Montrose will be signing copies of his book, “A Kid’s Guide to Fly Fishing.” Befus will pair with 10-year-old Taila Oulton of Gunnison on Saturday to present “All About Fly Fishing,” an hour-long program aimed at getting youngsters interested in fly fishing.

Their program will cover waders, gear, rods and reels, selecting lines, flies and casting a fly rod and where fish live. Both of the youngsters are experienced fly tiers and members of the Whiting Farms pro staff.

Last year, it was estimated that more than 700 expo visitors filed through the DoubleTree Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, ogling the silent raffles and fascinating displays of artificial flies being turned out by fly tiers of virtually all ages between 6 and, well, several years past 60.

While the weekend expo is filled with highlights and special events, perhaps the two most exciting are the appearances of Trzebunia and Dennis.

Trzebunia was the individual gold medalist on the 1991 Polish world fly-fishing championships team and his fishing technique so influenced competitive angling that many countries copied his style and adapted it to their own waters.

He began working with the U.S. team that same year and has worked since with Fly Fishing USA in almost every world championship.

In 2003, his coaching helped Jeff Currier of Jackson win the first U.S. adult medal in World Championship history.

“He instilled in us the spirit of competition,” said long-time U.S. team member Jay Buchner, also of Jackson. “It was irreplaceable in the overall effectiveness of the team.”

Trzebunia’s revolutionary nymphing techniques, along with the highly specialized and detailed flies he creates to fool selective trout, have made him a household name — at least in those households that can pronounce his name.

“His nymphing technique is extremely useful and it’s a functional method of fishing that works here just as well as it does over there,” Buchner said.

Although only a relative creelful of anglers know of Trzebunia, it seems any who’s ever cast a fly rod or even thought about it is familiar with Dennis.

Perhaps best known for his instructive and popular fly-tying manuals, “Western Trout Fly Tying, Volumes I and II,” the Wyoming native began his professional fishing career when he sold his first fly at the age of 12. By 14 Dennis was guiding other anglers and at 19 he had his own fishing shop in Jackson.

He also has produced 15 highly acclaimed fly-fishing videos, and his most recent book, “Tying Flies with Jack Dennis and Friends,” has become a best seller.

He’s fished with actors, politicians and astronauts, and somehow found time to found the Jackson Hole International One Fly competition, which some view as the sport’s premier event.

Still, Dennis says his true love is teaching youngsters about fly fishing.

“As I get older in life, I’ve pretty much planned I want to keep teaching until the end,” Dennis told Willy Zimmer in an interview for the Casper Star-Tribune newspaper. “I love teaching these kids.”

He also loves teaching adults, and the on-water lessons he’s teaching March 30 with Trzebunia still might have openings, said expo co-director Pat Oglesby.

Everything during the long weekend is free, except the on-water clinics and the Saturday night banquet featuring Dennis and his presentation, “Worth of A Trout.”

For more information on the clinic, or to purchase tickets to the banquet, call Pat and Carol Oglesby (434-3912 or e-mail at pcoglesby@bresnan.met) or call Steve McCall (434-8172 or e-mail at srmccall@earthlink.net.)