Drew Chicone
Fly Fisher/Fly Tier/Author/Instructor
Drew Chicone is an author, award-winning outdoor writer and fly designer, photographer, lecturer, and materials expert, whose passion for teaching the art of fly tying has inspired numerous how-to articles, books, and detailed instructional guides. He has lived and breathed the sport since he was tall enough to sit at the vise, and his fly creations are well known and in high demand among saltwater anglers and guides across the globe.
Listen to Drew Chicone's Shows...
Top Saltwater Flies
Drew Chicone is one of the top saltwater fly tiers today. His innovative patterns and variations on old favorites catch fish and that's what it's all about. In his recent three volume set of fly tying books, Top Saltwater Flies, Drew provides his top patterns for bonefish, permit and tarpon. Join us to learn how Drew comes up with his designs and his specific techniques in tying flies that catch fish in the salt.
Saltwater Fly Pattern Development
Drew Chicone has developed and improved many saltwater fly patterns during his professional fly tying career. Learn how Drew approaches his fly design from both a creative and functional aspect. Join us on this podcast and learn about his techniques, materials and testing.
Drew has been a FFF Certified Casting Instructor and commercial fly tyer for more than a decade. He is a designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants and his patterns are sold in quality fly shops and have appeared in over 70 U.S. and international publications. He is the winner of the 2016 and 2017 International Fly Tackle Dealer Best in Show Saltwater Fly Pattern Award, as well as the 2014 I.F.T.D. Iron Fly.
At the beginning of 2018, Drew partnered with Wild River Press books to publish 3 new titles; Top Saltwater Flies - Bonefish, Top Saltwater Flies - Tarpon and Top Saltwater Flies - Permit. It’s the largest tying-instruction series on the subject ever published. The hardcover set is available for sale at www.topsaltwaterflies.com. Other Chicone titles include: Feather Brain: Developing, Testing, Improving Saltwater Fly Patterns (2013), Baby Tarpon Flies (2017), Redfish Flies (2014), Snook Flies (2013), Essential Bonefish Flies: Andros (2013) and Essential Permit Patterns (2013).
In addition to his ongoing work as an educator, Drew ties premium saltwater flies for sale through his company: Salty Fly Tying. He is the co-founder of Strip Strike University and frequently hosts destination schools and fishing adventures anywhere saltwater species swim. Drew is an Ambassador for the American Museum of Fly Fishing, Patagonia, G Loomis, Mustad Dyna-King, Bote Paddle Boards, Loon Outdoors, Whiting Farms, and holds pro staff positions for Nautilus Reels, Airflo as well as many other premium fly fishing manufacturers.
For more information about Drew, his latest works, and hosted trips, visit www.saltyflytying.com, or follow him @drchicone on Instagram. Chicone lives in Ft. Myers, Florida with his wife, Susan, and their daughter Lucy.