The 2021 Missouri Trout Fisherman’s Association’s Expo was a success this year after having to been cancelled last year due to Covid19. Unfortunately, because of the outbreak of Covid19 in southwestern Missouri, the Expo was lightly attended. Forty fly tiers were scheduled to participate but only twenty showed up for the Expo. BUT that did not stop the FATC from attending (and taking over the Expo).

John Muckerman, Steve Baker, Jim Craig, and Kenny Klimes represented the FATC  with their tying skills and their “schmoozing” the crowds that attended the three-day Expo. The guys promoted the FATC with their FATC “sail flag” outside the building that attendees could not miss. Followed by our new FATC banner (thank you, Pete Drochelman and Mike Bisaga) which sat behind our tying tables. These were a big draw and brought many people to our tables to ask about the FATC. The local FOX news station had your FATC on TV Thursday night of the Expo. John did a great job of being interviewed by the reporters. We were a big hit and John may get a news reporter job soon!

Each of us had a fly or two to tie for the Expo. And the attendees sat and watched us perform. We made many friendships with the attendees and the other tiers. There were also raffle and auction items throughout the Expo. There was even a $1200 rod and reel combo for raffle – wow. And no, we tried but did not win it. Barney Fife from Mayberry even visited us. The kids there did not care to get their picture with Barney, but the adults did – “who’s Barney Fife?”  He even showed us his bullet, unfortunately his gun was getting cleaned.

We also had free lodging provided by a friend of the FATC. Thank you, John, for cooking our dinners and breakfasts. It was another fun trip – we did not fish but could have – we will save that for next year.