Winners - 2026 Pacific Fly Fishers Fly Tying Contest
The 2026 Pacific Fly Fishers Fly Tying Challenge has concluded, showcasing an impressive array of creativity and skill from numerous talented fly tyers. We received dozens of entries, each demonstrating innovative techniques and artistic flair in the use of the required materials for the contest.
The required materials were:
We sincerely thank all participants for dedicating their time and effort to this year’s event. The variety of designs and the impressive level of fly tying skill were truly outstanding, making the judging process really fun yet challenging for us.
Our panel of Pacific Fly Fishers staff members evaluated each entry using the following criteria to determine this year’s winners:
- Significance of mandatory materials in the fly design
- Creativity of use of mandatory materials
- Demonstration of general fly tying skills
- Usefulness of the fly in an actual fly fishing situation on the water
Each entry showcased the skill and imagination of the tyers, and we enjoyed connecting with those who dropped off their flies in person. Reading through the entry forms was equally rewarding, giving us insight into the ideas behind each fly and how the required materials were thoughtfully incorporated into its design.
Thank you once again to all who participated in the 2026 Pacific Fly Fishers Fly Tying Challenge!
WINNERS
First Place - Darin Conner
Congratulations to Darin Conner for capturing first place and a $500 Gift Certificate to our web catalog for his submission of, The Rifter. This caddis pupa pattern showed an impressive amount of fly tying skill and creative use of the required materials. Our favorite feature of The Rifter was the use of Senyo's Shadow Fiber in two different colors for the pupa's abdomen. Using both green and brown strands, Darin then coated the abdomen with Loon UV resin and the result is a super realistic, three-dimensional appearance which seems like it will do a great job of imitating the gas-filled abdomen of a natural ascending caddis pupa.
Darin used the Grizzly Marabou for the wing buds and the Holographic Tinsel on the wingcase of The Rifter. The thorax was dubbed using a mix of Gray Squirrel Tail underfur and guard hairs plus tan and olive Grizzly Marabou.
The Rifter demonstrates a creative use of the materials for sure and, as you can see by the photo, the fly tying skill is top notch! Congratulations again, Darin!
Second Place - Cory Dronen
Last year's winner, Cory Dronen, submitted the Wild Bill and keeps his winning streak rolling along. Cory took second place and was awarded the prize of a $250 Gift Certificate to our web catalog. Great job again, Cory!
Wild Bill is a beautiful articulated trout streamer with a total length of 3.5-inches. Cory took high marks for his nearly exclusive use of the required materials. On top of that, he can obviously knock out some seriously awesome flies.
Cory wrote about the Wild Bill, "This fly imitates a juvenile whitefish. Sparsely tied and unweighted. The squirrel tail is similar to bucktail at the tip section as it has a very limited flare".
The Wild Bill uses the Holographic Tinsel on the hook shanks in addition to being used with Senyo's Shadow Fiber along the fly's flanks for some flash and movement. The body segments are composed of layers of Grizzly Marabou and Gray Squirrel Tail, meticulously placed along the top and bottom of the fly. This fly is going to swing and swim like a dream. Very nice work!
Honorable Mention - David Sheppard
David Sheppard submitted the very creative and interesting Breach the Damsel. At first glance, we questioned the use of Grizzly Marabou for the wings since it will absorb water and sink the fly. Then, we realized Breach the Damsel uses foam eyes to keep the fly floating on the surface. It is hard to tell they are foam boobie eyes but David very carefully wrapped them with olive Holographic Tinsel. The tinsel is threaded and looped through the eyes and produces a very buggy, super cool appearance!
Breach the Damsel uses the prerequisite Gray Squirrel Tail (dyed blue) for the extended body. Senyo's Shadow Fiber is incorporated into the Grizzly Marabou wings. David mentions using the fly for both trout and bass and we can certainly see how the fly, sitting low in surface film, will get some attention from both! Super creative, fun to judge fly. Thanks for the submission, David!
Honorable Mention - Curt Noggle
The Purple Reign was submitted by Curt Noggle and is a beautiful steelhead fly incorporating a very cool, blue ribbing of Holographic Tinsel over a purple floss and dubbing body. The wing is constructed of Senyo's Shadow Fiber with an overwing of natural Gray Squirrel Tail. Natural Grizzly Marabou is used for the collar and is certain to provide a pulsing, breathing motion the the Purple Reign in the water.
Being located here in the Pacific Northwest, we're no stranger to steelhead flies and the Purple Reign would certainly be welcome on the end our lines. Nice work, Curt, and thank you for your great submission to our fly tying contest.
Thank you
Thank you again for so many great fly submissions from our customers! That's a wrap for the 2026 Fly Tying Contest. Keep an eye out for next year's contest, which will be announced on our newsletter around the beginning of December 2026.