We like to start off every year with a great speaker, and this year is no exception. Kelly Galloup has spent over 30 years perfecting streamer fishing in all types of water, and is now considered by many to be the foremost authority on streamer fishing. Kelly has written two books: Modern Streamers for Trophy Trout, which was preceded by the insensitively named Cripples and Spinners. He has also released numerous DVDs on tying and fishing. Kelly has created more than 50 recognized fly patterns sold worldwide, and designs rods for St. Croix and lines for Scientific Anglers.

Kelly started his fly fishing career at the age of 13, tying flies for the local tackle shop in Traverse City, Michigan. Becoming a registered outfitter at the age of 16 allowed him to start guiding professionally on local rivers such as the Manistee and the Boardman. He later owned the Troutsman Fly Shop in Northern Michigan for 20 years, eventually selling it in 2000 to move to Montana where he and his wife Penny bought the famous Slide Inn Lodge on the banks of the Madison River. You can find out more about Kelly and his program at his website, www.slideinn.com.

You can catch Kelly as one of the hosts of Fly Fish TV on Versus, the cable/satellite channel formerly known as the Outdoor Life Network. Kelly has been published in nearly every major fly fishing periodical in the country and is one of the Editors-at-Large for Fly Fisherman magazine. Kelly is a recipient of the Charles E. Brooks Memorial Life Award from the FFF.

Kelly Galloup is sure to bring a large crowd to our January meeting. Join us Thursday evening, January 12th, at 7:30 p.m. at the San Marino Masonic Lodge, 3130 Huntington Drive, San Marino.

Seymour Singer