Welcome To Thunder Valley
Fly & Wine 2013
May 3-4, 2013 in Bristol, Tennessee
The Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities at Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, hosts the inaugural Thunder Valley Fly & Wine, May 3-4, 2013, a charity showcase of Appalachian vineyards and blue ribbon waters.
Kick off the weekend Friday evening with a mouth-watering dinner and a live auction at Bristol Motor Speedway. Saturday, local and national vendors exhibit the latest in fly fishing gear. Experience expos, hands-on demos, competitions, nationally recognized speakers, and special events for the youngest fishing enthusiasts.
Taste the wonders of local vineyards that will display and sample wines from Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia.
Learn the art of casting and fly tying from experts Bob Clouser, Jeffrey Cardenas, Blane Chocklett and Beau Beasley. Come enjoy a memorable weekend of recreation, education and relaxation, all for the benefit of children in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Updates:
April 23, 2013
FOR KIDS ONLY
Who: Kids
What: Fly Kids 101 Expo
Where: Bristol Motor Speedway Hospitality Village
When: Saturday, May 4 (9 am – 6 pm)
How: Kids 12 and under enter and fish FREE
While the kids-at-heart are checking out vendors, exhibits or maybe attending an exclusive luncheon, actual kids, at-heart and otherwise, have the chance to participate in the Fly Kids 101 Expo. With trout fishing on the BMS property, courtesy of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Association, kids 12-and-under have a free chance to hook one of the most elusive of all game fish. Two two-hour sessions, Noon-2 pm and 4-6 pm allow kids to wet a line and catch a lunker.
Kids participating in the fishing program must supply their own gear: rods, reels, bait, etc., and all trout landed during these program times must be catch-and-release and are not to be consumed.
Speaking of bait, what kid doesn’t like bugs? Bugs, bugs and more, well … bugs will be the topic of clinics for kids on the various types of aquatic insects especially which ones fish like for breakfast, or lunch or supper. Classes are from 10 a.m. – noon and from 2-4 pm.
In addition to the fishing sessions and bugging out, two clinics for the youngsters on the skills of fly casting occur as well as seminars on water and fishing safety. All discussions are scheduled from 10 am – noon and again from 2-4 pm.
There are games, crafts, and other activities – maybe even a visit from BMS/D mascots Bump and Run — as well. All of this is in the Kids’ Expo section in the Bristol Motor Speedway Hospitality Village, at the edge of Beaver Creek between Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway.
Children seven and under need to be accompanied by an adult.
April 17, 2013
Inaugural Thunder Valley Fly and Wine Art Revealed
Anyone looking for a classical touch to his man cave or the just-right decorative addition to that fishing cabin, local photographer Tom Raymond has created a limited edition poster commemorating the inaugural Thunder Valley Fly & Wine event for the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.
Entitled “Early Morning on the Watauga,” the print highlights the incredible beauty of a fly fisherman taking in the surrounding scenery while knee deep in the flowing, blue-ribbon waters of the Watauga River.
The framed original print is to be sold at the auction portion of the Thunder Valley Fly & Wine dinner Friday, May 3. Posters are available during the May 4 expo in the Bristol Motor Speedway Hospitality area or by contacting Speedway Children’s Charities Manager, Betsy Holleman at betsy@bristolmotorspeedway.com.
Raymond is owner of Fresh Air Photo, a commercial studio in Johnson City, Tenn., and a board trustee of the Bristol Chapter of the Speedway Children’s Charities.
More information on events and ticket pricing is found at http://www.tvflyandwine.org.
All proceeds benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of children’s lives in the region. To date, in excess of $7 million has been raised for children’s agencies in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Masters of Casters
Beau Beasley (www.beaubeasley.com) is an outdoor investigative journalist whose work has appeared in Fly Fisherman, American Angler, Eastern Fly Fishing, and other national fly fishing magazines. Most recently he has tackled menhaden management and public access to and use of public waterways. His class “Who Owns the River?” based on his in-depth investigation into the latest Jackson River lawsuit, is extremely popular with sportsmen, landowners, and state game agencies. Beau is the author of Fly Fishing Virginia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters and Fly Fishing the Mid-Atlantic: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters. His next book is scheduled for releases in late 2013.
From his home in Key West, Florida, Jeffrey Cardenas has built an international reputation as an author, TV personality, world-class angler and salt water guide. He was voted “Guide of the Year” by Fly Fisherman magazine and his client list includes such luminaries as Jimmy Buffett and Jack Nicklaus. He is also the founder of The Saltwater Angler, one of the country’s premier technical fly shops. A holder of multiple world records, Jeffrey will present clinics on fighting big salt water species on the fly, as well as tips on the pursuit of bonefish, permit and tarpon.
Blane Chocklett is one of the South’s top freshwater guides, plying his trade principally on the James and the New rivers. He is also recognized as one of the best fly-tiers and originators in the country. His terrestrials and salt water minnow & squid flies are unmatched in the trade; his Gummy Minnow fly has accounted for more than a dozen IGFA world records. Blaine will tie and present at our Expo, and will also discuss Muskie fishing on the fly, an area where he has few equals. (www.newanglefishing.com)
Bob Clouser is the originator and developer of The Clouser Minnow, perhaps the best known fly in all of fly fishing. Tied in various sizes and colors the ‘Clouser’ has application in both fresh and salt water. Many world-class and famous fly anglers have said that if they only had one fly to fish, it would be Bob’s Clouser Minnow. Bob is also known as a highly sought after guide on the rivers of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Bob will spend time with us, instructing in the art of fly tying and also provide casting lessons. (www.clouserflyfishing.com)
