News
We wish all fly fishers and fly fisher women a happy Easter and a relaxing holiday!
20 years EWF - a successful celebration!
14 days after the 20th EWF, we have now dismantled everything, filled the storage again and sorted all the materials for the next EWF. We look back on the two days of the EWF satisfied, happy and refreshed.
Exhibitors, participants and visitors travelled from over 25 countries to celebrate 20 years of the Experience the World of Fly Fishing with us! The atmosphere was sensational and we were able to celebrate our anniversary with almost 2700 visitors over two days.
We would like to thank all exhibitors and participants, supporters of the children's, women's and beginners' programmes and the team from the Fürstenfeld Event Forum for their fabulous contribution to our anniversary.
The feedback, the many photos, the small gifts and the compliments that our EWF team and we received make us very happy! Thank you very much for that!
We wish you a good fishing season and look forward to seeing you again on 18 and 19 April 2026 for the 21st EWF.
Best wishes from the EWF organisers
Robert and Michaela Stroh, Armin and Nicole Pijawetz
A great loss - Hilmar Thor Jonsson, called Himmi, has left us much too soon!
After a long, serious illness, a great member and close friend of our fly fishing community has passed away. He lived for fly fishing, was a guide, instructor and always brought young and old to fly fishing with enthusiasm. His heart was always in the right place and he had a great sense of humour.
Born and raised in Reykjavik, Iceland, he travelled widely through fly fishing and had friends all over the world.
He has been supporting the casting programme for children and young people since 2009 at the EWF. He always shared, with his fly fishing colleagues, about the most beautiful hobby. Each year, when he arrived at the EWF, he enjoyed the atmosphere and the friends over a Bavarian snack and a Weißbier.
Dear Himmi, you left us far too soon, we will always remember you, we will miss you very much!
We will fish again together on the other side of the stream.
Winners of the 18th German Open Fly-Tying Championship 2025! Congratulations!
Category: Dry Fly
1st Place - Arthur Mühling - Germany | 2nd Place - Karl Flick - Austria | 3rd Place - Jan Aben - Netherlands
Category: Streamer
1st Place - Miha Sternad - Switzerland| 2nd Place - Rainer Roth - Germany | 3rd Place - Jürgen Bartsch - Germ
Category: Realistic Fly
1st Place - Christian Kölle - Germany| 2nd Place - Manuel Chapa Martin - Spain | 3rd Place - Michael Wenzel - Germany
Many thanks to Ahrex, Renomed and Pro Sportfisher for the Sponsoring!
Update!! Unbelievable 108 entries from 13 countries for the 18th German Open Fly Tying Championship 2025 😊
With 108 entries, the 18th Open German Fly Tying Championship has reached its closing date! We are delighted that so many fly tiers have once again taken part and wish them every success when their flies are judged next Friday!
The jury 2025 is:
- Hans van Klinken - Netherlands
- Peter Kunz - Switzerland
- Nadica Stanceva - Macedonia
- Igor Stancev - Macedonia
The winners will be announced on Sunday 6 April at 12 noon. Everyone is cordially invited when Erwin Tibad and Aihan Sali-Oglou publicly honour the winners!
Huge Raffle for Salmon Conservation!
Prizes worth over 42,000 euros are up for grabs.
Take part in the raffle organised by the Atlantic Salmon Trust at the 20th EWF!
Every 5th ticket wins!
For just 20 euros you can win one of over 200 prizes including trips like Norway to Verdal worth 3500 euros, Bosnia for huchen fishing worth 3000 euros, Norway to Orkla worth 2500 euros, Scotland worth 2200 euros, Canada or Denmark worth 1000 euros each.
As well as many valuable prizes such as splitcane rods, single and double handed rods, reels, lines, wading jackets and much, much more.
Please click on the brochure to see the marvellous prizes from the numerous sponsors:
All proceeds will be donated:
91 entries from 13 countries for the 18th German Open Fly Tying Championship 2025 😊
With 91 entries, the 18th Open German Fly Tying Championship has reached its closing date! We are delighted that so many fly tiers have once again taken part and wish them every success when their flies are judged next Friday!
The jury 2025 is:
- Hans van Klinken - Netherlands
- Peter Kunz - Switzerland
- Nadica Stanceva - Macedonia
- Igor Stancev - Macedonia
The winners will be announced on Sunday 6 April at 12 noon. Everyone is cordially invited when Erwin Tibad and Aihan Sali-Oglou publicly honour the winners!
Our friend and fly-fishing colleague Moritz will once again be at the EWF this year with his stand in the Stadtsaal Innenhof and will spoil us with his pizza.
Nobody has to stay hungry, because there are also two beer gardens to linger in, one in the inner courtyard and one by the casting pools.
Extensive youth programme at the 20th EWF.
All children and young people who take part in the ‘Birthday fly’ competition are cordially invited to the award ceremony on 6 April 2025 at 3 pm!
As every year, there are great prizes to be won.
The Patagonia Worn Wear Tour at the EWF!
The Patagonia Worn Wear team is back at the EWF! Get your outdoor garments repaired for free and pick up useful tips on care and easy fixes you can do at home or in the wild.
The crème-de-la-crème of casting professionals, including world champions and medal winners, will be coming to the casting pool at the 20th EWF on 5 and 6 April.
The casting demos will be accompanied by our casting coordinator, Juergen Friesenhahn, who will moderate the demonstrations and translate the English-language performances into German at the same time!
Who is there?
Sweden: Tellis Katsogiannos
Germany: Thomas Urbig
Switzerland: Paolo Rezzonico -- Simone Cometti -- Peter Kunz
Netherlands: Rudy van Duijnhoven
Austria: Christof Menz -- Roman Moser
Norway: Mathias Lilleheim
Spain: Aitor Coteron
Japan: Tomo Ijuin
UK: Charles Jardine
Denmark: Klaus Frimor
On this specific occasion, we would like to point out once again - Important information!
The best fly tyers from an incredible 14 countries will be attending the 20th EWF to show visitors their tying techniques and share tips and tricks!
Austria: Heinz Zöldi -- Roman Moser -- Franz-Xaver Ortner
Germany: Georg Christl -- Michael Neitzel -- Werner Steinsdorfer -- Jürgen Baum -- Gerd-Peter Wieditz -- Sacha Pütz -- Hartmut Duchrow -- Peter Joest -- Adrian Hauser -- Horst Burgstaller -- Adrian Bontza -- Rainer Roth -- Rudi Wiestermayer -- Alois Trübner -- Erwin Tibad
UK: Ken Middlemist -- Caroline Emmet -- Chris Reeves -- Charles Jardine -- Barry Ord Clarke (UK-Norwegen)
Norway: Thomas Knutsen
Slovenia: Luka Jezovsek -- Dusan Dolinar
Mazedonia: Igor and Nadica Stancev
Italy: Fabio Federighi -- Cosimo Raia
Netherlands: Bart Reitsma -- Hans van Klinken -- Jan de Haas -- Peter Elberse
Switzerland: Franco Cicerone -- Daniela Misteli -- Cristian Ottonetti
Spain: Javier Pena
Sweden: Robert Hansson -- Anders Stahl
Iceland: Ivar Örn Hauksson -- Baldur Hermansson
Bulgaria: Konstantin Karagyozov
USA: Erin Hyde – shetiesflies
Are you travelling by motorhome? This year we are again receiving new enquiries about where to park near the EWF ...
There are beautiful, equipped car parks for motorhomes not far from the EWF site... please use them.
Important note to all:
If you are visiting the EWF, please park your motorhome in the marked car parks and not across!
Our EWF team reserves the right to ask you to re-park.
Further information:
https://www.fuerstenfeldbruck.de/ffb/web.nsf/id/pa_wohnmobil.html
Would you like to improve your two-handed casting?
Then come to Tom Brown's Casting Clinic at Casting Pool 2.
He is a master with the two-handed rod and teaches his participants with enthusiasm and didactic skill.
Beginners with the two-handed rod are also very well advised by him. Here he supports Ramona in the beginners' workshops.
Ali and Cara Hutchens will be back at the EWF to present their Scottish travel agency for fishing and hunting trips.
Ali will also be tying his marvellous Spey flies. Visit the friendly couple at their stand on the ground floor of the Tenne.
A big thank you to them for one of the main prizes ‘A week's stay in a Scottish lodge including fishing’ for the ‘Protecting Wild Salmon’ raffle.
Meet one of the founders of Glücksmomente e.V. at the EWF!
For years, Mrs Nusser and Mrs Schmid have been working with their colleagues to bring joy to seriously ill children and young people and also to relieve their parents during a difficult time.
Mrs Nusser will report on her extraordinary work at the EWF on Saturday.
In addition to the sale of the donated fly fishing products, 2 euros per ticket sold from the ‘Protection of wild salmon’ raffle will also go to the ‘Glücksmomente’.
We have reserved the central stand for the Glücksmomente directly at the staircase on the upper floor of the Tenne!
Help us give Atlantic salmon a future - grand raffle / tombola for ‘Protecting Wild Salmon’ at the 20th EWF.
To mark the successful launch of the Wild Salmon Without Borders campaign in 2024 and the Wild Salmon Connections symposium in January 2025, the Atlantic Salmon Trust is returning to the EWF to report on the results and actions taken over the past year to protect wild Atlantic and Pacific salmon and to present the next steps.
In order to continue to support the projects of the Atlantic Salmon Trust and its partner organisations, we will be organising a large raffle / tombola (already 200 prizes!) at the EWF with the Atlantic Salmon Trust with an immediate prize draw with great prizes.
The raffle tickets will be sold for 20 euros each, of which 2 euros will also go to Glücksmomente e.V., which supports children and young people with serious illnesses.
The raffle tickets will be sold from 5 to 6 April 2025 until 17:00.
Each sponsor will be publicised, both on the stand and in a tombola brochure, which will be available to everyone in the media shortly.
90% of all proceeds from the raffle / tombola will go to the Atlantic Salmon Trust and 10% to Glücksmomente e.V..
The EWF, the Atlantic Salmon Trust and Glücksmomente e.V. would like to thank all generous donors!
Experience area at the 20th EWF:
Outdoor and Trekking Adventures with Fly Fishing!
The exhibition shows how the tranquillity and challenges of fly fishing can be combined with the joy of outdoor adventures. Equipment, tackle and clothing will be on display in this experience area. Visitors can find out about the best equipment for camping, long hikes and fly fishing in extreme environments. Come to the Stadtsaal and find out more in the experience area!
SIM Suisse is offering free mini-courses at the 20th EWF to familiarise yourself with the Italian Casting Style or to deepen your knowledge of it.
You can get a first insight into the Italian Casting Style during the casting demo by Paolo Rezzonico and Simone Commetti and later pick up a fly rod and try it out yourself.
In addition to Paolo and Simone, several instructors, including Malik Mazbouri, are looking forward to welcoming many interested beginners and advanced fly fisher at their stand in the Stadtsaal or at their casting area.
Listen to a wonderful talk about Patagonia on both days of the EWF!
Fly Fishing in Patagonia: Exploring Trevelin and Its Iconic Waters
Nestled in the heart of Argentine Patagonia, near the Chilean border, Trevelin is a true gem of the region’s wild west. This presentation will explore its world-class fly fishing opportunities, focusing on the pristine waters of Los Alerces National Park and the Río Pico basin. Learn what makes these rivers unique, the stunning landscapes that surround them, and why Trevelin is a must-visit destination for fly fishers worldwide.
Photos by Karim Jodor
Only 16 days left until the deadline for the 18th German Open Fly Tying Championship!
Dear fly tiers and fly fishers,
The German Open Fly Tying Championship 2025 is on the home straight. Only 16 days separate us from 28 March, the deadline for this year's fly tying championship. You still have a little time to decide in which category you would like to participate, or even in all three.
For the dry fly category, the world-famous ‘Klinkhåmer Special’ has long been announced as a compulsory pattern. Hans van Klinken has led the way. Now it's your turn. The fly is a great emerger.
The second fly in the dry fly category should be a pattern of your choice from the insect world. You have complete freedom, there are no limits to your imagination, just like in the other two categories streamer and realistic fly.
Time is running out! Have fun tying and good luck.
The organisation and coordination team
He was the first to know what the EWF was all about!
Gerd-Peter Wieditz from Germany was at the very first meeting in 2005 when the first EWF was planned.
To this day, more than 20 years later, he is still an important source of ideas, sparring partner and closest friend!
In addition, everyone knows him as a fly tyer, rod maker, book author, collector and always open to new ideas and exciting conversations. We are delighted that Gerd-Peter will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the EWF with us this year on 5 and 6 April. Come to his tying table in the Tenne and be inspired by the Bavarian fly patterns he ties, which are up to 500 years old.
Two places left - after a cancellation -
The 17th double-handed course - the Highlight after the EWF 2025
Directly after the EWF 2025, the annual double-handed course will take place for the 17th time.
This year, the course will once again take place with the two instructors Tom Brown from Scotland and Thomas Urbig from Germany!
Date: Monday, 7 April and Tuesday, 8 April 2025
More information about the Double-Handed Course...
The casting programme is online - on both days of the 20th EWF, world-class casters will demonstrate various casting techniques and reveal tips and tricks in a refreshing and amusing way.
The entire programme will be hosted by our casting coordinator Juergen Friesenhahn, an exceptional talent when it comes to fly fishing and as a drummer and entertainer.
You can look forward to an exciting and entertaining casting programme at the anniversary event!
You will find here the casting programme ....
Cheers to women, thanks to all mothers, daughters, colleagues, friends and fly fisherwomen. All the best for the International Women's Day! 😊
We are delighted that more and more women are becoming enthusiastic about fly fishing every year. Today we would like to say a special thank you to Ramona Hani, who took over the EWF's women's programme three years ago and is actively expanding it. And not only at the EWF, but also as Fishing Ladies in Austria!
Who is behind shetiesflies 😊!
Two very talented young people, one ties, the other films and both go fishing. We are delighted that Erin Hyde and Alex Burnett have accepted our invitation and will be travelling to Germany from Tampa, Florida, on 5 and 6 April to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the EWF. You can meet Erin and Alex at the Atlantic Salmon Trust stand.
Wild Salmon Connections!
Dogs are allowed at the EWF!
Dear EWF visitors, thank you for your kind enquiries about bringing your dogs to the 20th EWF on 5 and 6 April!
We are happy for you to bring your dogs, but please keep them on a lead both inside and outside.
Thank you very much and we look forward to your visit!
Photos: Visitors of the last EWF events 😊
EWF Whisky for the 20th anniversary of the EWF 2025!
- Treat yourself to a special drop! -
Dear friends of the EWF and of fine taste,
Again this year, a limited edition of EWF whisky will be offered on the occasion of the Experience the World of Fly Fishing!
Find out which whisky will be served and who tied the fly ...
The time has come, the exhibitor list 2025 is online!
We are looking forward to a great, exciting and joyful anniversary of the EWF!
Unfortunately, we were not able to fulfil all wishes and give interested parties a stand space this year either, as we are fully booked!
Here is the exhibitor's list ....
Announcement - Film presentation - on both days of the 20th EWF we will have the opportunity to watch the wonderful documentary film ‘Emerald Paradise - Fly-Fishing in the Soča Valley’ by Laurens Bubendorfer!
The film will show:
“A declaration of love to the Soča River and the story of saving a species”
In Slovenia, in the southeast of Europe, in the heart of the raw and mostly untouched nature of the Triglav National Park, is the source of one of world’s most beautiful rivers, the Soča River. After only 140 kilometers, it flows into the Adriatic Sea in Italy, where its name is Isonzo. Its turquoise-colored waters and tributaries are home to a very special trout species, the marble trout (Salmo marmoratus). This species was threatened by extinction because of hybridization and survived thanks to extensive work of researchers, fish farmers and angling associations. (Laurens Bubendorfer)
Unfortunately Stuart Hardy has to cancel his participation with his impressive Kelson collection!
He wrote us the following information, which makes us sad, but we can understand very well:
I am very sad to say that unfortunately, I have decided not to participate at two of the best Fly Tying shows in the World this year. The EWF Special Anniversary, and the amazing Irish Fly Fair. As my collection is of such historical importance now - I have to take responsibility for its safe keeping for the benefit of the community and the future. So this year I have tried to make travel arrangements legally rather than just taking a chance like I have up until now. The complication of a Temporary Export licence and Cites means it is no longer feasible to move the items across borders without significant risk of seizure..it wasn't quite so bad prior to Brexit but now its super high risk. If these items were lost it would be a tragedy. So...to say I am gutted is an understatement..those of you who know me will know that my aspiration has always been to connect the collection with people physically....despite cost to myself. Now it seems it will only be in the UK...not even NI...that this will happen. So a huge apology to those people who were looking forward to seeing it again or for the first time...and to the organisers who I have let down on this occasion. Hopefully you all understand the circumstances...both shows will be outstanding regardless - and are not to be missed.
As one of the global players in the field of quality flies, tying materials and accessories, Fulling Mill is pleased to be sponsor of the 20th EWF.
We would like to thank Fulling Mill Ltd!
Last weekend we had the pleasure of meeting Babs Kijewski at the "Hohe Jagd und Fischerei" fair in Salzburg.
We had four days to talk about our favourite hobby in the world: angling or fishing and also fly fishing!
Babs has now agreed to come to the EWF, which we are very much looking forward to!
We are happy to announce that shetiesflies will be attending the 20th anniversary celebration of the EWF in Fürstenfeldbrück near Munich on 5 and 6 April.
Erin and Alex we are looking forward to your visit!
He has been coming to the EWF since 2009, this year for the 15th time - also an anniversary! But that's not all: Mark Surtees from the UK is an FFI Master Casting Instructor and leading instructor of the British Fly Casting Club.
His talent for teaching is particularly noteworthy. He lives his motto of having fun and enjoying casting and fly fishing 100% and always manages to pass this on to his participants in a convincing manner.
We are very happy to have Mark with us. You can meet him at the FFI stand in the outdoor area of the EWF at the casting pools and hone your casting skills with him.
NEW this year - the beginners' programme will be offered for the first time by Ramona Hani, co-founder of the Fishing Ladies of the Österreichische Fischereigesellschaft gegr. 1880 e.V., and instructors from the non-profit organisation “Fly Fishers International”.
More information about the beginner's programme ...
He has been tying salmon flies with great passion for over 35 years - he was a guest at the EWF for the first time 10 years ago.
To mark the anniversary, Anders Stahl will be returning from the far north of Sweden to tie his beautiful salmon flies at the EWF. We are looking forward to seeing him!
Learn from the Pros: World-class casters, including certified instructors and world champions, will show you how to perfect your casting technique and catch more fish!
List of the casters at the 20th EWF 2025...
In addition to tying classic salmon flies, making classic salmon fly hooks is of course also part of the EWF programme on 5 and 6 April - so we are delighted that Cosimo Raia from Italy has confirmed his participation.
This much we can already reveal - the talented artist will be on show with his fly hooks alongside Ken Middlemist, the original Hardy Company Fly Dresser, formerly of Alnwick.
Over 40 years of experience, fly fishing, casting and fly tying... he has often attended the EWF as a fly tyer, but for the 20th anniversary, Peter Kunz from Switzerland is focusing on a special topic!
Casting with splitcane rods - then and now!
In the last few weeks, he has built his first own splitcane rod with Philipp Sicher to learn about casting as well as material and development.
We are delighted with his holistic and exceptional approach and are sure that we can learn a lot from Peter.
Meet Peter at the EWF casting pool!
We are thrilled to offer an unforgettable experience as we dive into the artistry and precision of fly tying. Join us and see over 40 world-class fly tiers showcasing their talents!
Click here for the list of fly tiers ...
One of three special exhibitions at the 20th EWF:
Fly Fishing and Nature Conservation – Fishing Together in an Unspoiled Nature
This exhibition is organized by Fario e.V., which is passionately committed to the sustainable conservation of salmonid stocks and the reintroduction of salmon and sea trout in Brandenburg. They use visuals, sound, and exhibits to illustrate their ongoing commitment to restoring river sections, promoting biodiversity and strengthening the connection between fly fishers and nature. The association pursues the long-term goal of establishing and maintaining self-reproducing stocks in natural waters.
The fly fishing association Fario e.V., which has been a recognized environmental and nature conservation association since 2023, has received several awards for its work, including the “Le Prix Charles Ritz” and the title of “Water Improver” from the German Angling Association (DAFV). Together with the Brandenburg State Angling Association (LAVB), Fario e.V. was able to successfully promote the Stepenitz as “River Landscape of the Year 2024/2025” in order to raise awareness for the protection of this unique river landscape. The association's participation in the “Wild Salmon Without Borders” symposium at the 19th EWF 2024 was an initial prelude to its work. This year's special exhibition shows in detail the measures taken by Fario e.V. to restore Brandenburg's rivers as well as the construction and management of a hatchery.
Bart Reitsma from the Netherlands demonstrates very special tying techniques, such as twisting or hackling.
He can be found enthusiastically at exhibitions and club evenings, where he reveals tips and tricks to anyone who is interested.
The EWF has also taken Bart very much to its heart, so of course he can't be missed.
He has been to the EWF so many times ...
the first years as a visitor, then as a supporting fly tyer at an exhibitor stand, then as coordinator of the fly tying programme for children and young people, which he took over from Theo Atanassov, and finally for three years he was the contact person for beginners and newcomers to fly fishing!
This year you will meet him for the first time on the fly tying stage, because his streamers and shrimps are unique!
Who else could it be but our dear Rainer Roth from Germany!
Konstantin Karagyozov, winner of the German Open Fly Tying Championship, enthusiastic fly fisherman and fly tyer, will be representing the Bulgarian fly fishing fraction at the 20th edition.
Always cheerful and in a good mood, he welcomes interested visitors to his tying bench and is happy to show them one or two tying tricks and tips.
We look forward to his participation!
When people talk about fly tying, two names always come up:
Igor and Nadica Stancev from Macedonia!
Two wonderful people, winners of the big international fly tying competitions, authors of 9 fly tying books, jury members at the World Tuscany Open Fly Tying Competitions and the German Open Fly Tying Championships and and and
For 19 years they have been represented at the EWF with their little works of art, as they will be again this year for the 20th anniversary on 5 and 6 April.
You will find the two extremely talented binders together with their daughter in their usual place on the first floor of the Tenne.
The coordinators of the 18th Open German Fly Tying Championship 2025 report that numerous flies have already been submitted!
They are looking forward to many more entries!
A quick reminder for all those tying for the dry fly category: The Klinkhåmer Special by Hans van Klinken should be submitted! Read more ...
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ahrex and Renomed for once again supporting the championship with their sponsorship.
If you have any questions about the German Fly Tying Championship, please contact info(a)e-w-f.de
A call from Adrian Bontza to the fly tying community:
‘A fly for the anniversary’ - the motto of the 2025 fly tying championship
20 years of EWF, 20 years of fly fishing at the highest level and of course no less fly tying, brought to life almost 18 years ago by Gerd-Peter Wieditz. The organising team would be delighted if numerous flies were sent in for the tying championship this time too.
Dear fly fishermen and tyers from all over the world, think about how you can surprise the judges at this 20th EWF in the familiar fly categories. The insect world and your imagination are endless sources when it comes to fly tying.
You still have a few weeks left and as the saying goes: ‘Winter is long’. You can spend the evenings in front of the tying stick and be creative, because practice makes perfect. You never stop learning when it comes to fly fishing and tying, as the famous Sepp Prager always emphasised.
With this in mind, have fun tying and see you at the EWF 2025!
Your Adrian Bontza
We would like to welcome another Icelandic fly tyer to the fly tying stage - Baldur Hermannsson!
He has already been a guest at the EWF a few times and should not be missing at our 20th anniversary!
For the first time Ívar Örn Hauksson from Iceland will visit us and tie his typical Icelandic fly patterns at the 20th EWF!
We warmly welcome him to the EWF fly tying stage!
Dear youngsters - big or small - you are cordially invited to take part in the fly tying competition again this year! The EWF is 20 years old and the motto of this year's competition is ‘Tie a birthday fly’.
But anyone who simply wants to give fly tying a try is of course also very welcome.
The children's fly tying team is looking forward to seeing you!
You can find more information about the programme here ....
The women's programme ‘Women on the fly rod’ is also being offered for the 19th time!
With its long history, the women's programme is still a magnet for many well-known and new female fly fishermen. The fun casting competition, which was once launched by Glenda Powell, is still popular today. Even if the odd male fly fisherman turns up at Ramona's, it doesn't matter - on the contrary: everyone is welcome to chat to Ramona about the most beautiful hobby in the world and test the fly rods.
more about the woman's programme....
Fly Fishers International will be visiting us at the EWF for the 19th time!
Certified single- and double-handed fly casting instructors will be on hand to answer questions about casting techniques, flies, equipment and other topics. Take advantage of the offer and visit the FFI at its stand by the casting pools.
Read more about the details...
Simone Cometti from Switzerland, SIM Suisse instructor, will show his love for fly fishing and casting at the EWF for the first time.
On both days of the EWF Simone will be presenting the Italian casting technique at the casting pool together with his colleague Paolo.
We warmly welcome Simone and look forward to a taste of his casting!
He's coming to the 20th EWF - Ken Middlemist, the last living fly tyer from Alnwick (UK), is tying for our anniversary!
Ken Middlemist is the last living fly tyers who learnt and worked in the old Hardy company in Alnwick.
Many people know him from the film ‘The lost World of Mr Hardy’.
Ken ties his salmon flies without a vice, ‘by hand’ so to speak, and has many, many stories to tell.
A little tip :-) He makes a point of not being called a ‘fly tyer’ but a ‘fly dresser’!
He has fished all over the world, has been a passionate fly fisherman for many decades, is an FFI instructor, author of various articles, has translated books (e.g. by Gary Borger, Jason Borger) into Spanish and loves fishing for brown trout and grayling.
For the first time, Aitor Coterón from Spain will come to the casting pool of the 20th EWF and show us something about dry fly fishing downstream.
We warmly welcome him!
Another fly tying legend is visiting us for the 20th anniversary of the EWF! British-born Barry Ord Clarke, who has lived in Norway for 30 years, is a multiple book author, photographer, winner of several awards and has been honoured several times for his fantastic fly tying skills!
Barry Ord Clarke will be tying his patterns on both days of the EWF and will also have his books with him! Meet the master on the fly tying stage.
He was already on hand with help and advice during the planning of the first EWF. He helped to approach and attract exhibitors. He is always open to new ideas.
Werner Steinsdorfer from Germany, a veteran of fly fishing, fly tyer at the first EWF in 2006 and always a loyal friend!
We are glad to have had him with us for 20 years!
Daniela Mistela from Switzerland, always in a good mood and cheerful, will be tying at the 20th EWF at the Andino stand in the Tenne. There you can stock up on the right flies for your next fly fishing trip. Daniela is looking forward to your visit!
For the 2nd time he ‘presses the tying bench’ at the 20th EWF on 5 and 6 April 2025.
Michael Neitzel from Germany, known for his sensational dry flies, nymphs and realistic flies, will meet you on the fly tying stage in the Stadtsaal. He will be tying patterns that are ideal for fishing for trout and grayling in small/medium streams.
We warmly welcome him!
He has been involved in the EWF for 19 years in a wide variety of roles, whether as a caster or instructor, fly tyer, supporter of the women's, children's or beginners' programme, jury member of the German Open Championship in Fly Tying, filmmaker, photographer and author and, above all, as a friend!
Rudy van Duijnhoven from the Netherlands will be giving casting demonstrations at the 20th EWF and will be a silent observer of the wonderful highlights of the 20th anniversary!
Fly tyer of the first EWF hour - Sacha Pütz from Germany, who had already won the Ken Sawada tying competition in Japan as Grand Prix Winner in 2003, was already present at the 1st EWF in March 2006! Even then he was a magnet for visitors with his unique salmon fly patterns!
And now Sacha has also confirmed his participation in the 20th anniversary of the EWF. "I don't want to miss out on that! Of course I'll be there," he said to the enthusiastic EWF organisers.
He has been an EWF visitor from the very beginning, is a dedicated FFI instructor, whether single or double-handed, has just returned from the Spey Band Community Meeting, has attended each of the 16 EWF double-handed courses - sometimes as a trainee, often as a supporting instructor - and this year for the first time he will be giving demos on both days of the 20th EWF.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming our colleague Thomas Urbig from Germany.
All children and young people are invited to take part in the casting programme for the youth of the 20th EWF!
Young people are invited as soon as they can walk and hold a fly fishing rod - whether beginner or advanced, the EWF casting team is looking forward to seeing everyone!
The EWF casting team will be happy to take you to the 2nd casting pool to cast, test, practise and have lots of fun with the fly rod.
To register, please come to the Tenne for the casting programme for children and teenager!
We look forward to seeing you! Entry to the EWF is also free up to the age of 15!
More information about the casting programme for children and teenager ...
For the first time, the young Swede Robert Hansson will be visiting us at this year's EWF.
Known to us through his YouTube channel, we have invited him to tie his top flies for coastal sea trout fishing at the 20th EWF.
He is not only a fantastic fly tyer, but also an excellent caster and videographer.
You will meet Robert on the fly tying stage.
The 17th double-handed course - the Highlight after the EWF 2025
Directly after the EWF 2025, the annual double-handed course will take place for the 17th time.
This year, the course will once again take place with the two instructors Tom Brown from Scotland and Thomas Urbig from Germany!
Date: Monday, 7 April and Tuesday, 8 April 2025
More information about the Double-Handed Course...
A must at the casting pool of the 20th EWF:
Mathias Lilleheim from Norway, multiple gold medallist and product developer at ArcticSilver since 2019. Mathias will be bringing a very special topic to the pool for the 20th anniversary, as he will be presenting an excursus on the truths and myths of fly casting.
With more than 45 years of experience, his explanations and visualisations are based on the practical physics of fly casting.
We are looking forward to his always highly interesting and exciting demos!
He has been to fly fishing events all over Europe, but not yet to the EWF!
This will change at the 20th EWF - we are particularly pleased to welcome Jan de Haas from the Netherlands, who has been an enthusiastic fly fisherman and fly tyer for 30 years. You will meet Jan on both days on the fly tying stage in the Stadtsaal.
It will soon be 16 years since Juergen Friesenhahn took on the role of casting coordinator!
We welcome him back to the EWF casting pool on 5 and 6 April 2025, where he will support the individual casters with moderation and translation!
Again and again, he inspires the audience at the casting pool and accompanies the many different demos - because the internationally renowned casting professionals come from all over the world to show the EWF visitors their casting tricks and techniques and to offer an entertaining show with lots of fun, joy and passion for the most beautiful hobby in the world - Jürgen is always the likeable and competent presenter and commentator at their side.
He also has no problem taking the mickey out of himself, making the audience laugh and seeing fly fishing as one of the most beautiful leisure activities in the world that shouldn't always be taken "quite so seriously".
At the 20th EWF, we will once again be providing a stand for Glücksmomente e.V. on the upper floor of the Tenne!
Donated fly fishing products and accessories will be sold here and your donations will be gladly accepted in order to realise encouraging moments of happiness for seriously ill children and young people.
We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all the donors who made donations at the 19th EWF! 2,146.40 euros have already been collected there!
Winner of the ‘Dry Fly’ category of the 17th German Open Fly Tying Championship will tie his fly patterns at the 20th EWF! We warmly welcome Luka Jezovšek from Slovenia to the EWF fly tying stage on 5 and 6 April 2025!
We are delighted that he will be doing a casting demo again!
Klaus Frimor, the Loop rod and line designer from Denmark, will once again be at the casting pool at the 20th EWF to show visitors tips and tricks relating to the Scandinavian casting the Scandinavian casting style with his vivid and impressive demos on both days.
Howard Croston, Hardy Brand Business Manager from the UK, will visit the 20th EWF and give presentations on fly fishing for rainbow trout in small stillwaters. A former tournament fisherman, Howard has represented England at international level, winning more than 90 professional casting competitions. Howard later turned to competitive angling and has represented England 15 times to date. We are looking forward to his visit!
Fabio Federighi from Italy will be back at the EWF on 5 and 6 April 2025 after 10 years and will be celebrating the 20th anniversary with us - the always cheerful and likeable fly tyer will be showing his fantastic fly patterns on stage. We are very much looking forward to seeing him again!
Another prominent guest from the United Kingdom, Charles Jardine, will be at both the casting pool and the fly tying bench on 5 and 6 April 2025. We are particularly looking forward to his participation!
For the 20th anniversary of the EWF, Roman Moser will be our guest of honour!!
He has been shaping the world of fly fishing for more than half a century, has taught hundreds of fly fishing courses, founded his own fly fishing brand and was the first German-speaking fly fisherman to be inducted into the New York Fly Fishing Museum's Hall of Fame in 2009.
Roman will be at the EWF on 5 and 6 April 2025, both at the casting pool and at the fly tying table. We are happy about his participation!
And once again we have a visit from a Spanish fly tyer at the EWF. Javier Peña is travelling from Madrid to tie his wonderful fly patterns at the 20th EWF. His flies can already be found in the fly boxes of some European fly fishers and are fished worldwide.
We warmly welcome him!
The world champion in Spey Distance Casting and multiple medal winner Tellis Katsogiannos will visit the EWF for the first time on 5 and 6 April 2025!
As rod and line developer for Guideline you will meet him at the Guideline stand or at the casting pool, where he will show a casting demo on both days.
We warmly welcome him!
Today, 5 December, is the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, IVD!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Aihan Sali-Oglu, who has been actively supporting us at the EWF for years with the coordination and organisation of the charity stands, be it the Ambulance Childrens Hospice Munich and, after 10 years, now Glücksmomente e.V., and is always the main contact person for the EWF at these stands for two days! Many thanks for that!
The official poster and flyers for the 20th anniversary of the EWF have been finalised!
We look forward to your visit on 5 and 6 April 2025!
We would like to thank Jonas Schnürch for the wonderful, atmospheric picture!
Our friends, Caroline Emmet and Chris Reeves, are coming from the UK to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the EWF on 5 and 6 April 2025!
Meet Christof Menz from Austria at the EWF on 5 and 6 April 2025 !
18th Open German Fly Tying Championship
Next year the German Open Fly Tying Championship will take place for the 18th time, whereby the Klinkhåmer Special by Hans van Klinken needs to be tied in the dry fly category. Good luck! Read more ...
Many thanks to Amanda Hoffner for this wonderful review of the 19th EWF - a little appetiser for the upcoming 20th EWF, which we are currently working towards at full speed!
Our Austrian friends must be there too! Meet Franz-Xaver Ortner and Heinz Zöldi on the fly tying stage on 5 and 6 April 2025 at the EWF!
Rod designer and builder Tomo Ijuin from Japan will be visiting the EWF for the first time on 5 and 6 April 2025
Stuart Hardy with his impressive Kelson exhibition at the 20th EWF on 5 and 6 April 2025
After 10 years he will come back to the EWF on 5 and 6 April 2025 and present his new book ‘The Klink’ - Hans van Klinken from the Netherlands!
We are looking forward to his visit for our 20th anniversary!!
Read more about Hans van Klinken ...
After a short break, we have now started preparations for the 20th EWF, our anniversary event. Today we start with a short review of the 19th EWF.
Enjoy viewing the EWF photo galleries 2024!
We mourn the loss of Theo (Todor) Atanassov!
On 13 and 14 April 2024, Theo Atanassov visited the 19th EWF for two days despite his serious illness and was thus able to fulfil a heartfelt wish. Accompanied by his closest friends, he visited the EWF exhibitors, sat with all his long-time friends and was in the foyer of the Tenne, where he was actually still tying flies.
Now Theo Atanassov has closed his eyes forever on 4 July 2024 and the fly fishing world has lost a great fly fisherman and friend. For over five decades, he fished with enthusiasm all over the world, taught himself how to cast and tie, tied his fly artworks to absolute perfection and gave casting courses.
As a trained ship mechanic and later a professional musician, he had special fine motor skills that he knew how to use perfectly for his fly tying and rod making. He was a real tinkerer and always found a solution to produce his fly patterns and fly rods, various accessories and tying equipment etc. to a high quality.
After leaving Bulgaria in 1975, he chose Berlin as his new home, worked there as a car mechanic until his retirement and intensively pursued his passion for fly fishing in his free time.
Theo Atanassov attended many fly fishing fairs, fly fishing meetings and regulars' tables in Germany and abroad and was always happy to socialise with his fly fishing friends. Among other things, articles on his fly patterns were also published in various fly fishing magazines.
He was often invited to Bulgarian fly fishing meetings as a guest of honour and always enjoyed the Bulgarian fly fishing community.
Theo Atanassov launched the EWF fly tying programme for children and young people in 2007 and has coordinated it with great dedication every year since then. Back then, he started the fly tying programme with three children and was able to introduce up to 130 children to the passion and art of fly tying at times in the years that followed, before retiring from the children's programme completely in 2019. He was also a member of the jury at the Open German Fly Tying Championships four times. Theo was an integral part of the EWF team until the end.
Theo Atanassov will live on in the hearts of his fly fishing friends and we will all remember his anecdotes and stories, which he loved to tell in convivial company. We will miss you!
EWF Images in chronology from 2007 to 2024
Important appeal for the 19th EWF!!
The company Renomed - Scissors manufacture, asks all persons who bought Renomed products at the stand in the Stadtsaal at the EWF to get in touch with us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone +48-61-8685533
You are also welcome to contact us directly and we will pass on the contact details.
Thank you!
Please note: This is not a recall!
Wild Salmon Without Borders – energising international collaboration for the restoration of wild Atlantic salmon.
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The ‘Wild Salmon Without Borders’ event, part of this year's 19th International Experience the World of Fly Fishing (EWF) fly fishing show in Germany, took place over the weekend of April 13th and 14th and successfully brought together key individuals and organisations from across Europe to motivate a renewed focus on international collaboration for wild Atlantic salmon restoration. The Atlantic Salmon Trust, together with EWF show organisers, worked together to create and host the event. Expert speakers from all across Europe were brought together, including representatives from the Atlantic Salmon Trust, Missing Salmon Alliance, North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF), Norske Lakseelver, World Fish Migration Foundation, Fario e.V., Wanderfische ohne Grenzen e.V., Danmarks Centre For Vildlaks, and Patagonia.
This lineup of speakers ensured that wild Atlantic salmon representation came from a range of countries, including Iceland, Norway, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, Denmark, France, and Ireland, with speakers highlighting a variety of issues affecting wild Atlantic salmon. These included the dangers and risks posed by open net pen salmon farming, red skin disease, and barriers to migration. However the event sought not to dwell on the many problems facing wild Atlantic salmon, but to create a platform to offer positive solutions with which we can move forward. This included sharing habitat restoration case studies, successful barrier removal campaigns, the success story of the restoration of the River Skjern in Denmark, as well as how to successfully raise public awareness against unsustainable open pen salmon farming practices.
Several short films were shown at the event, aiming to highlight the cultural importance of wild Atlantic salmon. These included the French animated film ‘Salmo’ by Paul Pajot, British animated film ‘Wild Summon’ by Karni Arieli and Saul Freed which was nominated for a BAFTA and shortlisted for an Oscar, and Patagonia’s latest film ‘Laxaþjóð | A Salmon Nation’ which tells the story of growing opposition to open pen salmon farming in Iceland.
Through the newly forged international links and relationships between individuals and organisations across Europe, initial collaborations have already been planned. The aim of the symposium to promote greater cross-border co-operation and action for the recovery and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon stocks was achieved.
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Important information!
Dear fly fishermen,
An e-mail is currently circulating in which the participant contacts of the International Experience the World of Fly Fishing 2024 are being offered for sale. This has nothing to do with us as EWF! Be careful, this is NOT our business!
With kind regards,
EWF organisers
Winners of the 17th German Open Fly-Tying Championship 2024! Congratulations!
Category: Dry Fly
1st Place - Luka Jezovšek- - Slovenia| 2nd Place - Andrea Pegorin - Italy | 3rd Place - Enrico Reinert - Germany
Category: Streamer
1st Place - Robert Wolhorn - Germany| 2nd Place - Christian Kölle - Germany | 3rd Place - Miha Sternad - Switzerland
Category: Realistic Fly
1st Place - Manuel Chapa Martin - Spain| 2nd Place - Christian Kölle - Germany | 3rd Place - Charly Streif - Germany
Many thanks to Ahrex, Renomed and YETI for the Sponsoring!
Many thanks to the jury and the coordinators!
Read more about the winners and their flies...
Thank you very much for visiting us at the 19th EWF on 13 and 14 April 2024!
In bright sunshine, we were once again able to welcome many exhibitors and visitors from all over Europe and the world. The atmosphere was great and the programme was overwhelming. In the beer garden we met many cheerful fly fishermen with their friends over a beer and pretzels. The children's and youth programme with tying and casting was sensationally well attended. Despite the beautiful weather, more than 1000 visitors listened to the demonstrations. The women's programme was again a complete success.
We would like to thank the Atlantic Salmon Trust for choosing the EWF as the starting point for its salmon initiative "Wild Salmon Without Borders".
More than 2,000 euros were raised for our new charitable endeavour - supporting Glücksmomente e.V.. A big THANK YOU at this point too!
Thank you to the Veranstaltungsforum Fürstenfeld for their active support, so that the EWF could run so beautifully and perfectly.
We are grateful for the many gifts - culinary delicacies, fine wines, cakes, sparkling wine, fly fishing articles and beautiful souvenirs - that we received from visitors and exhibitors. THANK YOU!
The entire EWF team, some of whom have been with us for 19 years, wish you all the best and look forward to a healthy and happy reunion on 5 and 6 April 2025 - at the anniversary edition of the EWF!
Best wishes from the EWF organisers
Robert and Michaela Stroh, Armin and Nicole Pijawetz