Mike Valla

A nationally and internationally recognized fly tier, fly fisher and fly-fishing writer, Mike Valla has been fly-fishing and tying trout flies for over 55 years. Mike received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University where he studied Fisheries Biology and Natural Resources. He studied for four years at Georgetown University where he obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Now retired from the Medical/Dental staff at Glens Falls Hospital in the Adirondacks of New York, where he practiced public health dentistry for indigent children, Mike spends much of his time writing about fly fishing.

Mike has written numerous feature-length magazine articles for American Fly Fishing, Fly Fisherman, Fly Tyer and The American Fly Fisher. He has been an invited speaker locally, nationally and internationally. Mike is the 4th recipient of the prestigious Poul Jorgensen Golden Hook Award for his contributions to the art of fly tying. His books include Fly Fishing Guide to New York State, Favorite Flies for the Catskills, Tying Catskill-Style Dry Flies, The Founding Flies, Tying the Founding Flies, Tying and Fishing Bucktails and other Hairwings, The Classic Streamer Fly Box, The Classic Wet-Fly Box and, The Classic Dry Fly Box. He is a former member of the CFFCM Board of Directors.