Andrew "Drew" Chicone (born 1979) is an American author, saltwaterfly designer, fly fisherman and fly casting instructor.[1] He writes books and magazine articles demonstrating how to tie saltwater fly patterns, primarily focused on warm-water fish and fly fishing from standup paddleboards.[2]
Chicone grew up in upstateNew York, where he learned how to tie flies at the age of six from his parents.; the first fish he caught with a fly he tied was a Landlocked Salmon.[3][4] He graduated with aBachelor of Science degree in business fromHartrwick College in 2001.
Sanibel Cannibal saltwater fly pattern fromFeather Brain
Chicone started his fly tying business in 2008, followed by publishing a monthly email newsletter in 2012 with the desire to "spread the word about new or unique materials, techniques and patterns."
He is a contributing writer forPatagonia, and is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.[5] A number of his articles with his patterns and fly tying instructions have appeared in fishing and fly tying magazines includingUSA Today Hunt & Fish,[6]Fly Tyer,[7]Fly Life Magazine[8] andSalt Water Sportsman[9] as well as smaller fly fishing and fly tying magazines. He has appeared onESPN 99.3 Reel Talk Radio[10] and was profiled inFly Tyer Magazine, which called him ed the "reigning king of fly tying methodology".[8][11]
In 2013,Stackpole Books published his first book,Feather Brain: Developing, Testing, and Improving Saltwater Fly Patterns, which provides step-by-step instructions and photos for tying 14 flies that he designed. The book received endorsements from industry peersJonny King and the late Eric Leiser.
Chicone's largest book,Top Saltwater Flies (Wild River Press),consists of a species-specific book for each of bonefish, permit and tarpon. The work is nearly 900 pages, reportedly the largest book written on the topic of fly tying.[12]
Most of his later books are self-published species-specific guides with instructions and photographs for tying fly designs created by Chicone and other designers or professional fly fishermen, sometimes combined with interviews with the original creator.[2]
Chicone's theory for creating effective fly designs revolves around his study of baitfish habits and movements through the water, that he attempts to replicate in his designs. Some peers regard his approach to fly design and tying methods as unique.[1][13] Some of his designs have been regarded as effective by peers, won industry awards[14][15][16] and included in books by other authors.[17][18][19]
Chicone is or has been on many pro teams including Dyna-King, Nautilus, Hardy, Whiting Farms, Daiichi, Mustad, and Loon.[5] He's sponsored by Patagonia, CTS Fishing, Dyna-King, and Airflo.[citation needed]
Chicone is an ambassador for theAmerican Museum of Fly Fishing, a member of the Tarpon and Bonefish Trust, and plays an active role in the preservation of local fisheries.[20][21]
He has also invented materials and tools for fly tying which are sold by Hareline Dubbin. Some of Chicone's fly patterns which have been commercially tied and sold byOrvis & Umpqua Feather Merchants.[citation needed] He works as a fly casting instructor and has been credited with a casting method called the misdirection cast.[22]
