Drew Chicone

Drew Chicone (born 1979) is an American saltwater fly designer, fisherman, author, lecturer and certified casting instructor. Chicone writes books and magazine articles demonstrating how to tie saltwater fly patterns.

Early life

Drew Chicone grew up in upstate New York, where he learned from his parents how to tie flies at the age of six.

Career

Sanibel Cannibal saltwater fly pattern from Feather Brain

In 2013 Chicone published his first book, Feather Brain, which focuses on developing, testing, and improving saltwater fly patterns. The book provides step-by-step instructions and photos for tying 14 flies that he designed.

Within the next year he published Snook Flies and Redfish Flies. Both are species-specific guides that demonstrate fly tying patterns from Chicone and other designers.

Chicone co-founded Strip Strike University where he currently works as a fly tying and fly casting instructor.

In addition to writing and teaching, Chicone operates a website where he sells fly tying materials and books.

Family

Chicone lives in Fort Myers, Florida with his wife and daughter.

Books

Feather Brain: Developing, Testing, and Improving Saltwater Fly Patterns

• 2014: Redfish Flies: Eight Effective Patterns for Catching Redfish, ISBN 978-1500481889
• 2013: Snook Flies: 8 Proven Patterns For Catching Snook From The Beach, ISBN 978-1493614189
• 2013: Feather Brain: Developing, Testing, & Improving Saltwater Fly Patterns, ISBN 978-0811711968
• 2013: Essential Permit Patterns, ISBN 978-1491075753
• 2013: Essential Bonefish Flies, ISBN 978-1484014844

Magazine articles

• 2015: “Hair of the Dog.” Fly Tyer. Summer 2015. Vol. 21 no. 3. pp. 32-39.
• 2014: “Consider the Crab.” The Drake Magazine. Fall 2014.

Online articles

• 2015: "Hawaiian Challenge". Patagonia.com. May 15, 2015.
• 2015: "M.I.A. Anchovy". SouthernCultureOnTheFly.com. Fall 2015. p. 54.
• 2014: "Disco Shrimp". SouthernCultureOnTheFly.com. Summer 2014. p. 60.

• 2016: Winner of the 2016 AFFTA (American Fly Fishing Trade Association) New Product Showcase Award, Saltwater Fly Pattern, "Contraband Crab".
• 2014: Winner of the 2014 IFTD (International Fly Tackle Dealer Show) Iron Fly competition.
• 2014: 3rd Place in Outdoor Writer’s Association of America 2014 Excellence in Craft Contest, Magazine/E-zine Contest, Fishing Category, "Spoon Fed". Fly Fishing In Salt Waters. September 2013.

• McGlothlin, Jess (July 15, 2016). "IFTD 2016 New Product Showcase Winners Announced". Retrieved July 25, 2016. 
• Carty, Cynthia (August 21, 2014). "Drew Chicone Wins 2014 IFTD Iron Fly Competition". Retrieved July 25, 2016. 
• "More than $11,000 awarded to winners of 2014 OWAA Excellence in Craft Contests". Outdoor Writers Association of America. June 3, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2016.