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The American Fly Fisher Journal of the American Museum of Fly Fishing

SUMMER 2009 VOLUME 35 NUMBER 3

Traveling

OR MANY, SUMMER is a season for And in Notes from the Library (page 24), traveling, and this issue takes you to Jerry Karaska reviews Ken Callahan and FArgentina and New Mexico—places Paul Morgan’s important updated resource, THE AMERICAN MUSEUM to which German brown trout traveled Hampton’s Angling Biography: Fishing Books OF FLY FISHING before you. 1881–1949 (The Three Beards Press, 2008). Preserving the Heritage Our two feature articles are both, in Both the museum and the fly-fishing part, about the success of nonnative fish world have lost some greats of late. Mel of Fly Fishing introduced to new waters. In “A Hundred Krieger, famed casting instructor and 2003 Years of Solitude: The Genesis of Trout recipient of this museum’s Heritage Award, FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM Fishing in Argentina,”Adrian Latimer takes passed away in October; see page 20 for Robert Brucker (’08) us to Patagonia, offering first a bit of geo- Marshall Cutchin’s note. In January, we lost Austin Buck (’08) logical history, then some history about the Marty Keane, noted author, historian, and Larry Cohen (’08) importing of fish during the early part of purveyor of classic tackle. He was a major Domenic DiPiero (’08) the twentieth century. He notes that supporter of the museum, providing iden- John Dreyer (’08) although the lakes and rivers seemed per- tification, authentication, and appraisals for Fredrik Eaton (’08) fect for trout, there weren’t any, and “Thus us (see our notice on page 21). Executive Michael Geitz (’08) began what you may view either as one of Director Cathi Comar, in her message to Jon Gibson (’08) the greatest human interferences in natur- the membership, notes four other dear Tom Gravina (’08) al history, sowing the seed for abundant friends whom we’ve recently lost (“An James Houghton (’08) and wonderful trout waters, or a shocking Important Resource,” inside back cover). Fred Kambeitz (’08) destruction of biodiversity.” Successful It is with great pride that we announce Kirk Kellogg (’08) doesn’t begin to describe how species took that the American Museum of Fly Fishing Peter Kellogg (’08) to these waters, and Patagonia is now one has received reaccreditation from the Steve Lampe (’08) of the greatest fly-fishing destinations in American Association of Museums. Ours is Mike McCall (’08) the world. Latimer details some of the per- one of only five accredited museums in the Steve Myers (’08) sonalities who helped make it so. The arti- state of Vermont; nationally, fewer than Robert O’Hara III (’08) cle begins on page 2. 800 museums hold this honor. To read Joseph and Usha Robillard (’09) Turning then to New Mexico, Samuel more about this, as well as to check in with Pat Welsh (’08) Snyder takes a look at the Rio Grande cut- what we’ve been up to, turn to Museum throat trout, tracing its story “as it moved News (page 22). denotes additional levels of giving into the waters of present-day New Mexico Safe summer travels to all. . . . to its eventual demise.” Part of that STAFF demise had to do with the introduction of KATHLEEN ACHOR Catherine E. Comar nonnative species—introduced species EDITOR Executive Director that can only go “wild,” never “native.” In Yoshi Akiyama “Restoring Natives in New Mexico,”Snyder Deputy Director considers why native fish should be pre- served and restored. The practice of Sarah Moore restoration indeed raises some controver- Project & Administrative Coordinator sial and complicated issues. In considering Kim Murphy restoration in the context of trout and fly- Events Coordinator fishing communities, Snyder notes that Patricia Russell “the species we seek to restore and the Account Manager practices by which we restore them have much to teach us about how to be human Sara Wilcox in the midst of natural spaces—how to be, Director of Visual Communication in other words, native to the waters we fish and the bioregions within which we reside.” THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER The article begins on page 10. In this issue’s Notes and Comment sec- Kathleen Achor tion (page 18), Gordon M. Wickstrom notes Editor (in “A Note on Writing the History of Fly Sara Wilcox Fishing”) that we need more than one type Design & Production of historian to get a grasp on this sport’s Sarah May Clarkson history, and John Alevras comments (in Copy Editor “Wulff and Hewitt: Light Tackle for Large Salmon”) that Edward Ringwood Hewitt From Alfred M. Mayer, Sport with might have rightful claim to the earliest pur- Gun and Rod Vol. II (New York: The suit of these big fish with very light tackle. Century Company, 1883), 563.

TRUSTEES Michael Bakwin Foster Bam Pamela Bates Duke Buchan III Peter Corbin Jerome C. Day Blake Drexler Christopher Garcia Ronald Gard George R. Gibson III Journal of the American Museum of Fly Fishing Gardner L. Grant SUMMER 2009 VOLUME 35 NUMBER 3 James Hardman James Heckman, MD Arthur Kaemmer, MD A Hundred Years of Solitude: Woods King III The Genesis of Trout Fishing in Argentina ...... 2 William P. Leary III Adrian Latimer Douglas F. MacKenzie Walter T. Matia Restoring Natives in New Mexico...... 10 John R. McMahon Samuel Snyder William C. McMaster, MD Bradford Mills Notes and Comment: John Mundt A Note on Writing the History of Fly Fishing David Nichols Gordon M. Wickstrom Wayne Nordberg Wulff and Hewitt: Light Tackle for Large Salmon ...... 18 Erik R. Oken John Alevras Raymond C. Pecor Stephen M. Peet In Memoriam: Mel Krieger ...... 20 Leigh H. Perkins Frederick S. Polhemus In Memoriam: Martin J. Keane ...... 21 John Rano Roger Riccardi Museum News ...... 22 Kristoph J. Rollenhagen Philip Sawyer Notes from the Library ...... 24 Robert G. Scott Gerald Karaska Franklin D. Schurz Jr. Gary J. Sherman, DPM Contributors ...... 25 Ronald B. Stuckey Richard G. Tisch David H. Walsh ON THE COVER: Bébé Anchorena, in 1961, with 24-pound world-record brown James C. Woods caught off Boca Chimehuin. From the collection of Francisco Bedeschi.

TRUSTEES EMERITI The American Fly Fisher (ISSN 0884-3562) is published Charles R. Eichel four times a year by the museum at P.O. Box 42,Manchester,Vermont 05254. G. Dick Finlay Publication dates are winter, spring, summer, and fall. Membership dues include the cost of the W. Michael Fitzgerald journal ($40) and are tax deductible as provided for by law. Membership rates are listed in the back of each issue. William Herrick All letters, manuscripts, photographs, and materials intended for publication in the journal should be sent to the museum. The museum and journal are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, drawings, photographic David B. Ledlie material, or memorabilia. The museum cannot accept responsibility for statements and interpretations that are Leon L. Martuch wholly the author’s. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned unless postage is provided. Contributions to The Keith C. Russell American Fly Fisher are to be considered gratuitous and the property of the museum unless otherwise requested Paul Schullery by the contributor. Copyright © 2009, the American Museum of Fly Fishing, Manchester, Vermont 05254. Original mate- rial appearing may not be reprinted without prior permission. Periodical postage paid at Manchester, Vermont 05254; Manchester, Vermont 05255;and additional offices (USPS 057410). The American Fly Fisher (ISSN 0884-3562) EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.amff.com

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The American Fly Fisher, P. O. B ox 42,Manchester,Vermont 05254. OFFICERS Chairman of the Board David H. Walsh President George R. Gibson III Vice Presidents James Heckman, MD We welcome contributions to the American Fly Fisher. Before making a submission, Stephen M. Peet please review our Contributor’s Guidelines on our website (www.amff.com), or write Richard G. Tisch to request a copy. The museum cannot accept responsibility for statements and inter- Secretary James C. Woods pretations that are wholly the author’s. Clerk Charles R. Eichel Treasurer Robert G. Scott

A Hundred Years of Solitude: The Genesis of Trout Fishing in Argentina by Adrian Latimer

Bébé Anchorena, in 1961, with 24-pound world-record brown caught off Boca Chimehuin. From the collection of Francisco Bedeschi.

N 1961, IN ARGENTINA, a man with a covered the Lake District, the Andes, and under the Pacific. The latter, being denser splendid name waded into the the amazing multiplicity of rivers and still rock, was forced under in the collision, Ifamous Boca Chimehuin just below waters, there was not a trout or salmon to and the plates continue to move in oppo- the Devil’s Throat and cast a fly. He was be found. And yet now Patagonia offers site directions. Of course, this monumen- Bébé Anchorena, one of the early heroes some of the finest, unspoiled fly fishing tal crash caused massive frictional heat, of fly fishing in Patagonia. As darkness in the world in surroundings that are as and boiling magma surfaced through the fell, he staggered out of the river soaked, beautiful as any and far less populated inevitable cracks in the earth’s crust. The bloodied, and exhausted, but clutching a than most. Andes began to rise. As the plates rubbed, world-record brown trout that weighed If we go even further back into the bent, and buckled, huge chunks of rock 24 pounds. Argentine fly fishing was on mists oftime,we can see how this pristine were thrust upward, and the land was rent the map. landscape evolved. Interestingly, the key to by earthquakes. When Darwin crossed But how? When Magellan first looked the whole ecosystem is the lakes. I am no the Andes, he found marine fossils thou- for the passage west to the Pacific in 1520, geologist, but books by Bill Leitch1 and sands of feet above sea level, which trig- there were no trout or salmon in Marcelo Beccaceci2 offer a fascinating gered the scientific research and thinking Argentina (or Chile). The most exciting introduction to the ice age history and for- that was to culminate in the hugely con- fish you could have found was a perch. mation of the Andes. About two hundred troversial Origin of the Species and his the- Darwin studied a mass of flora and fauna million years ago, the continents of what ory of natural selection and survival of on his legendary 1831–1836 expedition are now Africa, India, and Antarctica were the fittest.3 The mountains and ridges of aboard the HMS Beagle, but none of the united as Gondawandaland. The Sahara volcanoes were born. At 4,300 hundred fauna had adipose fins. Even as the great was somewhere around what we’d now miles long, the South American cordillera explorers of the nineteenth century dis- call the South Pole and was ice. As the is the longest continuous mountain range continents split apart during the Middle on the planet.4 This chapter is an extract from Adrian Latimer’s Cretaceous period (a mere hundred and In fact, there was a second age of vol- The River at the End of the World: Fly Fishing in fifty–odd million years past), the Atlantic canism, a mere fifteen million years ago, Argentine Patagonia, to be published by Medlar Ocean rose up for what is now three which formed the beautiful, threatening Press in October 2009. Approximately £25/US $40, hardcover. Available from www.medlarpress.com thousand miles of water between them. ice cones that we see today, their heads or in the United States from Callahan Books, Meanwhile, the South American Plate regally in the clouds, waiting to belch [email protected]. All royalties go to the North drifted west for millennia, until it collid- destruction into the air. Nor have these Atlantic Salmon Fund and the Wild Trout Trust. ed with the Nazca Plate heading east, way volcanoes finished their work yet: in 2THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

the grains of sand in the desert, have been derived from the slow-falling of masses of rock on the old coast-lines and banks of rivers, and that each of them has since been slowly rolled, rounded and far transported, the mind is stupefied in thinking over the long, absolutely necessary lapse of years.9 But as the glaciers retreated, they left huge, empty valleys at the foot of the peaks; hence those all-important lakes. If you look farther north, above Patagonia toward the Caribbean, there are no such catchments of still water at the source of rivers. What happens is then dependent on rainfall and snowmelt, creating streams of wildly fluctuating tempera- ture and water flow, an inhospitable habitat for trout. But in Patagonia you have the magnificent lakes as natural reservoirs, and it is no accident that the best fishing is around such areas as San The Perito Moreno Glacier in the icefields of southern Patagonia creates a Martín, Bariloche, and Futalaufquen, the dam across the Brazo Rico arm of Lago Argentino in this photo from 2004. lake districts. The Pleistocene glaciers Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory deposited those lovely riverbeds of grav- (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov), NASA Johnson Space Center, ISS004-E-9707. el that so impressed Darwin, “hand- made” for large trout to spawn in.10 1991,the Hudson volcano erupted in The facts are difficult to comprehend, Chile, carpeting Santa Cruz in stifling, but one third of the earth’s surface used poisonous ash and killing more than a to be ice (now it is one tenth), and sea THE FIRST STOCKING OF 5 million sheep. Even more recently, as I level was more than a hundred meters TROUT IN ARGENTINA write this in May 2008, Chaitén is erupt- lower than today.7 At their peak, the glac- ing in Chile, sending a plume of ash 10 iers extended 60 miles east of Lago But handmade by whom? Not the miles into the sky and leaving a cloud Argentino, and the Atlantic coast was a omniscient digits of Nature. The lakes that has crossed the Andes into Argen- hundred miles farther east than now.8 and rivers might have been perfect for tina, heading for the Atlantic coast, five The glaciers sculpted the mountains and trout, but there weren’t any. Instead, they hundred miles away. The nearby towns valleys that we see currently and pushed were full of smaller fish that for some of Chaitén and of Futaleufu on the bor- east into the flatlands, but as the climate reason did not really benefit from the der are being evacuated, covered in a warmed and they melted, little moisture terrain. They developed neither in size thick layer of ash, so toxic in its acidity reached across the Andes, thus leaving nor geographic range. And they were not that it kills all vegetation and damages the semiarid desert that is the steppes. A considered “sporting” by fishermen of watercourses. From a purely selfish fish- few millennia earlier, hundred-foot-long the age (or now). Thus began what you ing point of view, the effects on the rivers dinosaurs were happily munching the may view either as one of the greatest in the Chubut region may be serious, but trees and shrubs until the smothering human interferences in natural history, they are a salutary reminder of the ever- carpet of volcanic ash solidified them sowing the seed for abundant and won- present force of the Andes. According to into stone, leaving petrified forests and derful trout waters, or a shocking radiocarbon dating, the last time whole fossilized tree trunks. destruction of biodiversity. Chaitén erupted was in the year 7420. Darwin gives you the scale of it all: When I was a kid, I can remember Oh, and that’s before Christ—more than being taken by my grandmother to the nine thousand years ago.6 The geology of Patagonia is interesting. Hurlingham Club in London. It was all But back to that previous age. At the . . . The most common shell is a massive very posh; the sort of place where one ate same time, the ice age came, eventually gigantic oyster, sometimes even a foot genteel (but tasteless) cucumber sand- covering the whole of what is now in diameter. These beds are covered by wiches and sipped tea from porcelain others of a peculiar soft white stone. . . . Patagonia with a freezing thick layer. And This bed extends for 500 miles along the cups while watching croquet. Well, when I say thick, I mean up to four thou- coast. At Port Julian its thickness is more believe it or not, in 1893, the English were sand feet of glacier, pushing the earth’s than 800 feet! These white beds are doing just the same in Buenos Aires, at 11 crust down with its weight and carving everywhere capped by a mass of gravel, their Hurlingham. The only difference channels out of the mountains as if with forming probably one of the largest beds was that polo replaced croquet and a butter knife. The ocean soon filled of shingle in the world: it certainly cricket. Amongst the grounds wound the these enormous wounds (now known as extends from the Rio Colorado to little Arroyo Moron, and rainbow trout the Beagle Channel or Magellan Straits) between 600 and 700 nautical miles were stocked. The stream was too slow down in Tierra del Fuego. About nine southward; at Santa Cruz it reaches to and warm for the fish to survive, but the the foot of the Cordillera; half way up thousand square miles of glacier still the rivers its thickness is more than 200 idea was there. When Francisco “Perito” exist in Patagonia today. Argentina only feet. . . . If this great bed of pebbles was Moreno was sent by the Argentine gov- split off from Antarctica about twenty- piled into a mound, it would form a ernment to explore Patagonia and, espe- five million years ago, at what is now great mountain chain! When we con- cially, the frontier with Chile, he saw the Drake’s Passage or Strait. sider that all these pebbles, countless as possibilities and reported back in 1875.12 SUMMER 2009 3

By 1892, a Frenchman, Ferdinand Lahille, Adrian Latimer was commissioned by the Museo de la Plata to undertake a study of the under- water fauna of the lakes and rivers. He found perch, “criolla trout,” pejerrey, peladilla, and puyen. Italian and Amer- ican fishery scientists followed, and by 1903, American John Titcomb took a nineteen-day trek to get to Nahuel Huapi (Puma Island), sent by the Argentine government to set up the first hatchery. He chose a small stream that drained into the Rio Limay.13 The result was a slightly overzealous importation of fish of all sorts, and in 1904,fish roe were shipped by Eugene Tulien 14 from the United States via South- ampton in England to Buenos Aires. The only boats that had big enough refrigera- tion units were in the United Kingdom, but the initial fish actually came from the States—a million whitefish eggs, a hun- dred thousand brook trout, and fifty thousand landlocked salmon, although he also picked up fifty thousand brown trout eggs in Germany. The boxes The Rio Traful, March 2008. arrived, pretty much safely, on April 25,a day that surely goes down in angling his- tory. The whitefish were all put into Lago American fisher, architect, and writer came so famous for its salmon runs to Nahuel Huapi and disappeared forever, Ernie Schwiebert tells a slightly more the lake that General Perón (husband of no doubt to the relief of modern fly fish- detailed version of the accidental stock- Evita) confiscated it as a sporting retreat ers. Stranger things followed: rainbow ing, whereby the fisheries biologist in for his retinue, and it was only given trout arrived a month later,15 but so did charge of the eggs from Lake Sebago in back under the revolutionary junta of freshwater cod (burbot?) and several Maine became worried that the eggs General Aramburu. Dawson recorded a species of Pacific salmon. They were were about to die and thus decided to 26-pounder caught on a spoon, which planted any- and everywhere. The cod create a minihatchery trough and try to would have been the world record if also vanished, and the Pacific salmon rear the eggs there. He built a small claimed and verified, and there were sev- could not cope with heading east to the spawning channel in the Cuyin Man- eral caught that weighed in the mid- wrong ocean and never returned from zano, put dams across to control the 20s—all because of a chance mistake, a the Atlantic. From 1904 to 1910, eight water flow, and settled the eggs into suit- very diligent fishery scientist, and a mili- shipments of Salmonidae roe came from able gravel found in the riffles. The eggs tary escort.17 the United States and later from Europe. did indeed hatch, and the biologist and But fly fishing remained a minority Hatcheries were set up, and in 1930, the his cavalry escort guarded them briefly sport, a few exclusive Portenos (Buenos Argentine government received 175,000 to protect them from bird predation Aires dwellers) meeting on the lawn of brown trout roe from Chile. until the fingerlings dropped down- the Palermo Gardens to practice casting And thus was created perhaps the stream into the main river. (Fewer than a and clink whiskies. By the last half of the world’s largest and finest wild-trout hundred miles away, there had been century, the Traful and other hot spots, region as the introduced fish adapted to major frontier battles with the Araucan such as the bocas (where lakes drained the area and spread like wildfire. Sport- Indian warriors, and dangerous war par- into rivers) of the Chimehuin and fishing, a novel idea, began to take off; ties were known to be loose in the Correntoso, were attracting both wealthy the first trout taken from Lago Nahuel Andean foothills; hence the military pro- Argentine fly fishers (in a country where Huapi weighed more than 7 pounds and tection.) A decade after the initial stock- most fishers used cruder methods) and a fell to Ernesto Riketts (another Amer- ing, and six thousand miles south of worldwide “fishing aristocracy,”especial- ican) in 1915. What is amazing is that Maine, world-record–sized landlocked ly from the States. This was what we what we now take for granted did not salmon were being caught.16 might call the first era, the very birth of exist a mere century ago. Let’s take one of What is sure is that the Estancia Argentine fly fishing, headed by Bébé the best-known and prettiest rivers in Primavera was built in the 1920s by an Anchorena, Jorge Donovan, and Prince northern Patagonia, the Rio Traful. It is Australian, Guy Dawson, who came out Charles Radziwill (a Polish exile). At the famous mainly because of its stocks of to farm Corriedale sheep and decided to time, the level of sophistication was low. landlocked salmon from Maine, Salmo stay. By the 1930s, he had set up the first This was a largely British-dominated set, salar sebago. The popular story is that an guided fishing trips, but the Depression and tackle was basic—they did not even ox-cart drover was carrying eggs des- finished him off financially and he sold know how to nail-knot their backing to tined for the hatchery at Bariloche when out to a French military attaché, “Pim” their fly line. Rods, lines, and flies were he noticed that they were hatching. In a Lariviere. Dawson was one of the found- heavy (split-cane bamboo), and the tar- panic, he poured them into the nearest ing members of the Club Norysur on get was the huge trout of the bocas, tro- river, the Traful, and by 1914, they were Lago Melinquina and one of the coun- phies to be grappled ashore and killed. known to be spawning. The great try’s first star fishermen. The estate be- One must also remember the sheer effort

4THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

of actually getting there: no planes, no writers: Schwiebert, Lee and Joan Wulff, on a Ted Williams fiberglass rod). The fly Route 40 (three thousand miles of road, Roderick Haig-Brown, Charles Ritz, was actually a saltwater bucktail stream- the backbone of Patagonia). To travel Lefty Kreh, Don Williams, Art Lee, and er and is in itself an interesting piece of from Buenos Aires to Neuquén to catch a their ilk. President Eisenhower even history.21 Let Joe Brooks start the story: fish involved serious dedication.18 fished on the Traful, and Billy Pate searched for big browns for twenty-two “What do you have there, a shaving years in a row. Art Lee fell in love with the brush?” Jorge Donovan asked me. We HE RIGINS OF RGENTINE T O A Malleo and its dry-fly hatches. With them, were standing at the Boca of the FLY FISHING AND THE these high-profile Americans brought Chimehuin River, on the east slope of modernity. Brooks taught the nail knot the Andes in Argentina and I was tying AMERICAN INFLUENCE a 1/0 Platinum Blonde fly on my 3X tip- and the double haul, and imported new pet. The long, tandem-winged bucktail By the second half of the century, new tackle, such as those fiberglass rods. He did look a little like a shaving brush. But influences were trickling in from the was recognized as “the prophet.” The the only lather I had in mind was the States. Donovan had founded a fly-fish- locals learned quickly—Anchorena land- foam a big brown trout would whip up ing association back in Buenos Aires and ed a 17-pound leviathan off the Chim- when he hit that fly. This was my first met Joe Brooks in New York in 1954,a ehuin on a dry Wulff pattern, and in trip to Argentina, back in 1955. Packing moment that became the real genesis of Brooks’s style, to prove it was not a fluke, my tackle at home I kept thinking about fly fishing in Patagonia. Donovan hap- took another on a skating spider. the 10-, 12-, 14- and even 20-pound pened to be passing the Trail & Stream On that first 1955 trip, Brooks ended brown trout that Jorge Donovan had store one snowy morning on Lexington up on the boca at Chimehuin. Donovan told me were in the Argentine rivers. Remembering that old theory that a big Avenue and decided to pop in and have a and Anchorena took several fish of 9 to trout likes a big mouthful, I had reached chat about fishing. Brooks was then 12 pounds, but the great American into my salt-water tackle box and unknown to him, but before long he topped them with a 15- and then an 18- picked out a handful of “blonde” flies— found himself in Florida’s Islamorada pounder, at the time the fly-caught big, white bucktails that I used for marveling at the crystal water, coral reefs, record. But let’s fast-forward a few years striped bass.22 and amazing back shoot and double haul to 1961 and the mighty trout that beat of the master caster. Brooks first went to even that. Jorge Trucco now takes it up: Argentina in 1955 to fish the Rio Grande The Chimehuin is dominated by at Estancia Maria Behety with Donovan Lanin, the Fuji-like, snow-capped vol- The Patagonia region of Argentina is, and Anchorena. He arrived with strange- cano that peers down from twelve thou- fishing-wise, so similar to the American ly short fiberglass (Ted Williams) rods sand feet at Lago Huechulaufquen. west that all American flies apply to and immediately caught fish while the Centuries ago, an earthquake split open a Patagonian fly fishing. Here again, Joe locals watched “open mouthed.” He went crevasse in the walls that encircle the Brooks pioneered this trend of Amer- on to land a 12-pound fish, a fly-caught lake, and the river flooded out into the ican flies in Patagonia. And what’s more, he brought some patterns that were record at the time (how things have Devil’s Gorge, surging through channels actually uncommon in the West. He changed since!). They then rode up to the in the black lava, the water whipped into introduced the “blonde” in five ver- Chimehuin and fished the Quilquihue. I spray by perennial 50-mile-per-hour sions: honey, black, strawberry, plat- will let Donovan take up the story: winds that rage down the lake. inum and Argentine. The “blonde” was Amidst such scenery, Bébé Anchorena originally a saltwater fly and it was tied To our surprise, Joe tied on a dry fly. He waded out to cast his streamer (by now with bucktail on a 3407 Mustad hook, entered the stream in a place where we had never seen anybody fish before and started working upstream. Although the wind was strong enough to affect the average caster, it didn’t bother Joe in the least. After a time, we felt that this unfamiliar method would not be pro- ductive and were about to suggest going to another pool when Joe hooked a nice rainbow. Just to prove it wasn’t an acci- dent, he hooked nine more. They all ran between three and four pounds.19

They then went to Lolog Lake, where Donovan heard that Brooks “caught quite a few up to seven pounds and that he chose to return these to the water. This was somewhat of a shock. Up till this time we never released trout, nor did we waste them. Conservation was an unknown topic for us and even less familiar than fishing with a dry fly, some- thing about which we at least had heard.”20 This was when Patagonia took off as a sporting destination. From here started the flow of new techniques, know-how, Joe Brooks. From the collection of the American Museum of Fly Fishing. and a cast of star American fishers and

SUMMER 2009 5

and was not designed to attract trout; already dark. He kept dragging the fish delicate dry flies on the Collon Cura or however, these “blonde” flies were off balance as the moon rose so high it lit Malleo. Whereas previously fish shorter extremely effective on big browns, espe- 23 up the canyon and flashed off the great than 20 inches would have been sneered cially in the Chimehuin. belly as the fish flopped, weakening. Inch at as small fry, now the pleasure of fish- by inch he fought it into the rocky shal- ing 4-weights and size-18 hooks began to Those first fish caught by Brooks, lows and reached with the gaff. The fish spread. Trucco was a financier by trade, Donovan, and Anchorena in 1955 were made one last run for the current, as his but by 1978, he’d given it up to concen- taken on a Blonde, four of them weigh- arms shook. The gaff stuck and held, the trate on his passion and bought a hotel ing more than 9 pounds. But the origin fish thrashed wildly, showering Bébé in San Martín de los Andes. I am dead of the fly remains obscure. Joseph Bates24 with water, then twisted free, almost jealous—he rubbed shoulders with the attributes it to Homer Rhode great pioneers, but also en- and his 1950s Tarpon Bucktail joyed and fought for those first fly, along with Joe Brooks, but unspoilt days of dry fly when a Brooks seems more precise in hundred fish a day was not claiming ownership: uncommon. But it was not a free ride. Back in 1939, when I used to fly Trucco went to Wyoming every fish for stripers in the year to learn how guided trips Susquehanna River near Port worked. He brought back for- Deposit, Maryland, and in the eign expertise and, somewhat shallows of the Chesapeake unpopularly, foreign guides Bay, I used a white bucktail on a 1/0 hook. I took plenty of who knew how to angle a drift small stripers, but for three boat down the current, roll cast years nothing over six pounds and switch, tie Ephemeroptera, came to my flies. That’s when I and recognize a larva, nymph, started thinking about a bigger and subimago. With Donovan, fly, something that would look Trucco set up the first real fly like the size to seven-inch-long shop in the country. He also alewives, herring or anchovies, started the long haul to con- such as stripers feed on. I tied a vince the locals, both fishers three-inch-long white bucktail wing right in back of the eye of and regulators, to legitimize a 1/0 hook, another three-inch and protect fly fishing and the wing at the bend of the hook, fish themselves as pressures then wrapped the body with built up. silver tinsel. That was the Donovan had been the first Platinum Blonde, the first of to understand the need for the series. It raised the average catch and release, an ethic 25 weight of the stripers I took. already taken for granted in the United States. But in Argentina, Either way, when Anchorena it was controversial, against the cast, he had a white shaving grain, and seen as a terrible brush of a fly at the other end threat to tourism (whereas, of of his line. Schwiebert gives a course, it was actually an essen- gripping account as told him Jorge Donovan. From the collection of Jorge Trucco. tial criterion to encourage the by Anchorena.26 Bébé had yearned-for American fishing worked down the pool with long casts pulling him into the river. He aimed visitor to come). Emotions ran high, and when a huge boil threw spray into the air. again and hauled the beast ashore. His local complexities muddied the waters The fish sulked and then lunged down- scales bottomed out at 20 pounds. further; some extreme fly fishers in stream; Bébé stumbled after it, falling Buenos Aires demanded that trolling on heavily, bruising his ribs and gouging THE ARRIVAL OF the lakes (the lifeblood for many lodges) both knees badly while desperately try- be banned outright. Trucco lived in ROFESSIONAL UIDES ing to unknot the line that had caught P G Patagonia, unlike the early Porteno pio- round his reel. When he finally managed AND MODERN ETHICS neers, and was there to engage the fight to free it, the fish stayed out in mid- OF CONSERVATION locally, on the riverbank. Mentored by stream so that he was convinced it was the scratch golfer, great caster, and record fouled round a rock. His spirits fell, and By the 1970s, the mood was changing, holder Anchorena, he was able to bridge he hurt physically, but he went down- a transition largely achieved and related the gap to modernity and largely to stream and pumped hard at the fish, alter- to me by Jorge Trucco.27 Anchorena’s American fishing practices. He intro- nating pressure and slack for ten min- record had fallen to a fish a pound heav- duced the first rafts made in Argentina to utes. When he had given up hope, the ier by Luis Peirano on the other great float the rivers. In 1983, he set up with fish moved and then stopped again. Bébé boca, the Correntoso (claimed by some Frontiers, the international fishing outfit- knew it was now tiring and forced it to to be the shortest river in the world—it ters/travel firm, and the foreign “colo- the surface, where it rolled and charged runs between two lakes for a few hun- nization” of Patagonian fly-fishing outfit- downstream toward a dreadful deadfall dred yards only).28 Old pioneers were ters began as the word spread and zealots of tangled logs that had come free from still there, longing for their double-fig- the world over rushed to the southern the shoulder of the volcano and wedged ure dreams from the bocas, but a new end of the planet to taste the extraordi- in the rocks during high water. It was generation began to see the delights of nary fishing that was available. Float trips 6THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

Clockwise from above: A portrait of John Goodall, Goodall’s hatchery log, a detailed stocking report, Goodall’s hatchery design, and some of Goodall’s flies. All images from the collection of Steffan Jones.

on the Collon Cura, the Limay, and the Argentina is probably even more famous administer a meat-freezing plant in the Alumine added another dimension. for its world-beating sea trout, yet town of Rio Grande. Later, they con- After intense lobbying, the first fly- another freak fortuity between man and ceived two sons, and the family still man- fishing catch-and-release regulations Nature. In the closing years of the nine- ages estancias on Tierra del Fuego. From started in Neuquén in 1985 and on the teenth century, an impoverished Spanish what they say, John was fishing mad. He fabled Chimehuin in 1992. Now it is pret- immigrant, José Menendez, bought was seldom home, being either out with ty much universal,29 although floating some land at the very end of the earth a rod or looking after the hatcheries, and public access brings its own prob- and started to farm sheep. By the early which he produced and managed by lems of excess fishing pressure and a twentieth century, he had the largest himself. need to restrict—or at least control— estancia in Tierra del Fuego and five mil- Goodall had gone back to England access. An example is the Chimehuin. By lion sheep. At Villa Maria, the “King of temporarily and set to work to stock the 1980s, it suffered from too many pub- Patagonia,” as Menendez was known, rivers back home in Argentina.30 In 1935, lic access roads, but it was then controlled had an Englishman as his manager: John one hundred thousand eggs were and improved. Now it has allowed float Goodall, who loved to fish—for trout, shipped over from Europe via Puerto trips, which could increase the number of not for mullet (of which they still catch Mott in Chile, packed in egg churns, rods and threaten that critical balance quite a few today). The rest, of course, is moss, and water. Amazingly, more than that needs to be respected between the history, and the Menendez great-grand- sixty thousand survived and were resource and the paying demand. children now own some of the most stocked in tributaries of the Rio Grande famous sea-trout lodges in the world. and then the Gallegos. The riverbeds THE (ACCIDENTAL) Clara Bridges was the granddaughter here are formed of small, loose gravel, INTRODUCTION OF of one of the first white families to reside perfect for spawning, so natural repro- permanently in Tierra del Fuego. She duction took off way beyond everyone’s SEA-RUN BROWN TROUT was born on the Falklands/Malvinas expectations. But natural food in the INTO TIERRA DEL FUEGO islands in 1902 and was raised on her rivers was inadequate, so some of the fish parents’ Estancia Harberton. In 1930, she went out to sea, where they discovered But this evolution was mainly in the married the aforementioned John Good- the Sardina Fuegina, huge schools of finest, lake-fed districts of northern and all, who was an engineer contracted on baitfish off the Tierra del Fuego and central (“Welsh”) Patagonia. These days, the Menendez estancias to construct and Santa Cruz coasts. As whale populations SUMMER 2009 7

PATAGONIA TODAY:A HAVEN FOR FLY FISHING

For the sea trout, it was the 1980s and 1990s that saw many of the most famous lodges set up—Kau Taupen, Villa Maria, Bella Vista—many on working estancias, who presumably saw an extra source of income in leasing what was fast becom- ing the most sought-after sea-trout fish- ing in the world. Old houses were refur- bished and became comfortable, pur- pose-designed fishing lodges. The major outfitters moved in fast, and now you can find offers all over the Internet. Nets are being removed and fly-only catch- and-release regulations imposed on most private beats. Happily, both the numbers and average size of the catches are up, year on year. That once-record 12- pounder of Joe Brooks is now only a pound or two above the average weight on the Grande just fifty years later. To catch a record today, you’d need to triple that size. Nor would Brooks recognize the scene as it is now: several lodges on both sides of the river all the way up to Chile; dozens of rods from all over the world rolling out heavy Teeny lines with often double-handed (Spey) carbon- fiber rods; and modern nymphs with twitching rubber legs or, more spectacu- larly, a Bomber skimming and skating Boca Chimehuin: Bob Solomon, Bébé Anchorena, Jorge Trucco, across the surface. I am sure the latter fly Don Williams, April 1983. From the collection of Jorge Trucco. is something of which the American father of Argentine dry-fly fishing would have very much approved. plummeted, the lower rungs of the food of a comeback. They were tied in rela- Argentina has developed a sea-trout chain exploded. There was no need to tively small sizes and fished in a tradi- technique all of its own, differing on travel far; fewer than a hundred miles tional Scottish loch style, three on a cast. Rios Grande and Gallegos, and the new offshore, the world’s fattest sea-trout run But the fish came as a plump surprise, as millennium is seeing yet another new was established. A 20-pounder will have a note from September 1944 shows: world open up on the Rio Santa Cruz, spawned four times. where the Pacific Northwest is meeting Of course, at the time, this was all Today Val Hardy called me to see a large the glacial majesty of the Andes and the unexpected. Goodall’s diaries show brown trout. I examined the fish and no South Atlantic. A unique steelhead fish- brooks, rainbows, and “browns.”Nobody doubt it was a brown trout. This fish was caught in the nets about Tres ery is developing that will require its own then distinguished between the resident Puento in the sea, it weighed 6.05 kilos techniques and where the history book is and sea-run version of the brown trout. still virgin, waiting for today’s pioneer- 31 or 14.22 lbs. This fish was well spotted (In England, Hugh Falkus was one of with brown spots not red and fairly sil- ing fishers to write it. the first who did, and he demanded that very on belly. A female.33 Thus it was that the somewhat hap- they be treated and fished for separately, hazard stocking of multiple alien fish dedicating a whole book to the subject.) At first the fish were exploited purely species, the dogged persistence of the Goodall’s flies were traditional Scottish for sport and food, and by the 1980s, they early converts, the influx of accom- wet flies: Alexandra, Professor, and his were in sharp decline. Then came the plished experts such as (especially) Joe most successful one—the mysterious growth of worldwide luxury sportfishing Brooks and Mel Krieger, and the vision Prince Charlie.32 On further investiga- and the tenets of catch and release and of locals such as Jorge Trucco trans- tion in Tom Stewart’s 50 Popular Flies, fly only. What is ironic is that I am told formed an inhospitable playground for Volume IV (London: Ernest Benn, 1973), (though cannot verify) that the original the wealthy fly-fishing aficionados of I discovered that the Prince Charlie is an eggs came from River Thames trout, and Buenos Aires into one of the greatest fly- old loch fly—made up of a red floss tail now that they are abundant in Rio fishing destinations in the world, with and body, gold rib, black hen throat Grande and almost extinct in the accommodation, guiding, and up-to- hackle, and gray mottled partridge tail Thames, there is an idea of trying to date fishing techniques to match the feather wing—presumably named after restock the mother from the child, send- smartest outfitters in the Rockies or the Bonnie Prince Charlie, the eighteenth- ing eggs from Argentina to England, as poshest tackle stores on Fifth Avenue. Let century pretender to the Scottish throne. the fish in Tierra del Fuego are still me quote one of the most influential It has fallen out of use, but is having a bit genetically pure Thames stock. fishers, Mel Krieger: “Patagonia has be- 8THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

come my church. I find inspiration, tina: Fly Fishing Patagonia S.R.L., 2003), 24. Joseph Bates Jr., Streamer Fly Tying solace, adventure, companionship, soli- taken from the introduction therein of “Trout and Fishing (Harrisburg, Pa.: The Stackpole tude, and all of my other needs in this in Patagonia” by Pablo Costa, 11–12. Company, 1966), 152. wondrous corner of our planet. I will 14. Bedeschi, Fly Fishing Patagonia, 11–12. 25.Joe Brooks,“Those Deadly Blondes,”26. continue to return to Patagonia until I 15.Carla M.Riva Rossi,Enrique P.Lessa, 26. Schwiebert, Remembrances of Rivers no longer have breath.”34 and Miguel A. Pascual, “The Origin of In- Past, 224–26. troduced Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus 27. Conversations and phone interview A mere century ago none of this exist- mykiss) in the Santa Cruz River, Patagonia, with Jorge Trucco, June 2007, and his written ed. The first stockings of trout were in Argentina, as Inferred from Mitochondrial approval of this article, April 2008. their infancy, and nobody yet thought of DNA,” Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aqua- 28. Leitch, Argentine Trout Fishing, 150. fly fishing for them. Guides, entomology, tic Sciences (2004,vol.61,no.7), 1095–1101. 29. Reglamento de Pesca Deportiva Con- and current angling technology were 16. Schwiebert, Remembrances of Rivers tinental Patagonico 2007/2008 (Continental mainly unknown. Sea trout were a Past (New York: The Macmillan Company, Patagonia General Sportfishing Rules and species from the other, northern, hemi- 1972), 132. Regulations). sphere, a long, long way off. And yet now, 17.Ibid.,131–34,and Leitch,Argentine Trout 30. The story of Goodall’s stocking comes after just a flicker of an eyelid in the mil- Fishing, 145. from written correspondence with Steffan lennia of Andean history, the region sup- 18. Descriptions of the pioneering years Jones (March–June 2007) and his conversa- ports the greatest sea-trout fishing any- come from conversations and phone inter- tions with the Goodall family (including where. Landlocked salmon and brown view with Jorge Trucco, June 2007, and his Adrian, son of John Goodall), and access to trout have passed into the world-record written approval of this article, April 2008; family records, as well as Francisco Bedeschi Leitch, Argentine Trout Fishing, 125; and Jorge and Juan Pablo Reynal, Fly Fishing Patagonia: books of history. Anglers from the world Trucco, “Rivers of Patagonia: The Golden The South (Bariloche, Argentina: Fly Fishing over jostle to cast upon the unspoiled Years,” introduction to Francisco Bedeschi, Patagonia S.R.L., 2003), 106. wilderness streams that flow like crystal Fly Fishing the Best Rivers in Patagonia, 31. Hugh Falkus, Sea Trout Fishing (Lon- jewels down from the volcanoes and Argentina (Buenos Aires: South End Pub- don: Witherby, 1975). glaciers of the world’s longest mountain lishing, 2005), 14–18. 32. From a photo of John Goodall’s fish- range and give rise to fantastic fly hatch- 19.Jorge Donovan,“My Friend Joe ing records shown to me by Steffan Jones of es and their feeding trout. Brooks,” Fly Fisher (1981, vol. 14, no. 1), 156. Angling Worldwide in Carmarthenshire, All in that blink of an eye. A hundred 20. Ibid., 156–57. Wales (from Goodall family records at their years of glorious, trout-filled solitude. 21. History and pictures of the “Blonde” estate in Tierra del Fuego). ! series of flies is published on the Fly Fish 33.From a photo ofJohn Goodall’s Ohio website: www.flyfishohio.com/a_party_ diary/fishery log from 1944, shown to me by of_blondes.htm. Steffan Jones of Angling Worldwide in ENDNOTES 22. Joe Brooks, “Those Deadly Blondes,” Carmarthenshire, Wales (from Goodall fami- Outdoor Life (December 1963), 24–27, 72, 73. ly records at their estate in Tierra del Fuego). 1.William C.Leitch,Argentine Trout 23.Jorge Trucco,“Bamboo Rods and 34.Mel Krieger quoted in Bedeschi,Fly Fishing: A Fly Fisherman’s Guide to Patagonia Argentine Fly Fishing,” Power Fibres (April Fishing the Best Rivers of Patagonia, Argentina, 11. (Portland, Ore.: Frank Amato Publications, 2004, vol. 15), 22. 1991), 13–16. 2. Marcelo D. Beccaceci, Natural Pata- gonia/Patagonia Natural (St. Paul, Minn.: Pangaea, 1998), 1–17. 3. Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle (London: Wordsworth Editions Ltd., 1997 [reprint]), chapter XV and throughout the text. 4. Beccaceci, Natural Patagonia, 31. 5. M. Inbar, H. A. Ostera, C. A. Parica, M. B. Remesal, and F. M. Salani, “Environ- mental Assessment of 1991 Hudson Volcano Eruption Ashfall Effects on Southern Patagonia Region, Argentina,” Environmental Geology (March 1995, vol. 25, no. 2), 119–25. 6. Information on the Chaitén eruption gleaned from NASA Earth Observatory: earthobservatory.nasa.org or www.spaceref .com/news; Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program: www.volcano.si.edu; and worldwide press reports (Chaitén erup- tion), Reuters, Geology.com, etc., May 2008. 7. Miguel Angel Alonso, Handbook of Lago Argentino and Glaciar Perito Moreno (Buenos Aires: Zagier & Urruty, 1994), 12–13. 8. Ibid., 18–19. 9. Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle, 163. 10. Leitch, Argentine Trout Fishing, 16. 11. Ibid., 17–25. 12.Eduardo Moreno,Perito Moreno’s Rio Grande modern flies tied by the author. Photo by Adrian Latimer. Travel Journal: A Personal Reminiscence (Buenos Aires: El Elefante Blanco, 1997). 13. Francisco Bedeschi, Fly Fishing Pata- gonia: The Lake District (Bariloche, Argen- SUMMER 2009 9

Restoring Natives in New Mexico by Samuel Snyder

As we have introduced nonnative fish Benjamin Casarez [brown trout] not only to fishless waters but to waters containing native fish, we have lowered a kind of ecological eggbeater into some glorious native ecosystems, resulting in changes that, though they may have been wonderful for fishermen, were disastrous for these beautiful little worlds that had been cranking along just fine without our help since the last ice age.

—Paul Schullery, Royal Coachman: The Lore and Legends of Fly-Fishing

If the philosophical, theoretical, and practi- cal values associated with cutthroat trout were better understood, insensitivity and opposition to their restoration and protec- tion would greatly diminish. A Rio Grande cutthroat. —Robert Behnke, Trout and Salmon of North America

ATELY,I HAVE been giving a lot of of place. Many of these writers are in fact stream, the passenger in the front seat of thought to the work of Wes Jackson. fly fishers, fly-fishing authors, and trout the van asked the driver what kinds of LMany in the fly-fishing world conservationists—Roderick Haig-Brown, fish he could expect to catch. “I know might not know who Jackson is, but I among others, comes immediately to they are trout,” he inquired, “but what think they should. Jackson is biologist, mind. But what does it mean exactly to kind of trout?” plant geneticist, philosopher, activist, become native to place? Understanding The van driver, acting as tour guide, and founder of the Land Institute in how humans might become native to replied that we would be catching Salina, Kansas, where he works on peren- their places is an interesting issue to pon- German brown trout. With a confused nial grasses and plants looking for ways der, particularly in the midst of increas- look on his face, the fellow in the front to combat soil erosion, pesticide use, and ing efforts to preserve or restore native seat replied with another question. other prominent issues facing American species of trout, such as the Rio Grande “Are those native fish?” he asked. agriculture. What interests me, as a fly cutthroat. If humans can become native, To this question, I replied, “No, they fisher, is not necessarily his work on the issue of native fish is another matter are from Germany!” perennial grasses, but his philosophical entirely. Take this vignette as an example. Ignoring my response, he asked the approach to “place.” driver again, “Are they native fish?” Jackson believes that “the majority of She responded with the same answer I solutions to both global and local prob- ARE THEY NATIVE GERMAN had given, “No, they are from Germany. lems must take place at the level of the BROWN TROUT? The fish native to this area are Rio expanded tribe, what civilization calls Grande cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki vir- community. In effect,” he explains, “we In July 2007, my cousins and I rode in ginalis), of which there are not many left will be required to become native to our a van through New Mexico’s Valles in the Valles Caldera. However,” she con- little places if we are to become native to Caldera National Preserve toward the tinued,“one could argue that the German this place, this continent . . .”1 Jackson’s Rio San Antonio, a small meandering brown trout have gone ‘wild,’ for they insistence on becoming native to place is stream dividing a nearly 90,000-acre vol- have not been stocked in many years. one voiced in a variety of ways by philoso- canic valley, or caldera. Upon arrival to Ahh, look, here we are at the river . . . ” phers, writers, and activists who identify our beat on the stream, we hoped to The passenger in the front (my with bioregionalism and the importance sneak up on and catch as many small and cousins and I were left to believe) per- wily brown trout as possible in the time haps spent the day pondering the differ- and space provided. Several other an- This article is excerpted from “Debating Natives in ence between “wild” and “native” trout. New Mexico” in Samuel Snyder, Casting for Con- glers, who we could only assume had My cousins and I, in turn, laughed about servation: Religion, Popular Culture, and Environ- similar goals for their own day, accompa- the exchange, remarking on how a mental Politics of River Restoration (PhD disserta- nied my cousins and me on this van ride German (of any sort) could be native to tion, Gainesville, Fla.: University of Florida, 2008). to the San Antonio. About halfway to the New Mexico.

10 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

However, some months later, I found myself musing over the definitional cri- teria of “native,” particularly in the con- text of fishing and ecological restoration. The brown trout on the Rio San Antonio have not been—and will never be, according to ecological standards— native to New Mexico. They can only go “wild,”never “native.”If it is questionable whether a fish can become native, how can humans? If humans can indeed become or at least strive to become native to place, what can native species teach humans about being native? More importantly, how might the restoration of native species, such as the Rio Grande cutthroat, help humans become native to their own places? These are questions that I will explore here. In doing so, I will argue that for both humans and nonhumans, the concept of native is, while different, highly impor- Frederic Remington (1861–1909), Coronado Sets Out to the North, 1905, tant. Native can be a tricky term when oil on canvas. Published by Collier’s Weekly in 1906 as part of The Great applied to humans, but it is crucial for Explorers Series. Original painting believed destroyed by the artist in 1908. the preservation of the planet’s biodiver- sity. I believe that understanding biodi- Coronado moved north in search of the encounter with Europeans, many species versity and the problems native species mythical gold of the Seven Cities of of cutthroat were seriously endangered, face, and engaging efforts to restore Cibola in 1540, they traveled into what is in peril, or already extinct.8 habitats and species themselves, are cru- present-day Santa Fe, New Mexico. While cial to becoming what philosopher camping near the waters of what is Andrew Light calls “ecological citizens,”a believed to be Glorieta Creek in the Pecos NONNATIVES STOCKING concept that has many similarities to Wilderness, which flows into the Pecos NONNATIVES:THE DECLINE Jackson’s native.2 River and then into the Rio Grande, In this article, I will briefly trace the Pedro de Castaneda de Najera reflected AND PRESENT STATUS OF RIO story of the Rio Grande cutthroat trout as that “Cicuye is located in a small valley GRANDE CUTTHROAT TROUT it moved into the waters of present-day between snowy mountain ranges and New Mexico and to its eventual demise. mountains covered with big pines. There The Rio Grande cutthroat currently This journey is significant because it is a little stream which abounds in excel- occupies roughly thirty-nine streams, or highlights why native fish like cutthroat lent trout and otters.”4 Castaneda de 7 percent of its historic New Mexico should be preserved and, more impor- Najera’s journal entry is, as far as we range. According to a recent report by the tantly, restored. However, restoration is a know, the first written record of trout in United States Forest Service (USFS), highly contested practice; I will review North America. Moreover, there is little approximately two hundred self-repro- some of those issues. Finally, I will look doubt that the “excellent trout” were Rio ducing populations of Rio Grande cut- at the upshot of restoration in the con- Grande cutthroat—the only truly native throat are known to exist in the Rio text of trout and fly-fishing communi- trout to this geographical region.5 Grande, Canadian, and Pecos river drain- ties. In the long run, I believe that the The trout that Coronado’s men en- ages.9 These populations are spatially species we seek to restore and the prac- countered were “excellent” and vast in restricted, highly fragmented, and pri- tices by which we restore them have number, but the impact of colonialism in marily confined to headwater streams, much to teach us about how to be North America on cutthroat trout, like it which in some cases may represent mar- human in the midst of natural spaces— was on native peoples, was rapid and dev- ginal trout habitat.10 how to be, in other words, native to the astating. In fewer than one hundred In their present distribution, cut- waters we fish and the bioregions within years, the cutthroat trout vanished from throat trout are threatened by habitat which we reside. most of its historic range.6 The Rio disturbances related to activities such as Grande cutthroat trout, one of fourteen grazing, logging, mining, road construc- subspecies of cutthroat, is endemic to the tion, and water extraction. Because of WHEN CORONADO CAME, upper Rio Grande River basin of Col- increased habitat and population frag- THE CUTTHROAT WENT AWAY orado and northern New Mexico and the mentation, the small size and isolation of Pecos River in New Mexico. It arrived in many populations leaves them at an The European encounter with indige- these waters by way of a 100-million-year increasingly greater risk to the negative nous peoples of the Southwest has been geographical and evolutionary journey effects of habitat disturbance, disease told many times. It has been written that that distributed the cutthroat trout geo- transmission, and the deleterious effects when Jesus came “the corn mothers went graphically more than any other salm- of nonnative species.11 away.” The early expeditions of the onid species.7 The length of this story is In recent years, numerous efforts have Spanish not only affected populations of important when one considers the rate at emerged with the goal of protecting, pre- local indigenous peoples, but also the which cutthroat have disappeared. serving, and/or restoring native trout to native fish species of the Southwest.3 As Despite a 100-million-year evolution, their endemic waters around North the expedition of Francisco Vasquez de within one hundred years of their fateful America. Following this trend, state and SUMMER 2009 11

federal agencies in Colorado and New species. Conventional wisdom of the efforts to restore and preserve distinct Mexico have initiated efforts to protect time believed that nonnative trout could species and subspecies to promote bio- and augment current populations of Rio easily fill the voids in cutthroat caused by logical diversity.19 And despite the prefer- Grande cutthroat through habitat im- overfishing or habitat degradation. ence for catching brown and rainbow provement projects, fence enhancements That same “conventional wisdom” trout, anglers today are gradually joining to exclude livestock and elk from grazing held that anglers more widely embraced the ranks of conservation biologists and on stream banks, and the construction of brown and rainbow trout as “sporting” forestry officials by professing the need barriers in certain streams to prevent fish. Patrick Trotter explains that since to protect and restore populations of upstream migrations by nonnative trout. the early days of the American West, “it native Rio Grande cutthroat. As a result of many of these activities, [the cutthroat] has been much maligned according to a 2006 report, the popula- by sportsmen for its gullibility and lack WHY NATIVE? VALUES tion numbers of Rio Grande cutthroat of sophistication, and much neglected by OF BIODIVERSITY “appear to be stable.”12 fishery managers.”15 And although these Despite apparent stability, Rio Grande perceptions, Trotter and others admit, As I argue elsewhere, there are a num- cutthroat trout continue to be at risk. are changing, a preference for brown ber of fly fishers who believe that the Maintaining stability requires ongoing trout and a prejudice against Rio Grande most fundamental fly-fishing experience and active management. Beyond habitat cutthroat still hinder projects to secure potentially emerges from quiet quests for disturbance, most experts agree that “the their future existence.16 Many anglers, native fish in their isolated, native waters.20 greatest threat to the stability of Rio and quite a few whom I encounter in my Anglers often compare these experiences Grande cutthroat is the presence of non- fieldwork as a social scientist, still prefer with more “profane” excursions of catch- native trout.”13 According to Robert to catch brown trout over cutthroat. ing nonnative, hatchery-reared trout on Behnke, “The most significant aspect of They believe that brown trout are a crowded stream. David James Duncan the cutthroat life history, ecology, and smarter, faster, and harder to catch.17 elevates native fish above hatchery- biology that can be offered to explain In addition to the goals of replacing reared trout when he explains that the their great decline in distribution and game fish, early fisheries management opposite of native is hatchery.21 John abundance concerns the cutthroat programs of the early to mid-1900s oper- Gierach argues that by valuing native trout’s susceptibility to hybridization ated on misconceived notions that native fish, one is immediately making a state- with rainbow trout and replacement by and nonnative fish species were hardly ment against nonnative hatchery trout: brown trout and brook trout in streams different, and that the introduction of and lake trout in large lakes.”14 By the late nonnative stocks would prove “benefi- I don’t care much for hatchery trout. 1800s, the U.S. Fish Commission began cial” to old populations, which risked They’re better than no trout at all, but introducing nonnative trout into envi- negative effects of “interbreeding.”18 otherwise they’re inferior in every way ronments that historically supported Today we know this cannot be further to their wild relatives. . . . Hatchery fish cutthroat trout as the only salmonid from the truth, as is evident in continued are, well. . . they’re from a hatchery; they don’t seem to belong in the stream, they’re often the wrong species (rain- bows where cutthroats should live, for example), most are pale and sickly look- ing when compared to wild fish and, having been raised on Purina Trout Chow, they aren’t very good to eat.22

Beyond the trout itself, however, such fetishization of native trout says as much about the endemic homes of the Rio Grande cutthroat as it does about the actual fish in question. Gierach, celebrat- ed by anglers for his rants, ramblings, and religious reflections on everything fly fishing, argues in Fly Fishing Small Streams that fishing for native fish in small streams “probably is pure fly fish- ing,” in part because the small streams are the ones that contain wild, native trout.23 These streams and their native inhabitants are so highly sought by the purist crowd because they offer seclu- sion, privacy, and a chance to engage nature personally. Also important to these anglers is the knowledge that what is good for native trout is often good for other native species of the same areas; or, the idea that what is good for native species might be good for people. I am always keenly interested in stories From a pen drawing by Lionel Edwards in W. Shaw told by fly fishers of how angling can lead Sparrow, Angling in British Art (London: John Lane, to increased awareness of whole ecosys- The Bodley Head Limited, 1923), facing page 71. tems. I encounter these stories often and,

12 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

perhaps, with increasing frequency. They basic issue of our time to which we must Moreover, Elliot calls ecological restora- start with fishing, then learn about the respond” through the restoration, pro- tion a lie because he fears that the idea of bugs, or flies, of fly fishing, which leads tection, and preservation of all remain- restoration is too easily co-opted by to rudimentary streamside ecology. This ing members of the biotic community.28 those wishing to first degrade an ecosys- expanded vision, anglers often reflect, But restoration is highly controversial. tem; it is what Andrew Light calls “mali- provides a picture of the whole upon cious restoration.”32 This is opposed to 33 which native trout depend. According to DEBATING RESTORATION “benign restoration,” which seeks to John Randolph, editor of Fly Fisherman, restore an already degraded system or one’s knowledge and awareness should On a basic level, ecological restoration species, such as those in question in New expand to the point that catching fish represents the physical attempt to make Mexico or the American West. recedes as the primary goal of fishing. At landscapes whole again. Restoration spe- Both Katz and Elliot also believe that this point, according to Randolph, the cialist Dan Daggett writes that “restora- “the practice of ecological restoration angler should reach “the tenth level,” as tion offers a way to become native once can only represent a misguided faith in he calls it. This is, potentially, when an again.”29 According to Eric Higgs, res- the hegemony and infallibility of the angler can sit on the side of a stream and toration can range from “arresting inva- human power to control the world.”34 In watch fish rather than catch them.24 sive and weedy species” to “reintroducing other words, it amounts to hubris. How These expressions mirror valu- can humans, who have messed ations of biological diversity so much up already, actually fix prominent in biocentric or eco- their errors? centric forms of environmental However, restoration need ethics, which often draw upon not equal control of nature. various natural sciences, con- New Mexico restoration spe- servation biology, or even the cialist Bill Zeedyk teaches a practices of restoration ecology method of stream restoration in which species are valued in called “induced meandering,”35 relationship to the life of the which requires humans to ecosystem. In these moments, build some small barriers into anglers value the native cut- a stream while allowing nature throat not because it is some- or the water to take its course thing they want to catch, but and reshape the stream over because they know it is there or time. Induced meandering pro- because they learn to see the vides a nice model for avoiding cutthroat in the context of the hubris in any restoration pro- entire biotic system of life, ject because it takes the impetus rather than merely as a game off humans and places it on the species. process of nature. Moreover, In his famous articulation research shows that ecosystems of the “land ethic,” Aldo Leo- do not restore themselves and pold describes the “trend of instead need a little help, partic- evolution” as the elaboration ularly in removing nonnative and diversification of biota of species that might tend to out- the ecological community.25 compete native species. Oppo- Like Leopold, what conserva- From Genio C. Scott, Fishing in American Waters nents argue, however, that the tion biologists and fly fishers (New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1869), 355. removal of nonnative species alike appreciate about native really revolves around satisfy- cutthroat, among other species, is the missing plants and animals to create an ing the needs and interests of humans. cutthroat’s contribution to an evolution- intact web of life.” All of this demands For example, the environmental advo- arily and biologically diverse ecosystem. “understanding the historical conditions cacy group Wilderness Watch warns that Understanding the entire biotic commu- that led to present conditions.”30 In the restorations are all about sport, not a nity, according to luminary conservation case of New Mexico, for example, res- concern for biodiversity. “The purpose,” biologist Michael Soule, should lead toration entails not only restoring Rio they insist, “is to remove stocked trout humans to realize that native species, the Grande cutthroat to their native waters, and replace them with listed trout, in an foundation of biological diversity, are but restoring the rivers and watersheds effort to boost the population to a level often on the brink of extinction.26 of the native cutthroat, all the while that will allow delisting and resumed Because some species face extinction, understanding why those waters are cru- sport fishing of these species.”36 However, humans are reversing evolution’s trend cial for their survival and all of the his- this point hardly holds water in all cases. and causing another great extinction.27 torical threats that have put both fish The Rio Grande cutthroat (after more Like an asteroid in slow motion, humans and rivers in jeopardy. than ten years of petitions) was only pro- have gradually caused the sixth extinc- Whether we are talking about prairies posed for listing as an endangered species tion phase through the extirpation of or cutthroat trout, some environmental by the United States Fish and Wildlife native species, loss of ecosystem protec- philosophers oppose the practices of Service in 2008.Anglers are part ofthe tion, fragmentation of habitat, invasion restoration. Two of the most vocal oppo- valuable fight in the push for this listing, by disruptive exotic or nonnative species nents are Robert Elliot and Eric Katz, all the while realizing that if the trout is and diseases, pollution, and climate who argue that restored systems are “lies” listed as endangered, they might not be change. In light of this history, Soule that “fake nature.”31 A restored landscape, able to fish for it. explains that “the reduction of the bio- watershed, or species can never have the Endangered Species Act listing aside, logical diversity of the planet is the most same value as the original system. angler enjoyment of catching native SUMMER 2009 13

attention to restoration, should be healthier than it was without those native species.”44 Restoration therefore provides outlets for making ecosystems whole again, but doing that demands under- standing the system in question.

RESTORING KNOWLEDGE, BECOMING NATIVE In Bright Waters, Bright Fish, Roderick Haig-Brown connected fly fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation to the development of a scientific understand- ing of nature and an “ethic of land, air, and water.”45 Like fly fishing, restoration ecology can and should foster the devel- opment of a scientific appreciation of na- From U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, A Manual of Fish-Culture ture, as well as a deepened ethic of respect (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1900), plate 28. for nature. J. Baird Callicott argues that restora- trout in their native and isolated loca- “poisoning” of public waters.40 Ac- tion should teach about the spatial and tions is not sufficient reason for restora- cording to Sean Ferrell, the director of temporal fit of a species to an ecosystem. tion. According to Ted Williams, anglers fisheries for the southwest region of the Fit, he insists, not necessarily history, is a should “defend native fish not because USFS, neither the chemicals nor their use crucial parameter; a restoration makes they are fun to catch or good to eat or in restoration are understudied.41 Both sense if the species in question still fits in beautiful, not because they are anything, chemicals are naturally occurring and the ecosystem.46 In the case of Rio Grande but because they are.”37 Despite holistic require incredible quantities to pose any cutthroat, assuming all predators aside, proclamations on the intrinsic value of threat to a person. For example, in the they still fit in the cold headwaters of native species by the likes of Williams, concentrations used for fish removal, a New Mexico streams, and the same goes the angling community seems largely person of roughly 154 pounds must con- for other native trout around North divided on the issue of trout restoration. sume 20,000 gallons for rotenone-treated America. The focus on fit recalls Jackson’s Some anglers do not see the need to mess water in a twenty-four-hour period to discussions of “native,” as he believes up one perfectly good trout stream in the have potentially fatal results.42 For humans have forgotten how to work with name of another trout stream. However, antimycin, a person would have to con- nature rather than work against it, as we restoration is hardly the same thing as sume double that quantity. Although do nowadays. In other words, humans removing one trout and putting in anoth- extremely high doses of these chemicals need to learn how to fit into their biore- er. Instead, “an entire aquatic ecosystem are necessary to pose any threat to gions. If fishing, as many fly fishers changes in response to the characteristics humans, these chemicals are quite effec- argue, can teach us about fish or stream- of predator species.”38 Bill Schudlich, chair tive in small doses at killing fish. side ecology, and if our contemplation of of the New Mexico Council of Trout Whether using chemicals or elec- native fish might reveal what is wrong Unlimited (TU), explains that although troshocking techniques, restoration pro- with an ecosystem or watershed, then anglers enjoy catching them, we should jects always entail some level of violence restoration projects offer ways for us to not seek to conserve cutthroat as a target (i.e., killing fish), and that makes others actively engage those issues. Indeed, for angling. Instead, cutthroat trout need more than uneasy. However, fisheries many are making this connection, as is restoration because “the native fish of biologists or restoration ecologists will evidenced not only by statements and New Mexico are as much a part of our remind you that the acts of introducing policies from TU, Federation of Fly natural heritage as the Carlsbad Caverns nonnative fish were equally violent. Fishers, and countless grassroots groups and the Rio Grande. If we don’t restore Repairing the damage from one form of like New Mexico Trout, but also through these fish, something unique and special violence unfortunately necessitates a bit their endeavors in projects like TU’s about New Mexico will be lost.”39 But more violence. Reflecting on this double Bring Back the Natives or the Western even if one agrees with the end result, bind, restoration ecologist William Water Project. These are but two of some fear the process. The most con- Jordan III likens the goals of restoration many local, regional, or national initia- tentious of all issues revolves around not to the repayment of a debt for much tives aimed at restoring rivers, water- only the methods for removing nonna- larger sins committed. “Everything we sheds, and the native fish who are at tive species, but also the act of removing take from nature,” he reflects, “some- home in those waters. them altogether. times by persuasion or collaboration, Restoration, unlike fishing, however, In the case of trout, the USFS, Envi- sometimes by outright theft. Either way, is a highly collaborative enterprise. If fly ronmental Protection Agency, and all the debt we incur is, or ought to be, a fishing is celebrated for the solitude it trout conservation organizations unani- constant concern. For many, restoration brings the angler, restoration can poten- mously maintain that the piscicides is an attractive idea because it offers a tially bring anglers and other concerned antimycin A and rotenone are the most way of repaying that debt.”43 This repay- stakeholders together to work for the benign and successful tools available for ment involves difficult decisions and common good of the community and achieving goals of restoration. Oppo- actions, but as Ferrell explains,“you cope bioregion. Becoming an “ecological citi- nents, however, claim the use of pisci- with the pain by realizing that in several zen” or “native” to place has as much to cides is an understudied and unnecessary months this stream, through proper do with learning how to work with and 14 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

for nature as it does negotiating how to that “we’ll have to, in order to remain in question. This means learning a great work in human communities. Restor- alive.”52 Further, he passionately argues deal about the biological and cultural ation can potentially do this. It can teach that “industrial man has [messed] up so history of places such as New Mexico, us about the ecological history of place bad that a lot of the native work to be where Rio Grande cutthroat swim. while simultaneously engaging its cul- done over the next few centuries is going Pushing things beyond the watershed, tural history. Biodiversity, in other to be repair work.”53 This repair work is becoming native also demands under- words, can teach about cultural diversity. certainly restoration work, and restora- standing how what is happening in New Nowhere is this point more evident than tion work is native work. Native work will Mexico might shed light on issues in in efforts by various indigenous groups have as much to do with seeking mutual- other places where water, fish, and around the United States to restore ism and embeddedness in human-to- human communities are at stake. native trout. human relationships as it will in human- In New Mexico, the Jicarilla Apache, to-nature relationships. ! as well as the Nambe and Santa Clara For Duncan, the word native is a lofty Pueblos, are currently initiating projects word that everyone must earn. Despite to restore Rio Grande cutthroat to the all his efforts through writing and on- ENDNOTES waters of their reservations, some of the-ground activism to restore, protect, 47 1. Wes Jackson, Becoming Native to This which are native cutthroat habitat. and preserve the various natives of his Place (Lexington: University Press of Ken- Elsewhere around the country, tribal own bioregion, Duncan doubts that he tucky, 1994), 2–3. peoples are teaming up with the USFS or would ever consider himself native to 2. Andrew Light explains that “the goal TU, for example, to restore native fish to Montana. To call his own life, which of an ecological citizenship is to bring togeth- their bioregions. As Tim Zink details in includes the trappings of TV, electricity, er the interests of a human community to be Trout, reservation lands are becoming a car, and a “garden that sucks,” a native fair and open and conducive to allowing each critically important strongholds for cer- life, he insisted, “just dimin- tain native trout.48 And according to ishes the word.”54 The word Lavern Broncho, a Shoshone-Bannock native, whether we are talk- elder, native fish protection is integral to ing about nonhuman ani- the protection and reinvigoration of mals or human animals, ac- Native American culture on the reserva- cording to Duncan, “is an tion. He believes that as fish declined, so honor that we must earn did traditional knowledge. Their restora- afresh, every day. Our indi- tion programs, then, “are a way to keep vidual words, actions, and that knowledge alive”49 However, indige- purchases either do or do nous groups are not the only ones who not contribute to the health can benefit from such work. TU’s direc- of what Aldo Leopold calls tor of resources, Joe McGurrin, believes the “biotic community.”55 that these fish also represent our To become native, it is those American heritage and that we can learn words, actions, and pur- a lot from them.50 chases that hold the keys. The combination of heritage and Across the American land- community is an enticing element to scape and elsewhere, anglers, restoration of native fish. Restoration hunters, ranchers, and other can potentially give rise to more collabo- stakeholders are increasingly rative forms of conservation in which working together to restore various stakeholders work together for a native species, rivers, and common good. As Light says, “one of the watersheds. In these initia- more interesting things about ecological tives, practices in nature, restorations is that they are amenable to such as fishing or restora- public participation” and that participa- tion itself, provide innova- tion is vital for a strong community.51 tive new outlets or entryway Just as fish and human communities are activities for individuals and dependent on healthy watersheds, for groups to rethink what it example, healthy watersheds are depen- might mean to understand, dent on healthy human communities. value, and engage both na- For these reasons, fly fishers should not ture and community. only use fishing to think about and Duncan is correct; native engage the fate of native species, but we is a serious word that we should also use native species to think should not take lightly. Seen about how we might at least work in the proper light and done toward creating strong, sustainable, for the right reasons, per- native communities. haps native fish restoration offers a few tools for im- UNDERSTANDING NATIVE proving our generational odds of becoming native to In his aptly titled article “Native,” place. Through restoration, David James Duncan, like Jackson, humans must learn about explains that humans must find the abil- the entire ecosystem and its From Alfred M. Mayer, Sport with Gun and Rod ity to become natives to our places and history, not just the species Vol. I (New York: The Century Company, 1883), 413. SUMMER 2009 15

member of a community to pursue his or her American Fisheries Society Symposium 19. For further research on the deleteri- own private interests while also tempering (1988, no. 4), 90–92. ous effects on cutthroat from interbreeding these pursuits with attention to the environ- 9. Victoria J. Pritchard and David E. with rainbow trout, see Fred Allendorf, Robb ment. A strengthened relationship with Cowley. “Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout: A F. Leary, Nathaniel P. Hitt, Kathy L. Knudsen, nature is to be found in forming open-ended Technical Conservation Assessment.” Pre- Matthew C. Boyer, and Paul Spruell, “Cut- organizational bonds that entail specific pared for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky throat Trout Hybridization and the U.S. moral, and possibly legal, responsibilities to Mountain Region, Species Conservation Endangered Species Act: One Species, Two create for the nature around one’s communi- Project (28 July 2006), 3. Available online: Policies,” Conservation Biology (2005, vol. 19, ty and respect the environmental connec- www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments no. 4), 1326–28; Fred W. Allendorf and Robb tions between communities.” Andrew Light, /riograndecutthroattrout.pdf. Accessed 30 F. Leary, “Conservation and Distribution of “Restoring Ecological Citizenship,” in Ben A. July 2007. Genetic Variation in a Polytipic Species: The Minteer and Bob Pepperman Taylor, eds., 10.Stefferud,“Rio Grande Cutthroat Cutthroat Trout,” Conservation Biology (1988, Democracy and the Claims of Nature: Critical Management,” 91. vol. 2,no.2), 170–84;Robert Arlinghaus,Steven Perspectives for a New Century (Lanham, Md.: 11. Behnke, Trout and Salmon of North Cooke, Jon Lyman, David Policansky, Alex- Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2002), America; Pritchard and Cowley, “Rio Grande ander Schawb, Cory Suski, Stephen Sutton, 153–72, 159. Cutthroat”; Trotter, Cutthroat: Native Trout of and Eva B. Thorstad, “Understanding the 3. The subhead title is a play off Ramon the West. Complexity of Catch-and-Release in Recre- Gutierrez, When Jesus Came, the Corn 12. Pritchard and Cowley, “Rio Grande ational Fishing: An Integrative Synthesis of Mothers Went Away: Marriage, Sexuality, and Cutthroat,” 3. Global Knowledge from Historical, Ethical, Power in New Mexico, 1500–1846 (Palo Alto, 13.Ibid.Moreover,conversations with Social, and Biological Perspectives,” Reviews Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1991), in wildlife managers confirm this point. in Fisheries Science (2007; vol. 15), 75–167; which he details the effects of Spanish colo- Fisheries specialists such as Sean Ferrell and Donald E. Campton and Lynn R. Kaeding, nialism on the Pueblo Indians of New Chuck Dentino of the USFS expressed frus- “Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Hybridization, Mexico. The statement “when Jesus came the tration with continued stocking of nonnative and the U.S. Endangered Species Act,” corn mothers went away” is a quote from a fish, such as brown trout, into waters desig- Conservation Biology (2005, vol. 19, no. 4), Pueblo Indian who lamented the uprooting nated as native Rio Grande cutthroat habitat. 1323–25 (Allendorf and Campton debate of their traditional religion and society at the 14. Behnke, Trout and Salmon of North some of the political implications of trout hands of Franciscan missionaries in New America, 140. interbreeding, particularly when attempting Mexico. See also Jon Butler, Grant Wacker, 15. Trotter, Cutthroat: Native Trout of the to protect trout under the Endangered and Randall Balmer, Religion in American West, xii. Species Act); M. C. Quist and W. A. Hubert, Life: A Short History (Oxford: Oxford Univer- 16. Ibid. “Bioinvasive Species and the Preservation of sity Press, 2003), 34. 17. In Royal Coachman: The Lore and Cutthroat Trout in the Western United States,” 4. Patrick Trotter, Cutthroat: Native Trout Legends of Fly Fishing (New York: Simon & Environmental Science and Policy (2004, vol. of the West (Boulder: University of Colorado Schuster, 1999), Paul Schullery notes on page 7), 303–13 (which traces the effects of nonna- Press, 1987), 2.The quote Trotter uses was 189 that “standards and values” of trout tive species on the preservation of cutthroat taken from G. P. Hammond and A. Rey, eds., anglers are changing: “our understanding of trout). Narratives of the Coronado Expedition (Albu- wild ecosystems has evolved so that we have 20. Samuel Snyder, “Casting for Conser- querque: University of New Mexico Press, higher expectations when we insist on wild vation: Religious Values and Environmental 1940), which contains a text of Castandeda de trout in our streams.”However, he notes con- Ethics in Fly-Fishing Culture,” The American Najera’s history of the expedition. fusion and controversy when he states, “We Fly Fisher (summer 2008, vol. 34, no. 3). 5. Ibid., 5. just don’t agree on those expectations,” in 21. David James Duncan, My Story as 6.Robert Behnke,Trout and Salmon of part because there is confusion about the dif- Told by Water: Confessions, Druidic Rants, North America (New York: Free Press, 2002), 139. ference between “wild” and “native.” Reflections, Bird-Watchings, Fish-Stalkings, 7. Ibid., 1. See also Trotter, Cutthroat: Schullery notes that “native is getting to be Visions, Songs and Prayers Refracting Light, Native Trout of the West, 21. the important word.” from Living Rivers, in the Age of the Industrial 8. Jerome Stefferud, “Rio Grande Cut- 18. Thomas P. Gable, First Report of Game Dark (San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, throat Management in New Mexico,” in and Fish Warden of New Mexico, 1909– 2001), 100. Robert E. Gresswell, ed., Status and Manage- 1910–1911 (Albuquerque: New Mexico Printing 22. John Gierach, Fly Fishing Small ment of Interior Stocks of Cutthroat Trout; Office, 1912), 33. Streams (Harrisburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 1989), 20; italics his. 23. Ibid., 27. 24. John Randolph, Becoming a Fly Fisher: From Brookie Days to the Tenth Level (Guildford, Conn.: Lyons Press, 2002). 25. Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There, 2nd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1968), 216. 26. Michael Soule, “What Do We Really Know about Extinction?” in C. M. Schone- wald-Cox, S. Chambers, B. MacBryde, and L. Thomas, eds., Genetics and Conservation (Menlo Park, Calif.: Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Company, 1983), 115. 27. Soule, “What Do We Really Know about Extinction?,” 116.See also Dave Foreman, Rewilding North America: A Vision for Conservation in the 21st Century (Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 2004). 28.Michael Soule and Bruce Wilcox, Conservation Biology: An Evolutionary-Eco- From The American Turf Register and Sporting logical Perspective (Sunderland, Mass.: Magazine Vol. II (Baltimore: J.S. Skinner, 1831), 238. Sinauer Associates, 1980), ix.

16 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

From Edward Hamilton, Recollections of Fly Fishing for Salmon, Trout and Grayling (New York: Orange Judd Company, 1885), facing page 86.

29. Dan Daggett, Gardeners of Eden: Re- Down When It’s Needed Most,” Fly Rod & .newmexicotu.org/Antimycin%20Summary. discovering our Importance to Nature (Santa Reel (October 2005), 26; italics his. pdf. Accessed 23 June 2008. Barbara, Calif.: Thatcher Charitable Trust, 38.Higgs,Nature by Design, 117.For fur- 43.William Jordan III, The Sunflower 2005), 6. ther studies on the effects of introduced brown Forest: Ecological Restoration and the New 30. Eric Higgs, Nature by Design: People, or lake trout into native cutthroat waters, see, Communion with Nature (Berkeley: Uni- Natural Processes, and Ecological Restoration for example, Ronald Knapp, Paul S. Corn, and versity of California Press, 2003), 96. (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2003), 1. Daniel Schindler, “The Introduction of 44. Ferrell interview, 2007. 31. For full explanations of these terms, Nonnative Fish into Wilderness Lakes: Good 45. Roderick Haig-Brown, Bright Waters, see Robert Elliot, Faking Nature: The Ethics of Intentions, Conflicting Mandates, Unintended Bright Fish: An Examination of Angling in Environmental Restoration (New York: Rout- Consequences,” Ecosystems (2005, vol. 4). In Canada (Vancouver, B.C.: Douglas & McIntyre, ledge, 1997) and Eric Katz, “The Big Lie: The this article, Higgs describes the effects of 1980), 130–34. For an astute exploration of Human Restoration of Nature,” Research in nonnative trout on the viability of four native Haig-Brown’s conservation ethos as emanat- Philosophy and Technology (1992; vol. 12), amphibians and two native reptiles in Yose- ing from his fly fishing, see Arn Keeling, “‘A 231–34. Katz repeats his position in “Another mite National Park. After a multivariable Dynamic, Not a Static Conception’: The Con- Look at Restoration: Technology and Artificial study measuring elevation, water quality and servation Thought of Roderick Haig-Brown,” Nature,”in Paul H. Gobster and R. Bruce Hull, depth, and fauna populations, Knapp con- Pacific Historical Review (2002, vol. 71, no. 2), eds., Restoring Nature: Perspectives from the cludes that the “results of the current study 239–68. Social Sciences and Humanities (Washington, provide strong evidence that in Yosemite 46. J. Baird Callicott, “Choosing Appro- D.C.: Island Press, 2000), 37–48. National Park, introduced trout have pro- priate Temporal and Spatial Scales for 32. For a pithy overview of the debates foundly altered the distribution of two of Ecological Restoration,” Journal of Bioscience over ecological restoration, see Andrew Light four native aquatic-breeding amphibians and (2002, vol. 27, no. 4), 409–20. and Eric Higgs, “The Politics of Ecological both of the widely distributed garter snake 47.Deborah Begel,“Debate Rages over Restoration,” Environmental Ethics (1996, vol. species” (275). There are numerous studies— Fish Poisoning,” High Country News (7 May 18), 227–47. too many to list here—detailing the negative 2001,vol.33,no.9) [Online: accessed 26 January 33. Ibid. consequences of introducing nonnative trout 2007]. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com 34. Eric Katz, “The Problem of Ecological into a variety of waters. /vault/cover/toc/11015/index.htm, paragraph 2. Restoration,” Environmental Ethics (1996, vol. 39.Bill Schudlich,“Trout Unlimited 48.Tim Zink,“Restoration on the Res- 18), 222–24, 222. Awarded $460,000 to Restore New Mexico’s ervation: Protecting Native Fish on Native 35. Steven Carson, interview with author, 19 Native Fish” (Trout Unlimited press release: 11 Lands,” Trout (Spring 2005), 28–33; 56. January 2007;and Bill Zeedyk,An Introduction July 2006). This point was also reiterated in 49.Quoted in Zink,“Restoration on the to Induced Meandering: A Method for Restoring an interview with the author on 16 July 2006. Reservation,” 31. Stability to Incised Stream Channels (Santa Fe: 40. See Williams, “Ann and Nancy’s War.” 50. Zink, “Restoration on the Reserva- The Earthworks Institute, Quivira Coalition, 41. Sean Ferrell, interview with author, 17 tion,” 28. and Zeedyk Ecological Consulting, 2006). February 2007. 51.Andrew Light,“Restorative Relation- 36. Ted Williams, “Environmentalists vs. 42. Williams, “Ann and Nancy’s War.” See ships: From Artifacts to ‘Natural’ Systems,” in Native Trout: Sometimes the Good Guys Are also Dirk Young and Thomas Steeger, “Envi- Robert France, ed., Healing Natures, Repairing Part of the Problem,” Fly Rod & Reel (April ronmental Fate and Ecological Risk Assess- Relationships: Landscape Architecture and the 2004) [Online: Accessed 20 July 2008]. www ment for the Registration of Antimycin A,” Restoration of Ecological Spaces (Sheffield, Vt.: .flyrodreel.com/Fly-Rod-and-Reel-Online prepared for the United States Environmental Green Frigate Books, 2007), 95–116, 97. /April-2004/Environmentalists-Vs-Native- Protection Agency, Office of Prevention, Pest- 52.Duncan,My Story as Told by Water, 101. Trout/, paragraph 19. icides, and Toxic Chemicals, 2007; and Kevin 53.Ibid.,108. 37. Ted Williams, “Ann and Nancy’s War: Ott, “Antimycin: A Brief Review of Its Chem- 54.Ibid.,100. Restoration of Imperiled Fish Just Got Shut istry, Environmental Fate, and Toxicology,”www 55. Ibid.

SUMMER 2009 17

NOTES AND COMMENT A Note on Writing the History of Fly Fishing by Gordon M. Wickstrom

O GET A DEPENDABLE grasp on the William Caxton (1422–1491), the first ly in a doctor’s office, I noticed a thick, history of fly fishing, we need two, printer of books in English, in any dis- dazzlingly slick magazine called Amer- Tnot just one, of our leading histo- cussion of the history of fly fishing. Who ican Cheerleader—a “journal” quite sur- rians of the sport, both well known and would have thought such a thing! The passing in cultural avoirdupois that of regarded in these pages. Caxton effect often takes us far afield our fly-fishing lot.) We are not, it hurts First, we need Paul Schullery to gath- from angling and into general history in to say, the center of the universe of er and organize, with his scholarly preci- order to understand a particular phe- human diversions. sion, the necessary historical data and nomenon in the history of fly fishing. Still, both Betts and Schullery can then remind us that we will not find So, then, it takes Schullery and Betts teach us how we may continue to trea- exact points of origin for any of the sig- both to write our history. But, alas, such sure what we have got and what the nificant steps in the development of fly historical methods can never be exactly ancients in our history have handed fishing; rather, we will discover our his- popular because they remove the ele- down to us. Betts insists that our histori- tory in coincidence, simultaneity, over- ment of the romantic and dramatic from cal forbears were in no way less capable lap, sharing, borrowing, accident, and historical discourse. The “great man” than we, that their work was keenly even cribbing—all spread here and there theory of history is reduced to old nos- inventive and imaginative, and that it over time and space. talgia. Betts and Schullery, like good exactly suited their needs. A good post- Then we need innovator-historian postmodernists, teach that nothing is as modernist might say he valorizes them. John Betts’s remarkable insights into the original and singular as it might have ! complex, often surprising, often remote once seemed—or as we would like it still historical pressures, events, and develop- to be. Invention is never as instantly Gordon Wickstrom has written for this ments that have had to combine in just inspired as we once thought. History is journal for so long and has grown so old in exactly the right way to get at something thick and turbid. The voilà! is gone out the process that he wonders that he can new; for instance, getting guides on rods of it. And we feel somehow deflated. keep going, even with contributions as and knots out of lines. I have presumed And to top it off, Betts insists that fly slight as this. He says he hopes that the to label Betts’s analysis the Caxton effect fishing is a quite small matter in human ghost of Austin Hogan, who first recruited because some years ago he brought me culture. It is much less than we would him to the journal in 1969, can forgive him up short with his insistence that I include like, devoted as we are to it. (Only recent- his left-wing tendencies.

Wulff and Hewitt: Light Tackle for Large Salmon by John Alevras

IKE MOST OLDER steelheaders and but it was Wulff’s dramatic, professionally formed the Sixteen/Twenty Club (using a Atlantic salmon fishermen, I was produced movies of the 1950s and ’60s no. 16 fly to land a 20-pound salmon), a Linspired by Lee Wulff and his many that convinced us of what could be legion of anglers followed who wanted to notable achievements. By the 1940s, fly accomplished with featherweight tackle. It achieve the standard of excellence estab- fishers were reading in magazines of his motivated rod manufacturers to produce lished by Wulff. 1 exploits using 7-foot fly rods of 2⁄2 ounces 6-foot rods weighing an ounce or two; it No one thought to question that Wulff to catch large salmon and viewing films of motivated steelhead and Atlantic salmon might not have been the first to pursue him fishing for and landing salmon with- anglers to seek their trophies with dimin- Salmo salar with such delicate tackle. We out the use of a rod (using line and fly utive rods and small flies. In 1964,when simply applauded his talents and what only). The magazine articles continued, Wulff and a small group of fly fishermen we perceived to be original exploits. But 18 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

did you know Lee Wulff was likely not the was landed in twenty-six minutes with- first to capture Atlantic salmon on out difficulty.5 extreme light tackle and tiny flies? In the 24 February 1934 issue of the It is likely that Hewitt and Wulff knew New Yorker, in a column titled “Profiles: each other. I am confident Wulff would The Compleat Angler,” Geoffrey Hell- have read Hewitt’s Telling on Trout (1926) man, writing of the many and diverse and Secrets of the Salmon (1922), as well accomplishments of Edward Ringwood as his magazine articles. They were both Hewitt, states, “Mr. Hewitt is a pioneer members of the Anglers’ Club of New dry fly salmon fisherman, having taken York, where exploits were touted at daily this sport up in 1913. On the Terra Nova luncheons and in the wonderful quarter- in Newfoundland, he once took a twen- ly bulletin of the club, but I could find no Fishing • Hunting ty-five pound salmon on a one-ounce evidence they dined together at the long rod using a No. 16 trout fly and, just to table and shared their exploits and theo- Specializing in rare and make it harder, a leader that breaks at a ries. Possibly it was Hewitt who motivat- pound.”1 Hellman’s article was also refer- ed Wulff just as Wulff influenced so many out-of-print sporting enced by Hewitt in his 1943 autobio- of us. Could it have been Hewitt’s inno- books with one of the largest graphical book Those Were the Days.2 vation and theatrics of catching large Hewitt was a man of innovation in just Atlantic salmon on diminutive gear that inventories in the U.S. about every aspect of his life. He was ignited Wulff’s desire to challenge con- privileged to fish for Atlantic salmon vention, innovate, and publicize his Fresh and salt water throughout eastern Canada and the accomplishments? Wulff’s use of a modi- British Isles, and it is easy to envision him fied Variant (the Variant was Hewitt’s fly fishing • Fly tying challenging himself with light trout gear invention) back in the 1930s to catch Upland game • Big game for Salmo salar, particularly in an era salmon suggests that this is the likely his- when salmon were plentiful and catches torical sequence in the development of Sporting dogs • etc. were often large. the use of light fly tackle for big fish. So who really was first at catching Two 72-page catalogs large Atlantic salmon on 1-ounce bam- ENDNOTES boo fly rods and no. 16 flies? I believe it issued each year with no was Hewitt. In Lee Wulff’s 1940 book, 1.Geoffrey Hellman,“Profiles:The title repeated for three Compleat Angler,” New Yorker (24 February Leaping Silver, he clearly demonstrates catalogs. Subscription he was using very small flies for Atlantic 1934), 23–26. salmon when he writes: 2. Edward R. Hewitt, Those Were the price is $5.00 for two years. Days (New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce, Seven years ago, after whittling down 1943), 285. my smallest trout flies down to the 3. Lee Wulff, Leaping Silver (New York: We are always interested point where they would barely float, George W. Stewart, 1940), 67. in buying single books some low-water dry flies solved a prob- 4. Ibid., 73. lem for me. Since ordinary dry flies are 5. Lee Wulff, “Spare the Rod and Prove or entire sporting libraries. designed to float in moderately fast the Point,” in Lee Wulff and John Merwin, water the same feather would float a ed., The Compleat Lee Wulff (New York: hook two or more sizes larger on the Truman Talley Books/E. P. Dutton, 1989), 50. Appraisals done for glass-calm water of that particular estate and insurance drought condition. By thus increasing John Alevras is a passionate book collec- the size of my hooks I was able to land tor and steelhead fisherman who con- purposes. salmon where before I had been losing tributes regularly to fly-fishing magazines. them on No. 14 and No. 16 dry flies. The His book, Leaves from a Steelheader’s variant pattern lent itself best to this Judith Bowman Books type of fly since its small wheel of fine, Diary, will be published this winter by stiff fibers presented the least bulk to Frank Amato Publications. 98 Pound Ridge Road 3 the fish rising up to take them. Bedford, NY 10506 Later in the same chapter, Wulff writes of (914) 234-7543 (phone) using leader tippets down to .008 and (914) 234-0122 (fax) light single-handed rods, but nothing smaller than 9 feet.4 In a 1946 Field & Stream article, “Spare the Rod and Prove the Point,” Wulff writes:

But in 1940, for the first year I used the 1 2 ⁄2-ounce rod none of my fish gave me special trouble and they came in at about the same speed as on a 5-ounce rod. An 18-pounder was my largest fish of that season, which still left room for doubters to say, “You’re just catching small ones. A 30-pounder will show up “The Uncaged Woman” your small rod.” Then in 1942, a 30- pounder clamped down on my fly and SUMMER 2009 19

IN MEMORIAM

Mel Krieger 28 August 1928–7 October 2008

Mel Krieger. Image courtesy of Fanny Krieger.

Lee Wulff, Joan Wulff, and Mel Krieger together at a fly-fishing trade show in the late 1980s. Image courtesy of Joan Wulff.

AMED CASTING instructor Mel Krieger died peacefully on sador Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and FFF’s pres- October 7 after a short illness. Krieger was a renowned tigious Lapis Lazuli Ring. In the early 1990s he devoted himself Ffly-casting instructor who taught clinics all over the world to the creation of the organization’s Certified Casting In- and was an early innovator in the use of video to communicate structor Program, which has since played a key role in fly-fish- effective fly-casting techniques. In addition to the print version ing education worldwide. Born in Wisconsin but a longtime of The Essence of Fly Casting, he produced at least four DVDs California resident, Krieger was also a Northern California FFF on fly casting and fly fishing that remain essential resources for Hall of Fly Fishing Fame inductee. novices and experts alike. Mel was always on the leading edge In 2003, Mel Krieger was the recipient of the American of new ideas in fly fishing, from rod design to guide certifica- Museum of Fly Fishing’s Heritage Award. The Heritage Award tion to casting techniques. honors an individual whose commitment to the museum, the Krieger was an active member of the Golden Gate Angling & sport of fly fishing, and natural resource conservation sets Casting Club for more than four decades and drew thousands standards to which we should all aspire. of visitors to the club to participate in clinics and demonstra- Krieger’s infectious humor, personal charisma, and dedication tions. He was particularly passionate about trout fishing in to teaching earned him the adoration of fly fishers worldwide. Argentina, where he ran schools and started the Mel Krieger Foundation, which supports fly-fishing education for children. During his lifetime, Krieger was honored with multiple MARSHALL CUTCHIN awards from the Fly Fishing Federation, including the Ambas- MidCurrent.com 20 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

IN MEMORIAM

Martin J. Keane 6 March 1937–30 January 2009

Jim Hardman

Martin J. Keane and his then–future wife Lillian in 1984.

ARTIN J. KEANE—noted author, historian, and pur- In the early days of the American Museum of Fly Fishing, veyor of classic tackle—died at his home in Ashley Marty donated many days of his time in Manchester, Vermont, MFalls, Massachusetts, on 30 January 2009. identifying rods, helping to catalog the growing collection, and His book, Classic Rods and Rod Makers, was first published in making recommendations for proper storage. Over the years, 1976 and helped initiate a new appreciation for the craft of rod- he has been a tireless and willing supporter of the museum in making. Recognition of makers and their styles helped kindle a providing identification, authentication, and appraisals. renaissance in building, collecting, and certainly fishing classic Marty and his wife Lillian were certainly comfortable with cane rods. friends at trade shows; shortly after their marriage in 1985, they As a collector from the 1960s, Keane recognized in other col- attended the Northeast Antique Anglers Show and were greet- lectors and historians the desire to acquire traditional rods. ed with “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be on Sensing the opportunity, he published his first list of preowned your honeymoon!” tackle for sale in 1972.His lists were widely disseminated,and as Marty attended the museum’s Fly-Fishing Festival in August his reputation spread, he became a recognized authority: first in 2008 and received the acclaim and respect due from his peers. rods and later in reels and fly-fishing accoutrements. Visitors waited for the opportunity to say hello, visit with him, Marty, as his friends knew him, had a remarkable command and share memories. In addition to many other tributes, Marty of the English language and was not only one of the first deal- was recognized by the Catskill Museum of Fly Fishing, being ers in classic tackle, but also became affectionately recognized inducted into the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame in October 2007. as the dean of tackle dealers. As the market expanded and as The Martin Keane catalogs have ceased publication, but the collecting interests grew, Marty offered counseling and man and his legacy live with us. appraisal services to new collectors, families, and institutions Rest in peace, friend. desiring to assess market conditions and values. SUMMER 2009 21

Kim Murphy

Conversations on Cushner. Adriano Manocchia (pictured) was one of four artists who spent their Valentine’s Day with us this year as the museum hosted an event called Conversations on Cushner. We all learned a lot about the art that inspired William Cushner as we watched Adriano demonstrate the art of etching; Ellen McCaleb, wood carving; Bill Newcomb, fly tying; and Carolyn Conte, framing. Thirty people visited the museum that day to see the demonstrations and be awed by the Cushner collection.

Museum Receives Reaccreditation The American Museum of Fly Fishing submitted its initial accreditation application to AAM in the early 1990s. Accred- The American Museum of Fly Fishing is pleased to an- itation was received in 1993. Our ten-year evaluation was post- nounce that it has received reaccreditation from the American poned between administration changes and placed back onto Association of Museums. We are one of only five accredited the evaluation schedule with the arrival of our new executive museums in the state of Vermont; nationally, fewer than 800 director, Cathi Comar, in 2008. The two peer reviewers who vol- museums hold this honor. unteered for this assignment are avid fly fishermen who brought The American Association of Museums (AAM), founded in a keen sense of our subject to their evaluation. The on-site visit 1906, is located in Washington, D.C. This organization assists included discussions with all staff members, volunteers, and museums of all kinds (including zoos, aquariums, and botani- trustees, as well as a tour of both buildings and grounds. cal gardens) to develop and maintain standards of practice. The museum was reviewed by the accreditation commission The AAM also collects, compiles, and distributes information, this past March (as they meet only twice a year). Formal noti- acts as an advocate for the museum field, and supports the fication of the commission’s decision was received on April 3, many initiatives undertaken by museums to increase the edu- and the sounds of jubilation could be heard from all. With this cational importance of these institutions. The accreditation accreditation designation, the American Museum of Fly program began nearly forty years ago and “has served as the Fishing has demonstrated a high standard of practice, which field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, translates positively in funding proposals, grant applications, and public accountability.” loan requests, and other programs in which our processes are To achieve AAM accreditation, a museum must complete a reviewed by others. thorough self-study, then undergo an on-site visit by peer We appreciate all of the effort put forth by the staff, trustees, reviewers. These peer reviewers are museum directors from var- and volunteers. We wish to specifically thank our deputy direc- ious disciplines who volunteer their time to evaluate an institu- tor, Yoshi Akiyama, for tion’s facilities, practices, and procedures. A detailed report is compiling the informa- written and submitted to the accreditation commission, who tion and documents need- must then consider the report and the multiple binder self-study ed for the self-study and submitted by an institution. If accreditation is approved, an making sure that the institution undergoes the same process every ten years to receive museum stayed on course. reaccreditation. This is a rigorous process and can only be suc- Our many thanks for your cessfully undertaken with full staff and trustee commitment. devotion to our cause! 22 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

Recent Donations R. A. Massen of Healdsburg, California, donated a three- Upcoming Events piece, 9-foot bamboo fly rod made by Geo. I. Varney and re- July 18 stored by David B. Van Winkle. Leon Martuch of Windermere, Ice Cream Social Florida, gave us a two-piece, 8-foot, 1-inch Russ Peak Glass fly American Museum of Fly Fishing rod, serial No. 11712. Manchester, Vermont John Betts ofDenver,Colorado,sent along a copy ofFred Buller’s The Domesday Book of Giant Salmon (Constable, 2007). August 15 Robert Miller of Tucson, Arizona, donated The Gully, a book Fly-Fishing Festival compiled and edited by Alfred G. Davy (self-published, 1985). American Museum of Fly Fishing Gordon Wickstrom of Boulder, Colorado, sent us a set of Manchester, Vermont 1 10 bound copies of ten years (volumes through ) of his pri- September vately published quarterly, The Bouldercreek Angler: A Gazette Dinner and Auction for Those Who Fish. Napa Valley Jim Hardman of Dorset, Vermont, donated a collection of sixty-seven books. And Mrs. Norman Kline Tiefel donated a October 3 collection of thirty-two books in memory of Jimmie Kline. Artists Reception (For a detailed listing of these book donations, please contact J. Russell Jinishian Gallery the museum.) Fairfield, Connecticut October 17 In the Library Annual Board Meeting and Annual Membership Meeting Thanks to the following for their donations of recent titles American Museum of Fly Fishing Manchester, Vermont that have become part of our collection (all titles were pub- lished in 2008 unless otherwise noted): October 29–30 Victor R. Johnson Jr. donated an autographed copy of his Friends of Peter Corbin Shoot new book, America’s Fishing Waders: The Evolution of Modern Location TBA Fishing Waders (EP Press). Frank Amato Publications, Inc. sent us Barrett Mattison November 12 and Evan Jones’s Fly-Fishing in Patagonia: A Trout Bum’s Guide Anglers All Dinner to Argentina; Dave Chermanski’s Flyfishing Knots & Leader Washington, D.C. Systems; Doug Rose’s Fly-Fishing Guide to the Olympic For additions, updates, and more information, contact Peninsula (fully revised edition); and D. C. Reid’s Vancouver Kim Murphy at (802) 362-3300 or check our website at Island Fishing Guide. www.amff.com. Skyhorse Publishing sent us Lefty Kreh (with Chris Millard)’s My Life Was This Big and Other True Fishing Tales and Peter Kaminsky’s The Fly Fisherman’s Guide to the Meaning of Life. Correction Coch-y-Bonddu Books sent us a reissue of the 1882 James Lees and Walter Clutterbuck’s book, Three in Norway by Two of We misidentified the artist of an illustration on the inside Them. Medlar Press sent us John Goddard’s The Passionate front cover of the Winter 2009 issue. The illustration, Salmon Angler: The Autobiography of John Goddard. And Yale Uni- Fishing: Refreshment, is actually one of a pair of aquatints by versity Press sent us the paperback release of Tight Lines: Ten Newton Fielding (1837) and not the work of artist Lionel Years of the Yale Anglers’ Journal (2007). Edwards. We regret the error.

Kim Murphy

Museum Trustee and Dinner Chairman John Mundt (pic- tured, standing) welcomed the seventy guests who attend- ed the Anglers’ Club of New York dinner and auction on March 5. Our first fund-raiser of the year, this annual event is often the highlight of spring, offering a chance meet old and new friends and enjoy the spirited live auc- tion it’s become famous for. The museum would like to thank all of those who contributed to the auction’s success: Tim Bontecou, Peter Corbin, George Gibson, Luther Hall, Carmine Lisella, John Mundt Jr., David Nichols, Judy Pisarro, Kris Rollenhagen, Gary Sherman, Mark Sherman, Nancy Sloan, Richard Tisch, the Anglers’ Club of New York, and Smith Optics. We’d like to especially thank Clark Comollo of Comollo Antiques and Fine Wines for generously donating his auctioneering services.

SUMMER 2009 23

NOTES FROM THE LIBRARY

EN CALLAHAN SENT us a copy of the book he recently edited with Paul Morgan, KHampton’s Angling Bibliography: Fishing Books 1881–1949. It is a most unusual and fascinating result of painstaking research. The British angling community is well known for its reverence of books; I’m told that there are bookstores in lished manuscript by Hampton in which he updated his bibli- almost every town, large and small. The British are bib- ography. In this manuscript, he commented: “Replaced by 2nd liophiles to an extreme. Yet there had not been a pub- Edition Revised/J. F. Hampton 15.1.49.” This manuscript com- lished bibliography of fishing books since 1901, except prised 142 typewritten pages, plus notes and interleaved pages in for Hampton’s Modern Angling Bibliography of 1947. Hampton’s handwriting. Ken Callahan purchased it in 1997. Further, with such a rich history of angling and an Callahan has been a New Hampshire book dealer for thirty- extraordinary interest in its literature, it took an three years, a lifelong bibliophile, and a British book enthusiast American (assisted by a Brit) to make the latest con- for twenty-five years. He was somehow persuaded to produce a tribution to a bibliography. new book incorporating Hampton’s 1947 and 1949 editions. The scanty history of a British angling bibliogra- This entailed making corrections, eliminating many American phy begins with Westwood and Satchell’s Bibliotheca notations, and adding items that Hampton missed. His close Piscatoria published in 1883 and a supplement of friend, Paul Morgan, a book dealer from Machynlleth, Wales, twenty-two pages in 1901. In 1947, Jack Fitzgerald provided additional materials and corrections, bringing this new Hampton published Modern Angling Bibliography as bibliography up to 1950.The new book is heavily revised with his attempt toward a true British angling bibliog- fourteen pages of new essays and 184 pages of new material. raphy: a revision of Piscatoria. Subsequently, Colin Besides this unusual history of a British angling bibliogra- Pitt of Rochdale, Lancashire, purchased an unpub- phy, Callahan and Morgan pursued considerable research to x o ilc W a ar y S os b Phot

The Hampton manuscript.

24 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

learn “Who was Jack Hampton?” They called upon many of their British friends CONTRIBUTORS to scour public and private records, but to no avail! After ten years, Callahan com- ments that he was able to learn very little. Some of the few facts: Jack Hampton was born in Hampton, Middlesex, in 1909 and died in Birmingham in 1983. In one record (the 1976 International Authors and Writers Who’s Who), he had a listing as “Contrbr. of articles on fishing to: Field Sports; Historic Houses & Antiques; etc.; Broadcaster, Norwegian Radio, BBC Wales. Hons: Silver Medalist Int. Culinary Exhibit.” On the title page of Canteen Cookery, by Jack Hampton, London, 1953, the honors following the author’s name are “Associate, Royal Sanitary Institute; Fellow, Hotel and Catering Institute; Catering Manager, Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds (South Wales) Ltd.” Further, Callahan found eleven variations of Adrian Latimer works as a risk manager for a major oil-field multina- Hampton’s name printed on title pages, tional service contractor and likes to pack a travel rod with his PC on busi- articles, or listings in directories. Callahan ness trips. He first picked up a rod about thirty-five years ago, when his great comments: “Whoever Jack Hampton was, uncle got him casting small Mepps spinners into the river that ran along his his [book] was a valiant attempt at updat- garden. These days Latimer likes to take a fly rod to English chalkstreams, to ing the sadly underdocumented bibliog- Iceland (for salmon, trout, and sea trout), and annually to Vermont; this year raphy of British angling literature, and for he hopes to fish in Argentina and on Russia’s Kola River. Despite chasing that we owe him our thanks” (p. 13). after huge fish, he still gets excited and tense casting a size 20 Trico for 8-inch The Callahan and Morgan book is brookies on Vermont’s Batten Kill. also unusual because it incorporates Latimer, who was born in Calcutta, now lives just outside Paris with his considerable detail as additions to the wife and three kids. originals. For example, there are thirteen entries for Harry Cholmondeley-Pennell, including title changes, various editions, table of contents, detailed descriptions of illustrations and bindings, and com- ments on his biography. The entries for Frederic Michael Halford are so detailed one gets the feeling that you are holding each book in your hands. Callahan concludes his comments by pointing out that Hampton intended his work as a stopgap toward a true British angling bibliography. This latest book is also a next step in that goal of a compre- hensive British work. —GERALD KARASKA ez asar n C e Ken Callahan and Paul Morgan, editors B Hampton’s Angling Bibliography: Fishing Books Samuel Snyder, Ph.D., is currently a visiting assistant professor of religion 1881–1949 and environmental ethics at Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan. As Illustrated by Paul Cook graduate of the University of Florida’s graduate program on religion and Machynlleth, Wales; Ellesmere, England; and nature, his dissertation, “Casting for Conservation: Religion, Popular Sharon, New Hampshire, USA: The Three Beards’ Press, 2008 Culture, and Environmental Politics of River Restoration,” explores the role 303 pp. of angling in the American conservation movement, paying special attention Available from Callahan & Company Booksellers, to contemporary grassroots movements and ecological restoration. In spring PO Box 505,Peterborough,NH 03458;(603) 924- 2010, he will be the John Daniels Fellow at the National Sporting Library, 3726; FAX: (603) 924-9645 where he will continue to research the evolution of ecological thought and $50 (hardcover) behavior in American angling, paying attention to the subcultures of fly fish- ing. Beyond religion and environmental ethics, his research interests include environmental dispute resolution, grassroots collaborative conservation, and sustainable agriculture. When he is not being an academic, fishing, or writ- ing about fishing, he is working in his garden or getting ready to move to Anchorage, Alaska.

SUMMER 2009 25 !

Patagonia’s Estancia del Zorro is in the Coyhaique Alto mountain range on the Chilean-Argentine border, 23 miles northeast of Coyhaique, Chile. The 15,000-acre Estancia rests in the habitat of the red fox (zorro), the namesake of the lodge. Many of these waters are seldom fished and some have only recently been discovered, producing diverse fishing conditions from exciting dry-fly action to challenging sight fishing in pristine, crystal clear waters where fish can grow as large as 32 inches. The Estancia Del Zorro spring creek is a mere 200 yards from the lodge and offers easy walk- in fishing for large, heavy Photos by Brian O’Keefe brown trout. You will also have the unique opportunity to explore private free- stone streams in both Argentina and Chile—two countries in one trip reached by 30- to 90- minute rides by four-wheel-drive vehicles from the lodge.

For more information on Estancia del Zorro, please contact: Jay Burgin • 12530 Highway 41 • Dillon, MT • 59725 800.378.5006 • www.estanciadelzorro.com Use the code AMFF to book your accommodations and 10% of your lodging charge will be donated to the American Museum of Fly Fishing.

2009 Fly-Fishing Festival Gadgets and ! ear: 20th Century Innovations in Fly Fishing

Our newest exhibit, Gadgets and Gear: 20th Century Innovations in Fly Fishing, is now open! This exhibit about the creative, often ingenious, and sometimes wacky designs in fly fishing inventions features: Saturday, August 15 • patent drawings dating back to 1882 • The Passport, a 5-foot fly rod that fits 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in your pocket The AMFF Fly Fishing Festival returns on Saturday, • several fly tying innovations created August 15, during the popular Sidewalk Sale Days in by Chauncy Lively Manchester, VT. From antique dealers to artists, reels • an authentic line braider in action to rods, a unique mix of over 40 artisans, collectors, conservationists and more will be assembled on the Fly on the Wall: The Art of William Cushner museum grounds on Route 7A in Manchester. and 40 Years: Reflections in the Sport and Art of Returning this year will be our popular Antiques Road Fly Fishing will also continue to be on display. Show with guest appraiser and museum member Carmine Lisella on hand to assess your antique gear. This event will take place under tents, rain or shine.

26 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

B ACK I SSUES! Volume 6: Numbers 2, 3, 4 Volume 7: Number 3 Volume 8: Number 3 Volume 9: Numbers 1, 2, 3 Volume 10: Number 2 Volume 11: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 Volume 13: Number 3 Volume 15: Number 2 Volume 16: Numbers 1, 2, 3 Volume 17: Numbers 1, 2, 3 Volume 18: Numbers 1, 2, 4 Volume 19: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 Volume 20: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 Volume 21: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 Volume 22: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 Volume 23: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 ARiverNeverSleeps: Volume 24: Numbers 1, 2 Conservation, Volume 25: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 Volume 26: Numbers 1, 2, 4 History, and the Fly Volume 27: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 Fishing River Volume 28: Numbers 1, 2, 3 Volume 29: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 A Public Symposium Volume 30: Numbers 1, 2, 3 at the Volume 31: Numbers 1, 2 National Sporting Library Volume 32: Numbers 1, 2, 3 Volume 33: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 Volume 34: Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 Saturday, Volume 35: Numbers 1, 2 November 21, 2009 Back issues are $10 a copy. Speakers include: To order, please contact Sarah Moore at James Prosek on native trout species, (802)362-3300 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Hoagy Carmichael on the Grand Cascapedia River, Bryon Borgelt on the Au Sable River (MI), and John Ross on Rivers of Restoration. Moderated by Announcement of Samuel Snyder Annual Meeting Pre-registration required. Contact [email protected] or The annual meeting of the members of the American 540-687-6542 x 11. Museum of Fly Fishing will take place in Manchester, Vermont, on Saturday, October 17, 2009, at 9:45 A.M.

On exhibit: Art of Angling Members will vote on the election of new trustees, officers, and any other matters that may be presented. Sept. 11, 2009 - Jan. 30, 2010 Members should contact the American Museum of Fly Fishing for a copy of the agenda any time after October 7, 2009, at (802) 362-3300.

The annual trustees’ meeting will follow the mem- bership meeting at the same location.

National Sporting Library P.O. Box 1335 Middleburg, VA 20118 www.nsl.org

SUMMER 2009 27

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28 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER

An Important Resource

From Field and Stream, April 1920,p.1129. Bound volume 1919–1920, Vol. 24.

USEUMS ARE IMPORTANT resources for their members tion. We owe many thanks to private collectors who have and for visitors, collectors, history buffs, and re- selected our museum as the repository for their book collec- Msearchers. The American Museum of Fly Fishing is no tions. The library is an invaluable tool to our staff. Researchers, exception. seeking to support a theory, travel here to delve into the col- lection. And, I am happy to report, we have some visitors who A Place to Learn: The American Fly Fisher is our most im- simply enjoy the opportunity to sit and take in the tranquility portant vehicle for providing current scholarship and history of their surroundings. on the sport of fly fishing by both recognized and up-and- We receive at least two research inquiries per week. The coming writers. Whether you want to know about the history museum offers to complete about an hour’s worth of research, of a fishing location or a famous fishing fly, this journal is the then, like most museums, we charge a modest research fee to place to look. The museum has also supported the publication cover administrative time. These questions may require infor- of various fly-fishing history projects, including the highly mation from our permanent collection, archives, or library, and acclaimed American Fly Fishing: A History by former Executive we try our best to answer all questions. Similarly, when research- Director Paul Schullery, The Great Debate by Gordon M. ers need direct access to the collections, museum staff will pull Wickstrom, and our most recent exhibition catalog, Ogden M. objects and records so important data can be compiled. Pleissner: The Sporting Grand Tour. (By the way, we have learned a lot about how members feel about our journal! A Place to Have Fun: Summer in Vermont is a very special Thank you for the responses to the survey, and we hope you time. Come to our casting pond and practice your technique, or will notice some changes in the coming issues.) attend our July ice cream social to meet the staff and to partake In our gallery we present well-researched and well-devel- of some of Vermont’s tasty treats. August is Fly-Fishing Festival oped exhibitions. Anglers All: Humanity in Midstream outlined time. Vendors, demonstrators, and craftsmen join for a day to the history of fly fishing and displayed some of the most signi- celebrate the many dimensions of our sport. Our fund-raising ficant objects in our permanent collection, including the old- events are held in Manchester as well as various locations around est documented flies in the world. This exhibition has also the country, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, traveled to various venues across the country to inform and and California. These events are spirited evenings filled with fish- teach many. We’ve recently focused on the art of our sport with ing stories and updates about the museum. last year’s exhibition, Ogden M. Pleissner: The Sporting Grand The museum has been fortunate to have many supporters Tour, and our current exhibition, Fly on the Wall: The Art of through the years who have recognized that we are an impor- William Cushner. Our next feature exhibition, The Ladies of Fly tant and unique resource. Over the past several months, some Fishing, will present the history of contributions made by of these supporters have died, including Irene Hunter, a local women. supporter who contributed to the new building fund; Robert This year marked the beginning of our gallery demonstra- Johnson, who served on our board of trustees; Gary Angus, tion series. During the first two sessions, we brought artisans who hosted fund-raisers in California and contributed to the together to teach the art of fly tying, print making, framing, new building fund; and Bob Murphy, avid outdoorsman and and fish carving. Throughout the year, several schools are able longtime local member, who visited our gallery regularly and to take advantage of our free-admission policy for school encouraged fellow fly fishers to join and support the museum. groups, using our gallery as a place to teach and the existing These supporters meant a great deal to us both professionally exhibition to complement class work. We have plans to devel- and personally. Their contributions were key to creating and op a formal educational system and work with schools to bet- maintaining this place where we fly fishers, collectors, history ter link our exhibitions with school curriculum. Stay tuned! buffs, and researchers gather to have fun. We miss them. Come visit soon to discover what you enjoy most! A Place to Research: Our 7,000-volume research library is more than a beautiful space. This library boasts the best col- CATHI COMAR lection of fly-fishing publications assembled in a single loca- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The American Museum of Fly Fishing Box 42, Manchester,Vermont 05254 Tel: (802) 362-3300 • Fax: (802) 362-3308 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.amff.com

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF FLY FISHING, a nationally accredited, nonprofit, education- J OIN! al institution dedicated to preserving the Membership Dues (per annum) rich heritage of fly fishing, was founded in Associate $50 Manchester, Vermont, in 1968. The museum Benefactor $100 serves as a repository for, and conservator Business $250 to, the world’s largest collection of angling Sponsor $500 and angling-related objects. The museum’s Friend $1,000 collections and exhibits provide the public with thorough documentation of the evolu- The museum is an active, member-ori- tion of fly fishing as a sport, art form, craft, ented nonprofit institution. Membership and industry in the United States and dues include four issues of the American Fly abroad from the sixteenth century to the Fisher. Please send your payment to the mem- present. Rods, reels, and flies, as well as tack- bership director and include your mailing le, art, books, manuscripts, and pho- address. The museum is a member of the tographs, form the major components of American Association of Museums, the the museum’s collections. American Association of State and Local The museum has gained recognition as a History, the New England Association of unique educational institution. It supports a Museums, the Vermont Museum and Gallery publications program through which its Alliance, and the International Association of national quarterly journal, the American Fly Sports Museums and Halls of Fame. Fisher, and books, art prints, and catalogs are regularly offered to the public. The muse- S UPPORT! um’s traveling exhibits program has made it possible for educational exhibits to be As an independent, nonprofit institution, the viewed across the United States and abroad. American Museum of Fly Fishing relies on the The museum also provides in-house exhib- generosity of public-spirited individuals for its, related interpretive programming, and substantial support. We ask that you give our research services for members, visiting museum serious consideration when planning scholars, authors, and students. for gifts and bequests.