Fishing Salt Water: a Midcentury Montage 26 OFFICERS

Changing of the guard: John Price, our new art director, and Randall Perkins at the Manchester dinnedauction.

A Century of Salt

N HIS 1908 BOOK,Florida Enchantments, A. W. occur in the sport in the 1980s and 1990s. He has since Dimock writes of saltwater fly fishing, "[Ilt seemed added to his patterns tied to represent saltwater baitfish. Iimmoral to attempt [fly fishing] in the bays, rivers, and The original chapter with an update-along with six pat- passes of the south. Before I could really essay it, I had to terns and their recipes-begins on page 2. retire to my room and read aloud the Declaration of Inde- In his soon-to-be-released book, Innovative Saltwater pendence. I rejoice now in my victory over superstition, for Flies, Bob Veverka notes significant saltwater fly tyers from I find myself a missionary in a benighted land." the 1920s to the present day in his introductory chapter Although its history is somewhat difficult to pin down, about the history of the sport. The excerpt, which gives a saltwater fly fishing has been a topic for fishing writers for good overview, begins on page 16. more than loo years. In this summer issue, we try to present And Trustee Pamela Bates Richards-who provided a little bit of history from every decade since 1895, when a invaluable help with this issue-shares some photographs chapter in the book Sea Fishing-"Fly Fishing in the from her own collection with us, including some vintage Sea"-addressed catching species from salmon to saltwater images of Lefty Kreh, Stu Apte, Joe Brooks, Jimmie bass in Scotland. A. W. Dimock and his photographer son Albright, Larry Green, and Joe Bates Jr. You can find these Julian A. Dimock collaborated to produce Florida Enchant- on pages 26-27. ments in 1908 and included a chapter called "Saltwater Fly Besides dreaming of braving the waves or wading the Fishing," which freely offered advice concerning the catch- flats, the staff of the Museum has been busy this spring with ing of various species off the Florida coast. In 1929, for The dinnerlauctions, spring shows, and our annual festival Sportsman magazine, George D. B. Bonbright wrote specifi- weekend (see our photo spread on pages 28-29 and cally of taking tarpon with a fly. And in 1948, in his book Museum News). And there's big news on The American Fly Salt Water Fishing Tackle, Harlan Major used his chapter on Fisher front-we have a new art director. After nearly ten fly casting to appeal to freshwater snobs to take "the cure" years of so beautifully producing this journal, art director of trying salt water just once. "Unless the patient has been Randall Perkins has decided to move on. She's started her unusually nasty in his remarks, I advise him to bring along own publishing company, Gallery Press, here in Manches- only his oldest and most battered rods," he says, then waxes ter. We will miss her. Our new art director, John Price, eloquent about tarpon and striped bass. joined us in May. We're very excited about the skills and Keith Fulsher is the creator of the Thunder Creek series of enthusiasm that he brings to the Museum. For more about flies. In 1973, he included a brief chapter on saltwater fly him, see Museum News. fishing in his book, Tying and Fishing the Thunder Creek Series. Little did he realize the explosive growth that would THEAMERICAN MUSEUM OF FLYFISHING Preserving the Heritage Flvu Fisher of Fly Fishing Journal of the American Museum of Fly Fishing SUMMER 1998 VOLUME 24 NUMBER 3 TRUSTEES E. M. Bakwin Walter T. Matia Saltwater Thoughts Revisited 2 Michael Bakwin Janet Mavec ...... Foster Bam Wayne Nordberg Keith Fulsher Paul Bofinger Michael B. Osborne Donn Byrne, Sr. Allan K. Poole Fly Fishing in the Sea ...... 7 James H. Carey Pamela B. Richards Edited by His Grace the Duke of Beaufort, K. G. Roy D. Chapin, Jr. Tom Rosenbauer Peter Corbin Robert G. Scott Assisted by Avred E. ?: Watson Thomas N. Davidson James Spendiff Charles Ferree Arthur Stern Saltwater Fly Fishing ...... U Reed Freyermuth John Swan A. W and Tulian A. Dimock Duncan Grant Richard G. Tisch Gardner L. Grant David H. Walsh James H. Hunter Richard J. Warren Innovative Saltwater Flies: A History ...... 16 Woods King I11 Joe Wells Bob Veverka James C. Woods Taking Tarpon With a Fly ...... 22 TRUSTEES EMERITI George D. B. Bonbright G. Dick Finlay David B. Ledlie W. Michael Fitzgerald Leon L. Martuch William Herrick Keith C. Russell Fly Casting ...... 24 Robert N. Johnson Paul Schullery Harlan Major Stephen Sloan Fishing Salt Water: A Midcentury Montage 26 OFFICERS ...... President Richard G. Tisch Festival Weekend ...... 28 Vice Presidents Arthur Stern Pamela B. Richards David H. Walsh Museum News...... 30 Treasurer James H. Carey Secretary James C. Woods Contributors ...... 3 6 STAFF ON THE COVER: Success on the shallows. From the collected produc- Executive Director Gary Tanner tion papers of Toeseph D. Bates Tr. Administration Marianne Kennedy Events e&Membership Paula M. Welch The American Fly Fisher is published Art Director John Price four times a year by the Museum at P.O. Box 42, Manchester, Vermont 05254. Special Projects Sara Wilcox Publ~cationdates are winter, spring, summer, and fall. Membership dues include the cost of the journal ($30) and are tax deductible as provided for by law. Membership rates are listed in the back of each issue. THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER AU lcners, manuscripts, photographs, and materials intended for publication in the journal should be sent to Editor Kathleen Achor the Museum. The Museum and journal are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, drawmgs, photographic material, or memorabilia. The Museum cannot accept respons~bility for statements and interpretations that are Design & Production John Price wholly the author's. Unsohcited manuscripts cannot be returned unless postage is provided. Contributions to The Copy Editor Sarah May Clarkson American Fly Flsher are to be considered gratuitous and the property of the Museum unless otherwise requested Consulting Editor Margot Page by the contributor. Articles appearing in this journal are abstracted and lndexed In Historical Abstracts and Amerzca: Consulting Designer Randall Perkins Htrrory and Lzfe. Copyright O 1998, the Amencan Museum of Fly Fishmg, Manchester, Vermont 05254. Original material appearing may not be reprinted without prior permission. Second Class Permit postage pad at Manchester Contributing Editor Paul Schullery Vermont 05254 and additional offices (USPS 057410). The American Fly Flsher (ISSN 0884-3562) POSTMASTER:Send address changes to The American Fly Fisher, PO. Box 42, Manchester, Vermont 05254.

SUMMER 1998 Saltwater Thoughts Revisited

by Keith Fulsher

WHENKEITH FULSHERincluded a brief chapter on salt- water fly fishing in his book, Tying and Fishing the Thunder Creek Series (Rockville Center, New York: Freshet Press, 1973), it summed up his thoughts on saltwater flies at the time. We'd like to share that original chapter with you, followed by an update by Mr. Fulsher-and recipes for his salt patterns as well. -EDITOR

Saltwater Thoughts

A LT WAT E R FLY F I s H ING has gained an enthusiastic group of follow- ers in recent years. It's not known exactly when fly fishing in the salt got Sstarted, and what is known about the few experiments that took place during the nineteenth century is quite vague, but it seems clear from the evi- dence that freshwater fly fishing predates the saltwater variety by a good many centuries. Yet today a great number of fly fishermen have taken to salt water as the last frontier where they can expect to hook big, powerful fish with any kind of regularity. What's more, saltwater flymen have proved beyond all doubt that a great variety of ocean fish will take the fly. The waters around Florida provide many exotic species of game for the fly- rodder, but some very fine fishing is also to be had all along the east and west coasts. Some of the species that have been taken successfully with the fly rod are, in no particular order, striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, mackerel, silver salmon, chinooks, bonefish, tarpon, snook, channel bass, barracuda, jacks, pompano, permit, dolphin, ladyfish, sharks, pollock, bonito, yellowtail, alba- core, flounder, and for the real experts, billfish. This surely provides a

2 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER Photographs by Keith Fulsher Charles E Orvisflies tied for the Standart Bros. Ltd. of Detroit, Michigan, and mounted on a special card. The two Scarlet Ibis patterns and the Claret Montreal are tied with a reversed wing. This is exactly as they appear in Mary Orvis Marbury's 1892 book Favorite Flies and Their Histories. The tying date of these flies is believed to be early 1900s.

wide choice, and it's not even a complete list. Increasing attraction is the fact that these fish are ravenous in their pur- numbers of fly fishermen who recognize the potential of suit of food and feed heavily on smaller fish. Most species salt water are willing to travel great distances to try their when on a feeding spree will hit anything that moves, espe- luck in the sea. Many anglers are even substituting trips to cially if it looks or acts like a baitfish. Consequently, most the seashore for those once-a-year or once-in-a-lifetime saltwater flies are baitfish imitations, if not in actual design, trips that they used to take to wilderness areas. This is par- at least in general action in the water. Because saltwater fish ticularly true of those who yearn to fish Florida waters. A are so voracious in their feeding habits, these flies have not winter vacation in Florida can be combined with some of been refined nearly as much as their freshwater counterparts the greatest saltwater fly fishing and some of the most beau- but are rather simply and sturdily constructed. Those used tiful scenery to be found anywhere. along the northeastern Atlantic and the Pacific coasts tend to The great size and fighting ability of saltwater game fish follow conventional freshwater streamers and bucktails in are their principal attractions for fly fishermen. Another style. The saltwater flies used in southeastern coastal waters

SUMMER 1998 3 SAND E E L (Ammodytes americanus)

Flank: Olive or blue bucktail and strands of silver krystal flash Top of head and back: Black bucktail Bottom of head and belly: White bucktail

This fly should have a very slim appearance.

SAW B E L LY (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Flank: Yellow bucktail and strands of yellow krystal flash Top of head and back: Brown part of a green dyed bucktail Bottom of head and belly: White bucktail

The back and belly material is shorter in length than the flank material to give the fly a deep body shape.

have been given a style of their own. Generally they are made exactly the same as for freshwater patterns, but the hook with bodies of chenille, long wings of bucktail or saddle should be of a noncorroding type designed especially for hackle, and collars of wound hackle in a color contrasting to saltwater use. that of the wings. Most of these flies are brightly colored with It appears from my observations that flies with silver red, yellow, white, and blue predominating. However, there hook-shank coverings, backs in various shades of blue, have been some very successful flies designed after shrimp, blue-green, and brown, and white underparts would come eels, and other sea life. Certain of the shrimp and eel patterns closest to successfully imitating the bright, small baitfish that look and perform like streamers and bucktails and may, at abound in the ocean coastal areas. Possibly a couple of barred times, be mistaken for baitfish by game fish. But even taking feathers worked into the patterns, as is done in the freshwater these refinements into account, the fact remains that the pos- Swamp Darter pattern, would give the mottled effect that's sibilities of exact imitation in saltwater flies have only begun sometimes needed. It also seems desirable to coat the heads to be explored. of saltwater flies with a finish more durable than lacquer. A It was with this thought in mind that several of the fresh- clear epoxy glue or some other tough finish would give the water Thunder Creek patterns were first put to use in salt flies a longer life and protect them from the teeth of saltwater water. Although these patterns, the Smelt and the Silver game fish. Shiner, proved successful, it seems to me desirable that a few It is not my intention to go into explanations of saltwater patterns be worked out specifically for use in the sea. Several fly-fishing tackle, methods of fishing the salt, and ways of of my friends have experimented with a striped-bass fly tied seeking out saltwater fish. There are angler-authors who have in the Thunder Creek style. It has accounted for a good num- done a much better job of this than I could hope to do. But I ber of stripers. The pattern, which has not yet been named, is have learned one thing, and learned it the hard way-a short as follows: hook-shank covering, silver tinsel (or even better, wire leader is a very desirable item. Saltwater game fish have silver Mylar tubing with the core removed); lateral stripe, sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Otherwise, the chances are bright-green dyed bucktail; top of the head and back, white good that if you are not already a saltwater fly fisherman, bucktail dved medium blue: bottom of the head and bellv. your heaviest freshwater equipment will be adequate to do white bucktail; the eye, which is in the usual spot, is the us& the job in the salt. yellow lacquer with black-lacquer pupil. The tying process is Give it a try. You won't be sorry.

4 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER S I LV E R s I D E s (Menidia menidia)

Flank: Light green bucktail and strands of silver krystal flash with two strands of black krystal flash on each side Top of head and back: Olive bucktail I Bottom of head and belly: White bucktail

S M E LT (Osmerus mordax)

Flank: Lavender bucktail with strands of krystal flash of similar color Top of head and back: Brown bucktail Bottom of head and belly: White bucktail

Little did I realize in 1973 what explosive growth there Revisited would be in saltwater fly fishing during the 1980s and 1990s-growth that resulted in the development of much ALTWATER FLY FISHING was starting to grow in new equipment with advancing technology and many new popularity in 1956. John W. Randolf, who had just fly patterns designed along exact-imitation lines to make Staken over the "Wood, Field and Stream" column for fly fishing in the salt easier and more productive. I, too, the New York Times, commented on that increased interest added to the volume of patterns tied to represent specific in his 21 February 1956 column. Writing about the New species of saltwater baitfish. There are six of them tied in York City Sports, Travel, and Vacation Show, he noted that the Thunder Creek style. They are always subject to change I was tying flies at an exhibit there doing mostly salt pat- as new materials for tying come on the market and as terns, something that had scarcely been heard of three or thoughts change about coloring. They range in length from four years earlier. 2 to 6 inches. There were few established patterns in those days. The I'm often asked about the origin of the reversed head popular ones were tarpon splayed-wing flies with large tying method used to tie the fhunder Creek patterns. split-brass bead heads and some of the Rhode's bonefish Although the technique has never been fully researched, it and snook patterns. The Gibbs striper bucktail and a grass goes back more than a century. I was exposed to fly fishing shrimp pattern were favorites used for striped bass along at a tender age in the 1920s by an uncle in my northern the eastern Atlantic coast. They were usually made on Wisconsin hometown. Among his snelled trout wet flies heavy Mustad-Z nickel hooks or a tinned hook to avoid were patterns tied with a reversed head, which are now in corrosion. My tying included many saltwater flies in those my collection. They appear to be made this way to add days, but my main interest was in freshwater streamers and strength to the fly rather than for style. Threads used for fly bucktails as they related to the exact-imitation concept. tying in those days were not very strong, so the wing on Saltwater flies seemed to need a lot of refinement to imitate some flies was tied on pointing forward, then pulled back the types of food that saltwater fish were interested in. and tied down again. This formed a bulky head the same Although some progress had been made between the 1950s color as the wing with a small thread collar at the base. and 197os, there was still a challenge for fly tyers to create Some of the patterns in Mary Orvis Marbury's book more exact patterns. Favorite Flies and Their Histories are tied in this same fash-

SUMMER 1998 5 ( TINKERMACKEREL (Scomberscombrus)

Flank: Grizzly saddle hackles with strands of silver krystal flash on each side Top of head and back: Olive or blue bucktail Bottom of head and belly: White bucktail

B u N K E R (Brevoortia tyrannus)

Flank: Yellow bucktail and strands of silver krystal flash Top of head and back: Medium to dark blue bucktail Bottom of head and belly: Pale yellow bucktail

made a stronger fly. Joe Bates publicized the Stevens fly in Streamer Fly Fishing in Fresh and Salt Water (first released in 1950 and reissued in revised form as Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing in 1966, and again by his daughter, Pam Richards, in 1995). Joe's 1950 book seems to be the first documentation of the reversed-wing procedure using hair. When I first tied my Thunder Creek patterns in 1962, I drew on both the old wet-fly style and the Stevens fly for background. There are really few new procedures in fly tying, only new applications of old techniques and new An old snelled Coachman pattern, materials. The evolution of the reversed-wing tying tech- clearly showing the reversed-wing nique is an example of that. (head) technique. This fly is also On the pages here are pattern details for the six Thun- believed to be fiom the turn of the der Creek saltwater flies. They have been given common century, possibly the early 1900s. names used by anglers, but scientific names are also included for better identification. All are tied on Mustad stainless steel hooks No. 34011 in sizes 2 to go, and there is no dressing running up the hook shank. The flank dress- ion. This takes the reversed-head technique back to 1892, ing on all patterns is put on in'normal down-wing style. but exactly when the procedure originated or who devel- The back and belly material is tied on forward over the oped it remains a mystery. hook eye, then reversed to also form the head. A very thin It seems fairly clear, though, that Carrie Stevens of Upper coat of epoxy is put on the head, and when dry, lacquer Dam, Maine, was the first to apply the technique to hair in eyes and gills are added. When those additions are dry, a the late 1920s or 1930s. The pattern she designed, interest- second thin coat of epoxy goes over the head to make the ingly enough, was for use in salt water, and she used all eyes and gills more durable. These patterns also represent white bucktail to form the head. She felt, as suggested with other species of baitfish that are similar to the design the reversed-head wet flies, that the reversing technique species in shape and color. - 6 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER Fly Fishing in the Sea

Edited by His Grace the Duke of Beaufort, K. G. Assisted by Alfred E. 7: Watson

From Sea Fishing - The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes, 1895

LY F I s H I N G in the sea is a lottery. small fish, usually the latter. The most same material, and the body, which is There is more of it than most peo- plentiful fish of our seas is, I imagine, well padded, is covered with broad, flat, Fple suppose, but there is no kind of the herring; and it is when the surface- real silver tinsel. A few strands of harl sea fishing more uncertain. Occasion- swimming fish are feeding on the her- form the tail. When the wing of this fly ally, takes are reported which would fill ring or sprat fry-whitebait, sire, or is nicely curved, the lure drawn rapidly the salmon or sea-trout fisher with britt, as they are variously termed- through the water is a very fair resem- wonderment; but the blank days are that the fly fisher has his chance. blance of a bright shining whitebait, the enough to make angels weep. The fly with which I have done most silver tinsel representing its bright sides, We need not concern ourselves to execution is an imitation of the young and the green glistening harl its greenish consider in what light a sea fish regards herring, which, according to Dr. Meyer's back. What the white feather is for, I an artificial fly or the thing that we call a observations, measures about an inch confess I don't know; but it is added fly. From the ordinary trout fisher's and a half when about five months old. because white flies appear to have a spe- point of view there is no fly fishing in I will venture to call it the "whitebait" cial attraction for many kinds of sea the sea, for there are, generally speaking, fly. Its most usual size and form are fish. no natural flies to be imitated, except, shown in the accompanying illustration To still more accurately represent the perhaps, on some almost landlocked (Figure A, page 8). The overwing is a herring fry I have had some of these flies waters. The sea fly is the same sort of strip of white feather from a swan's dressed with the white wing underneath. thing as the salmon fly, which is to say, a quill, the underwing being some strands We then have the white swan's wing, representation of some marine insect or of peacock harl. The hackle is of the representing the belly, the sides of silver,

SUMMER 1998 7 times be caught in this way. There is a lure being a sole-skin fly fished at a popular belief that an artificial fly is the depth of a foot or so. There is not much best bait for mackerel, and every "boy's doubt that at times cod come close to mackerel line" sold at a seaside toy shop the surface to feed on the whitebait fry. is decorated with three or four iron Though fly fishing for bass and coal- hooks, the shanks of which are covered fish has been carried on for a good with red or white worsted with a strand many years by a few people, not a great or two from a swan's-wing feather deal is really known about this branch roughly tied on. No doubt mackerel will of angling. I hope, however, that the occasionally take these flies; but it is not rapidly increasing popularity of the very often one can keep for any length sport will bring about such an accession of time near these fish when they are of experience, that before long our ' WIIITI~IIAIT' PLY. NO. I shoaling and breaking the surface. They knowledge on the subject may be very appear for six or seven seconds, per- greatly increased. haps, and the angler may get a couple of and the "green back. The first-mentioned casts into them and probably catch a fly, however, seems to kill as well as the fish; then down they go, to reappear a newer vattern. Where there is a breeze. hundred yards away. Long before the the size shown in the illustration is most boat can reach the spot they are away Before dealing with what I may call useful for bass, coalfish, mackerel, and again, to break in quite another direc- the fly-taking sea fish, a word or two as small pollack; but on a calm, bright day to tackle may be necessary. The salmon when the water is clear, smaller flies are fisher needs no teaching on this point, often more killing. In fact, the trout or beyond perhaps a reminder that if he is salmon fisher can exercise just the same casting for cuddies or small fish which discretion in the sea with regard to the weigh at the outside a pound, he need size of his fly as he does in fresh water, not use an &feet rod, nor a cast suit- using a very large one on rough, dark able for a 15-pound salmon. Coarse days. tackle has prevailed for so many cen- In whitebait fly No. 2 (Figure B) it turies in the sea that immediately a man will be noticed that I have tied the back gets on salt water he seems to regard and belly together, which renders it a tackle which would be laughed at on closer imitation of the fry, but I doubt if river or lake as being quite suitable and its killing powers are in the least tion. If they can be lighted upon while proper for very small sea fish. increased. shoaling in this way in any very small For those, then, who are not already The term "whitebait flv" is scientifi- bay, then the fly fisher can whip them fly fishers, a few remarks on rod, reel, cally correct; because it was established out one after the other and have grand beyond a question by Dr. Day that the sport. Sometimes a fly or two may be admirable little fish which are caught at fixed on the ordinary whiffing line, in the mouth of the Thames and elsewhere, addition to the strip of mackerel skin, and are held in particular veneration at which is by far the best bait for the tail Greenwich, are the young of both sprats hook. Flies so placed catch a few fish and herrings. during the day, but not many, and I Fly fishing has special advantages over have long written them down a fraud. all other branches of angling. In the first In addition to the fish I have men- place, it is deliciously clean. Second, it is tioned. most of the bottom feeders- simple, requiring nothing more than a that is to say those of them which are in fly and length of gut, in addition to the the habit of feeding on the whitebait- rod and running tackle. Third, from its will take this fly if icis sunk low enough. simplicity it is an inconspicuous tackle, I have occasionally caught cod, gurnard, there being no leads. swivels. float. nor haddock, and whiting on a white fly, but spreaders yo frighten the fish; and the that has been when I have been trailing bait can be cast lightlv", on the water or whiffing with it behind a boat for without the disturbance of a boat pass- other fish, and for some reason or other ing over or near the fish. which cannot have allowed the tackle to sink almost or bcavoided when certain 'other methods quite to the bottom. are vracticed. In 1893, the capture of a cod in Loch Generally speaking, all surface- Nevis on a fly was reported in the Fish- swimming fish take the fly when, as I ing Gazette, and numerous other have said, they are feeding on the young instances of sea fish taking salmon or herrings or sprats. Occasionally salmon, other artificial flies of considerable size frequently sea trout in many districts, have been recorded from time to time in and still more often pollack, bass, and Field. Land and Water. Rod and Gun. the coalfish may be caught by the fly fisher. Angler, and other sporting papers. I may Herrings are not at all adverse to a mention in varticular a cod of 12 white fly, and gray mullet may some- pounds caught by a friend of mine, the

8 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER Spot illustrat~ansby R. T. Pritchett. and line. The best general fly rod is the water; but other and larger flies were made of greenheart and should be used with equal success. It is a curious about 15 or 16 feet long. That is, a fact that the fish had been waiting in the weapon to be used with two hands. For loch for ten days or a fortnight before single-handed use for small fish, 11 feet they showed any inclination to take the or 11 feet, 6 inches is a good length. The fly. They continued to rise well for a rod should be fitted with snake rings week, and some sixty fresh fish were made of phosphor bronze or hardened taken by five rods-sixty salmon in a German silver (on no account have steel week! But they ceased to rise on the 4th rings bronzed over; they invariably rust of August. sooner or later), and for the top ring I Salmon had never been known to be like nothing better than my own little caught on the fly in the bay before, and invention which is fitted with an inner Sir John Morris attributed their rising revolving ring of phosphor bronze (Fig- during that week to the fact that they ure C). had been confined and kept in the sea The rod should be fitted with suction loch long beyond their usual time for ferrules that should be kept Vaselined or going up the river. But from a letter I oiled to prevent them sticking. The have received from him recently it Weger and Warner winch fittings are appears that a good many fish have been about the best. The reel should be large taken in the same way since that year. It in the barrel and free from any steel is quite a common thing to catch sea works or screws. For bass and other trout in Loch Roag with the fly, and it large fish, it must hold at least 150 yards was owing to the salmon rising to of line; for smaller fish, a hundred yards sea-trout flies that they were specially of line is sufficient-less will suffice in fished for. . . . harbors. Of lines there is a great variety. The cheapest serviceable line is of eight-plait hemp or linen, tanned. We THESEA TROUT AND can have much the same thing made in THE FLY silk, or an eight-plait silk line with the usual waterproof oil dressing. That sea trout may be caught in vari- The cast should consist, for bass, of ous ways by fair angling in salt water is two and a half or three vards of the well known to men who have visited the estuaries, and the like, to which salmon north of Scotland and the outlying strongest salmon gut, or, failing that, resort in very large numbers, is limited. treble-twisted medium gut. islands. A great deal of fly fishing is car- One of the smallest but most prolific ried on for them in the brackish water A gaff or landing net must be used salmon rivers in the United Kingdom is according to the size of the fish; any- of the estuaries of most rivers which the Grimersta, which flows into Loch they frequent. Sea trout in fresh water thing over 5 or 6 pounds being best Roag, Island of Lewis. The fish are are uncertain fish; they will suddenly landed with the former instrument. The small, but more numerous than sea best gaffs for all kinds of purposes are begin rising with the greatest vigor, and trout in many a fairly good sea-trout as suddenly cease; and after they have not those screwed into sticks, but lashed river. When the water in the river is low been in the river a few days they have on to a handle similar to the one shown they collect in large numbers at and in the illustration (Figure D). When the the unhappy knack, from our point of below its mouth. view, of rising extremely short. In tidal gaff, which should be of steel (and not On the 28th of July, 1888, Sir John H. pools they often rise very well. of iron, like one which was sold me last Morris, to whom I am indebted for I may refer here to a double hook summer, and bent out nearly straight these particulars, caught five salmon with the weight of a lo-pound fish), gets which I designed for some short-rising with the fly in this sea-loch. The water salmon and sea trout. How I came to a little rusty, give it a coat or two of var- in which the fish were caught was require its use is described under the nish. The varnish will sink into the rust absolutely salt, not merely brackish, and heading "Salmo Irritans" in a collection and make a very good protecting sur- as far distant as half a mile from the of sketches of life in the Hebrides called face. mouth of the river. The loch is shallow, from six to twelve feet in depth. The SALMONIN SALTWATER weather was cloudy; there was a good Not many people are aware that breeze, and the tide was flowing into the salmon have been caught in salt water loch; later on, however, the fish were on the fly. There are only a few places, also taken on an ebbing tide with very so far as I know, where this has been little wind. They rose best on the flood done; but in these places salmon are with a good stiff breeze. fished for regularly in this way. But The fly used on the 28th of July was a then, of course, the sea is a big place, black and yellow (the Wasp) on a No. 5 and the number of inlets, sea-lochs, hook, and was worked rather deeply in SEA-TROUT 171.~ON S.~I.MO IRKITANS ' HOOK Days in Thule. Suffice it here to say that, the hook without being caught. I men- finding many fish plucked at ordinary tion these hooks here because they are flies and yet were not hooked, I con- well suited for sea trout fishing in the ceived the idea of lengthening the shank sea. I imagine other anglers are begin- without enlarging the bend; for it has ning to overcome their prejudice to the always seemed to me that after the bend novel shape, for I see the hooks at Far- has been increased up to a certain size, low's and other tacklemakers.. . . further enlargement is not required. A Mr. Moodie-Heddle, of Orkney, tells longer shank is, of course, necessary for me that . . . in Orkney, the only killing a larger fly, but it is not requisite to fly for sea trout is one dressed with a enlarge the bend (Figure E, page 9). fiery brown cock's hackle tied Palmer Messrs. Warner & Sons, the firm of fashion to imitate a sand-hopper, and Redditch hookmakers, carried out this either with or without wings of speckled idea extremely well for me, and made a gray feather of some kind. The brightly whole scale of double hooks on this sys- colored sea-trout flies used farther tem. I have not had an opportunity of south have not proved killing. trying the largest hooks of the scale, but Another bait used with much success the smaller ones answer excellently. I and cast like a fly in that part of the have caught many a salmon and sea world is a mouse's tail (Figure G), which trout through their instrumentality. The is baited in the following manner: the scale of these hooks and also a fly tied gut on a common round-bend worm on them are illustrated (Figure F) The hook (without eye or flattened end) is proportion shown between body, wings, softened and threaded on a needle tail, and hooks should be carefully fol- which is entered three-quarters of an lowed when flies are being dressed on inch from the end of the tail and this system. brought out at the thick end. The I have sometimes seen sea trout fol- hook-shank is then pulled up through low the fly, making pecks at it like a bird the point of entry, and the thick end of making bad shots at a worm; but it was the tail firmly bound round with crim- is better than two in clear water and rare indeed that they actually touched son silk above the end of the hook near weeds; and if an occasional fish shank to prevent it slipping. I have little may miss it, the consolation is that doubt that the trout look upon this bait fewer rises are obtained with more com- as a very small eel or worm of some plicated tackle. . . . kind. The four flies on which I should be A capital artificial sand-eel, which inclined to pin my faith for sea trout in can be cast with the flv rod. can be the sea and estuaries are a Blue or Silver made in the following manner: get a Doctor, Thunder and Lightning (Figure piece of copper bell wire or thick brass H), Jock Scott (Figure I), Durham wire, 2% inches or 3 inches long; tie a Ranger (Figure J, page iz), and the hook (No. 12 or 13) firmly to one end; Alexandra. It is very important, how- slip the other end through a piece of ever, not to have these too large, and Mr. grayish-white rubber tubing, such as is Moodie-Heddle's recommendation of used for feeding-bottles, which can be more sober-colored flies for the Orkneys bought cheaply by the yard. The tail end should be borne in mind. . . . should be cut sloping, and sliced at side The chief points in connection with of tail so as to make it vibrate; the end sea-trout fishing in the sea are that the of wire coming out at mouth should be fish are not less shy than in fresh water, attached to a small phosphor bronze, and, like brown trout in rivers, lie close brass, or German silver swivel. The back to the shore; as we approach the river, should be colored with two coats of we find them on the edge of the stream. Stephens's blueblack ink, the first coat There is a fish which is a sort of miss- being brought one-third of the way ing link between sea trout and our good down the side also: then varnish the friend Fario. It has been named Salmo inked part, which makes it olive green. estuarius, and in the estuary of the The belly can have a line of silver paint Shannon is known as the slob trout. or strip of foil. The sides should be left "Slob," a novel word which recently white, and if they get discolored, scrap- puzzled and amused the House of Com- ing with a penknife will freshen them mons, is the local name for the vast up. Two pink beads, with a black circle banks of mud that are disclosed at low round each drawn on the India rubber water in the estuary, many thousand in ink, represent eyes. The neck should acres of which have been lately be tied in with greenish silk. One hook reclaimed. There is not much doubt

10 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER air, and, hovering over the peacock harl with a double strip of H. most troublous of the water, white swan's quill feather in the place of dip and dip and dip again in a wing. Cut a thin strip of gurnard and their endeavors to pick some- twist it round the shank of the hook. thing off the surface. Just Tightly fasten down each end with beneath them there is a splash, waxed silk; of course, any tough, bright and then another, and another. fish skin will do. For bristles, by the A few seconds later the surface way, it is not necessary to go to a hog, a is broken in a fresh place by the hairbrush will suffice. I have often hungry fish, and away hurry rigged up rather novel spinning baits in THUNDER AND LIGI~TNING the gulls to share in the ban- some such way as this, twisting strips of quet. fish skin over an arrangement of hooks, There can be no possible and have caught bass with them too. mistake about the bass being The flies which Mr. J. C. Wilcocks that the slob trout is the ordinary brown on the feed; you can even see them. recommends for these fish are any of the trout which, on account of the scarcity They have hunted the herring fry to the smaller salmon flies, and in particular of food in his own larder, pays visits to surface and are attacking them below, the Shaldon Shiner, which was used his marine friends. When there comes a while the gulls are worrying them from with great success by the late Mr. J. C. spate he will be found rushing UP his above. Go, cast a whitebait fly over Hale, near the village of Shaldon, on the native stream to feed on whatever the those fish, and see if you cannot avenge west side of the estuary of the Teign. It is flood may bring down. 1 once caught a the death of many a hundred poor baby a kind of imitation dragonfly; the body slob trout of a pound which, when herring, sprat, and mackerel. These will very thin, of flattened silver wire; a hocked on the head, proceeded to not be big fish, mind, but what are small brush of scarlet feather for the tail; evolve a half-digested shrew mouse. called "school bass"; anything from 2 to a little green, blue, and red dubbing out This variety of fish is to all intents 5 or 6 pounds. They must make up in of an old Turkey carpet for the shoul- and Purposes a brown trout, with a sil- numbers for lack of size. They are the ders; and bright blue wings, to which ver sheen over his speckled sides, fellows the fly fisher should look after; are added half a dozen fibers of goose brought about by residence in brackish the monster bass, weighing maybe 15 feather. It should be made about the size or salt water. He takes the fly readily pounds, which we see basking in the of a medium-sized salmon fly. Nowa- enough in the estuary, but, having a sunshine off the rocks or round about days, however, many bass fishermen knowledge of natural winged and other the harbor, are, as a rule, too stately to prefer the fish-skin flies to any made of insects, shows a preference for ordinary worry themselves over such inconsider- feather and tinsel. The dogfish-tail fly brown trout flies rather than Blue Doc- able trifles as baby herrings or whitebait should be killing. I have not had an tors and other gaudy lures favored by flies. They like something larger and opportunity of trying it. One very the real original sea trout. more tasty. Sometimes, however, a really important thing in fly fishing for bass is splendid fish is found among the school to work the fly in rapid jerks, and, of SALTWATERBASS bass. course, the man who can cast well will Bass, which in the spring and sum- One great difficulty is to hold the catch many more fish than he who is mer are found in the sea, but push up boat in such a place as I have described. inexpert at this most delightful branch into estuaries in the autumn, take the fly When you get to know the spot you will of angling. best when feeding on the herring fry. very likely find that during certain tides It is very desirable not to allow the Here the tire may naturally say, "Yes, it the bass feed like this for a half hour or boat to go over bass; and in the strong is all very well to tell me that; but when more, and more or less at fixed times. tidal currents which are chiefly fre- are they feeding on the herring fry? The sea gulls know it far better than you quented by these fish it is often neces- How am I to find that out?" do, and while apparently asleep on their sary to have two men, or even three, to Imagine a large rocky island standing cliff perches, are patiently waiting the row the boat. If you can reach the fish a furlong and a half from the mainland. advent of the bass. from the shore, as from rocky points, so In the little channel intervening, runs at It may not be herring fry times a tremendous tidal current. The the bass are feeding on. Their tide has turned an hour or two past, but quarry may be sand- has not yet begun to make with any eels; in which case an artifi- speed; running quietly, perhaps a couple cial sand-eel of the kind of knots or so. On the cliffs are hun- being good for sea trout dreds of sea gulls, apparently asleep. By should be tried. I have often degrees the tide runs faster and faster, intended to make up a corn- there are swirls and eddies on the sur- bination whitebait fly; a face, and presently we find ourselves in union of the real and the a miniature maelstrom. The birds begin artificial. It could be done, 1 to wake up, and feathered scouts take think, thus: whip on to the short flights over the sea, returning to shank of hook three or four the cliff. Presently all the gulls set up bristles with points project- JOCK SCOTT harsh cries, launch themselves into the ing. There may be a little

SUMMER 1998 11 much the better; but where there is the right hand, and the little finger a sound between an island and the of the left hand vressing" on the mainland, such as I have described, rim of the reel to prevent it revolv- the fish will as likely as not be feed- ing, use the gaff with the right ing out in the center of the current. hand. Of course there is no reason to A word as to the manner of be idle while waiting about for the gaffing. I have a lively recollection fish to begin feedinion the surface. of an old Norwegian farmer whose A little railing may be done; and services I solicited in the matter of pollack, bass, or mackerel will very landing a 13-pound sea trout. He likelv be taken in that wav. But. I had never used a gaff before. and repeat, above all things do not let knelt down and beian stroking the the boat go just over the bass DURHAM RANGER back of the fish with it. The best ground, nor, when the bass are place to gaff a fish is the best place feeding, allow your men to take you can. If the line is in the way you too near them. The longer the line with one of your fingers on the rim of take him under the belly, but give the can be cast, the better. the reel: but never allow the rod to be preference to the back. If he affords you Very few salmon fishers are able to pulled down towards the water. Always a fair chance, lay the hook neatly over get out a long line cleanly and well keep the rod up at an angle of about him, and then give a pull towards you, unless they are casting downstream and forty-five degrees. If the bass is pulled sharp and sudden, such as would bring the line is extended by the water at the kicking and plunging upstream among a horse on to his haunches. If the hook end of each cast. If they were to cast the shoal, his struggles will be so evi- takes hold, at once turn the handle of upstream, the flowing water would dent to his brothers that he alone of the the gaff into a perpendicular position, bring the fly back to them, and it shoal will be landed. The wiser plan, which will help to prevent the fish kick- would be a difficult thing to pick the which, however, involves a considerable ing off and the stick from breaking. The line off the surface and make the amount of labor, is, immediately a fish power of fish lies almost entirely in their proper backward cast previous to the is hooked, to draw it across the current tails; so that if you gaff a large fish in the forward cast which sends the flv in the towards the boat away from the shoal, middle of the back or shoulder. he mav desired direction. Dry-fly fishermen in and then drop down with the tide below work his natural propeller so vigorously Hampshire, who fish mostly upstream, the other fish, who, having their tails as to smash the gaff or break away from usually grease their lines to make them pointing that way, see nothing of what the hook. With large fish, therefore, the float. The line can then be picked off takes dace. It is a com~arativelv, easv i best plan is, if possible, to get the gaff the water even when it is not extended; thing to pull a bass or trout or salmon well in near the tail. The big creature is but in sea or salmon fishing the line is downstream. It should alwavs be done then helpless. If you have any reason to sunk, and long casts cannot well be when possible. After the fish is landed, think your gaff is not strong enough to made unless the fly is fished down- the men should again row the boat by lift him out, walk backwards, draw him stream. At any rate, the beginner the side of, but not too near, the shoal, tail foremost on shore, and knock him should keep the boat placed at one side until they place one within casting dis- on the head as quickly as possible. and rather above the shoal of fish. tance, when with good luck another fish When in a boat, a gaffer may be obliged When I say "above," I mean regarding may be hooked and played in the same to lay hold of the fish with middle finger the tidal current as if it were a river. way. and thumb of left hand across the back Cast across the current at an angle of Beginners have a habit, when a fish is of the neck, in addition to lifting him in about forty-five degrees, letting the fly exhausted, of reeling in too much line. with the gaff stuck in near the tail and fall a yard or two in front of the fish; If your rod is 15 feet and you reel up held in the right hand. then work it in ra~idierks with the until only lo feet of line remain below It is worth bearing in mind that, point of the rod, ahowkg the tide to the rod point, it is obvious that the fish however strong one's tackle, very large carry it among the shoal. Be particu- can never be brought close to the boat. fish cannot be lifted safely in by means larly careful not to cast beyond the fish, To decide exactly how much line to reel of the fishhook; not that the tackle will for if you are using a thick line the fish in requires some judgment, but a word necessarilv break. but the fish's flesh will see the line before they see the fly, of warning on the point is advisable. may give way if the creature is very which is obviously undesirable. When playing a fish from the shore heavy. In anglers' language, the hook Bass very often take the fly under and you are about to land him, reel up will tear out or break away. water; so, especially when there is much until he is within 20 feet of the ~ointof For small fish-anvthing, " under s ripple, it is better to watch the line the rod, let us say; and the; if the pounds-a large landing net is certainly rather than the fly. From the point of ground will permit it, walk slowly back- preferable to a gaff; but if neither land- the rod to where it touches the water, wards. Your attendant should be stoop- ing net nor proper gaff is forthcoming, a the line takes a gentle curve. Watch that ing down, gaff in hand, and you must large hake hook with the barb filed or curve, and immediately you see it try to bring the fish to his feet. If you are hammered down, lashed on the first straighten, strike; and then look out for alone you must, of course, do the best available stick, is a very excellent substi- squalls. In playing the fish, keep the you can. Get the fish well played out, tute. A steel meat-hook makes a very bend of the rod well up; hold the rod at and just a proper length of line reeled fair gaff. These remarks on landing big an angle of about forty-five degrees. If up, so that when the rod is nearly per- fish apply perhaps more to pollack than the fish makes a determined run let him pendicular the fish can be brought to bass, for the largest bass are not com- have line, checking it, if needs be, a little the desired spot. Then, with the gaff in monly caught by the fly fisher. e

12 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER Saltwater Fly Fishing by A. T/t: and Julian A. Dimock From Florida Enchantments - New York: The Outing Publishing Company, 1908

T IS A CARDINAL PRINCIPLE with the over superstition, for I find myself a bright tin about two inches long some- angler that a fish must be buncoed. missionary in a benighted land. thing like the shape of a fish. Then with IIf you keep faith with him by deliv- Such ignorance among fish I never a tiny swivel in the mouth, a hook in the ering a real fly instead of a counterfeit, before encountered. I tried them with a tail, and a slight twist to give the thing a you are disgraced. You are quite on the split-bamboo rod, an expensive reel, wiggly motion, it becomes a great and level of the lad with the bare feet, who and a cleverly constructed fly. I had tied successful deluder of the fish. Yet there sits on a log by the stream with a pole, a bits of bright worsted on the line to are times when nothing will secure his string, and a can full of bait and yanks mark distances for the cameraman, who attention. Dangle your fly before him, in the fish that had scorned the ortho- was keeping in focus for possible jumps. trail it on both sides, and drag it over dox flies you so skillfully tendered them. The fish ignored the fly but ate up the his back. If it hits him, he will knock it Fly fishing had linked itself with the worsted and sections of the line with it. in the air with his tail and close one eye mountain torrents, swift rivers and Then I tried old flies that had been gently as he turns slowly away. Then you rockbound lakes of mine own North chewed bv salmon and eaten bv moths. lay down your rod and walk along the Countrie by ties so sacred that it seemed and found the fish rather prej;diced in beach until you find a sand crab scoot- immoral to attempt it in the bays, rivers, their favor. In general, if they got the ing for his hole. Catch him before he and passes of the south. Before I could colors they wanted, the form in which gets there, or if you fail, put your finger really essay it I had to retire to my room they came was immaterial. Sometimes I in the hole, wait until he takes hold of it and read aloud the Declaration of Inde- tried the light silver-and-vermilion cast- with his biggest claw, and pull him out. pendence. I rejoice now in my victory ing spoons of the shops, with indifferent That's the way I did the first time, but success. The lure that was irresistible, since then I've let my boatman catch the Photography by Julian A. Dimock, from which channel bass, cavalries, Spanish crabs. Then borrow a plain hook from Florida Enchantments. New York: The Outing mackerel, ladyfish, and a dozen others some fisherman who isn't an angler and Publishing Company, 1908. varieties seized with avidity, was a bit of catch the fish that derided you.

SUMMER 1998 13 In such an emergency all alimentary canal and has anglers fall from grace; the already fed your mind, heart, worm will turn. I once and muscle. knew the dean of anglers in Now cast your line far this country to tie a mouse out to where that tarpon to a hook and let him swim rolled. Perhaps he will take across a pool past the lair of the fly, and then you will a big trout who feared not barter fly and line for one God nor regarded man. beautiful leap, the sight of Of course any fisherman which will be well worth all on the coast will tell the it costs, for your reel holds angler the best time and less line than will be called place to catch fish, only no for by the rush of the "silver two of them will agree, and king." when one finds out for No use to cast for that himself he will have to learn flying beauty with the big over again the next day. My wings and a back spotted latest theory is that the best time to you must. Always supplement the like a leopard. He is a whip ray and lives catch fish is when they bite, but that action of your rod with your legs and if, on mollusks whose shells his quartz- view is subject to change. in an hour, or two, or three, the fish crusher jaws pulverize without effort. The passes leading to the harbors of gives out first, you can decide in accor- That ugly fish with the big fin and the the west coast of Florida are popular dance with commissariat requirements cruel mouth would never find it out if with fish of many species. Instead of whether your 15- or 20-pound captive is you chanced to hook him. He is called wading in ice-cold streams you walk out to be netted or released on parole. the tiger of the seas, but is really a low- in the warm surf and cast among the Sometimes a school of mackerel down, cowardly brute. breakers, or stroll inside the pass, on the swims past, tossing the water into little The great splashing around that shore of the bay. In quiet water choose cascades as they break up an assemblage bunch of little fish is made by cavalries. from the gliding forms the biggest chan- of minnows and devour them in detail, One of them will take your hook with nel bass and coax, tempt, and badger and you toss any old fly you have among anything you choose to put on it and him with a fly, thrown before, behind, them, assured that three or four will you will get it back with the fish, after all around, and straight at him, until jump at it at once and you will have strenuous effort that may consume you rouse him to languid attention, broiled Spanish mackerel for supper- hours. From the back of the cavalry, at growing interest, earnest desire, and provided, however, that their sharp the base of the dorsal fin, you may cut furious determination. This will end in teeth don't sever your line. If a 2- the curious "lucky bone" and insure a wild rush for the fly whenever and pound ladyfish, sometimes appositely your own good fortune, at the cost of wherever it touches the water, and your called skipjack, strikes, you will have his, while from the flesh of this fish is hooked. You must mind your eye attained the Ultima Thule of fishing dark-meated fish you may cut steaks as the rod bends double; it isn't a brook with a fly rod and light tackle. No other that will remind you of tender beef. trout or a black bass that you have on fish jumps so quickly, so often, nor so Sometimes I take a light Canadian your line, but a powerful creature that high in proportion to his size, nor does canoe and with my boatman paddle out may wear you out before you land him. any other make so brilliant a defense. through the pass to fish in the surf, hop- Your line is steadily running seaward Compared with it even the tarpon is ing thus to keep dry. It doesn't always and your patience with it, but nothing sluggish, and trout, bass, and salmon work that way. The boatman has can be done beyond keeping all the little livelier than mud puppies. Your learned to sit low in the canoe and exert strain you dare on the rod. Perhaps reel will buzz an octave higher than you himself mightily to keep it at right when 250 feet of line are out and only ever heard it, and your fingers will be angles to breaking waves, and I have fifty left, just when you are losing hope, blistered wherever they touched the been taught to choose weather that is the fish turns and makes for the shore. line, while playing this splendid fighter fair for tempting the surf with so frolic- Then you must run up the beach like a who so richly earns the liberty you will some a craft. When a wave really catches scared rabbit, wind in line as fast as you surely restore it at the close of the per- a canoe broadside on, however, and get a chance, letting it out only when formance. It is quite too bony for your breaks over it, it bumps it heavily on the

14 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER sand, rolls it over, with its passengers thing in the likeness of a fly that is cast and the mountains, as if appreciation of inside, and fills both full of sand in a within his reach. the beautv of the one and the grandeur negligible fraction of a second. The sluggish sheepshead rarely comes of the other could be lessenezbecause Most fish on the Florida coast will out from under his old wreck unless for a time I revel in the auiet beautv of rise to a fly. I have taken from one to a something more seductive than a bunch the open sea and take present delight in dozen varieties at every pass between of feathers is tendered him, yet he has a broader horizon and the changing Cedar Keys and Cape Sable. Some can occasionally been taken on a fly. glory of storm and clouds. be caught at any season, but number Mullet can be taken on a fly rod only On a certain day, which, as I learned and variety are greatest late in the by snagging them, after which they dis- later, was the one following the great spring. Yet all are subject to moods, the play a spirit worthy of a game fish. At cyclone that swept the Gulf Coast and secret of which I have not fathomed. At Little Sarasota Pass, where a school of devastated Mobile and Pensacola, the times they require more coaxing than a mullet with their little sucker mouths beach at Gasparilla Pass was alternately balky horse, at others you can't keep lifted to the surface of the water were dazzling in the sun, and dark in the them awav with a club. There are mack- absorbing some floating scum, I caught shadow of the blackest of clouds. As erel days, sea-trout days, and ladies' eleven of them by casting flies at their I walked along the beach. flocks of days. On one of the latter, at Little Gas- mouths until the hooks caught in their hundreds of gu'h and white'and brown parilla Pass, my score was two channel lips. velicans rose and flew around me. bass, four cavalries, one sea trout, and Bluefish are commonly found just seemingly stopping to pose when the thirty-nine ladyfish. The mackerel were outside the passes. They are usually background" of clouds was most effec- kept for the table and the rest turned small and fall easy victims to a satisfac- tive. Atmospheric brilliancy went to the loose as they were caught. On the fol- tory fly. brain of the cameraman and in his craze lowing day at the same place not a fish Ravallia lurk in the shadow of the for "human interest" in his pictures, he could be coaxed to rise. I have seen Mr. grass in shallow bays and streams. They interfered with my fishing by embar- Herbert Johnston and the late Dr. Trow- take the fly well and are strong fighters. rassing requests. "A few feet farther for- bridge catch 5- to 8-pound channel bass Shark and jewfish can only be ward, please," and I stepped off a bank by the light of the moon at Sarasota reached by the fly through an interme- up to my waist in water, and as the next Pass. In the bay of the same name the diary. In Estero Bay, a small red shark roller lifted me from my feet I inquired latter captured from his light canoe, swallowed a cavalry that I was playing if there existed any artistic objection to handled bv himself. a 22-vound channel and then gave me an acrobatic exhibi- my swimming occasionally, if the water bass and a 16-pound cavalry, all on light tion by leaping like a tarpon several feet got above my nose. fly rods. The late Dr. Ferber, dean of fly out of the water many times. The clouds over the Gulf grew fishermen on the Florida coast, coaxed The ladyfish and tarpon always jump thicker. darker. and massed themselves to his rod every species of fish to be out of the water while being played; the into a black, whirling column that found in the Homosassa River, from the kingfish usually jumps as he strikes, but promised a coming waterspout, when so-called freshwater trout, or big- not afterward; the Spanish mackerel through haste in changing holders, a mouthed black bass, down to the rarely leaps above the surface. Excepting plate broke loose inside the camera, worthless gar and tiny needlefish. His a few unimportant small fish, I remem- choking its machinery, to the despair of record as a fisherman was handicapped ber no other fly-taking acrobats among the cameraman who had watched many by his conscience, for he habitually car- the many gamy fish of the coast. days for the effect he was now losing, ried a tape. The fly rod for saltwater fishing with a dozen fresh plates in his hands all Ladyfish, or skipjacks, keep where the should weigh at least 8 ounces and be aching to be exposed. He sat down in water is swiftest and if it is their hour very stiff. A multiplying reel, carrying the wet sand and worked nervously for feeding will often meet the fly before one hundred yards of heavy line, is not until a solid wall of approaching rain it touches the water. Mangrove snappers too large. Many of the fish could be cap- threatened to flood his camera and collect under wooded banks in deep tured with a 4-ounce rod, but the drown him. As we fled to the shelter water and hide in hollow sunken logs,". process would be a dreary one, lacking of our cruising boat he expressed him- but when the spirit moves, show greedi- the excitement of a well-proportioned self in language which, although per- ness in their dash for the fly. contest. The latter would require the haps adequate to the occasion, seemed to me unbecoming in an artist and a The cavalry may be traced by the more powerful weapon. . . trouble he makes in schools of smaller Poetic friends have deplored my fan- fisherman. fish and is then pretty sure to take any- cied loss of sentiment for the brooks e

SUMMER 1998 15 Michael D. Radencich

I. Early epoxy fly found by Ken Vanderlaske; 2. Cockroach, tied by Lefty Kreh; 3. Janssen's HalfBeak, tied by Hal Janssen; 4. White Deceiver, tied by Lefty Kreh; 5. Janssen's Striper Fly, tied by Hal Janssen.

THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER Innovative Saltwater Flies: A History

by Bob Veverka

IN JANUARY 1999, Stackpole Books will release Innovative 'Saltwater Flies, a new book by Bob Veverka, renownedfly tyer andflyfisher. The book is a collection of flies organized by tyer, with background information on each tyer's saltwater fishing experience and the development of his or her favorite patterns. To set the scene, Veverka included a chapter dealing with the history of the sport. We'd like to share that chapter with you in this issue. -EDITOR

ALTWATER FLY FISHING dates hackles tied in at the hook point, it salmon in Lake Memphremagog on the back to the late 1800s. At that time, proved to be less apt to foul, and its QuebecIVermont border; it represented Sanglers were fishing with large palmered hackle caused the fly to land a smelt, a common baitfish found in Atlantic salmon flies because no saltwa- light and sink slow, the hallmark of a that lake. ter flies were available. The earliest salt- shallow-water tarpon fly. Rhode also This is purely speculation on my water patterns can be traced back to experimented with long shank hooks. part, but perhaps here was the idea that striped bass in the Northeast, bonefish By putting in two forty-five-degree gave Gibbs the foundation for his pat- and tarvon in Florida, and Pacific angle bends, he found that the hook tern. Gibbs fished in Canada and was salmon in the Northwest. would fish inverted and thus not snag familiar with the Magog Smelt, which Two of the earliest patterns on record on the bottom. This is what we know looks remarkably similar to the Gibbs are the Loving's Bass Fly, tied by Tom today as the keel fly hook. He also origi- Striper Fly. Gibbs tied his fly in a few Loving in the 1920s especially for nated the Homer Rhode loop knot. different versions. Some of the similari- striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay, and Harold Gibbs of Rhode Island tied ties to Gulline's fly are three bunches of the Bonbright Tarpon Fly, designed by one of the first saltwater flies to actually bucktail in the wing, teal cheeks, and a Howard Bonbright and sold by Aber- imitate a specific baitfish. Harold and red throat. When Gibbs fished in the crombie & Fitch in the early 1920s. his brother Frank fished in Canada for salt, he drew on his vast knowledge of An outstanding pioneer saltwater fly Atlantic salmon, but during World War salmon and trout fishing to successfully caster and early experimenter was 11, gas was so scarce they had to find fly fish for striped bass. Gibbs origi- Homer Rhode. Rhode tells of taking his fishing closer to home. Harold tied a nated his fly in the early 194os, whereas first bonefish and permit on regulation bucktail wing streamer that imitated a Gulline tied his flies as far back as the fly tackle in 1930. An Everglades natu- silverside, a baitfish found on the East 1930s. ralist, Rhode roamed the Florida back- Coast. It was an instant success, and the Harold's brother Frank also tied flies country canals and boated and waded fly we know today as the Gibbs Striper and originated the Bluefish Bucktail. the shallow waters of Florida Bay, often Fly was born. Gibbs promoted the sport Also at this time, Edward Materne orig- for months at a time. He originated the of striped bass fishing and personally inated the Pig Tails, and Harvey Flint Homer Rhode Jr. Tarpon Streamer. In pioneered fly fishing for this game fish. originated the Palmer Diller. his book Streamers and Bucktails, Joe He also popularized the Magog Smelt as As far back as 1936 on the West Bates states, "This was the first estab- a striped bass fly. Originated by Frier Coast, Letcher Lambuth was experi- lished type of pattern and the forerun- Gulline of Fin, Fur and Feather in Mon- menting with imitations of specific ner of all tarpon streamers." With long treal, this fly was used for landlocked baitfish for Pacific salmon in Puget Michael D. Radencich

1. Pink Shrimp, tied by Jimmie Albright; 2. Frankee-Belle, tied by Jimmie Albright; 3. Magog Smelt, tied by Mike Martinek; 4. Gibbs Striper Fly, tied by Mike Martinek; 5. Bluefish Fly, tied by Peter Sang; 6. Sandeel, tied by Don Brown; 7 Silverside, tied by Don Brown; 8. Horror, tied by Pete Perinchief:

18 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER Sound. He began to study what fish flies was the Pink Shrimp tied by with Joe Brooks and looked to him as a actually feed on by viewing baitfish in George Phillips. Phillips varied the mentor. During high school and col- glass tanks. When he held the baitfish in amounts of bucktail and dressed the fly lege, Stu tied simple bucktails and, to his hand, he noticed that their colors on different size hooks to control the earn money for fishing gear, sold them were different than when hit by light in sink rate. Its one drawback was that it as bonefish flies. He started guiding in the water. He found herring to have an snagged on the bottom. Phillips tried to the Florida Keys in the late 195os, just as opalescent quality he could only cap- correct this and make it weedproof by the modern era of saltwater fly fishing ture with blended polar bear hair over palmering the body with stiff hackle. was becoming popular. Apte has fished silver tinsel bodies. It is likely that he This problem wouldn't be corrected widely and holds many records. He was the anglerltyer who led the move to until Pete Perinchief, while fishing with changed the design of Keys-style flies, more realistic polar bear streamers. He Brooks, became so frustrated with his tying them less than 3 inches long. His would observe live candlefish and her- flies snagging on the bottom that he Stu Apte Tarpon Fly, originated in 1969, ring in his tanks while drawing developed a most important feature. was considered one of the best at the streamer flies through it and try to Taking an idea from a weedless freshwa- time and is still widely used. Tied with match the baitfish's color. His candle- ter fly, he originated the Horror, a fly red and yellow, it resembles the tarpon's fish and herring patterns became stan- with the wing on the reverse side which, favorite food, the Palolo worm. dards and are used widely today. when dropped in the water, flips on its Woody Sexton guided in the Florida Saltwater fly casting for Pacific salmon back with the hook pointing up. The Keys from 1959 to 1988. He and Jim enjoyed perhaps its widest popularity wing works like a rudder, turning the Adams headed out of California for and greatest number of practitioners in fly over and also serving as a weed Florida with a small aluminum boat the mid-1930s. But World War I1 came guard. His design is now standard on filled with fishing gear. When they along, and when it was over, the interest bonefish flies and his original pattern is arrived, they saw hundreds of schools of was never quite the same. still a popular fly. tarvon. Flies were vervi vrimitivel at the After World War 11, Joe Brooks The second most important develop- time. They used simple bucktails, and became a leader in saltwater flies and ment in the design of the bonefish fly because almost anvthing, u worked. there fishing. Joe started fishing in the salt in came with Bob Nauheim's Crazy Char- was no need to develop more elaborate the 1920s, but it wasn't until after the lie, created in the Bahamas in the late vatterns. The tackle back then was also war that it really caught on. In Salt 1970s. Drawing from his steelhead fly- rather crude, and the tarpon were very Water Fly Fishing magazine, Charlie tying experience, Nauheim tied a pair docile, not the spooky, skitterish crea- Waterman writes, "Joe Brooks never of metal bead-chain eyes on a hook, tures they have become. According to invented saltwater fly fishing, but he which enabled the fly to sink to the bot- Woody, one of the best tarpon flies at made it move." In 1946, Brooks, fishing tom fast. The eyes also helped flip the that time was the High Tie originated with guide Jimmie Albright, made the fly so the hook rode point up, making it by Bart Foth. It cast well, landed lightly, first attempt to catch a bonefish on a fly. snagproof, and added an up-and-down and had a very seductive action. They succeeded and became instant action, making it sink naturally and During the early 196os, Dr. Webster experts. Albright strongly influenced quickly to the fish's level. The Crazy Robinson and his wife Helen, guided by the development of bonefish flies. Charlie was the prototype for many Lefty Reagan, aimed to perfect the According to Brooks, Albright's Fran- variations of bead-chain-eyes bonefish method for taking a billfish on a fly by kee-Belle "was one of the earliest pat- flies tied today. using teaser bait to lure the fish to the terns tied for bonefish," and it remains Nat Ragland also contributed to the artificial flv. Robinson wasn't successful popular today. development of bonefish flies when he until 1962 in Pinas Bay, Panama, where Who actually tied the first bonefish created Puff, using chenille in the head he landed the first Pacific sailfish on a fly is not clear. According to Dick and body to cushion its landing so it's fly-it weighed 74% pounds. Robinson Brown in Flyfishing for Bonefish, not less likely to spook fish. This was one of used a homemade Styrofoam combina- until Captain Bill Smith plucked the the first patterns tied for permit. These tion popper-streamer built around a 7/0 hackle off the back end of an Islam- features-sink rate, action, snagproof- hook with white saddle hackles about 4 orada chicken, tied it to a hook, and ing, and a quiet landing-are all key inches long and a white Styrofoam head took his now-famous 1939 bonefish, attributes of what we now know as a about 1 inch long, chopped off square had anyone designed a pattern for bonefish fly. to ensure popping action. This type of bonefish. Joe Brooks's articles in fishing maga- fly is widely used today. Others who Brooks also tied flies, but most of his zines had an enormous effect on saltwa- successfully incorporated Robinson's ideas were incorporated into flies by ter fly fishing. He influenced two other method for teasing billfish include Stu other tyers. His most popular flies were early saltwater fly fishers and tyers- Apte and Billy Pate. In 1964 off Islam- the Blonde series. The first two Blonde Lefty Kreh and Stu Apte. Lefty Kreh, an orada, Florida, Lee Cuddy landed the patterns, the Platinum and Honey avid smallmouth bass fisherman from first Atlantic sailfish on a fly. It weighed Blonde, were originated by Joe and Tom Maryland, recalls that one of his most 47 pounds. Cooney. Another tyer who did a lot of important moments was when he met During the early 196os, many tyers work with Brooks, and tied many of his Joe Brooks. When Lefty began fishing started tying saltwater flies. One pio- flies, was Bill Gallasch of Skipping Bug in the salt water around the Chesapeake neer was Bill Catherwood of Tewskbury, fame. Bill was a freshwater tyer until he Bay in the 195os, he wanted a fly shaped Massachusetts, originator of the Giant met Joe. In 1948, Brooks caught a West like a baitfish that swam well and cast Killer series. Catherwood's flies initiated Coast striper weighing 29 pounds, lo with little wind resistance. In the early the shift from attractors to imitators. ounces at Coos Bay, Oregon, on a pop- 1960s, he originated the Lefty's Deceiver, He used spun deerhair heads to give his ping bug, a world record at the time. probably the most popular saltwater fly. baitfish patterns a three-dimensional One of Joe Brooks's favorite bonefish Stu Apte was another who fished shape. He studied colors of baitfish and

SUMMER 1998 l9 Michael D. Radenach

I. Silversides, tied by Joseph D. Bates; 2. Tinker Mackerel, tied by Bill Catherwood; 3. Golden Prince, tied by Joseph D. Bates; 4. Needlefish, tied by Bill Catherwood.

20 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER used dyed materials to achieve the real- Lyman, another editor of Salt Water terns to catch the elusive permit. Dave istic look of squid, shrimp, and crabs. Sportsman, originated Lyman's Terror. Whitlock developed the clipped Deer- Dan Blanton was another fly originator In 1970, George X. Sand published Salt- Hair Crab. George Anderson, with the during the 1960s who created the water Fly Fishing, one of the first books help of John Barr and Jim Brungardt, Whistler series in 1964 for striped bass to deal strictly with the sport. Two years designed one of the first flies to take in the San Francisco Bay area. He incor- later. Kenneth E. Bav's Salt Water Flies vermit consistentlv. the McCrab. Del porated bead-chain eyes to give the fly a became the first to' deal strictly with 'Brown used rug ya;n for the body of his bucktail jig action. saltwater flies and how to tie them. Merkin. It isn't a realistic vattern. but it Hal Janssen, a brilliant tyer and an During the i97os, Peter B. Sang of Percy looks enough like a crab &d is effective artist when it comes to saltwater flies, Tackle Company in Portland, Maine, because of the way it dives to the bot- originated the Janssen Striper Fly and also developed a sandeel pattern, the tom. Many Florida Keys guides use it, the Half Beak, which imitates a balao. Percy Sandeel, while Don Brown of and Del's permit count certainly con- Bob Edgely and Dan Blanton originated Massachusetts originated his Silversides firms that it works. Tied in small sizes, the Sea Arrow Squid. Larry Green, a and Brown Sandeel. it is also a good bonefish fly. Other suc- leading angler and writer, originated Around the same time, George "Chap- cessful crab patterns include Phil Chap- the Bonito Bandit and beer-belly-fash- pie" Chapman enlarged his smallmouth man's Hair-Ball and Infuraytor. Tied ioned flies for bonito off the California bass poppers, added pearlescent tape, with rabbit fur, they hang suspended in coast. Another pioneer, Harry Kime, and began using them for striped bass. the water with lots of action. Bill created the Tutti-Fruitti, a squid pattern The first time he saw Mylar piping, he Catherwood has a unique crab pattern. used to tease billfish, and numerous knew exactly how he was going to use Tied articulated, it takes on a defensive patterns for Costa Rican tarpon and it. Chapman's Mylar-Covered Poppers stance when at rest on the bottom. offshore fish in Baja. Bob Nauheim have taken numerous offshore and Another novel crab pattern is Krohel's modeled his West Coast striper flies Bay inshore svecies. Permit Krab bv Ken Krohel. which he Tern and Sea Tern after the Gibbs Anothir true saltwater fly innovator creates using hot glue, shaped cork, Striper Fly. The Winston Billfish Fly by is Bob Popovics, who started tying salt- rubber bands, a diving fin, and an outer Winston Moore has taken numerous water flies in 1971. Striving to make a fly shell of leather. Tim Borski ties his marlin and sailfish. Moore says in Deke durable enough for toothy bluefish, he Chernobyl Crab with long, soft, tan Meyer's Saltwater Flies, "It is not a work originated a style of flies with the heads hackle much like a spey fly. He likes the of art but it certainly is effective." and bodies covered with epoxy. Not action of the long hackle and uses it in Moore also developed the Agent only did the epoxy make the fly more many of his patterns. Carl Richards has Orange, which he claims is one of his durable, it also allowed tyers to set the taken crab patterns to the extreme. best bonefish flies. In 1966, Russell shape of any baitfish they wished to These truly artistic flies look as if they Chatham broke the world record for duplicate. He originated the Surf Can- could crawl off the tying bench. striped bass with a 36-pound, 6-ounce dies, Bob's Bangers, and his most In 1992, Randall Kaufmann published fish from San Francisco Bay using an 8- recent, the Spread Flies, which have the Bonefishing with a Fly. Having fished

inch black streamer. Ned Gray devel- silhouette of large-bodiedu baitfish. from Venezuela to Christmas Island. oped the Streaker, the first fly to incor- Another tyer to experiment with epoxy Kaufmann claims to have studied, col- porate a pair of peacock sword feathers is Harry Spear, a flats guide in the lected, dissected, designed, redesigned, for the wing, for fishing in Baja, Mex- Florida Keys. His Mother of Epoxy was ordered, sold, explained, demonstrated,

ico, where he caught a 50-pound roost- the first epoxy fly to draw the attention and dreamed flies for thirtv,, vears. , a erfish on it. East Coast tyers of this era of bonefish anglers. mania that has led to better and more include A1 Brewster, one of Harold During the late 1980s, saltwater tying efficient fishing and tying. His patterns Gibbs's fishing cronies; Paul Kukonen, innovation really took off. In his 1987 include Pink Sands and Marabou who fished early shrimp patterns in Book of Fly Patterns, Eric Leiser writes, Shrimp. Other bonefish patterns Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, for "The saltwater category of flies is still a include Jim McVay's Gotcha, a standard weakfish; Joe Bates, who fished exten- wide open area with many new oppor- on Bahama bonefish flats; Jim Orth- sively and promoted spincasting when tunities for pioneering." Some of the wein's Jim's Golden Eye Shrimp, which it was first introduced and authored true innovators of this time were Matty accounted for three bonefish fly many books on all types of fishing; and Vinciguerra, who developed the Salty records; and Barry and Cathy Beck's Elmwood "Cap" Colvin, who operated Beady Eye, and Larry Dahlberg, whose Silli-Legs. One of the most versatile, a tackle shop along the New Jersey revolutionary Dahlberg Diver dives, popular, and effective saltwater patterns coast, encouraged many to try saltwater swims, and resurfaces like a spinning is the Clouser Minnow, developed by

fly fishing, and developed the Kaboom- lure. Dahlbergu learned much about flv Bob Clouser for smallmouth bass. boom poppers, named after the sound design by studying the attracting and According to Bob, "An effective small-

they make. triggering attributes of artificial lures. mouth bass flv should have a dartingu Frank Woolner was the editor of Salt During the late 1980s and early ~ggos, motion and must sink as the fly is dead- Water Sportsman magazine and very many Western trout fly tyers took off to drifted or between strips." knowledgeable about northeastern fly fish the bonefish flats in the winter. The Clouser Minnow mimics this fishing. Fishing mostly on Cape Cod, he Mike Wolverton created his Flats Mas- fleeting trait-the fly never stops. fiy originated Woolner's Sandeel, which ter, and Craig Mathews developed new features neck hackles with the tip patterns while chasing bonefish and removed and inserted into Mylar piping permit in Belize and the Bahamas, Excerpted from Innovative Saltwater Flies as a tail. Many tyers now incorporate including Pop's Bonefish Bitters and the (ISBN:0-8117-0902-7) by Bob Veverka, this feature in their baitfish patterns. Turneffe Crab. available January 1999 from Stackpole Books, One of Woolner's fishing partners, Hal Many tyers tried to devise crab pat- 1-800-732-3669.

SUMMER 1998 21 Taking Tarpon With a Fly by George D. B. Bonbright From The Sportsman, September 1929

LY FISHING for tarpon is not a to the details and tackle best suited for bait I ever heard of to get one to bite, new idea. It has been known for the taking of these wonderful fish on but without success, until one day I Fmany years that, under certain the fly, and I am tempted to set these took out a heavy trout rod, and with a conditions, tarpon, especially the down in the hope that fellow fishermen large fly began casting for snook, a smaller ones, can be taken in this way. I and friends may, perhaps, more easily number of which I had seen break water can remember reading several interest- find success, and enjoy the great thrill near by. I got no snook, but I did have a ing articles telling of the great sport to and sport which has come to me in my 50-pound tarpon do his best to get the be had in Panama fishing for small tar- last two trips to the east coast of fly He startled me so that I pulled it pon, and in The Book of the Tarpon, Mr. Florida. away, and he would not come again. Dimock tells thrilling tales of big and First of all, as to the fish itself: a tar- ow ever, I did hook two tarpon-that little fish taken on the fly. pon has always thrilled me, even from season up around Tarpon Pool. One bit Being an ardent fly fisherman for my first attempts at still fishing on the the heavy gut leader in two, and the sec- salmon and trout, I was tremendously west coast more than thirty years ago. ond disappeared in the depths just as interested in everything I could learn on To me, there is something about the we were attempting to gaff him, the this subject; but, as a matter of fact, I wild, unbridled leap of the tarpon when leader having" vulled off the end of the could find very little definite informa- first hooked that, as a sporting experi- casting line. I made up my mind then tion from sources I had available. How- ence, puts it in a class by itself. Many a and there to go after tarpon in earnest ever, on numerous fishing trips to day I have started out to fish for sailfish, with a fly at the first opportunity, and Florida during the last few years, I have or perhaps planned a day for bonefish, began planning flies and tackle that I gathered considerable data pertaining but the chance sight of a rolling tarpon thought might prove suitable for the has changed it all for me and, if I had work. any choice in the matter, tarpon fishing My most recent trip was in the latter Excerpted from The Golden Age of Fly Fishing. I would go. part of May of this year. We were met at Copyright 01997 by Ralf Coykendall. Reprinted I first hooked a tarpon on a fly on Long Key by Captain Walter Starck and with permission of the publisher. The Country- one of the upper reaches of St. Lucie his comfortable cruising house boat, man PressIW. W. Norton & Company. River. There was one spot there called Norma II, and we enjoyed ten wonder- ful days. Our party of four, using live Photography by Julian A. Dimock, from Florida Tarpon Pool where a few fish seemed to Enchantments. New York: The Outing Publishing stay all through the winter months. I bait and artificial shrimp, landed sixty Company, 1908. just lived with those fish, trying every big tarpon, the average weight probably

22 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER being close to loo pounds, and the you should happen, as I did this last fly in the water, with silver body and largest tipping the scales at 160 pounds. spring, to hook an occasional flexible white wings, a strip of golden In addition, I landed sixty-two fish, all 85-pounder, you would find the pheasant crest on each side to add glint on a fly, the average weight of these 11-ounce rod quite small enough. The and reflect light, then a red feather for being about 20 pounds. The big fish first of these big fish was on for about the gills and jungle cock for the eye, usually stay in the large, deeper passes, fifteen minutes, jumped seven times, and, last of all, a touch of red in the tail and for that reason are not so easily and finally threw the hook out. This fish to suggest blood on a wounded min- taken on a fly. They will come after it if went where he pleased, and we had very now. they can see it, but they are hard to get little control over him. The second, The Lady Amherst, a fly which has to the surface. Except for a few fish, hooked in a small pass and in fairly proved a great success for salmon on kept for mounting and photographing, shallow water, seemed exhausted after the Grand Cascapedia River, has also all were released to live and bite another fifteen minutes of wild running and been found very successful with tarpon. day. The best places in Florida to catch jumping. We had worked our canoe These patterns were tied for me by tarpon on a fly are the smaller passes close to the shore, and my boatman had Messrs. Forest & Sons of Kelsoe, Scot- both above and below Long Key. The jumped overboard to take hold of the land, and are tied on a long-shanked fish hang quite close to the openings in wire leader with the idea of beaching hook z1%6 and 3% inches in length, the trestle of the Florida East Coast him, when the hook tore out and the with a 5/0 bend of hook. This gives a Railway, each opening forming a pool fish slowly swam away. We could have long, showy fly with the advanpage of in itself and holding generally from one gaffed this last fish if we had wished to. reasonably small wire that penetrates to a dozen fish that have taken their A salmon rod, or a long rod of any easily. The ordinary hook of this length position to feed on the luckless small kind, is not good in a canoe; it is hard would be an 8/0 or a g/o. fry coming through with the tide. With to handle and you cannot get near your In playing the fish, it will be found clear water and a bright day, one can see fish or get hold of your leader. For a advisable to wear a glove on the left these fish. It is an interesting fact that reel, we use Edward Vom Hofe Tobique hand, so that you can hold the line tarpon are easily frightened, and it is 210 with forty yards of heavy, level, size without its cutting your fingers as it not often that one can hook more than D, waterproof line, and lots of backing. slips through. Even the heavy brake on one or two from a single arch. A jump- The leader should be of fine wire with a these reels is, at times, not sufficient ing fish seems to act as a warning to the very small swivel on the end of the wire pressure to stop a tarpon. Other fish others that all is not well, and they will to which the line is attached. take the fly as well as tarpon and there not bite again until rested. In this con- The fly is the most important item of will be times when it will be necessarv nection, we have found that, even in the equipment. There may be, and is, a to hold the line and let somethin;: somewhat larger passes, we seldom get great difference of opinion as to why a break. A case of this kind ha~venedto good tarpon fishing two days in succes- salmon takes a fly, but there can be no me this spring. I had just xooked a sion. The only exception to this appears doubt that a tarpon takes it because he snapper about 4 pounds in weight, to be in the Bahia Honda, where the thinks it is something good to eat. Inas- when there was a tremendous swirl in taking of any number of fish seems to much as he feeds largely on shrimp and the water and the fin of a large shark make no difference in their biting on minnows, it is necessary to approach in appeared. There was not much argu- the next tide. Of course. the Bahia appearance one or both of these as near ment as to who got the snapper, for that Honda is an extremely wide, deep pass, as possible. For the same reason, any fly shark weighed 500 pounds, if he and there are times when, on windv for tarpon should be fished rather deep weighed an ounce. He must have been days, it gets much too rough for canok with a shrimplike movement and not surprised at the strength of the snapper fishing. Fishing must then be done from drawn on the surface. The fly that I when it took a forty-pound pull on my launches, although this method is not have named Tarpon White seems to part to break him loose. as satisfactory. meet all requirements and, I think, will It is an interesting fact that tarpon The equipment for fly-fishing must raise fish if anything will. This fly is the will leap to almost unbelievable heights. be carefully chosen if one is to have any result of much experimenting and The opening in the trestle is fully fifteen success at all. A few trout may be taken many changes. It is a wonderfully showy feet high, and there are times when the on almost any kind of fish seem to go up level tackle, but this cannot with the tor, of these be done with tarpon. openings. First of all, one should When fishing" with a have a short, stiff rod, 9 fly, the number of tarpon feet to 9 feet, 3 inches, landed compared to the weighing 10 to 11 number of strikes is ounces, preferably with small, but to me the thrill two joints, although of seeing the silver kings three will answer the take the fly and the real- purpose. The rod ization that the fight is a should have a small more evenly balanced handle below the reel one more than compen- seat. One might land a sates for the weight of the 20-pound tarpon on a larger fish, and I heartily 4-ounce trout rod, but recommend this type of the rod would not stand fishing to any fellow many encores; and if

SUMMER 1998 23 1-3: Harvey Flint Striped Bass Flies. 4, 5: Sure Strike Striped Bass Flies. Fly Casting by Harlan Major

From Salt Water Fishing Tackle .- New York: Funk 6 Wagnalls Company, 1948

OR TOO LONG has the fly rod is like waving a red rag before a bull, which he is about to demonstrate are been considered the exclusive tool and I wish to make clear that I too have not aided in their struggles by conve- Fof the freshwater fisherman. It is great respect for the trout and many of nient rocks and logs to snag the line. true that when casting a fly into salt his freshwater neighbors. For those The current of the water seldom is water, the consideration of flies which who believe that gameness is found strong enough to accelerate their speed. are hatching at that time is not only in lakes and streams, however, I These fish will gain their freedom or involved. Nor is this always true of the would advise that as a part of their edu- room in the fish box only by their own freshwater angler. Often he takes his cation they take the following cure. I ability. The routine is about the same trout or bass with flies or gadgets that have administered this cure to many with most patients. The health certifi- resemble nothing of the fish's natural who formerly would respect nothing cate is earned about the time of the first diet. It is this undefined interest in taken from salt water. My saltwater signs of sunburn, the capture of the small bits of color, reflections, or leanings have made my salty finned second or third fish, and the breaking intriguing activity which can be used to friends the subject of many disrespect- of one rod. The cure is acknowledged" tempt many of the surface-feeding salt- ful gibes. by the patient with complete apologies water fish as well as their freshwater The cure consists of an invitation to for all his belittling remarks. cousins. Our thousands of miles of fish for almost any of the small varieties Small tarpon have furnished the coastline with their bays and inlets fur- found along our coasts. Mackerel or fly-rod enthusiast with the nearest to nish unlimited opportunity for the bluefish are both good medicine. freshwater conditions. The rods used lover of the fly rod. Many of the Unless the patient has been unusually are similar in some ways to the salmon close-in feeders have the reputation of nasty in his remarks, I advise him to rod, but are shorter and stiffer. Nine not being gamy, but this is because we bring along only his oldest and most and a half feet long, weighing about 9 have seen these fish captured by those battered fly rods. We fish from a dock, ounces, they are double gripped and whose main interest was pounds of fish float, rowboat, or go offshore, depend- are mounted with agate guides. Heavy, instead of sport. With the tackle they ing on what fish we wish to meet. The multiple-action salmon reels are used, use, a trout would show about as much lures may consist of flies or fly-rod but these should be equipped with a activity as a dishrag. spinners or plugs. I try to find fish of nickel-silver spool instead of the regu- 1 realize that, to a freshwater purist, about the same size as those he is lar aluminum one. Thirty yards of level belittling the fighting ability of a trout accustomed to taking. The fish on B enamel silk line should be backed Harold Gibbs, George Heinold and Harvey Flint with a striped bass caught at Mt. Hope Bay, Rhode Island. From the collected production papers of Joseph D. Bates Jr.

with loo to 150 yards of thread linen next generation of bass, most of these Needless to say, these will usually be line. The three-foot leader can be of fish were returned to the water. The light in color, tied long with a touch of very fine wire, nylon, or a combination neighborhood fishermen were also for- blue. The hooks are medium-long of both. The Bonbright Tarpon Fly tunate because the Gibbs brothers were shank No. 2 Sproat. seems to be the most popular for this good sports about passing that valuable Striped bass seem to take the fly best fishing. White streamer wings, know-how along to anyone interested along the edge of fast-moving tidal jungle-cock shoulders, and silver body and Harvev Flint soon ioined them. water. This can be in inlets or rivers, are tied with wire to O'Shaughnessy The fac; that these bbys are taking so around projections of land, near bridge hooks in 4/0,5/0, 6/0 and 7/0. manv, strivedL bass does not mean that a or pier pilings, any place where the No sooner had the tarpon shown greenhorn can go right out and make a flow of the water makes an active rip. their liking for the artificial fly than killing. He must be a fisherman to keep The davtime Rhode Island fishing" is striped bass demonstrated that they pace with those Izaak Waltons and he good during the early part of the sea- also were susceptible to its charms. must know his fish. There are no mys- son, but from then on night Maximillian Foster unlimbered a heavy teries about the procedure, however. A fishing-that is, from a half hour bef;;re fly rod and was successful in taking stout 9-foot fly rod weighing about 6 sunset until a half hour after several striped bass near Montauk ounces is just right. The rod action sunrise-is best. The cast should be Point. Other fishermen on both the should be fast. The guides should be slightly downstream. The retrieve is Atlantic and Pacific coasts were enthu- large enough for long casts and rust- fast during daylight, but after dark it siastic over the idea and managed to proof. A single-action fly reel large should be very slow. take some of these fish, but the catches enough to hold nearly a hundred yards The followers of the saltwater fly rod were too few to keep the sport alive. of nine-thread linen line will be needed need not limit their activities to the Then Harold and Frank Gibbs of when a large striper is hooked. Be sure heavier type. There are scores of fish Rhode Island got interested in the idea the reel will resist the action of salt that are able to satisfy the most ardent and this time the striped bass met their water. A twelve-vound nvlon leader light-tackle enthusiast. He should, match. The first year resulted in the slightly shorter thin the rod completes however, avoid reels or rod mountings taking of nearly 800 striped bass in the this Dart of the tackle. The most vro- such as snake guides and aluminum Gibbs's spare time. They were all taken ductive flies should imitate whatever reels, which cannot get along with with fly rods and fortunately for the small fish the stripers are feeding on. salt water. -

SUMMER 1998 25 Fishing Salt Water: A Midcentury Montage

Poling the flats. Stu A~te

Joe Brooks's 1948 record striped bass-29 pounds, 10 ouncb with a white streamer on an 8-ounce fly rod with a 12 -poul Don Harger, Chandler Brown, and James Christens,

Stu Apte lip-gaffs a tarpon for Lefty Kreh. The two are among the early innovative saltwaterflyfishers and tyers. Tkefish was released.

26 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER These images come from the collected production papers of Joseph D. Bates Jr., recently donated to the Museum by his daughter, Trustee Pamela Bates Richards. Most of the photographs are not dated, but the ones shown here were taken during the middle decades of this century.

- . Am.:;:

Joe Brooks andJil~lrizieAlbrigllt with Oonefish. Brooks, fislling with Albright, caught thefirst bonefish on afly in 1946.

token in Coos Bay, Oregon. Brooks used a small popping bug I-test leader. Admiring the striper are Joe Bates ~r.,~oe Brooks, ipilot of the boat from which the striper was landed).

Larry Green, western angler atid IW rtci; wtth flou~tde~ Festival Weekend

HE MUSEUM'S ANNUAL festival weekend and open house was held May 8 and 9, begin- Tning with a welcoming reception on Friday evening. Saturday was filled with events that have become tradition at our yearly gathering: an open house fea- turing fly tyers Dick Lyons, Rich Norman, Peter Bur- ton, Gene Liebhaber, and George Butts; bamboo rod- builder F. D. Kretchman; woodcarver Kurt Vitch; and artist Thomas Aquinas Daly, promoting his soon-to- be-released book, The Art of Thomas Aquinas Daly: The Painting Season. Trustee Jamie Woods and Angus Black were on hand for casting lessons at Equinox Pond. This year also featured a sporting collectibles show at the Equinox Hotel. Saturday night's annual dinnerlauction was held at the Equinox Hotel. This year's committee-Jim Lepage, Jean and Angus Black, Bill Bullock, Ted Ferree, G. Dick Finlay, Richard and Sabina LaTour, Joe McCusker, and Dawn Murray-brought us yet another successful event. Executive Director Garv Alex Tisch, son of Board of Trustees President Richard Tisch Tanner acted as auctioneer for the live auction and and Wendy Tisch, was in charge of the leg band rafle. was ably assisted by Sara Wilcox, Shane Sweet, Danny Welch, Paula Welch, Marsha Newsom-Byrne, and John Price. Karen Crafts, Dawn Murray, Ginny New- man, Alex Tisch, and Marianne Kennedy sold raffle tickets. Time was set aside at the dinner to announce two awards. The 1997 Joe A. Pisarro Award was presented to Marsha Newsom-Byrne, and the 1997 Austin Hogan Award was presented to Frederick Buller (see Museum News).

Trustee Jamie Woods and Angus Black gear up at Equinox Pond.

Former Trustees Romi and Leigh Perkins at the silent auction.

Photographs by John Price Auctioneer Gary Tanner digs deep to announce winners in the bucket rafle. His wife, Martha Tanner, assisted.

Fly tyer Rich Norman of Cambridge, New York, demonstrated his art at this year's open house.

The art of woodcarver Kurt Vitch.

Carmine Lisella of Jordan-Mills Rod Company was among the vendors at the sporting collectibles show.

Rodmaker Fred Kretchman points out some of the fine details of building a bamboo rod.

SUMMER 1998 29 The American Museum of Fly Fishing Box 42, Manchester,Vermont 05254 Tel: 802-362-3300. Fax: 802-362-3308 I I Cheryl \lilcox JOIN! Awards Presented Membership Dues (per annum) Two special awards were presented INDIVIDUAL Associate 535 May 9 at the Museum's annual Man- Sustaining $60 chester dinnerlauction. Benefactor 5125 The 1997 Austin Hogan Award was Patron 5250 awarded to Frederick Buller of Bucking- GROUP hamshire, England. The award was Club $50 established in 1985 to honor the mem- Trade 550 ory of Austin Hogan, who founded the Membership dues include four issues of Museum's journal, The American Fly The American Fly Fisher. Please send your Fisher, in 1974. This year, the award payment to the Membership Director honors contributions made by Buller to and include your mailing address. The the journal since 1993. These include Museum is a member of the American "The Earliest English Illustrations of an Association of Museums, the American Angler" (Summer 1993), "Origin of the Association of State and Local History, the New England Association of Muse- Reel" (Fall 1995), "The Macedonian ums, the Vermont Museum and Gallery Fly" (Fall 1996), and "The Earliest Fish- Alliance, and the International Associa- Sara Wilcox with Cinder. ing Reel: A New Perspective" (Summer tion of Sports Museums and Halls of 1997). The Spring 1998 issue featured his Fame. We are a nationally accredited, New Staff most recent contribution, "A Fourth- nonprofit, educational institution chartered Century European Illustration of a under the laws of the state of Vermont. Sara Wilcox has joined the Museum Salmon Angler." staff as special projects coordinator. She Frederick Buller is one of England's SUPPORT! began working one day a week in Octo- finest all-around anglers and is the As an independent, nonprofit institution, ber and was brought on full time in author of several books, including the the American Museum of Fly Fishing March. A 1993 graduate of Smith Col- highly acclaimed Pike, and coauthor relies on the generosity of public-spirited lege with a degree in English language (with Hugh Falkus) of Falkus Q Buller's individuals for substantial support. We and literature, Sara worked for almost Freshwater Fishing. He founded the ask that you give our museum serious consideration when planning for gifts and five years at Northshire Bookstore here gunmaking and fishing tackle company bequests. in Manchester before joining the of Chubbs in London, and is now the Museum. managing director of the famous Lon- VISIT! As special projects coordinator, Sara don gunmaking firm of Charles Hellis, Hours are lo AM to 4 PM. We are closed played a large role in planning the Frederick Beesley and Watson Bros. on major holidays. Museum's festival weekend, including Buller is happiest when fishing for trout coordination of its collectibles show. and sea trout in the Irish loughs of In Max Tohn Price became the BACK ISSUES! 8. - Mayo and Galway. Available at $4 per copy: Museum's new art director. In this posi- The 1997 Joe A. Pisarro Volunteer of Volume 6, Numbers 1,2,3,4 tion, John will take over the design and the Year Award was presented to Mar- Volume 7, Number 3 production of The American Fly Fisher. sha Newsom-Byrne of Manchester, Ver- Volume 8, Number 3 He brings years of experience in design, mont. This award, which was named Volume 9, Numbers 1,2,3 production, and printing, including for the Museum's foremost volunteer Volume lo, Number 2 time with American Angler magazine and friend, was established in 1990 to Volume 11, Numbers 1,2,3,4 and the Orvis Company. John will help recognize the time and effort of our Volume 13, Number 3 launch new Museum publications both volunteers, our most valuable resource. Volume 15, Number 2 in print and on the web. He will also be Marsha Newsom-Byrne moved from Volume 16, Numbers 1,2,3 the contact person for advertising in Suffield, Connecticut, to Manchester in Volume 17, Numbers i,2,3 this iournal. 1996 and began volunteering three days Volume 18, Numbers 1,2,4 John steps in to replace Randall Volume 19, Numbers 1,2,3,4 a week at the Museum in May 1997, Volume 20, Numbers 1,2,3,4 Perkins, who was with the Museum as staffing our gift shop and greeting visi- Volume 21, Numbers 1,2,3,4 designer of this journal for almost ten tors. She has found this a great way to Volume 22, Numbers 1,2,3,4 Randall has started her own pub- meet people and be involved in the Volume 23, Numbers 1,2,3,4 lishing company, Gallery Press, which community. Marsha holds a degree in Volume 24, Numbers i,2 will specialize in design, production, psychology and neuroscience from and publishing in the fine arts. Trinity College and worked as a lab instructor in those subjects there. She Keys artist Kendall Vansant. It was has a son and a daughter, now both in certainly our most successful effort in their twenties. Key Largo, and plans are already tak- RODS &k REELS ing shape for a repeat performance. Spring DinnerIAuctions Special thanks to Bob Ecuyer of the Ocean Reef Club and his suverb staff Key Largo. The third Key Largo din- for making this event not only a culi- nerlauction was held at the Ocean Reef nary delight, but also almost effortless Club on March lo. More than 150 guests for the Museum staff. Many thanks attended the event, which was cospon- also to Mr. Davidson's assistant, Rose sored by the Conservation Projects Michno, who spent countless hours Committee of the Ocean Reef Rod & coordinating this event in Florida. Gun Club. Committee chairman for New York. The Museum held its this occasion was Trustee Tom David- annual New York dinnerlauction at son. Other committee members the Anglers' Club of New York on included Jack Curlett, Bruce Miller, March 25. Ian Mackay chaired the Henry Peddle, Joel Shepherd, and Bill event, and Mary O'Mallev and her Classic FIT Fishing Tackle Willson. staff once again outdid themselves, Whereas we are often fortunate to from mouthwatering pat6 hors d'oeu- have one original painting for auction, vres to a poached salmon entree. Her Boubt-Sold-Traded 6 Appraised here we were lucky enough to offer Irish presence throughout the evening originals by C. D. Clarke, Peter Corbin, was pure delight. Thomas Aquinas Daly, M. P. Elliott, The deluxe silent auction proved Luther K. Hall, Brett Smith, Mike Stid- once again that our friends in the New Will purchase Collections O Estates ham, John Swan, George Van Hook, York area are generous in their sup- and Millard Wells. Fabulous trips to port of the Museum and its work. All Chile, Christmas Island, and Africa in all, the intimacy of the club and the Over 100 cane rods in inventory were also offered, along with exquisite enthusiasm of the staff and guests sculptures by Trustee Walt Matia and made for a great evening. ~ve&one We stock all models of new

Peerless Reels

Catalog published 3 times per year

References available

Bob Corsetti, Proprietor

17 Massasoit Rd

Nashua, NH 03063

TeI. 603-886-0411

Fax 603-595-2458

SUMMER 1998 31 This gallery, newly redecorated hosts several new and related exhibits. Panels describing aspects offish biology that makeflies 4fective lures adorn the walls, along withfiamings qftheflies dis- cussed. The center case holds a century offly-fithing history on our home river, the Battenkill. The wall case hosts a mini-exhibit on the history of the Hendrickson dryfly. said goodnight having had a pleasant dinner is unique in that local conserva- Invitations for this exciting evening evening among friends, both old and tion groups also participate with dis- will be in the mail by mid-August. If for new. plays and literature to add interest to any reason you do not receive an invita- Cleveland. Our Cleveland dinner1 the evening. In fact, cocktails and appe- tion and would like to join in the fun, auction was scheduled a few weeks early tizers were enjoyed to the background please contact Paula Welch at the this yea-April 2-in order to dovetail "music" of Ned Newton's exotic birds! Museum. All are welcome. with the fly-tying symposium being held Ned does a great deal of aviary conser- at the Cleveland Museum of Natural vation through the New England Avi- History. The dinner kicked off the fish- culture Society. Larry Craig of the New DinnerIAuction Events ing-related weekend, and by working England Saltwater Flyrodders also pro- together ta promote attendance, both vided a wonderful display of their OCTOBER 1 organizations reaped the benefits. ongoing saltwater conservation efforts. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Chair and Trustee Woods King 111, as Special thanks to Trustee Pam Merion Cricket Club always, packed the room at the Country Richards and active area member Bob OCTOBER 17 Club in Pepper Pike, Ohio, with a lively Blain for their help with this successful Manchester, Vermont crowd of generous bidders. Director event. Trustee's Meeting Gary Tanner was the auctioneer and The Equinox Hotel remarked that he had never seen such Back in Philadelphia OCTOBER 24 an enthusiastic group. There was a great After a one-year hiatus, the Museum Napa Valley, California deal of laughter and banter throughout will resume its dinnerlauction program Berringer's Winery the evening, and everyone left with a in the Philadelphia area this October 1 NOVEMBER 5 positive, upbeat view of the Museum with a gala event at the Merion Cricket Hartford, Connecticut and the event. Club. Former longtime dinner com- Farrnington Marriott Special thanks not only to Woods, mittee chairman and former Trustee but to Julie Anderson, who orchestrated Curt Hill of the Anglers' Club of the evening at the Country Club, and Philadelphia and Eleanor Peterson of club-staffer Roe who single-handedly the Delaware Valley Women's Fly Fish- Spring Shows made the raffle a huge success. ing Association have joined forces with Westford. The Museum's Boston and their respective club members to spon- Thanks particularly to the efforts of central Massachusetts events were com- sor this event. Their combined talents Trustee Pam Richards and volunteers bined this year, and on April 24, the and enthusiasm virtually guarantee Peter Castagnetti and Martin Park, the dinnerlauction was held at the West- that this dinnerlauction will be the Museum had a strong presence at the ford Regency, northwest of Boston, This event of the fall season.

Would you like to host a fund raiser for the COLLECTIONS American Museum of Fly Fishing AND <-'& in your community? "kJ- Please phone Paula Welch at 802-362-3300. ESTATES BOUGHT Fishing Tackle Wanted

Bamboo Fly Rods Wanted: by Payne, Gillum, Garrison, Young, Edwards, Thomas, Leonard, Halstead, Hawes, Granger, Dickerson & others.

Cash buyer for bamboo rods up to Sfeet long. Premium prices paid for shorter or new condition rods.

Reels Also Wanted: by vom Hofe, Zwarg, Walker, Seamaster, Bogdan, Talbot, Meek, Milam, Leonard, Hardy and others. Paying Highest Cash Prices Consignments Accepted

The Walton Fishing Club of Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut, WE BUY, SELL AND TRADE only the h~ghestquality tackle and related Items made a permanent loan to the Museum of its Shang Wheeler landlocked salmon carving. It is unique in that it is a full-body FREE CATALOG carving (Wheeler usually did halfmounts), and it is mounted Len Codella's on an original painting by Wheeler depicting a lake scene, Heritage Sporting Collectibles where thefish it is modeled after was taken. Trustees Allan 220 1 S. Carnegie Dr. #AM Poole and Michael Osborne, as well as Walton Club President Inverness, FL 34450 (352) 637-5454 Richard Bell, were instrumental in obtaining this loan for the - (352) 637-5420 Museum, which is currently on exhibit. Pictured with the Fax: E-mail: carving, left to right, are Allan Poole, Richard Bell, Executive [email protected] Director Gary Tanner, and Michael Osborne.

- World Fly Fishing Expo in Wilmington, Legends: The Papers and Recollections of Massachusetts, in March and the the Fly Fisher's Club of Harrisburg, A NEW BOOK FROM National Fly Fishing Show in Provi- 1947-1997, compiled by Norm Shires SPORTING ARTIST dence, Rhode Island, in April. Executive and Jim Gilford; Ann McIntosh's Mid- THOMASAQUINAS DALY Director Gary Tanner covered the Atlantic Budget Angler: Fly Fishing for Northeast Fly Fishing and Wing Shoot- Trout in Delaware, Maryland, New Jer- ing Show in Edison, New Jersey, in sey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Vir- March. Equipped with a new backdrop ginia; Dan Heiner's Fly-Fishing Alaska's to enhance our display and draw atten- Wild Rivers; and Phil Genova's First tion to our exhibit, we signed up a Cast: Teaching Kids to Fly-Fish. number of new Museum members. We Lyons Press sent us Ivan L. Mahoney are very grateful to the organizers of and Veva Crozer's Trout Flies and Flow- these shows for providing free space for ers; An Honest Angler: The Best of Sparse THEART OF THOMASAQUINAS DALY: our exhibit. These shows provide Grey Hackle, edited Patricia Miller Sher- THEPAINTING SEASON unique opportunities to interact with wood; Craig Mathews's Western Fly- Will feature over 100 full color people who were previously unaware of Fishing Strategies; and In Praise of Wild reproductions of Daly's sporting art. the Museum and its treasures. Trout: On the Pleasure, Biology, and A limited collector's editions of only Preservation of Wild Trout, edited by 300 being produced are selling In the Library Nick Lyons. quickly at pre-publication. Abenaki Publishers, Inc. sent us Terry If interested in reserving an advance Thanks to the following publishers Mort's The Reasonable Art of Fly Fishing. copy at discount pricing call now. for their donations of recent titles that Specialized Marketing Agency sent us (716) 492-0846 have become a part of our collection: John A. Merry's zoo Best Fly-Fishing Stackpole Books sent us Limestone Web Sites. (800) g6-7305

34 THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER lh8 w r 805. hffdhbk ill lldd-fha sfk First choose the rod, then choose the action. Whether you prefer the distance and accuracy of the tip-flex, or the versatility and superior tippet protection of the mid-flex, you'll - The TL enjoy the lightest, most responsive five-weight Orvis has ever built. 905 is available in either mid- or bU'v@101 10 thW rods. That's the only way you'll fully appreciate just how tiP.flex. $470. light these rods really are. High-modulus graphite combined with an exclusive compound taper means less material in a stronger rod - lighter than any five- weight we've ever made. You'll also benefit from the vibration reduction of the exclusive Trident grip- damping technology that increases your distance and accuracy on every cast. ISMJOC OM deaI~With its distinct green blank, handsome gold anodized and maple burl reel seat, and sleek titanium carbonitride guides, the Trident TL 905 is as stunning as it is light. Come see for yourself. Visit your local Orvis is proud to support Orvis dealer for a test cast. Or two. The American A SPORTING TRADITION SINCE 1856 Museum of WWW.OPV~S.CO~ Fly Fishing I H~stor~cRoute 7A, Manchester, Vermont 05254 Call toll free 1-800-838-1550BXl. 802 for further lnformatlon on our dealers world-w~deor for a free F~sh~ngCatalog. Gilley Museum Features Recent Donations would be the place for the book to be-and it went on display the day it Cushner Collection Richard S. Dennison Jr.-in memory came in as part of our mini-exhibit on The Wendell Gilley Museum in of his father, Richard S. Dennison- the development and differences in Southwest Harbor, Maine, houses the sent us the Boy Scout Professional Type styles of tying the Hendrickson dry fly. collection of bird carvings by Wendell Fly Tying Kit that his father gave him Trustee Emeritus G. Dick Finlay of Gilley, a pioneer in the art of decora- "many years ago." It comes to us com- Manchester, Vermont, gave us the origi- tive bird carving. Examples of work plete with its original price tag of $2.85! nal watercolor by John Betts, The Bub- from his fifty-two-year career are on Author and fly originator Gary ble. The Museum reproduced the paint- display here, as well as the carver's LaFontaine donated the flies he tied as a ing in two limited editions as part of its original patterns, tools, and work- featured tyer during the Fly Fishing and thirtieth-anniversary commemorations. benches. Wing Shooting Show in March. George Trustee James C. Woods of Cam- But the Gilley Museum is also Angstadt, a long-standing Philadelphia bridge, New York, broadened our known for the wildlife art and nature- dinnerlauction committee member, library holdings by giving us copies of oriented exhibitions that have been sent many of his exceptional flies to be Spring-Tide; or, The Angler and His featured over the years. One of the used to help raise the very important Friends by John Yonge Akerman; Catch- most popular of these was the 1989 col- funds those events generate. Longtime ing Trout, by T. H. Barnes; Modern laboration with the American Museum Museum supporter and contributor Ray Improvements in Fishing Tackle by H. of Fly Fishing, "Doctors, Ghosts, and Salminen of Acton, Massachusetts, Cholmondeley-Pennell; Biblotheca Pis- Nymphs: The Art of Fly Fishing." This gave us nineteen fishing tackle catalogs. catoria by T. Westwood and T. Satchell; summer the Gilley features "Beautiful The oldest is a Hardy Anglers Guide and The River as Looking Glass and The Streamers: The Alluring Arts of Fly dated 1938. Fly Fisherman's Streamside Handbook, Fishing." The exhibition, which Mrs. W. C. Burnett of Thomasville, both by his brother Craig Woods. includes two dozen pieces from our Georgia, sent us her late husband's copy Richard C. Hoffmann of North York, Museum's Cushner collection, will be of Preston Jennings's A Book of Trout Ontario, sent us a copy of his article that on display from June through Septem- Flies. Former Trustee Romi Perkins sug- appeared in the February 1998 In-Fisher- ber. Be sure to stop by on your travels. gested to Mrs. Burnett that the Museum man, "The Antiquities of Angling."

CONTRIBUTORS

Keith Fulsher is a well-rounded fly tyer and often gives demonstrations on the different aspects of tying. His specialties are bucktails, streamers, and various styles of salmon flies. In 1962, he developed an innovative and very successful series of bucktails-the Thunder Creek series-which now consists of twenty-one individual patterns designed after specific freshwater baitfish. He has also designed six saltwa- ter baitfish patterns in the Thunder Creek style. In 1973 he authored a book on these special flies titled Tying and Fishing the Thunder Creek Series. Fulsher is also coauthor (with Charles Krom) of the 1981 book Hair-Wing Atlantic Salmon Flies. His work has been published in American Angler, Atlantic Salmon Journal, Field ej. Stream, Flyfishing, Fly Tyer, and other sporting periodicals. Fulsher has extensive fly-fishing experience, both in the United States and abroad. Long interested in conservation movements, Fulsher served as one of the founding directors of the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers. He is a member of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, Miramichi Salmon Association, Trout Unlimited, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center, the American Museum of Fly Fishing, and other con- servation organizations. In 1986 he took early retirement from his position as exec- utive vice president of a major commercial bank to further pursue his interest in fly fishing, fly tying, and outdoor photography. Fulsher lives in Eastchester, New York.

Bob Veverka has spent most of his life fishing and tying flies. He has a passion for collecting and pursuing the history of all types of flies and the people who tie them. Among those he has studied are the Darbees, the Dettes, and Art Flick of the Catslulls; Carrie Stevens; and many tyers of the Victorian the era. Veverka moved to Vermont in 1980 and fished for landlocked salmon. He then began dabbling in Atlantic salmon and steelhead flies, from hairwings to full-dress classics; this interest has grown to the point of obsession. Veverka now spends most of his time fishing and tying flies for salt water and developing patterns for striped bass fishing in the Northeast, for bonefish and tarpon in the Florida Keys, and for tuna and marlin in Baja, Mexico. His book, Innovative Saltwater Flies, will be published by Stackpole Books in January 1999. Veverka lives in Underhill, Vermont. Casting

ISHING WITH MY WIFE Martha is one of During the thirty years of this Museum's exis- my favorite pastimes; I always learn some- tence, the methods and strategies employed to F thing from her in spite of my best efforts to make it the successful and enjoyable institution it be ever the instructor. One evening several years is today have varied with the inevitable changes in ago, we were casting from our little boat toward a trustees, volunteers, and staff. Most often, it seems shoreline inhabited by not a few anglers sending to me, we have cast broadly from the shoreline, their lines back in our direction, all of us pursuing hoping to land whatever swam by, a variety of warm-water species. As I reminded her acquisition-wise. That this has been a very effec- (again) about the importance of landing her fly on tive technique is indisputable-witness the size, the very margin of shore and lake, Martha made a breadth, and importance of our collections as they very interesting observation. She found it most stand today. But as the Museum and its collections intriguing that one group of anglers (the shore- mature, there comes a need to examine closely bound) heaves with all their might to cast their what we have in order to bring focus to what we lure as far out into the lake as possible, while need. In the coming months, we will be calling on another group (the boatbound) casts for all friends both old and new to help us evaluate our they're worth to get inshore as far as possible, all collections-to identify what we are lacking and in pursuit of exactly the same fish. Notwithstand- what needs attention. We'll work together to ing the inevitable questions concerning the intel- develop our strategy and explore opportunities. lectual tools of those of us that chase, fairly often, Like casting to a specific, rising fish on the warm-water species (okay, bass and bluegill), there shoreline, we need to "cast" to specific acquisitions are metaphors here instructive to all of us who that we have identified as critical to accomplishing strive to work with others to accomplish our goals: our goal of preserving and interpreting the history 1) there are almost always at least two ways to do of fly fishing. We have grown to the point which things, and 2) it's important to adapt your strategy makes this change in strategy a necessary and to your situation. good thing. I look forward to being a part of the process and hope that if you have the interest, you will, too. THEAMERICAN MUSEUM OF FLY FISHING, a nationally accredited, nonprofit, educa- tional institution dedicated to preserving the ch heritage of fly fishing, was founded in lanchester, Vermont, in 1968. The Museum serves as a repository for, and conservator to, the world's largest collection of angling and angling-related objects. The Museum's col- ,donsand exhibits provide the public with iorough documentation of the evolution of y fishing as a sport, art form, craft, and in- dustry in the United States and abroad fron the sheenth century to the present. Rods reels, and flies, as well as tackle, art, books, manuscripts, and photographs form the ma- jor components of the Museum's collections. The Museum has gained recognition as a unique educational institution. It supports a publications program through which its na- tional quarterly journal, The American Fl Fisher, and books, art prints, and catalogs art I regularly offered to the public. The I Vuseum's traveling exhibits program ha. ~adeit possible for educational exhibits tc e viewed across the United States anc ,road. The Museum also provides in-housl exhibits, related interpretive programming, and research services for members, visiting scholars, authors, and students. The Museum is an active, member-orient- ~d nonprofit institution. For information lease contact: The American Museum of Fly ishing, P. 0. Box 42, Manchester, Vermon