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Upper Twin Pool-Henryville The American Fly Fisher Published by The Museum of American Fly Fishing for the pleasure of the membership.

SPRING 1975 Vol. 2., No. 2

TARLE OF CONTENTS ADVISORY ROARD

Arnold Gingich ARTICLE New York, N. Y. Of Misty Morning Long Ago P- 2 by Dana S. Lamb Dr. Alvin Grove LITERATURE State College, Pa. William Samuel: A New Name to Revere between Dame Juliana and Izaak Walton by Arnold Gingrich P- 4 Baird Hall RIOGRAPIIY Hyde Park, Vt. William Samuel, The Reformation, and The Marian Exiles p. 6 by David R. Ledlie David R. Ledlie ARTICLE Middlebury, Vt. Origins of the Dry Fly P. 7 On Angling with the Natural May Fly John T. Orrelle RESEARCH Sherwood, Oregon An Attempt at Reproducing Early Nineteenth Century Fly Dressings hy Jack lleddon Leigh H. Perkins 1'. 10 Manchester, Vt. TECHNOLOGY llistory of the Split Ramboo by T. S. Morrell p. 13 Steve Raymond ARTICLE Seattle, Washington Salt Water Fly Fishing p. 14 by Letcher Lambuth Mrs. Anne Secor Caveat Emptor p. 16 Arlington, Vt. TECHNOLOGY The Choice of Flies p. 17 Donald Zahner by Louis Rhead Dorset, Vt. THE MARKET PLACE The Angling Rook Resplendent p. 20 -- by Austin S. llogan Austin S. Hogan MEMORIAL EXHIRIT - Milton C. Weiler p. 23 Cambridge, Mass. Research & Liaison MEMRERSHIP INFORMATION p. 24

THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER, the magazine of THE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FLY FISHING, is pub- lished quarterly by the MUSEUM at Manchester, Vermont 05254. Subscription is free with payment of membership dues. All correspondence, letters, manuscripts, photographs and materials shoiild be forwarded care of the Curator. The MUSEUM and MAGAZINE are not responsible for unsolicitcd manuscripts, draw- ings, photographs, materials or memorabilia. The Museum cannot acccpt responsibility for statements and interpretations which are wholly the author's. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot bc returned unless postage is provided. Contributions to TH1Z AMERICAN FLY FISHER are to bc considered gratuitous and become the property of the Museum unless otherwise requested by the contributor. Publication dates are January, April, July and October. Entered as Second Class matter at the U. S. Post Office, Manchester, Vermont.

@ Copyright 1975, THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER, Manchester, Vermont 05254. Original material ap- pearing may not be reprinted without prior permission.

CREDITS: Museum photos by David R. Ledlie. Drawings by Austin S. Hogan, Curator. Printing by Thompson, Inc., Manchester Center, Vermont Of Misty Mornings bong Ago

DANA S. LAMB

The first American lyric writer of angling booksgives us a happy re- membrance of his early days a'fishing. The request was made for this article because too often the boyhood fishing experience never gets into print and in turn, the fly fishers of the future especially, are deprived of . part of a personal history which is both good reading and of historic value.

You ask what role fly fishing played me off to Rockwood on the shore of dock to get the train. in my long happy outdoor life. I'll try Moosehead Lake. Here, with a pleasant "I'll tie a Jock Scott on" he said. to answer that - at least in part - with- understanding Micmac p~icie, I fished "Just keep the rod between your out too many useless words. the lake as well as foam-flecked waters knees." My uncle fished the Belgrade Lakes of a tributary stream, the Moose. The sunlight on Mount Kineo was from Davey's Naptha Launch for small We built a lean-to in a clearing on the briglit, thc lake was bluc. The breeze mouth bass with bait; my father never river hank anti camped there while the brought fragrance from the balsam for- tried to catch a fish of any kind. In con- hardwootl's leaves twined red or apple- est on the shore. Suddenly the rod tip sequence, I spent my boyhood days - yellow and the frost crept 'round our whipped the water as it hcnt. Excitedly when on my own - in quest of sunfish, fire in the night. We campctl there for a I scizctl thc butt and handle of thc reel. perch and such with worms. Not 'ti1 the bracing clear-skyed Autumn week and A hundred fect astern a landlocked verge of man's estatc did I pack up a although we shot a ruffed grouse now salmon leaped; it lcapetl and leaped and dozen store-bought flies, a limber rod, a and then for food, I cm~glitno fish. leaped again. With muttered exhortation nickel plated reel and varnished line, Thcn, on thc morning of the day the to myself, and trembling hands, I fought and board a train for Maine. season closed, we coasted down our a winning battle with an eight pound Kind parents, worried lest I undcr- little river to Maine's largest lake. Thc fish. And as the smiling redrnan netted mine my health by late, late nights in Micmac, 'Tomah, who was in the stern, it at last, the hook fell out - surrounded New York City's foul air, made tnc a suggested that I trail a salmon fly whilc by the remnant of a gob of worms; my present of a modest purse, and packed paddling to thc weathcrcd ~ockwootl triumph had been born in sin! But even triumphs born in sin are damn rats has stole the steak." bean's tidal flats to flee or fight and sometimes sweet. The next September I Then Rob came down and - praise make a man forget his other sports. This wag in the state of Maine again; this the Lord - he caught a three pound is the European brown. time among the Rangeley Lakes. The Kennebago trout while I sat on a fallen I found the brown trout first in Rangeley Lakes were famous then for tree and watched. streams between the Adirondack's snow salvelinus fintinales of tremendous size For several years I fished each fall capped peaks some miles upstream from which for-years had fed and prospered with Rob. We visited the hot spots on a where the branches of the beautiful Au- on the little blue back trout by now ex- half a dozen streams and lakes. Later, sable, at the village of the Forks, unite tinct. These disappeared down through from Grants' Camps on Kennebago and thunder down to Lake Champlain. the years as landlocked salmon took Lake we followed Renedict Arnold's Here, in Upper Jay, at Byron Hlan- their place. My guide, in 1921, was Rob- route - to Little Kennebago where at chard's Adirondack Mountain house - ert Martin, deep-voiced Dean of Range- the inlet the trout were sometimes large beefsteak twice a day at any hour of the ley guides. He met me at Oquossoc's - along the stream called Seven Ponds day or night at only twenty-two a week railroad station-stop. by which the General moved his men to - I struggled with the subtleties of dry "Hi Kid" he said. "I've brought the storm the city of Quebec - but stormed fly prescntation where the fish were Thomas rod you sent me sixteen dollars in vain. feeding on the mayfly duns. for; I'll bet it's twice as good as what During all these happy years, I never If some great angler - and most of you got; It's down to Herbie Welch's fished a dry fly or a nymph. My lures them those days were there: LaRranche store. We'll pick it up as we go past; it's were bucktails bought from William and Rergman, Mackey, Collins, Rande- down to what they calls Haines Land- Mills and Son or largc wet flics on heavy brock, and Wulff, came in each night ing, on the way to their Rald Mountain snclls. With leaders big and strong en- with more and bigger fish, who cared? camp." ough to hold a fractious horse, I splash- Down state at Keener's Antrim Lodge, He paused. "Don't mind my sayin' ed, with heavy hand, my way along the the sunburned men of equal skills were 'kid'," he said and smiled. "I'm flirtin' shoreline of the lakes and up and down sure to guide a brother of the angle to a in the sixties and I guess you won't be the rocky streams. I fished with small run where salmo jario would rise at there for forty years or more. If your success, but most enormous hopes. dusk and often take. castin's good -enough to beat a horse, In winter time 1 read the ads on In 1929, 1 felt the sparkling halcyon we'll have some fun. The speckles here's where to go in Field and Stream. 1 blam- days of youth on these and other rivers as big as those at Nipigon; the salmons ed my lack of luck on lack of fish, not like the Mettowee, the Rattenkill, West big as those they tell of on the Mira- lack of skill and sought some other Canada and Neversink would never end. michi." place to go. I came across a picture of a When winter drew its snowy curtains My casting wasn't good enough to sportsman's camp on Eagle Lake owned down, I dreamed of driving to the Rush- beat a horse, but we had fun. The first by a man named Saul Michaud. I fished kill or the Delaware, come spring. few days we anchored off the bar of two happy autumn holidays at Saul's And, later on, I fished with joy, or sand that washes down from Kennebago before I shifted, for a dozen years, to dreamed about the countless watersheds Kiver and from Kangeley's stump-fillcd Gordon Fraser's Inlet Camps on big and of eastern Canada. My footprints, close stream to birch-surrounded Mooseluk- beautiful Square Lake. beside the footprints of the moose, now meguntic Lake. My brace of big wet On this great fish river chain of lakes lined the banks of Matane, Cap Chat, flies on heavy snclls, a Montreal and and thoroughfares that ran a hundred and St. Anne, the Ronaventure, Madel- Parmachenec Belle, would waver out lonely woods, surrounded miles, I learn- aine, St. Jean and Margarce. I forged and plop and be retrieved untouched. ed that there the landlocked salmon firm friendships with the salmon guides Close in to shore at Indian Kock, I'd grew in weight to twenty pounds; the who knew the waters - knew then1 well fling a nine point six without success. trout - if trout remained - were small - from Cosupscal down to Matapedia; That's wherc the members of the coun- and at the mouths of brooks. from Upsalquich upstream to Kcdgwick try's second oldest fishing club, the I write of things that happened long and beyond. I spent a hundred happy ~waders to eat or- mount when taken home. longcr yields the sea-sized salmon of the or a Gaspe' boat, or in my dreams, I Somctimcs, as early night came slow- early years, and big trout, for the most found that life beside the rivers that I ly on, we walked along the railroad ties part, now are gone. loved, was sweet. that parallelcd the Kcnncbago's down- Rut still I dream of misty mornings stream pools and shared a snug log cabin on the lake or stream in front of May- in a grove of birch. If we were tirecl as nard's, Grant's, Michaud's, or Fraser's we walked along, we knew the train camps. 1 hear the chore boy bring the would stop and take us on. Alas those pail of water from the spring, and lie a trains no longer run, and if the rails on while and listen to the rumble of the which they ran had not been sold to the burning birch logs in the black pot-bel- Japanesc hefore "The Day of Infamy" lied stove. I never fished the upper wat- we know they wouldn't stop today. ers of the Kennebec, Umbagog Lake, "I'm going to get a fish before 1 quit Pierce Pond or Grand Lake Stream, al- tonight" I said to Rob one afternoon. though I wish I had. Rut after spending "I've spotted one by that big rock, and many happy New York years upstate, I if he takes I'm going to let him go. And learned about Atlantic salmon in don't forgct I like my beefsteak rare. Maine's coastal streams: the Narragua- Just call me when the dinner's almost ps, Pleasant, and Machias, east and done." west, the Dennys and adjacent rivers of A half a sunset hour passed, and I New Rnlnswick to the north. heard Martin shout: "If you get that I also learned about the greatest fish feller that was risin' don't you let him of all. And this, I think, is not the bone- go; we need fish to eat tonight. The god- fish sliding slyly up onto the Carib- LITERATURE William Samuel: A New Name to Revere between Dame Juliana and Izaak Walton

of dncqfiyl @f, (Bf.g~lnuRtnkc 11. fro qt~flu,oarqntl IIIII(~ bcnrc iljha flnotl~rr,tIlldc11t oFl! tllrlinllp~tirllbe# II~~Dlllril tbrnl~cc~~lc~~d~~~tnll~~~tl~r ARNOLD GlNGRlCH hiicnnrcl~n~lra~~tntrlrnll~t~R nf tllcOttrt~~~nR,tl~nt fll~j'l~~pbe r olelo~tnt~~~~~nl\tlntrr,ctlnoli filnltller IIOIICso bulm (11tl~e ~~~~nll~rr~tb$,nllDtl~niq~~~Ifltnt f~~InlIl~l~~tl~rntl~~r,l~tt1181IJCt As Major Hills said in his invaluable Inlurff~~~tbcCr)ntrr.~'l~c~~~~~l~fl poll tnlrrntt otl!rtfl~~a~~$(III~II, A Histoyy of Ply Fishing fir 'l'roui, it is ~~~dr~~IIltt~tlu~I~ttl~p~rt~flsa: IIIA),LIP PIII 011rnt~~cr~~i~nfl~nt~c awkward to have to cite an anonymous fintcntlc,fnll~ntrlirt~b~ol~~n~~c hnublc~lellotilolrnpt~rnrrottt book. Rut it has been necessary in the ~~IICII~~OIILIIIICI~PLII ~IIOF~B~IC case of 'l'br Arte oJ Angling (1 577), ever tlrnlrtlk~nprrtca,nnn tnrtatttg ylcl~crcirc~IIC cennl~ III~~C. since Otto von Kienbuscli made the ex- L)trc~l~~~ltl~~~Itap,tlnl!J11% (11pt prrco~~lr. citing discovery in London in 1954 of LII 'jnlt~tor IIIO~l0)1c, fn) tlie one known surviving copy of this C, POllC little masterpiece - previously unheard of and unrecorded anywhere - com- plete with colophon showing the print- cr's name and the date of publication, but lacking the first three pages. How this book, which is now pretty from "7'1ie Artc of Angling" c'opy in I'rinceton IJ~~iversityI,il)r;~ry generally conceded to have servcd as prototype for at least lzaak Walton's to the recortls of the Marian exiles and cbaractcristic acatlcmic rcstraint simply first (1653) edition of '1'11(, Complrat the local rccortis of Iluntingdon woultl that thc cvitlencc now makes it possible A nglcr, could have escaped all notice for come up with tlie answer. to identify the author of 'l'l~cArtc three centuries is ancl will undoubtedly That happened when Thomas P. Har- "wit11rr~usonnhlc c.crtainty. " remain angling literature's greatest mys- rison, Professor Emeritus in tlie English Therc it lia.9 lain (like Poc's purloined tery. When Kienhusch generously caus- Department at the University of Texas, letter, unnoticed in a frcnzicd search be- ed the issuance of a limited facsimile ed- found a reference in Edward Topsell's cause it was out in plain sight on the ition by the Friends of the Princeton 7'hc llistoric oj Scywnis (1608) to "a mantelpiccc) ever since 0ctol)er of 1960 Library in 1956, and a second facsimile caterpillered hook, which kind of fish- while angling writcrs and rcadcrs have edition of somewhat wider distribution ing fraude, if you woultl better be in- ir~1958 by Princeton University I'rcss, structcd in, I must refer you to a little both he in his introduction and the bookc dedicated to Robert Dudley, late hook's editor, Gerald Radcs Rentlcy, in Earle of Leicestcr, written by Ma: Sam- separate essays, speculated on tlie un- uell Vicar, of Godmanchester in Hunt- known author's identity, and Rcntley, ingtonshiere." In the cdition of 1658 particularly in his essay on the book's thc same reference read: "to a little context, in the 1958 edition, narrowed Rook tlcdicated to Robert Dudley, late the field of speculation down with some Earl of Leicester, written by Master extremely telling clues. In fact, he came Samuel Vicar of Gotlmancliester in very close to solving the puzzle that he Huntingtonshire." Search of the records had devised from the text's interior evi- of tlie Marian exiles ant1 of Muntingdon dence. From it he deduced that the un- annals was tlisappointing at first because known would have been (a) a returned of the utter absence of Vicar as a sur- Marian exile who had lived in or near name, but ultimately rewarding with Geneva; (b) an inhabitant of, or a fre- ample information about William Sam- quent visitor in, the county of Hunting- uel (sometimes Samuel1 and Samwell), don on the Oose, near St. Ives; (c) a the Vicar of Codmanchester, who final- man closelv associated with a church or ly qualified on evcry count, meeting school, whose warden, also a fisherman, every one of Rentley's five prerequis- sometimes troubled him; (d) a man who ites like joining the pieces of a jigsaw had published other works; (e) an exper- puzzle. ienced angler. lie found a near fit for Professor Harrison, meticulously doc- this outlined shadow of the unknown umenting every one of these attributes 4.-K author in Alexander Nowell, the Dean with a welter of footnotes, corlfidcd his ST. ALMNS of St. Paul's, who answered all the quali- discovery to Notes and Qurri~s,an in- fications except that he never fis1ie;i the ternational compendium that serves Ouse. Rentley left the question with the scholars a9 a sort of combined question- hope that somebody with better access answer-and-suggestion box, noting with gone on referring to the anonymous Walton going out of his way to credit author of 7'be Arte of Angling (1577). Topsell: "And yet I will exercise your Recendy, having come across my re- promised patience by saying a little of ference to The Arte in TIJE1:ishing in the Caterpillar or the Palmer-flie or Print, Professor Harrison sent me a copy worm . . . (as our Topsel hath with great of his contribution to Notrs and Quer- diligence observed)" yet without a word ies. This is my means of thanking him about the place where "our Topsel" said publicly, on behalf of all the angling he observed it. readers and writers I know, for having Thus though nobody else, in three given us a new name to place in our hundred years, ever found a reference pantheon. William Samuel wrote one of anywhere in print to the "little booke," the seminal books, for his 1577 enumer- until Professor f Iarrison found Topsell's ation of the qualities of an angler ap- astonishingly revelatory mcntion of it pears again in 1613, in the John Ilennys that named the author, his town and his poem, /'be Secrets of Angling, and again patron, the only other person we can be in Gervase Markham's 7'he Pleas~iresoj sure had seen the Topsell reference - Princes one year later, and in some de- because he paraphrased its context - is gree, though-less obviously repeated, in old lzaak himself. dozens of fishing books thereafter. So as one angling literary mystery As for Walton, while the parallel clears another decpens. Why, when he passages and other similarities to 1%~ was so free with credits to everybody Arte in his first edition of 1653 inilicate else, did Walton avoid all mention of that he knew the hook, the fact that he William Samuel, Vicar of Godmanches- credited Topsell, in paraphrasing the ter, thc one author on whom, it is now very passage in 7'1~(,/listoric, oj Scrprnts quite obvious, he leaned more heavily where the Vicar of Godnianchester was than on any other? mentioned, makes it all the more re- Meanwhile, all honor to Professor A fine pen and ink drawing by Louis markable that he never referred to it in Harrison for having given us another Rhead but completely inaccurate as to any way. In the facsimile edition of the name to reverc. the rendition of rods and reel seats. 1653 (:omplrat Angler, you will find

Huntingdon Bridge wl~ereSatnilel n~entionshe bought the bream that got away. . .

See "'I'lic Arto of Angling" 1):lgc 55, 1056 oditiori.

-5- William Samuel, The Reformation, and The Marian Exiles

The marriage was allowed only after a ciliation with Rome came in 1555 when special dispensation had been granted Cardinal Poll, a liason for tlic Pope, by Pope Julius 11. After some 18 years piciously absolved Mary's rcaltn. of marriage, Catherine (now 40) had There was some persecution of thc borne Henry at least three sons and two more blatant Protestants, hut for thc daughters; however, all except one of most part, pcrsecution was held to a his children (Mary) had died in infancy. minimum (Samuel didn't flcc(?) Eng- The problem of a male successor to the land until late in 1556. Ncvcrthclcss, English throne thus loomed large in many English Protcstants migratcd to Henry's mind. By this time Henry's the Marian scttlcmcnts mentioned carl- heart had been capturecl by the charm- ier (for an interesting discussion as to ing, infamous Anne Holeyn (you might whcther the Marian's cniigration was a say that he lost his head). The solution self imposed and carefully planncd "mi- to the succession problem seemed quite gration" or a disorganizctl flight scc C. simple. The all powcrfi~lMcnry would Garrett, 7'hc Mrrria~t I~xI'IcP) and rcmain- merely request a papal indiilt declaring ed therc until 1558 whcn 1'lizal)ctIi I his marriage null and void. A favorable took tlic throne. Shortly aftcr her coro- ruling would allow him to marry Anne, nation Elizabeth renewed tlic brcak and hopefully the problem could then with Rome and rcturncd thc Clirrrcli of be adequately taken carc of. Annulment England to a position of rcform compar- applications were imrnediatcly made to able to tlic carly ycars of Seymour's in- liomc; however, there was a problem. flucncc. Samuel "tlivinc and poet ant1 Some forty miles (as the crow flies) The I'opc, Clement VII, was at the servant of tlic Dukc of Somerset" (1)tc.i- north of St. Albans, on the River Ouse mercy of thc emperor Charlcs V and io nayy oJ Ntrt io~trrlI1//of all il~c(:anot~ical I

The article that follows was reprinted by William T. Porter in a then new sporting periodical named "THE AMERICAN SPO R TlNG CHRONICLE" (1843). It was short lived, passing into limbo after little more than a year ot publication. Perhaps a gamble by Porter, who was then editing two others, ("The Turf Register" and "The Spirit of the Times''), it did offer some unusual articles. Few fly fishermen apprec- iate the simple fact that there is constant diffusion of knowledge in all matters relating to catching fish between the bait fisher and those who use the artificial fly. In this instance, the bait fisher had already en- countered problems connected with fishing what was later to be called the "dry" fly. He also had made some long strides in casting a natural fly for distance. It should be remembered what was called the "float- ing" fly (artificial) was in use as early as the beginning of the 17th cent- ury when a cork body was invented. Note however that this may be the first recognition of "drag." On Angling with the Natural May Fly

To the Editor of Bell's Life in London. and most probably in rivers which vary much used by all anglers frcqilcnting it; very widely in the character of tlie flies whilst upon the Wyc, it is scarcely cvcr Sir - Having been a subscriber to which they procluce, I do not, for one used by tliosc who know the river well; your paper for inany years past, and be- moment, presume to say that he is indccd, 1 never recollect having any ing an old fly-fisher, I have, of course, wrong, or that I am right. For every ex- sport with it therc. read the whole of Ephemera's commun- perienced angler knows well that rivers To return to this digression, which 1 ications which have appeared in it from only a few miles apart will produce tl~c have madc merely for the purl~oscof time to time. From these I have fre- same "species" of flies, I)ut with some showing that no anglcr sliould supposc, quently derived much pleasure, combin- trifling differences in them as to colour that l~cca~~scthe instructions which Ilc ed with instruction; and, for the able and size, and also as to the time of their may read, as to thc bcst method of manner in which he handles his subject, being in season; and, the same fly which dressing certain flies, may not cxactly I am sure lie must be a good practical will be found very abundant (and cons- correspond with what his own cxpcr- fishermant in all branches of the sport. equently a good killer) upon one river, icncc tells him is most suitablc for the His favorite pursuit, however, seems, will perhaps be scarcc, ant1 of compara- rivers in his own country, still hc is not like my own, to be that of fly fishing; tively little usc upon the other. To in- to suppose, off-hand, that they are not and his general instructions upon this stance this, 1 may mention the Derwent perfectly correct for the strcanls for head, combined with his receipts for and the Wye, both Derbyshire streams, which they are intcndcd. Tlic object of dressing the various kinds of flies princi- running only a few miles apart, say my present letter is to notice some re- pally in use, will be found extremely three or four; and in fact, uniting the~r marks containeti in I'.phernera's com- useful to the tyro. 1 have sometimes, it waters about six miles above Matlock. munication of last wcck as to tlie I>cst is true, had reason to differ with him Now, upon the former the dun clrake, method of fishing with the May-Fly, or upon some points; but as he and I angle and its change, the great red spinner, as we term it in this part of the country, in very different parts of the country, will be found a most killing fly, and is the drake. We (at lcast all such as pro- fcss to be adepts with this fly) use it in the opposite bank. This is a very slow A strong arm is required to wicld a rod a diffcrcnt manncr, therefore 1 am species of fishing, but it is obvious that of such dimensions, and some usc two tempted to give your rcadcrs a short de- it cannot be a rapid one, for only one hands to it; but, if possiblc, I always scription of it, from which thcy may fly is used, and that onc must try every prcfcr one, as greater nicety is always jutlgc for themselves which is thc most likely part of the stream; and in this attaincd. Thc advantages of such a scientific and agrccable style of fishing, way a good fisherman will frequently method of angling arc obvious. You are as well as tlic most killing. To com- niakc a Iiundrcd yards of river last him not nearly so liatde to be seen by thc mcncc witli tlic rod whicli is uscd in op- an hour or two. Rut, perhaps, some of fish as whcn angling down stream, and en parts of tlic river; it should be 16 or your readers may say, "llow is it possi- when you hook onc you can bring him 27 fect in Icngth, and should be made as ble to rcach all over the stream with a down into water which has been fislied liglit as possihlc, taking care that just natural fly, and witli one so tender and over, without disturbing any which arc sufficicnt strcngth is preserved, and it so liahlc to be cut on as the drake is. rising altove. Indeed, I havc frequcntly should bc particularly pliablc and Rut, I can assure thcm, that with a rod taken five or six, one after the other, springy. No stiff rod will do for this and tackle of the description I have from tlie samc bank in a very short fishing, as tlic anglcr would bc contino- mentioned, it is, to an old practiced timc. Considerable skill is rcquisitc, ally cutting his tlrakc off witli such a hand, a matter of no difficulty. The art however, in knowing where fisli arc onc. Tlic hest reel lines which I have of throwing the drake well is an ex- likely to be found, for as only one fly cvcr mct with arc thc patcnt taper ones tremcly troublesome one to learn, and is used, much valuahle timc may be made in I,ondon, or at least sold by the no onc need flatter himself that he will wasted in trying places whcrc an exper- London tackle makcrs, antl thc fincr thc be pcrfcct in it aftcr a few trials. In icnccd hand would ncvcr think of 1)cttcr. To the cnd of tlie rccl line three or four seasons, perhaps, lie may throwing. lndecd somc men never lcarn should be attached a gut casting line accomplish it tolerably; but ten or this most important point, while others about ten fcct in Icngtli, which nectl not twelve years will not 1)c too long a time seem almost to liavc an intuitive knowl- be very finc whcre it joins thc line, but for him to attain proficiency in it. When edge of where fisli will he if they are in sliould gradually get fincr, until the once learned, however, it will be as easy thc rivcr. 1 havc always considered it as piccc of gut to wliicli thc liook is attach- to him as throwing the artificial fly, and the first Icsson to hc instilled into thc ed should be as thin ant1 round as can it will amply repay him for the time antl mind of a young angler. possibly bc procurecl. If tlic watcr trou1)lc which he has spent over attain- Should yo11 sec a fish rise, throw should be a littlc colourcd, or if there ing it. A skillful drake-fisher will easily your fly about a foot ahovc him, antl let sliould IJC a good supply of it in the riv- it float down over his nose, when the er, yon may tlicn vcnturc to use rathcr chances are thrce to one that he takc it, stronger gut. Tlie hook which is gcneral- and takes it well also, for fish thus ly uscd is one of Adlington's or Scott's hooked are scldom lost. Do not attempt No. 2, and, in ordcr to makc it as light to strike him, but give him plenty of as possihlc, I usually cut off a little of time, for finding hc has got a real fly, he tlic shank, Icaving only as much as is re- is in no hurry to quit it. Tighten your quisite for tying it on to the gut. llaving line quietly aftcr lic has had time to now got rod antl tacklc rcady, takc your shut his mouth, and you have him safc drake (which sliould be a freshly sprung enough; but you arc fishing with fine onc, antl conseqi~cntly brighter and gut, you must not hc in too grcat a morc livcly) hy its wings, and pass thc hurry to have him in your landing net if liook through tlic thick part of tlie hotly he is a heavy fisli; and thc largest trout i~ndcrthc wings, and not bctwccn them, are taken witli the drakc. In a bright, as Ephcmcra recommends. This dcs- hot season, whcn the water is very low, cription of rod and tacklc diffcrs greatly and as clcar as crystal; this plan of fish- from his. Ilc says- - "The rod uscd throw his fly cigliteen or twenty yards, ing upstream will kill thrcc or four times shoultl be about 13 fcct long, liglit, and and evcn tlicn it will fall upon thc water as much fish as any other. Indeed, if witli a stiff top. In still, mild wcathcr, as lightly as if it had been blown on practised by a skillfill pcrson, thesc oth- you should fisli witli about four fcct of from the ncarcst bosh. Rut whcn upon erwise adverse circumstances will make line out, tlirec fcct of whicli shoulcl be tlie watcr, anotlicr difficulty has to be l~utlittle difference, providetl your tack- good and modcratcly finc gut." This contcntlcd with; for, supposing thc fly le is good, and the fisli are in the humor will at oncc bc sccn is only applicable to to havc bccn cast 'across tlic rivcr, tlic for tlie drake, wliicli is not always the dihbling with tlic fly, wliicli, in fact, is chances arc that tlic line, which lays in case. Do not allandon a fish if he tloes thc only plan hc mentions. Now for thc thc watcr, will get pulled by tlic streams not take you the first, second, or even "modus operandi" upon my system. and cddics bctwccn tlic fisherman and the third time; for thcy freqilcntly re- Tlic anglcr should go to thc lowcr part his fly, until the lattcr gets dragged quire teasing into it, particularly early in of the rcacli of rivcr whicli 1ic intcnds iindcr watcr, or othcrwisc swims witli so the scason, before they hwc got ac- fisliing, so as, in all cascs wlicrc tlic wind nnnatural a motion as to alarm thc ever quainted witli tlie drake. 1 have fre- pcrmits, hc may fish up thc stream. watchful trout, in which case it is usc- quently taken a fish after he has rcfitsed Should thc 1)rcczc IJC at all strong down lcss to try for him a sccond time. Pract- even twenty times, and tlicsc are oftcn thc strcam, this cannot possil~ly bc ice, howevcr, if it will not in all cases the largcst oncs. Rut an cxpcricnccd done; for thcn evcn tlic most skillfill cnablc thc angler to avoid this cvil, still fisherman will generally soon perceive tirake fislicr will find it impossible to a- will enablc him gcatly to modify it. In whether lie is wasting time or no; for if void whipping off his fly. Rut let us sup- throwing the tlrakc grcat care must be the fish does not look at your fly as it pose tlicrc is citlicr a hrccxc up tlic taken to avoicl anything like a suddcn passes over him, yo11 may consider it strcam or else none at all, which lattcr whip at the cnd of the linc. Tlic fislicr- "notice to quit." Ephcmcra says, "for state of affairs 1 prcfcr. Then let him use man must takc a gootl round sweep, and all fish that fccd on flics, it is a captivat- rather morc linc than the length of his throw steadily, 1)ut at the samc time ing cockatrice." Ilcrc, however, I do not rod, say ahout ciglitccn or twenty fcct, lightly; antl whcn once hc has bccomc agree witli him. The trout is thc only and proceed to throw liis fly tip the an adept at it lie may makc pretty sure fish really worthy the attention of the strcam, first under his own bank, then of cvery fisli he sccs rising, though at drake fislicr. No doubt greyling ant1 also all over thc likely parts, until lie reaches the distancc of fiftccn or twenty ycars. chub, when the latter unfortunately happen to be in a river, will occasionally cription of the manner in which the of Ephemera's, which appeared in one take the drake; but the former certainly drake or mayfly is used by all good ang- of his letters last summer, but which I prefer smaller flies, and I have seen lers in Derbysliire, I take my leave of cannot lay my hand upon at this mo- times, when the drakes have been float- them, with the assurance that if any one ment. Speaking of the comparative ing in swarms down the surface of tlie will be at the trouble of practising it till merits of winged flics and hackle ones, river, and scarcely one has been taken he is tolerably perfect, he will never he says "that at Rakewell, in Derbysliire by a greyling. Resides their mouths are dibble with it again. where they are no mean judges, they too small to admit so large a fly readily, In my opinion, no description of prefer them made as hackles." Rut here and even if you succecd in raising a fishi~igis so pleasant and exciting as it he is under a mistake.t The up-wingcrl greyling, the chances are, tliat he cuts is; and, at the same time, 1 must add duns of many varieties (and by the way, off half-a-dozen flies before you hook that I consider none so difficult to do most difficult to imitate accurately) are him. Still, tlicrc are times wlien tlicy well. In this part of the country many the stantlard flics for the Wyc; and all will rise pretty frccly at tlie drake, ant1 persons call the drake "the fool's fly," the most scientific fishertncn who flog then never fish for them. Hut as a gener- therchy meaning that any fool can kill its waters make these flics winged. Ilx- al thing, I never fish for them. They are fish with it. Rut this is meant to apply pcrience has taught the111 that thcy will good customers for the artificial fly, and to dibbling witli it, and to a certain cx- take two or thrce fish when a hackle tly for tliat 1 leave them. In a river such as tent, no tloubt, an inexperienced hand wor~ldtake one. These duns are troublc- the Wye at Rakcwall, wlien thcre arc may have some sport with it when the some gentlemen to make correctly, and five or six greylings to one trout, some river is pretty fill1 of watcr and the clay we make many of them from very dif- little cxpcricncc is necessary to enable cloudy or windy, as he can then poke ferent materials from what I have ever the angler to discrirninatc between them his rod over tlie bank and let his fly seeti rccomniended in print. Indeed, wlicn they are rising, and many persons float down; ant1 in this manner he will with the exception, perhaps, of tlie unaccustomed to the river lose much be almost ccrtain to raise a few unwary orange dun, and that only sometimes, I time in throwing for the former, and fish. Rut let tlie water be low and bright have never seen any London flics which with little chance of success in tlie most and tlie sunshine in full splcndour, witli- I should have liked to use upon thc difficult of streams, where thcy are bad out a cloud to obscure his face, and thc Wye. I remain, sir, yours, &c., enough to take with evcn the best ancl tables will bc turned: truly, he may most accurately made artificial flics. "toil all day ant1 catch nothing." Before f lawthorn Having now given your readers a tles- concluding, allow me to correct an error Kowsley, Dcrbyshirc, May 16

In 1838 1 bought flies at a shop in Bakewell, and found them all hackles. - - - Ephemera.

t Ephemera is well pleased to be able from the evidence acceptable to the columns of "Bell's Life" should they be, contained in Hawthorn's excellent letter to return him con- like the present one, rife with practical piscatorial informa- scientiously the compliment. We differ I perceive on some tion. What the Editor of this paper wants, for Ephemera has points, but if Hawthorn will refer to E's articles, and read had the pleasure and honour of his acquaintance long them attentively he will find the difference less than he enough to know his desires, he is not vague, fancifol and states. E knows Rowsley well and passed some pleasant speculative writing, relative to sporting subjects, but infor- days at the Peacock at the foot of the bridge where the Wye mation containing plain facts. runs into the Derwent. Hawthorn's communications (I wish other local anglers would follow his example) will always be From: American Sporting Chronicle Vol. I, No. 76, July 4, 1843~.61

WAS PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON A FLY FISHER?

That Harrison built a sanctuary in a wilderness as his Grandfather before him, seems to have been forgotten by his 1,iographers. The photo taken from the book "Nat Foster" by Bryan Curtis, 7897, suggests tlie 23rd President of the United States (1889- 1893) was a lover of the outdoors. Berkeley Lodge is located in the Adiron- dacks, noted for their fishing and hunt- ing. As a boy, lie may have vacationed with his grandfather and the rernem- Drance may have prompted a return to the mountains. Kay Brodney, our re- searcher at the Library of Congress, re- ports no information at all in the files. Help would be appreciated. RESEARCH An Attempt to Reproduce Early Nineteenth Century Fly Dressings

JACK HEDDON

When Tony Sismore, John Simpson Scotcher was printed in Chepstow, and I formed The Honey Dun Press, we Research on the Flies Salter in Oswestry, Richard Rowlker in gave ourselves the objective of publish- Worcester and Charles Rowlker in Rirm- ing "rare and interesting angling books." ingham; Lascelles fished and datelined Our first problem was to decide upon a DRESSING SAMPLE PATTERNS his letters from Wales. These were up- suitable book with which to launch our stream anglers who fished with an imita- venture. Of some half dozen titles orig- Reconstruction of the patterns in- tion of the insect that was hatching, or inally considered, including L. [eonard] volved several months research. In addi- on the water. They had a common bond M.[ascall's] A Hooke of Fishing with tion to the Library of the Rritish Mus- in Wales and the west of England. Wales Ilook & Line . . . 1590 and Blacker's eum and the very fine angling library of must have been to the eighteenth cent- Art of Fly Making, &c. . . . 1855, John Simpson, John Henderson has ury angler what Hampshire became to George Scotcher's The Fly Fisher's Leg- kindly given me the run of his extensive anglers at the end of the nineteenth cen- acy, c. 1810, emerged as an obvious first collection of angling books and 1 have a tury. choice; not only is it one of the rarest fairly good collection of my own. I angling books, but in our opinion, one think I can safely say that every import- HOOKS of the most interesting. So we decided ant angling book has been checked. One to publish a limited edition of the Leg- of my biggest problems has been the Hooks have caused us more problems acy, with a hand coloured facsimile of scarcity of trout flies which it can be than any other materials, even the rarer the original frontispiece. John then sug- proved were tied before about 1830. In feathers and furs. An immediate react- gested a very small deluxe edition with addition, there were even then consider- ion to reading fly dressings in early ang- artificial flies dressed to Scotcher's pat- able local variations in style and estab- ling books is that the flies used to be tens and tied in the style of the period. lishing the origin of early flies has prov- tied on much larger hooks. This has gen- As the flydresser of the partnership the ed very difficult. erally been accepted without question task of establishing patterns and finding M~ patterns were reconstructed after by angling historians, who have also a professional to tie them, was given to reading as many descriptions of flies of quite wrongly concluded that hooks men. the period as I could find. The books were also much heavier than are their Thus, we started our pre-production which I found most useful were:- modern counterparts. The eighteenth researches with two main problems to Rainbridge, George C. "The Fly and early nineteenth century angler cop- solve; first, what was the date of the Fishers Guide," 1816. ied nature when making his flics, as did first cdition (usually given as c.1800); Rowlkcr, Charlcs. "The Art of Ang- all early anglers and insects arc still the and second, what did Scotcher's arti- ling, and Complete Fly-Fishing," 1774. same size as they were a hundred and ficial flies look like and how were they Bowlker, Richard. "The Art of Ang- sixty years ago. Scotcher was most par- dressed? ling Improved," (n.d.) c. 1747. ticular about imitating the natural insect During the months of research, we Daniel, Rev. W. R. "Rural Sports," and it seemed wrong for him to dress a discovered several interesting facts, Vol. 11, 1807. March Rrown on a size 8 hook and a some of which - in our opinion - will be Hawkins, Sir John. "Notes Historical, Rlack Gnat on a size 12. 1 checked on of considerable general interest and a Critical and Explanatory; 'The Com- the size range of hooks recommended decision was taken (by the majority - plete Angler'," 1760. by other authors of the period. Robert my two partners against me!) that I Lascelles, Robert. "Angling; Being Salter used from No. 1, for salmon flies, should commit to paper the results of The First Part of a Series of Familiar through Nos. 5 and 6 for May-flies, to our researches and that we would print Letters on Sporting," dated 1811, (n.d.) No. 10 for the smallest trout flies; them as part of the deluxe edition of c. 1813-14. Charles Bowlker from No. 3, to No. 9; Le,?acy. Hence Notes - 13ihliographica1, Salter, Robert, "TheModern Angler," Lascelles from No. 4 to No. 11. Not a Hiographical and IIistorical Notes to (n.d.) Probably 1802. hook smaller than No. 12 and that for George Scotcher's The Fly Fisher's 1,eg- Taylor, Samuel. "Angling in all its Scotcher's Black Gnat! acy . . . circa 1810; With Comments on Branches," 1800. Both John Simpson and I have col- the Fly-Dressings. Williamson, Capt. T. "The Complete lections of old hooks, some of which we Some of our most interesting discov- Angler's Vade-Mecum," 1808. can establish as being pre-1830, a few eries were made during the research into 'These are the books to which I shall are pre-1820; some of these early hooks Scotcher's probable method of dressing; most frequently make reference in the are as small as a modern 16 or 17. Ob- one of the most important being the al- following notes. John Simpson's copy viously we had tb establish the sizes in teration and enlargement of the 'Redd- of Robert Salter's "Modern Angler" was the hook scale used around 1820. ditch,' or 'Old' hook scale during the particularly useful as it contained the The earliest reference to a hook scale 1850's. The following extract from my remnants, time and moth ravaged, of a that I have been able to find is in "The Scotcher Notes relates to the establish- set of flies tied to Salter's dressings, dat- Art of Angling . . . " c. 1747, by Rich- ing of patterns and the style of dressing. ing from about 1820. ard Bowlker; numbered hook sizes are mentioned only six times in the entire also cded "The Redditch Scale." this scale still warrants the designation text and only once in connection with This "Old Redditch" scale was in use "New," I now prefer "Kendal." fly-dressing. Numbered hook sizes are for a long time. Two of the plates in the An early comparison of the different given in Hawkins' "Notes etc. . . ." to 1855 edition of "Blacker's, Art of Fly scales can be found in "A True Treatise the 1760 edition of Walton and Cotton Making" illustrate trout fl'ies; on ekh on the Art of Fly Fishing" 1838, by and in most subsequent angling books. plate is printed "(exact size)." Ry mea- Shipley and Fitzgibbon. ". . . Kendal The first hook scale probably dates suring the gape of the illustrated hooks hooks marked 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on, from about 1740. and comparing with the size numbers in will correspond to Redditch hooks I only know of two early nineteenth the text, it is clear that Rlacker was still marked 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, and so on for century illustrations of complete hook using the scale illustrated by Daniel and other numbers." This is additional con- scales. Plate 1, "The Complete Angler's Williamson. T. F. Salter's plate of hooks firmation that the Kedditch hook scale Vade-Mecum," 1808, Williamson; and was again used in 1856 and 1861 for was considerably enlarged at a later Plate 3, "The Angler's Guide," second Edward Jesse's editions of Walton and date. edition, 1815, T. F. Salter. "Rural Cotton's "Complete Angler." As the Two final points regarding early Sports," Vol. 11. Daniel, 1807, contains earliest reference that I have found of hooks. First; they were blued and not many fine plates, most of which are the "Enlarged" Redditch scale is in bronzed. I am not sure when bronzed dated 1801, many of these plates in- "The Practical Angler" 1857 by W. C. hooks replaced blued as the standard clude illustrations of hooks and the Stewart, there must have been consider- finish, but it was late in the nineteenth complete set includes all sizes between able overlapping of the scales. Stewart century. Even the first "Hall's Snecky No. 1 (large) and No. 10 (small) and T. said "Rartlett (Bartleet) numbers his Limerick Rend Eyed Hooks," made in F. Salter's from No. 1 (large) to No. 13 hooks from I%, the largest size, to 17, 1879, were blued. When W. Woodfield (small). An examination of these plates the smallest. Addlington's (Adlington's) took over the manufacture of Hall's indicates that hooks were probably numbers are from the largest trouting hooks from Hutchinson and Son, in measured by the width of their gape and size to 00, the smallest." 1885, they were bronzed. Second; early not shank length, as is usual with eyed As a matter of passing interest, the nineteenth century hooks were usually hooks. Rlind hooks were often made earliest reference to the "Kendal," or much finer in the wire than are their rather long in the shank so that fly- so-called "New Scale," that I have been modern counterparts. The "casting linc" dressers could clip off the end to obtain able to find is in John Turton's "The was of hair, or bwt; rods were long and the required shank length - a facility we Anglers Manual," 1836 and the earliest limber; hooks had to be fine in the wire, have lost with eyed hooks. The old No. illustration of this scale, in "The Con- because the rods were soft in action and 13 measured approximately 1116th" in templative Angler," 1842, by J. Wells, a hard strike would break the hair or gape, No. 11 about 118th" and No. 9 a- which has a frontispiece depicting fine gut hook link. I have quite a num- bout 3116th~". These sizes would now twelve hooks, from 00 (smallest) to 10 ber of hooks made well before 1840, in be approximately Redditch Nos. 17, 15, (largest). 1 think that this scale must their original packets (from which I can and 12. I should add "Modern Red- have been introduced about the year date them fairly accurately); most are ditch," for the old scale which went 1830, probably by Adlingon, the hook finer in the wire than the eyed fly-hooks from a large No. 1 to a small No. 13 was makers of Kendal. 1 hardly think that I now buy.

Probably the earliest illustration of the complete "Old Redditch" hook scale; from "The Complete Angler's Vade-Mecum" . . . Capt. T. Williamson - 1808. WINGING THE PATTERNS seen many flies from before 1830. Ron- vince any unbiased jury, "beyond any alds, in 1836, clearly, illustrates winging reasonahlc doubt," tliat eighteenth cen- Having resolved the question of hook last and tying-off at tlie head. I fount1 tury flics werc fished on tlic surface. Let sizes, how to wing the patterns became part of the answer in "The British Ang- me make it quite clcar, this was not the next problem. Scotcher gave clear ler's Manual," 1839, by T. C. I-lofland. "Dry-fly" fishing as we know it. There directions for tying hackled patterns, In the directions "llow to make an arti- is a difference 1,ctween a floating fly but nothing about the method of wing- ficial fly" Hofland said:- and dry-fly. A fact often forgotten, may ing. Not only is there a dearth of flics "Tliere are several modes adoptecl in be even unknown, to many modcrn cx- from this period, but also a lack of illos- making the artificial fly: one is, to tie perts. It would he bcyontl tlie scope of trations. Tlie earliest illustrations of any tlie wings on to tlie hook in the nahlral ihcsc notes to examine the evidence value are in the 1760 flawkins edition position in thc first instance; another here, let it suffice to say that Robert of "The Complete Angler." These were method is, to place the feathers for the Rrookcs, 1740, was thc first pcrson to copied by Rrookes in the later editions wings in a reversed position in the first suggest sinking an artificial fly as much of "The Art of Angling" ant1 also by instirncc, and naturally aftcnvartls; and as six inches undcr the surface. In 1811 Rest for his "Concisc Treatise," 1787, tlic thirtl and last way is, to tic tlic Lasccllcs considcrcd it a special 'tip' to antl latcr editions. Tliere arc a few bet- wings on the hook aftcr the body is sink flies in conditions of 1)right sun and ter quality platcs in Danicl's "Kural madc, instead of beginning with tlicm. clcar sky. Sports," inclutling what must he the TIIIKD MII'TIIOD Includctl in tlic rcasons for thc first illustrations of salmon flics. Rain- This includcs tlic Irish manncr of ty- change in fishing rncthotls rnust hc tllc hritige too has a fine plate of salmon ing flics, and is the plan generally atlopt- improvcnicnts tliat had takcn place in flies, hut for trout flies mainly confined ctl in the tackle-sliops." tackle; woven, taperctl lines; hcttcr rccls Iiimself to illustrations of natural in- Thus, during the carly part of the and tlic use of liickory and othcr irn- sects. Ry the time illustrations of artifi- nineteenth century we find the first r:d- ported woods for rod riiaking, all hclpcd cial flics had I~ecomeof use to the fly- ical change in fly dressing methotls for to change fishing stylcs; as somc sixty dresser, (Rowlker, 1826 to Konaltls, about two hundred years. Only part of years latcr the combination of split cane 1836) we are moving away from the era the explanation is given by f-lofland. rotls, oilctl silk lines antl cycd hooks rc- sultccl in motlern dry-fly fishing. of Scotcher. Professional fly-dressers obviously Accordingly, I turned to written dcs- To return to winging the patterns; fountl it easier to tic on the wings last; Scotchcr gives tlircctions for upright, or criptions. Thc first instructions how to this method gave a ncatcr wing antl as wing a fly are given I)y Thomas Rarker flat wings, according to tlic shape of tlic an adtled bonus to thcm, tlic fly w:~ natural insect. Ko1)crt Saltcr ant1 Lqs- in "The Art of Angling," 1651. Curious- not so hard wearing! Rut thcrc wcrc ly, Rarker called it "the palmer fly," but ccllcs wcrc equally concisc ant1 gave more reasons than this for the change in such dircctions as "wings nearly up- it was winged and hackled. The method style; thcrc must have been a demand was to whip on tlic gut, then tic a bunch right," "wings nirlst IIC made to stantl for flies dressed in this manner. The ulwiglit" antl "wings flat." of feather filwes for wings, with the method of fishing was changing and the 1 conclnded tliat to rcprotluce carly points away from the bend of the hook, new method was to fish downstream, what we now call a reversed wing. Tlie nineteenth century fly-dressings wings with a sunk fly. shoultl be made of bunclictl, or rollcd, wing was divided into two with tying 'There is sufficient evidence to con- silk, wound in a figure of ciglit Iwtween strips of filjrcs, ticd on advanced, split the bunches of fibres. The hody was antl pullctl into the natural position then spun and wound on tlic sliank, the with tying silk. hacklc turned ant1 the wings pullctt up- riglit, or sloped back towards the bend, with tying silk reinforced with the last turns of hackle. This was more or less I%odicswcrc mainly t111bl)ctl antl rih- the method followed by Cotton, the bed with tying silk or floss silk was ~~sctl. I%owlkersand most othcr writers until TIIC few fly illustratiotis of tlic j~criod almost the mid-nincteenth century. This show 1)odics carried tlown tlic shank to is also the method illostrated by Rain- op~ositcthe point, or at tlic 111i)st 01)- britlge in 1816. There were variations. positc tlic harl,.' Kohert Salter, for example, ticd on the Scotchcr gave no tlircctions as to tlic wings first, but with the points toward size of body, ncither tlocs Rohcrt Saltcr. the bend; the bunch of fibres were di- Lascclles iristn~cts"the length of two- vided as hefore. hut the butts of the thirds of tlie sliank" and atlds a littlc wings were pulled back between the latcr "ncvcr to Ict your I~ody,Icgs, or wings, tied tlown and trimmed off; tlic wings I)c too long, or in too grcat a wings werc then put into an upright pos- quantity." ition. Taylor in 1800 was tlic first to suggest tying on tlic wings sloping back towards thc bentl, lie wanted what we now call "a gootl entry" and was onc of Townrtls the cnd of "Tlic Legacy" the first to write of clown-stream, sunk- Scotchcr lists the materials rcqrlirctl to fly fishing. dress his patterns; these include a fair Tying thc wing in first makes a very number of cock's hacklcs and al~outhalf strong fly md givcs a very neat head, cs- as many lien's. And yet, in the rlrcssings, pecially when the rest of thc methotl is Scotcher rarcly shows a prcfcrcncc I)c- followed and the fly tied-off either be- The earliest illustration of the tween the two. 'Taking his first choice of liintl the hacklc, or at the hcnd. And yct liacklc in the thirty clressings, four irrc "New" hook scale . . my rcatling still left me puzzlctl. Most of . not from tlomcstic poultry, five arc for the carly flics I have seen have ohvionsly from "The Contemplative cock's hacklcs itnd five for hen's; in thc hccn winged aftcr the body antl hackle and Practical Angler". . . remaining sixtccn pattcrns colour only have hccn finished. 'True, 1 hitve not J. Wells, 1842. is statccl, without rcfcrcncc to scx. TECHNOLOGY History of the Split Bamboo

T. S. MORRELL

T. S. Morrell was a well known fly fisher who made frequent contri- butions to the various sporting magazines of the day. It is difficult to determine whether or not he was a professional sports writer. Apparent- ly, he knew quite a bit about tackle making and undoubtedly had a great many friends who were in the trade. The information following concerning the split bamboo was probably given to Dr. James Henshall some time in the 7870's. Unfortunately, MorreN takes for granted the reader will be able to fill in the missing steps and instructions as the building of the split bamboo rod progresses. This article at least gives us an insight as to the beginnings of the split bamboo in the historical sense.

In order to give the reader an idea of show the size and taper of each piece, on the guides with a string, simply to the construction of a split bamboo rod, and the exact shape. hold them in place for the silk lashings. I can not do better than to reproduce The'board on which I sawed out my The rod is now ready for the silk here the following extract from a letter, strips has grooves cut, so that I easily lashings, for which I use fine red spool- written to me on this subject by Mr. T. plane the inside of the strips for each silk. I wind the guides first; winding on S. Morrell, an accomplished and finished joint; any inequality I finish off with a smoothly and closely. When one side of angler, of Newark, ~ewJersey --relating file. I now place my six strips together, the guide is wound, 1 cut off the silk, to the construction of a split bamboo winding twine around tightly, but some leaving half a yard, which I thread in a Rlack Rass minnow rod, as made by distance apart, so that I can get my needle, and, pushing the latter under the himself :- thumb and finger between, so that I can lashings, draw it through tightly and cut I have just finished a rod patterned see the joints, and how they come to- off close. Then finish the other side of after that described by you in "Hal- gether. If they appear loose, and I can the guide in the same way. lock's Sportsman's Gazatteer" - a one- not get them together with thumb and I now, with a pencil, mark the places hand bait-rod for Black Bass. I will finger, I mark the spots with a pencil, for the lashings the whole length of the briefly describe my method of manu- and unwinding, file away until they joint, tip, or butt, on which I am work- facture, as I learned it from Mr. E. A. come well together. ing. I draw off the spool about four feet Green: For the butt, I draw a plan on paper, of silk, cut it off and thread the necdle; The rod is eight and a half feet long, that is, enough of it to represent the this is enough for several lashings of the in three joints, of six-strip bamboo. The hand-hold, measure with compasses the tip. I make-not more than a half-dozen ferrules, reel-bands, butt-cap, and guides distance across each strip, or cut a turns on the end of the tip, and place I had made to order, not being an ex- pattern of paper, lay it on the bamboo the lashings about a half-inch apart, in- pert in working metals. The bamboo I and mark it out. For the tip and middle creasing the number of turns and the got from Mr. C. F. Murphy, and is as joint, when I glue the strips together, I distance apart, so that at the butt of the tough as bone. wind hard and tight and closely with rod, the lashings are an eighth of an inch I first sawed the piece of two strips twine; now I straighten them carefully wide and one inch apart. with a fine, sharp hand-saw; then I took (as the hot glue has made them pliant), When the lashings, guides, reel-bands, a board with a perfectly straight slit and lay away for twenty-four hours on a butt-cap, etc., are all on, I give the rod sawed the length of a joint of the pro- shelf. I never stand them on end, as they its first coat of varnish, putting it on posed rod. Laying the flat part of one of are likely to warp out of shape. very thin and evenly; it is quite an art to the strips (I had just sawn asunder) on For the butt, I have iron rings of varnish well. I give the rod at least four this board over the slit, I carefully plac- many sues; when the strips are glued to- coats, each as thin as I can spread it, and ed it so as to get the requisite taper, and gether, I force on these rings, driving on each well dried before the next is put on. then tacked it at the edges firmly to the hard, and close together. This brings the I do not use shellac, but varnish of the board. glued strips so tightly together that the best gum. Then, with rule and pencil I drew on joints. can not be seen. Twenty-four I have, at some length, thus described tbe bamboo a straight line, being careful hours after gluing, I take off the rings my method of making a split bamboo to taper it right, and sawed it out -- six and wrappings of twine, and finish off rod, as taught me by Mr. Green. There pieces exactly alike in sue and taper - with a file and sandpaper; then fit on are several other ways of doing it, and it for a joint. The manner of getting the the ferrules, which 1 fasten on with ce- must be understood that this is amateur size correctly, is to take the male ferrule ment. work. A circular saw is a great help, and for the thick end of the joint, and the Before putting on the guides and indispensable to those who make rods female ferrule for the small end; stand metal tip, I joint the rod together, and to sell. each on end on a piece of paper, and turn it in the ferrules until I get it per- mark a circle outside; then, with a pair fectly straight; then mark the places for from Henshall, Dr. James A. of small compasses measure the circle the guides and tip, so that they are all in Book of the Black Bass into six parts, and draw a line from a straight line, so that the fishing-line 1889 point to point across the circle, so that may have as little friction as possible. I all the lines meet in the center. This will now cement on the metal tip, and lash Salt Water Ply Fishing

LETCHER LAMBUTH

Editor's note: This article is excerpted from an unpublished manu- script by the late Letcher Lambuth, an experimenter and innovator who blazed many new trails in fly fishing in the Pacific Northwest. Some of the items handcrafted by Lambuth -- including a spiral bamboo rod, a creel crocheted from twine and a hand-tied landing net -- now are on display in the Museum. Here, Lambuth writes of salt water fly fishing for coho salmon off Vancouver Island in the 1920's and 30's.

In Northwestcrn Washington, the Pa- Pacific Northwest waters it is taken 1:y cific slope falls off abruptly from the sportsmen in the ocean off thc coast, In crest of the Cascade Mountains to Pugct the tidal waters and in the rivers. The Sound, a maze of channels and inlets of average weight is probably nearly 30 deep, clean, blue salt water. The Sound pounds; specimens of over 50 pounds, is nearly one hundred miles in length, taken with rod and linc, are not un- and continues, under other names, some common. Individuals of 80 to 100 1,500 miles northwestward along Rritish IF- pounds have been taken commercially. Columbia and into Alaska. This is the 'The principal season is July and August largest and one of the most beautiful in Puget Sound and British Columhia "Yll, protected cruising areas in the world. waters and March and April in thc Col- The water is tempered and the climate is umbia River and its tributaries. moderated by the warm influence of the The coho, or silver salmon, appcars "Japan current." Violent storms are rel- in Pugct Sound and Rritish Columbia atively uncommon. Hundreds of miles waters in September and 0ctol)cr. It is of beaches fringe the emerald shores; a splendid game fish weighing ortlinarily the water and the beaches teem with sea up to twenty pounds. During rcccnt life. years, sportsmen have learncd to takc In the vicinity of the cities, frontages cohos on a streamer fly. On the fly, accessible by ferry and auto are occu- these fish furnish fine sport, and thc pied by summer homes. The Sound is Portrait of Letcher Lambuth contribu- reader may be interested in thc follow- the principal summer playground of the ted to the Museum by Mrs. Olive Lam- ing account of this fishing. lovcrs of thc out-of-doors ol Seattle and buth. Her late husband was one of the As part of our ar~rlualouting progr;iln other cities of the Pacific Northwest. most knowledgeable fly fishers of the we plan to be at Cowichan Hay in Hrit- Most of these pursue some form of sea North west. ish Columbia for a wcek somcti~nebc- life for sport and for the pan, whether it tween the first and twentieth of Octo- be shell fish, coarse and bottom fish, or when adverse to the tidal flow will build ber.This is a deep inlct on thc cast side sea trout and salmon, all of which are up uncomfortable, if not dangerous, of Vancouver Island, about 100 ~nilcs wholesome and appetizing. The easy chop and in channels threading high from Seattlc, where the fish gathcr in availability of this fishing has to a very ranges such winds will frequently funnel thousands, feeding and playing until it is great extent relieved the woods and riv- into local gales. Ry reason of the depth time, with thc coming of thc heavy rains ers of the pressure of those seeking of water and character of terrain, good to ascend the Cowichan River to the sport and recreation. The skiff, with or anchorages are infrequent, and chart spawning beds. The resorts at Cowichan without outboard power, rather than and pilot book must be consulted. Bay have good hotel accommodations, the auto is probably the more popular he principal game fish are sea-run boats and other facilities for anglers. vehicle of sport. cutthroat trout and two species of Pac- Other resorts, with similar facilities, arc The range of high and low water is ific salmon. The sea trout are found al- situated at Campbell River, 80 miles far- perhaps 10 feet in the vicinity of Seattle most the year-round either along the ther north on Vancouver Island. These and very much greater in some Rritish shores in salt water or in the estuaries or two arc the principal coho fly fishing Columbia waters, and this implies the in the rivers which they run seasonally grounds of this district. transfer of a tremendous volume of for food and spawning. The sea trout is We have not yet explored Puget water through narrow channels four a fine game fish, commonly of one to Sound for other grounds, ncarcr home, times every twenty-four hours. At some five or six pounds weight, and is usually for equally favorahlc conditions, but wc points the tides are confined by narrows taken with either a light troll or a fly feel sure that such placcs can and will be in which currents of ten knots or mare when in salt or estuary-waters. found. The requirement seems to be a are common during the crest of the ebb The largest species of Pacific salmon river with a heavy spawning run of and flow, with resultant overfalls, rips is variously known a9 King, Spring, cohos emptying into a salt watcr area and whirlpools. Even moderate winds Chinook or Tyee. On its annual run in sufficiently protected for comfortable fishing in small boats and frequented by what combination will be most success- When conditions were just right, with herring and candlefish in sufficient vol- ful. a breeze to ripplc the water and new ume to hold the salmon for a few days The Canadians extend a cordial wel- schools of fish in, wc have tcstcci the of conditioning before their final and come to their American visitors. Kooms, finest possibilities of this sport in cast- fatal adventure; boats and guides, if desired, are soon ar- ing and taking fish from a drifting boat. We enjoy the pleasures of anticipa- ranged. We usually fish two men to a When this has happened, tlie fish have tion of the trip to Cowichan more than small powered skiff, without a profcss- been larger than those taken from the any other. It is the only trip on which ional guide, because -- with scvcral days moving I)oat, averaging perhaps 14 111s. we use the larger rods and the streamer at our disposal -- we to cxplorc In drifting, a long cast is made and the flies, and we defer the preparation of rather than concentrate on the areas in line is strippcd in; the fish, if interestetl, tackle and the tying of our flies until which the fish are feeding. If a guide is will follow the line and take within tlie last ten days before departure. I employed, oars are preferred to power. close view of the boat. It is the most cx- have used rods of several weights and At the height of the run the fish will citing action, 1 think, in the whole realm lengths from 9 feet, 5 ounces up, but frequently be jumping in every direction of salmon fishing bccausc those big fcl- have finally adopted a 10% foot, 11 as far as the eye can discern the splashes. lows don't rush at the lure right-sitle-up ounce spiral rod of our own making as Frequently the jumping fish will not as a proper fish sh011ld do, h11t instead, being best adjusted to the type of cast- take the fly. We explore for those dis- tum1)le all over and arountl tlic lure in ing and weight of fish. My rod weighs 9 posed to fee'[ by casting to side dizzying darts and circles. At tlic instant ounces exclusive of the two-ounce ad- from the slowly moving boat, allowing of striking they turn straight down and justable locking reel seat that I use for the line to swing into the wake and then irnmediatcly after this turn is the time this fishing. The line is a Hardy Corona stripping in. Sometimes the fly is taken to set the hook. Number 3, double-tapered salmon fly when thus trolling. More often, as the We have given attention to the inter- line, with 200 yards of fine backing; the fly is stripped in, the bow wave of the esting ancl exciting moments of this casting line would be graded about AA fish suddenly appears near the fly and sport, but -- as in all angling -- therc is on the American scale, or .Oh5 inches; the ensuing few seconds as the angler another side to the picture. Cohos can the rod and line are well mated and the manipulates the fly and the fish makes be just as temperamental and just as rod is properly balanced, with plenty of up his mind to strike arc momcnts of tantalizing as the resitlent river trout. action from tip to butt so that I can cast exciting suspense. Suddenly there is a Somctimcs, with the bay full of fish, and shoot a fairly long line without un- boil or splash, a surge as thc hook is set, not a sign of life is visible. Sometimes, due effort. and the reel whines. with fish churning the surface all arountl The streamer flies are made with tin- These are powerful fish and often not one can bc interested. Rut over a sel ribbon body and polar bear hair cly- make long runs which cannot be check- period of days, enough fish will bc tak- ed in bright colors on 2/0 hooks. The ed with safety to tackle, but eventually, en at some timc to make thc trip a suc- favored color combinations, with white the fish clecides to change his course, cess. as an underbody, are light and dark sonic line can be recovered and then Thosc of 11s who have been raisctl on blue, blue and brown, blue and orange, therc is a battle in which the fish Icaps, tlic Sound have bccn accustomed to sal- blue antl red, etc. We believe the fish re- rushes, sounds and stubbornly circles mon fishing by methods ant1 with tacklc gard these as some sort of an appetizing the boat until finally subdued and nct- rnorc or lcss crudc. It is only in t11c past minnow. The response of the fish to the ted. I adoptcd 200 yartls of backing this few ycars that wc havc I~ccnintrotli~ccd fly patterns changes from year to year, year because I liavc too ottcn sceri the to strcamcr fly fishing, ant1 wc I~clicve and we can never be sure in advance just last fcw turns on my reel before the fish that its possibilities arc not yet fi~lly turned-- - when using only 100 yards. i~nderstootlant1 alq>rcciatctl.

I

Letcher Lambuth on one of his favorite streams, c. 1935.

- 15 - Caveat Emptor

Let the buyer beware. Although the two engravings re- printed are quite similar, a close inspection will reveal a few glaring differences. The top engraving is English and first published as a decoration in Hofland's "The Rritish Angler's Manual" 1839. The lower reprint is a pirated American print retitled and with same changes. Roth are interesting and fit to be hung on a sportsman's wall. The market value of the second American print, however, is effected even though rela- tively early in American print making. This kind of piracy was quite common until copyright laws reciprocal between Great llritain and the Unitcd States came into effect. A number of Currier & lves sporting prints were pirated from British sources.

TEDDINGTON WEIR.. .

from Ho flandS "Tt7e Britisl) Angler's Man~ial" 1839.

TROUT FISHING ON LONG ISLAND. . . from "The American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine" - 1840, TECHNOLOGY

The Choice of Flies

by LOUIS RHEAD

To choose the six best books would live minnow on the end of the leader, being named after the "poor whites" of be no more difficult than a like choice and a fly tied three feet from the bait, a that State and Georgia. Like the Silver of flies. It would be hardly possible to good-sized pickerel took the minnow. Doctor, it is a good all-around fly for get two flyfishermen, from the many After being brought to the edge of the different game fish. 'Thc luckiest motlcls thousands who cast, to agree on a boat, lie broke away, again to be return- always contain a plentiful supply of red choice of the six best flies. The most ed, with a large bass on the fly - the in wings and hack, with yellow and blue tliat could be hoped for woultl be that pickerel on the bait -- both being landed mixed in, and with peacock feathers to so short a list slioold contain one of after considerable skill and careful work. blentl with its blue body. 'The Cracker is their fancy. Indced many anglers pro- Very few will contest the fact that a remarkably handsome fly, having the vide a varied list in their hooks, hecause the Silver Doctor, both in form and red hackle of a slightly darker shade season and locality rcquire it. Rriglit or beauty, is the queen of flies. No matter than that of the wing. This fly is not so cloudy d@ysoften make it necessary to what its size, for bass, trout, or salmon, well known as its beauty warrants. change both size and color, and a fly us- it holds its own as a taking fly, in any 'The Murray Hill, with 1)riglit body etl with success in tlie morning is often season or locality. 111 "Favorite Flies," and wings, has a long rctl tail, black no good at evening, although on the fol- Mrs. Marbury states that the majority of hackle and side feathers, and rcseml~lcs lowing evening it may be just tlic thing. anglers place the Silver Doctor at the to an astonishing dcgrce a living moth. To minimize the difficulty antl save Iicad of the list, especially for evening It has lcss color than the usual bass fly. tinie while in tlie watcr, a well-known use. It did not originate in this country, Rass have an cye for bright and strong angler has clevised a plan to havc ready- but it has becn heartily adopted antl colors, with deep I~lackwcll mixctl in tied half a dozen leaders witli a clioicc adapted to all watcrs hy making it on all for contrast; in this thcy much rcscrnl~le and varied aqsortment in hot11 color ancl sizcs of hooks. Its value for all game fisli tlie salmon antl othcr pzme fishcs. It is size -- each set entirely different from all is untlisputetl. beyond qucstion that bright colors will the othcrs. The largest and most taking As a bass fly, ncxt to the Silver Doc- attract from a greater tlistancc. Could fly is placctl as tlic end, or tail, fly. tor, the Fcrguson is probably tlic most we be placcd whcrc fish gcncrally lic, Should thc uppcr fly be takcn first, it is si~cccssfi~lfly 11scd. It is namctl after these brilliant butterfly fairies tlaricing then rcmovctl to the encl -- the end fly Major I;erguson, Fish Commissioner of on thc top of the watcr would attract 1)cing mi~clieasier to hantllc, especially Maryland, who endorscd this spccial our attcntion, ancl had we the IIass's with a large fisli. Should thc first cast of pattern as the true onc among a number pi!pacious will, we, too, might tackle flies bc unsuccessfi~l,it is short work to of others slightly diffcrcnt, but dl of with avidity the man encased in so take it off tlic line ancl rcplacc it with thc same name. It is a bold and bright- briglit a rohe. anothcr, tl~~llcrin color, or brighter, as coloretl fly, the wing with long streaks '1'0 thc tliouglitlcss casi~alobservcr :I tlic case may bc. Ry this mcans, he of yellow, rctl and black showing briglit- fly is just a I>undlc of fcathcrs jumbled claims, possi1)ly with tri~tli, that lcss ly in thc watcr, tlic grccn hackle softly together anyhow -- without meaning. Ry time is wastetl and tlic quarry sooner 1)lcncling with tlie black and briglit-gold- no means is it so. Tlic grcat and stand- Ilrought to tlic baskct. It certainly has en I~ody. ard flics have bccn cvolvctl, designed, advantages whcti fishing aftcr dusk, with 'The Matador was tlesigncd hy Wil- sometimes after many ycars of thouglit- little light to scc tlic fly or tic it on the liam J. Cassard, of New York, and latcr fill study of both natrlrc and habits of Icadcr. named by C. F. Orvis. Its gay, rich tlrcss, tlic fislics, antl thc inventor of such a fly Many anglcrs assert that for bass fish- having wings of the \>lack-harrctl fcath- as, for instance, thc Silvcr Ilnctor, un- ing one fly is sufficient, and somc think crs of tlie wood-duck, with a bold white qucstionat)ly has confcrrcd a worlcl-witlc a sriiall spoon usctl with tlic fly gives streak running across the top, at once bencfit for all tirnc. Such a fly is born 1)ettcr rcsi~lts.This would I)c cspccially stamps it as an excellent \>ass fly. but oncc in a long time -- like a Shakcs- so wlicn a vari-colorcd fly likc the Fcr- 'l'hc W. D. Clcvcland, so named aftcr pearc or a Ilantc. Rut all ;inglcrs arc of g~~sonis used. It would scc~ilthat with a member of the "Tcxas Fishing Clith," one mind in this: that a lirnitcd varicty two flics, ticd forty inches apart and is sonicwhat similar to Dr. I lensliall's of the tlcsigns to pick from arc as vari- having as grcat a tliffcrencc as possible I'olka, having a gallina wing antl rcd-and- 011s as tlic flowcrs that bloom. Practical in color ant1 sizc, success woi~ldt>c morc hlack hotly. The 1)lack blot at tlic top fly fishers of many ycars' standing, likc silrc. It is I)y no Incans rare tliat two fish and bottom of thc wing is showy; othcr- the latc William C. Ilarris, Dr. Ilcnshall will take tlic flics at tlic samc tirnc. Oft- wisc this fly has a sober brown appcar- ant1 otlicrs, havc repeatedly statccl that en in playing onc fisli thc other fly, bc- ancc, but witli distinct and original in thcir expcricncc thcy soon discarded ing movctl rapitlly in the watcr, will be markings. all but :r few pattcrns. Dr. Ilenshall h:~s taken l>y another fisli, out of purc jcal- 'The Cracker was tlcsignetl by Dr. co~nl~letcfaith in his own creations, and ously. An instance of this kind was Gcorgc Trowl)ritlgc, of New York, itntl witli reason, too; though his inventions shown wlicn thc writer, fishing with a was intcndctl for tlic fislics of I;lorida, arc lcss 1,rightly colorccl than tliosc of otliers, mid, in tlie writer's opinion, have I3ut it is ;I noticeable fact that the furnish the very best if paid for the ex-

too tliick bodies -- at least in some in- great niajority. . of bass fishermen use live tra care in tying. No co~nparisoncan stances. In only one of tlie five flies is hait -- frogs, minnows, helgamites, possibly be made 1,etwccn tlic ten-cent red used, and that only for the hody crawfish and ccls. They imagine tliat a bass fly of the barpin stores ant1 those ant1 hackle. On the otlier liand, Mr. llar- better-filletl crccl results fro111 tlie use of niade by such firrns as A11t)ey CL Imbrie, ris was' a staunch believer in red antl live bait; yet fly-fishing is i~n~neasurably Mills, and Charles F. Orvis, the latter green, 1,ut the diffcrencc in si~cccssmay superior in every way. It is cleaner, less firm having matle the sheet of colored I,c ;11q>arent only in the locality fished -- cruel to hait and quarry, cheaper and flies for tliis volume. The original pat- wlictlicr west or cast. Hut all agree in easier in many ways. Who has not travel- terns arc copictl exactly, and each firm the oft-repcatccl rule that for dark days ed some distance to find his bait short has its own choice set of patterns, be- antl evenings light flics arc always taken just as tlic fish arc beginning to bite, or sides tlic standard kind. hest. at tinics fintl his bait dead and therefore Experienced anglcrs often say tliat One of tlic greatest advantages is hav- useless? Ant1 Iiow often it hapl>cnstliat bass will jilnlp at anything when they ing confidence in a fly, for it goes a long hait costs 1nuc1i morc than tlie fisli arc arc in tlic liumor; 1)ut the trouble is that way towartl milking it a success. A fisli- worth. Who cares to wade through a they are rarely in tlic humor to jump at crmnn will alniost invaria1,ly kil! the stream with a can of ~ninnowsdangling any old rag tliat is cast before tlicni, and greatest nuniber of fisli witli the fly lie in the water, witli nerves on edge every the only way to put them in a liumor to i~ses~ilost. Ilc persists so long t1i;tt fro111 minute, as Iic expects their escapc or bc always jumping is to show then1 the sheer anger a game fish rises to his lurc, loss? Frogs are especially "cute" *in get- most attractive flics. A fly that will rise ;~~irl,I)c it said, the artificial fly, when ting away either by forcing the lid off a fisli often is a good fly. playing on the watcr, is morc like the tlic can, or ju~nping in all directions In tlie order given: No. 1 lias a gray natural fly than tlie average ol~servcr when tlie angler has only one liand at wing with red ibis shoulder, warm gray woultl iniagine; tlie Inany varieties wing- liberty; and, worse still, liow often will hackle with a green I~ody,red tail to ing their flight on or near the watcr, they crawl aronntl a large stone or rock, ~natcli the shoulder, and deep 1,lack with wings cockctl or flat, Iiavc 1,ccn ini- fro111 which no amount of pulling and head. No. 2 is e brilliant yellow Iiacklc, itated with rcniarka1)lc fitlelity. The tugging moves them, till, weary of try- 11ody and wings, with shoulder of red, duns, drakes, sl>inncrs, I,cctlcs, ;tnts and ing, a sudden, last, desperate jerk parts black head and tail. No. 3 is decidedly 1,rowns -- all insects in tlicir natural state the lcatler from tlic line? different from the Orvis Silver Doctor, provicling al>nntlant food by night or 'I'licse ant1 many other ills come not having a bright blue hackle, black head, (lily -- Oeing so tlifficult of capture, in- to the fly-caster. tle calmly takes his witli wings a mixture of grays, without genious man provides substitutes tliat book of flics, lying snugly in his pocket, the golden pheasant's feathers, the ab- will stay on tlic hook aritl Iy somc gcnius -- a fly that pms coonrr than iq cxp~rtcd,if qonlc Ijlack wing, hacklc, head and tail, with a will take at all tiriies, in all places, and co;uitig is I~rouglitinto play. bright golden body and creani-colored all kinds of fish. Such a fly woulcl make No ingenious Atnerican has yet at- slwtted shot~lder;it is a most effective tlic tlesigncd worltl-rcnowned among a tc~npted-- at least to the writer's knowl- looking fly, but did not take as I expcct- host of admiring 1)rotlicr anglers. One edge -- to malte flics I,y machinery; so cd on trial. No. 6 is the regulation white lias a secret tlior~glittliat perhaps fishing t11;lt all arc tied by liand, and well-made and red, witli yellow licatl arid wooly would Ijc then too easy, and tlie dcliglit- flics arc necessarily costly. All the mak- 1)ody. fill Iiol~c,the fislier~nan'sguitlc, woultl ers, espccially well-known antl trust- A new pattern rising rapidly in favor, I,c gone forever. worthy houses, can supply antl will tlie 12al,cock, used always as a second

The Maine landlocked streamer fly was in use in its simplest The flies pictured above were tied in the Stevens' style and form beginning about 1900. By the 1930's Carrie Stevens had have no name. Carrie Stevens'secret was in the choice of and as- produced a very sophisticated flat winged assembly that was en- sembly of her materials. Properly tied, they will have a flutter at tirely different in design than any of these fashioned previously. the tail quite similar to a minnow. .Dressed by A. S. H. - IX - fly -- t1i;tt nearest the rot1 -- has briglit I am inclined to agree with Mr. I-larris of a tloxcn flics, ten with silvcr or gold yellow wings, in striking contrast to the that bass flics as sold by the dealers arc bodies and a varied assortlncnt of wings black hc;td and hackle which is carried far too largc for running watcr, and are ant1 hackles, no matter what fisli be the on by a strcsk of black up the yellow Ijetter suited for the deep, dark-colored quarry. In fresh or salt watcr the same wing. Wit11 its I>ody of scarlct, witli watcr of thc lakcs. The rule is not in- rulc would apply, and si~cis niorc irn- twistctl gold threat1 antl its black tail, it fallible -- tliat big flies catch the large portant than color. It is only in the lat- is both a gracefully built i111tl a strikingly fish; but aftcr dusk tlie largc fly is more ter part of the season that large-sized handsome fly. I i~sedit witli a Silver serviceable in that 1)oth angler and fish natural flics arc on the wing. 111 swift- Doctor as end fly, and on tliis cast of see it more easily. running watcr the Iwss is harder to land flies landed fish. I,ater I carefully trin~cncdpart of the and has in his favor all the climccs of 'These flies, with the six Orvis flies flics with Iny scissors, reducing the getting away. With ~nove~iicntsso quick, picturctl on the plate, were speci;tlly wings and tail nearly one-third, the he is gone in a flash. Many timcs, like tested by tlie writer in swift-runnlng, change being a decided ilnprovcnient in liglitnirig, lic riscs to meet the fly, even colt1 watcr of the Hearkill, a few miles tlic Iacrguson, Cracker and Silvcr 1)octor I)cforc it touches the watcr, so that the ahove its junction with the Delaware, of tlie Orvis flics, and the Silver I)octor, ;~nglermust t)c very alert to gee ahcad, if ant1 whilc, of course, this was not con- I'armechcricc Belle ant1 Grizzly King of the bass is to 11e liooltcd at all. 'ro the clusive, it was found tliat the Silver Doc- the Abbey & Iml~rieflics. While casting fly fislicrtnan there is no niorc inspiring tor, I)y both niakers, was far ahcat1 in for 1x1s~in what is known as it Imss pool, sight than a fair-sized bass, leaping out the nuriibcr of riscs arid of fisli caught, I lantletl a splenditl Iuown trout, on the of the foaming, rapid water; in a second, in the ~norningor the evening, on dull Crackcr, before reclueing its sixc; I)ut at licacl up; witli fly in his lips, shaking his or bright days. When 1 cliangctl back to twilight, and on three different occa- whole hotly in anger ant1 fright; slipping this successfi~l lure it scc~neclto be as sions, I hooked a fine bass on tlic trim- down again, to tear off upstream; the e~iticingto trout as to bass, tlie brown med Fcrgi~sonin this sanic pool. Twice reel singing a, lively tune. Wc ask our- as well as the Jb~iti~irrlis,or 1)rook trout, he got away whilc out of the water, and selves every timc: "Will he get away?" while the ever vori~ciouschub, that riscs once lie rubbed the hook off by nosing to any fly, took particular liking to this a roclc in the swirl of swift water. I tried from The Commissioner's Report fly. One largc fish weighing over three hirn ~nanytimcs aftcr, and on every oc- Indiana pountls, aftcr a gamy resistance, was casion lie would leap out of the watcr 1905 - 1906 l~rot~ghtto the net, and on extracting once, but never a secdnd timc. the 11ook 11e Jisgoraecl it good-si~ed In short, aftcr ]nost careful stutly of mouse or young rat tliat, no doubt, in this particular kind of water and locality swim~ningacross the stream, had just I aln firmly convinced that any fish -- fallen a victim. The brown palmer, used bass, trout, or even salmon -- will, nine as a sccond or upper fly, hooked a num- times out of ten, go for tlic fly tliat has I)cr of fisli. Another case, ~natlcup of a shining mctallic body, either of silver tlie Griz~lyKing ittit1 1,ord Baltimore, or of goltl, tlie former preferred; ant1 \\,as not so effective, hut attracted at- that tliis is the explanation why the Sil- tention, the fish rising, but returning ver Iloctor is so iltiivcrsally pronounced \vitliout taking tlie fly. a favorite fly. My choice would be, out

LIFE'S DARKEST MOMENTS. . .

This original Webster cartoon has been given to the NIGHT WALkERS Museum by Mr. 0. C. (Duckie) Corkran. It is now on permanent display in our exhibit rooms. THE MARKET PLACE The Angling Book Resplendent

"The First Cast" drawn and etched by H. Sandliam from Dean Sage's "The Ristigouche and its Salmon Fishing with a Chapter on Angling Literature."

Reading Nick Lyon's I:r\lic~rrrrtrrl'\ liandctl mc a hool< antl put mc in tlic or's viewpoint is to 111c tlic a~igli~ig1)ook I~oii~r/y,I ca~iicupon an articlc hy chair by Iiis tlcsk. I can't hla~nchim for brought to pcrfcction. I aln not ccrtaili I'rank Mclc c~ititled"IZluc I)u~i" wliicli the grin on liis facc for Iic hatl succcctl- whcn the first zingling I~ookwas :~ssc~ii- hatl to say a grcat dcal ahout an old ctl iri obtaining Ilalford's li~iiitcdedition l)lctl in this wiry I)ut ~iicritio~ican I)c fricntl of niinc, Dan Brc~ia~i.The author of 'l'lie~ibloel~~rr~ I)e~vc~lo/)r~rc~rrt o/ 7'l)r~ niirtlc of Aldil~ii's :I (_)111rii11'I'rc~irliv~ qi~otctlDan as saying sonic vcry astiltc Ilyy lc(y in 2 volnmcs, 4to., in full grccn 011 l;I(~,.sut tlic onc that is best rc~iic~iibcr- books. issue was pricccl itt 100 pountls. cd is tlic rainy Saturtlay that introducctl Tlir extra illr~stratcd 1)ook is the 'The co~iifortnl)lc hours with I);rri mc to onc of the grcat raritics of angling liigliliglit of any collection ant1 in a cntlctl upon my transfcr to Ca~nl)ritlgc, litcranrrc. 1)an stootl at tlie licnd of tlic sensc, I)ccai~seof tlic rcality of tlic arti- Mass. I ricvcr saw Iiini again i~lthougliwc stairs antl at the critl of my filial stu~iiblc ficial fly, its i~scto empliitsi~can autli- cxcliangctl lcttcrs and I liclpcrl lii~iirc- searcli his N~ssrnt~kwhich because of John Simpsori & Jack Heddon through his terminal disease, he ncver saw in their Honey Dun press, a reprint of ~rint.He willed me a copy through its RISTIGOUCIIE George Scotcher's '/'GI? I;ly /;isher's publisher. Frank Mele, the author of I,cgac:y, c. 1810. The standard limitetl "Rlue Dun" and I were indced fortunate AND ITS edition has been given thc Museum, a in knowing Dan Rrenan and there could SAI.MON PISIIIN(~ numbered copy of 325 in one quarter have been no better way for me to be leather and boards, a hand coloretl plate introduced to the angling book on dress of flies, nicely boxed and suitably in- parade. scribed. Copics (if still available) arc Iluring the following decade in my Edilrd b~ about $45. Although I have not lid an C"I.OI1P.I. IIXIHY A. ?I,".,;*, searcli through the Roston book mar- .MU opportunity to see the tleluxe cdition of kets for the volumes that would fit my IIAIIIIY (.. MAII8011AI.Y. JH. their 2 volume set, which is 4 to., tlie desires and pockcthook I oftcn noted beauty of binding and presentation has the lack of good taste in the makeup of to be all that could be desircd if the the fishing Imoks tliat were then being standard edition we have is a criterion. rnr.on I~.I.~,STIIATION(IIIY PH*RI.YR I).PYO We are very fortunate in receiving from writtcn and put on the market. Each AN)) OliltEN M. I,I.I?IS?INY.II. N.A. year the current crop boasted more Jack Heddon a bit of tlie prc-history rc- flambuoyant book jackets, monotonous lating to the publication in the form of photographs replacing the talented artist an article publishcd in tliis issue of 7'bie and too oftcn the paper was closely rc- Arncrican 1;l.y /:isher so I will say no lated to newsprint. The trend has cont- morc about the Scotclier. inued and its a certainty because of the Our sccond bountiful gift is from synthetic glues used in binding and the Colonel I-lenry Sicgcl, the Angler's and acids in the papers, few books of tlie lat- Shooter's Press, Goshcn, Conn. and is ter half of this century will remain to IIC - a reprint of tlic Ilcan Sagc, 'l'l~/

-21 - ing a total printing of this book a mere about fishing in their rightful brackets. preceding for over the weekend the 355 copies. One might also think about As cxamples, note Haig Brown's Tbe book shelves at the Rryn Mawr book the values of Charles Phair's 40 copies Western Angler, 2 volumes, 950 cop- store gave me Wood's 'I'he Art of Pal- of Atlantic Salmon Fishing in 2 vol- ies, Derrydale, 1937 at $200.; William conry of 1"vederic l!., Stanford Univer- umes, the second volume containing Schaldach's Fish, 137 copies, with an sity, 1943 for $10. John McDonald 14 salmon flies and materials, Derrydale original etching, 1937 offered at $550.; states that the original Art of I;alconry, 1957 and the William Loring Andrews, and the previously cited Phair Atlan- 1250 A. D. coultl make a good claim velum bound, 'l'reatyse of 1;yshing tic Salmon, limited to 950 copies to be the originating point for sporting With An Angle, 150 copies and type Derrydale (not the Deluxe ed.) 1937, books. destroyed (1903) which has its own $200. Of trade editions Marinara's A Its heartwarming that we can again particular charm in its type faces. Modern Dry I:ly Code, 1st edition, see a pride in publishing and a response If there is a thought the old book 1950 is quoted at $75.; Enos Bradner's and appreciation among angling book market is anything at all like the market Northwest Angling, 1950, $25. and collectors and that the angling book re- of just a few years ago the sampling Rhead's Speckled Brook Trout, 1902, splendent is not entirely a thing of thc which follows indicates we are in an ex- $35. past. A. S. H. citing era that at long last places books 1 have a pussy cat grin as I reread the ---

Winslow Homer's fly rod in the Museum's exhibit. It is in such pristine condition that it seems doubtful if it was ever used. Memorial. Exhibit Milton G.Weiler

Artist, Educator, Naturalist and Con- others mark Milton Weilcr as onc of the servationist best describes Milton C. truly American grcats in book illustra- \freiler. Rorn in Buffalo, New York on tion. February 28, 1910, he spent most of his Featured in the Museum exhibit arc lifc engaged in activities that kept him 18 superb watercolors of fislicrs and close to the outdoors. Kecognizcd as hunters on their favorite watcrs, walk- onc of the fincst painters of sporting art ing the hunting grounds, getting ready in the country, his work has bccn ap- for the duck shoot, and portraits of fish preciated by fishcrs and gunncrs for and wildlife. Onc large showcase is given over a quarter of a century. This bc- to cxhihiting pcncil drawings, wood causc of thc authenticity and breath of carvings and other examples of Milton sporting lifc that stamped all of his art Weiler's craftsmanship. llis own rods, work. reels and fly boxes arc also on display. 'The artist was a finc athlctc at Syra- Weilcr prints, in liinitcd editions, and cuse University, attcnding the College of his original paintings reflect the sincere Fine Arts, playcci football, boxcd and interest in conservation and tlic prcscr- stroked thc crcw. During World War 11, vation of wild life. A recognized author- he bccarnc a Major in the Corps of Eng- ity on the subject of wild fowl decoys, inccrs stationcci st thc U. S. Military Ilc was called upon to judge many iin- Acadenly at Wcst I'oint. portant national shows. Until the time Milton Wcilcr's "incident" sketcl~es of his death, he was active in Ducks Un- first appearctl in Eugcnc Connett's limited, National Wildlife, the Audubon "Dcrrydalc" liinitcd cditions of thc Society and the International Salmon 1930's. 'Thcsc hooks arr now highly dr- Foundation. He was o ~nernbcrof the sirable collector's items. 1-lc also illus- N. Y. Angler's Club and a Trustcc of trated Arthur Macdougall's "Dud Dean" Arts Department, the Garden City Pub- The M~iscumof American Ply Fishing. storics which in their trade editions in- lic Schools. Fly fishers were treated to a The Museum exhibit and Memorial troducetl him to nationwide audiences. delightful series of drawings in the Jos- to Milton C. Weilcr has been madc possi- During the Iattcr part of his lifc, Mr. epli Rates' "Streamer Fly Fishing in blc through thc efforts of Mrs. Elizabeth IVeilcr turned his cfforts to con~mission Fresh and Salt Water," "Strcarner Fly Weiler, Milton C. Weilcr, Jr., Mr. Fred and gallery work maintaining a studio in Tying ancl Fishing," and "Atlantic Sal- King of the Sportsman's Edge, Inc. and Garden City, Long Island, whcrc for mon Flies and Fishing." The exquisite Mr. Allan Liu of the Tlleodorc Gordon many years hc was Heat1 of the Fine art work in these books and many Fly Fishers. TIIE MUSI

Since the Museum's inception, an exceptional number of (Fishing Tackle. ( rarities have been given the Museum. The very finest have been placed on exhibit in showcases guarded- by heavy plate glass and modern locking systems. We consider our exhibits to he a precious heritage and do everything possible to let our many visitors examine them, yet, make as certain as possible there is no chance for theft or damage. In this way, visitors may see rods built long be- A. IS. SJlil,lcjr &!c Son fore there was any recognition that our waters could be 603 nnd 605 ('orr~n~rrcratrrcst, I1hllndrIphi~. polluted or the abundance of game fish seriously depleted. hl~ul'rli~c't~~nI 9 01 Here in our Museum are yesterdays remembered, a history Claallr nrxtl Ipisl~lngLine#. of fly fishing in America that is real, informative and enter- i;z~~n-.I,w A n-B 7x07,-~ IM. rr nona taining. You will see the finest in craftsmanship, and the Tbe c~~lt.l~litlrdClLEESIlE 4111' IV001) a ~pecldty. many steps in a developing technology that has made Ameri- FJSE JtOl) ilZOU8'l'lS(A?i. can tackle the finest in the world whatever its age. Fnll linc. of 'I'IICLIVfor 1$1,1trlc1Zr~c.r n~lti Sen Fish- 111". AceIIlt4 for JOIII~ JPII~CP& 601193 r,.lcbruted P'lah You as a member on your first or on one of many visits !I(;ORR I~II~Ne,,cllr.*. will be proud of what has been accomplished and most ccr- S11,V 1C!!% hll.: l).4L nsnrdcd by tlin PRiZNKLTN 1N~'I'I'I'L I II:, 1$;4, "for SUJ'lilllOlt QUA LI'I'Y arrd tainly be proud that you arc a member. Your continued FlSIYII of 1:0:).5 and TACI

The pages of THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER are open FAMOUS BROWN UNIVERSITY to all those who have a healthy interest in the promotion of the Museum. Constructive criticism is welcome as are sug- ANGLING BOOK CATALOGUE gestions which you feel will make for better reading. If you know of individuals performing research relating to the his- In 1968 Brown's Rockcfeller Library put on exhibit a tory of fly fishing we would like to make their acquaintance selection of rare angling books. The catalogue, with its his- and if you have a question about the Museum, or historic tory of angling literature .won became a collector's item. An fly patterns, or literature, or tackle development,it's almost anonymous donor has contributed a limitcd number to be a sure bet the staff will be able to provide just the right ans- sold for the Museum's benefit at $3.00 each. Make checks wer. Extra copies of the magazine are available. payable to the "Museum of American Ply Fishing." The Museum of American Fly Fishing

Manchester, Vermont 05254

The Museum is a nonprofit institution, chartered under the laws of the State of Vermont. As an educational organ- ii-ation it is clirccted to the preservation and keeping of the traditions that bond the past with the present. The Museum offers a permanent public repository where the historic fly rod, reel, book, art work and fly pattern may be expertly guarded against the destructiveness of time. Contributions ;we tax detluctibleasestablished by the U.S. Revenue Service. A descriptive brochurc is available.

The permanent exhibits at the Museum display the world's finest collections of fly fishing tackle.

OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES

President Treasurer Registrar Honorary Trustees Arnold Gingrich Leigh H. Pcrkins I)avid H. Ledlie D. C. Corkran Vice Presidents Secretary Conservator Harry Darbce Austin S. I-logan (Curator) Mrs. Laura Towslee Charles Olin Ilcr man Kcssler Steve Raymond Wesley Jordan

MEMORIAL CITATION Joseph W. Brooks, Jr. 1901 - 1972

TRUSTEES

Albert I. Alexander Arnold Gingrich Dana S. Lamb Theodore Rogowski Gene Anderegg William A. Glassford David H. Ledlie Hen Schley Stuart C. Aptc Will Godfrey Leon L. Martuch Rerni Schoenfield Robert 13arrctt Gardner L. Grant Charles Olin Ernest G. Schwiebert Joseph Spear Heck Dr. Alvin Grove, Jr. John Orrclle Warren Shcpard Stanley Bogdan George W. Harvey Leigh H. Perkins Milford K. Smith Ms. Kay Rrodney Austin S. Hogan Mrs. Leigh Pcrkins Louis Stoia 1Ienry Hruns Charles E. Jones C. Hoyd Pfeiffer Prescott A. Tolman Philip K. Crowe Poul J orgenscn Steve Raymond Bennett Upson Carroll C. Curtice Martin Keane Rick Robbins Ralph Wahl Donald DuHois Raymond A. Kotrla Willard F. Rockwell, Jr. Archibald Walker Charles A. I~ellows Hernard (Lefty) Kreh Maxine Atherton Wyckoff STAFF AND CONSULTANTS

Library Flv Rods Fly Patterns Mrs. Leigh Pcrkins, Librarian Kenneth M. Cameron George F. Grant Joseph Spear Heck Wesley Jordan Poul J orgcnsen Stanley Hitchell Martin Kcane Ms. Kay I;. Hrodney Henry Rruns Mark Kerridge Public Relations David Ledlic, Assistant Librarian Fly Reels Donald Owens Technology John Orrelle Dan Reid Archie Walker Tony Skilton G. Dick Finlay Arthur Walker Hen Upson SPRING

JAMES THOMSON 1834 - 1882

Just in the dubious point where with the pool, Is mix'd the trembling stream, or where it boils Around the stone, or from the hollow'd bank Reverted plays in undulating flow, There throw n~ce-judging, the delusive fly; And, as you lead it round in artful curve, With eye attentive mark the springing game. Straight as above the surface of the flood They wanton rise, or urg'd by hunger leap, Then fix, with gentle twitch, the barbed hook; Some lightly tossing to the grassy bank, And to the shelving shore slow-dragging some, With various hand proportion'd to their force. If yet too young, and easily deceived, A worthless prey scarce bends your pliant rod, Him, piteous of his youth, and the short space He has enjoy'd the vital light of heaven. Soft disengage, and back into the stream The speckled infant throw. But should you lure From his dark haunt, beneath the tangled roots Of pendent trees, the monarch of the brook, Behooves you then to ply your finest art. Long time he, followed cautious, scans the fly, And oft attempts to seize it, but as oft The dimpled water speaks his jealous fear. At last, while haply o'er the shaded sun Passes a cloud, he desperate takes the death, With sullen plunge. At once he darts along, Deep-struck, and runs out all the lengthen'd line Then seeks the farthest ooze, the sheltering weed, The cavern'd bank, his old secure abode; And flies aloft, and founces round the pool, Indignant of the guile. With yielding hand, That feels him still, yet to his furious course Gives way, you, now retiring, following now Across the stream, exhaust his idle rage; Till floating broad upon his breathless side, And to his fate abandon'd, to the'shore You gayly drag your unresisting prize.