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The Classic Salmon Fly
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The
first patterns many today consider as Classic Salmon Flies were
introduced in the late 1700's. The flies were called the Peacock Fly
and the Dragon Fly. In the nineteenth century what we today call works
of art were made strictly for utilitarian purposes; they were tied to
be fished. They were not tied to be mounted in a glass dome showcase or
framed and hung on the office wall.
When the sport of Salmon Fishing became popular, England was a powerful
colonial nation upon which the sun never set. Because of this, tiers of
the Salmon Fly were able to obtain rare or exotic feathers with which
to tie ever more colorful patterns to attract and catch the Atlantic
salmon from the rivers of England, Ireland and Scotland. Feathers from
birds such as the common Peacock from India, the gigantic Ostriches
found in Africa, and the more exotic Jungle Cock of Africa, were
becoming easier to obtain and tie with. Macaw, Tucan, and
Cock-of-the-Rock feathers from South America were becoming very popular
on many patterns.
Today many of the feathers commonly used by tiers of yesterday are vary
hard to find, and in some cases are even unobtainable. An example is
the Great Bustard. The Great Bustard became extinct in Britain in 1832,
and today the Great Bustard is a globally threatened species. Stricter
import-export laws around the world are in place to protect other
threatened species as well, making some materials illegal to own or
even possess. Because of this, today we tie Classic Salmon Flies with a
variety of substitute materials. Dyed and reshaped Ring Neck Pheasant
neck feathers are used on many flies in place of Indian Crow (which, by
the way, can cost you your first born to obtain if you are lucky enough
to find them). Goose Shoulder feathers have taken the place of Swan
feathers for Married Wings. In truth, the only difference between Swan
and Goose feathers is that the barbs of the Swan feather are usually
longer than those on the Goose feather, other than that it's hard to
tell a Goose feather from a Swan feather. Today, materials such as
rayon are used in place of the finer silks used in the past from Japan.
Silver and gold tinsel are made of Mylar and hooks are made on an
assembly line, not by hand one at a time as in the past.
However, there are some tiers today that have stayed true to the
traditions of the past. They use only the finest materials available
(and in some cases, the rarest materials available) whenever possible,
and they tie them on hooks still made by hand, one at a time. In a few
cases, they tie them without the help of a vice used to hold the hook,
which allows the tier to have both hands free while tying. Thanks to
tiers such as Wolfgang von Melottke, Fabrizio Garadino and Kim
Rassmussen, the art of the Salmon Fly will continue to flourish.
Many people have seen a Classic Salmon Fly tied by one of the master
tiers of today and wished they had the artistic talent required to tie
a Classic Salmon Fly, and there's good news for those people; artistic
talent has little to do with tying a Classic Salmon Fly. All the
aspects of tying a Classic Salmon Fly can be learned and no artistic
talent is required, although it can't hurt. The advent of the Internet
has made it possible for millions to view, fall in love with, and learn
this unique style of fly tying. Modern technology has made a once
exclusive hobby available to anyone who is interested, and gives them
access to a very old, still thriving tradition that is sure to bring
them many years of rewarding fly tying. So, do your homework and get
started on one of the most fascinating hobbies you could ever be
involved with; but I must warn you, tying the Classic Salmon Fly can
become an obsession. The more you tie the more interesting you will
find the historic journey of the Classic Salmon Fly to be. What other
hobby can connect the past with the future by tying materials on a hook
in such an artistic way?
Don Williams is the founder of The Classic Salmon Fly which showcases
some of the best tiers from around the world. High quality pictures,
along with recipes and lists of needed materials are all included in
the "Showchase Pages" highlighting the best talents in fly tying today,
so anyone can begin tying immediately. Visit him and other tiers at www.bestclassicsalmonflies.com
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