Yes, No.4 and No.5 could be switched, but it would have been a clerical error of at least three different vendors. That is possible. Like all Gossamer spools, The suspect spools did not have numbers on them, only the vendor’s assurances. The spool I have the highest confidence in is No.4-H, because ...

If I had been guessing without your ID text, I would have switched the labels on No's 4 and 5. Bill, That's what I thought, but no! Spools of No. 4 (Light Yellow) are almost impossible to find. I once wrote to Pearsall's Ltd. (actually, Langley's) to inquire if they had any spools of No. 4 availabl...

I spend more time fishing upstream nymphs and wingless wets in Wisconsin's Driftless Area than any other method. Probably 3/4 of the time onstream. I love it, and the methods are very effective. G.E.M. Skues eloquently captured the delights of upstream wet fly and nymph fishing in Minor Tactics of t...

A shade of yellow is probably the most commonly specified color of silk in old fly patterns. The photo below shows side-by-side comparisons of the various Pearsall's Gossamer yellows. I manually set the white balance of my camera and, on my monitor, the colors are very close to the real thing. On an...

My late friend Gordon Wickstrom would be quite embarrassed, and pleased, to have seen your books with the accompanying statement! JimA Jim, I never met Gordon Wickstrom but have certainly enjoyed his writing. Such a thoughtful and scholarly author. He is someone that I would love to have shared a f...

A common criticism of stripping peacock eyes or stripped herl with chlorine bleach is that controlling the process can be tricky. If over-bleached, the flue-less barb stems are brittle. This has happened to me. Dipping in warm liquid paraffin wax followed by cooling and pulling off the flue is quick...

John,
Beautiful flies! I especially like that March Brown. Which, if any, of these flies are on eyed hooks? --Phil

( Royal Coachman / family of Royal fly patterns has a wonderful history all the way up to the Cross' Quack Royal. I always have some Royal Trudes on me, it has saved many a summer outing out West. ) WiFlyfisher John, A chapter of Paul Schullery's book Royal Coachman is devoted to the history of the...

I think you have more copies of Proper's book than I have Whiting Coachman Brown rooster capes. That's not possible. The only person with more Coachman Brown capes than you was Mr. Tom Bosworth, the former royal carriage driver. (Google it if puzzled) Thank you, but I would pay you for it!! John No...

WiFlyfisher wrote: ↑Fri Nov 30, 2018 8:52 pm I sent my copy to Eric to read last Spring. When I get it back I will read it again sometime.

WiFlyfisher John,
Tell Eric he can keep the Datus Proper book. He will certainly appreciate it. Then, come to the Badger Show, and I'll replace it with one of mine!

Phil