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Re: Timeless fly tying advice

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 8:09 am
by tie2fish
Thank you, John, for sharing these. I note with much interest the length and density of the hackle on these patterns, which speaks volumes to those who ask about "how long" and "how much".

Re: Timeless fly tying advice

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 1:03 pm
by letumgo
John - The fly plates probably should be in a separate thread, under their own subject line (just my opinion).

These are extremely valuable references. Good stuff.

Re: Timeless fly tying advice

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 1:37 pm
by Theroe
Greenwell wrote: Sun Dec 02, 2018 7:50 pm s-l1600 (10).jpg
Truly “Fly Porn”.........exceptional!

Re: Timeless fly tying advice

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 3:23 pm
by Greenwell
letumgo wrote: Mon Dec 03, 2018 1:03 pm John - The fly plates probably should be in a separate thread, under their own subject line (just my opinion).

These are extremely valuable references. Good stuff.
I will post all of these and the remaining ones in a separate thread this week if you would like. I will add some commentary as well.

John

Re: Timeless fly tying advice

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 4:18 pm
by Greenwell
WiFlyfisher wrote: Mon Dec 03, 2018 6:43 am Fascinating!!

1) So within the pages of the book are the actual materials and flies, not drawn plates?

2) Did they use some sort of tying vise?

John

John,

1: These are actual flies and materials. While not truly the first "specimen" book, Blacker did some as well as a handful of others before Aldam, it is the first fly tying book published specifically as a specimen book and so stands as a milestone in angling literature.

2: It's hard to be certain if the flies were tied "in hand" or not. The two Mayfly patterns are reported to have been tied by James Ogden. In Ogden's 1879 book Ogden on Fly Tying he pictures a fly tying vise, the first ever illustrated, so I would imagine that he was using a vise prior to this date and perhaps the Mayflies were dressed using one. His daughter, Mary Ogden-Smith is credited with dressing the other flies and it would be reasonable to assume that she was using a vise in this time period also. Interestingly, many tiers, especially commercial tiers, did not adopt the fly tying vise initially. Some dressed the majority of the fly in their fingers and only used the vise to hold the fly when the finishing knot was applied. So in answer to your question, who knows?

Re: Timeless fly tying advice

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 6:00 pm
by redsedge
PhilA said:
Concerning Datus Proper, the photo below *understates* my respect and admiration for What the Trout Said. Check out the neighbors ... fly fishing royalty!
Phil,
My late friend Gordon Wickstrom would be quite embarrassed, and pleased, to have seen your books with the accompanying statement!
I also admit to having great admiration for Datus Proper's What the Trout Said. There is much to learn and absorb there. I, however, only possess one copy. ;)
JimA

Re: Timeless fly tying advice

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2018 12:49 am
by PhilA
redsedge wrote: Mon Dec 03, 2018 6:00 pm 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 few campfires with. --Phil