Matt, there is a NW tyer who does full dressed in hand. Do believe I read an article about Harry Lemire tying them "in hand".
Lee Wulff was famous for sitting on the steps and tying flies by hand. People were just amazed. He did use a vise often. But he could tie just about anything by hand.
A limited editon as in Bates book would be nice about NW Steelhead tyers & fishers and their patterns.Some of Wes Drain,the father and son named Gayeski,Carl Haffler,Bob Sheirholz etc.Some were more tyers than fisherman and some were more fisherman than tyers.Wes tyed some real intriquing patterns that many here would find,well, interesting.And Haffler and his original use of dyes would be good.There were alot of great NW tyers that came out of the mid-century that didn't become "names" like Combs and Gobin and Raymond and McNeese, etc. Sorry Dave-couldn't resist.You can whack me when I get down to Salem. Anyway,that'd be neat in print IMHO, Davy
I am going to have to do some searching- but years ago there was article in Fly Tyer about a tyer in ,of all places,Italy,that does everything inhand.Incuding making all his threads and thread holders etc.Do you remember the article Dave?It was impressive but all my back issues are in storage.Woulda been late 80's or 1990 or 91 I think. Thanks for sharing those peices.
Haven't read the book in awhile. But wasn't there a Colin Simpson (think that's his name) in Joseph Bates book who was only like 15 at time of publishing, but was mentored in dressing atlantics. I do believe in the book it mentioned he normally dressed them in hand then a vise (picture of him showed him at a vise I do believe). Only reason this stuck out, is because he did such lovely work for his age, and in hand to boot. Would love to be mentored like that.
Davy Earl, Was Belarmino Martinez the tyer you were thinking of? I believe he tied from the hand, fashioned his own tools, and used tying thread garnered from womens' stockings. If I remember too, the heads of some of his flies, which had a beautiful sienna color, were finished with an automotive paint. Hywel
Hywel-yes, that was the man,can't believe I forgot his name- I certainly will never forget that article and his methods/creations--burned in memory for sure.thanks alot- owe you a beer Davy :beer2:
Hey Davy Earl, Glad I could help a little! Belarmino Martinez is one of my all-time favorite tyers. If you haven't already checked it out, Hans Weilenmann has a page on Martinez's work on his website. Ironic that his name should come up...I was actually dressing a rendition of his "Hot Orange" when I read your post! Hywel
Davy I do believe that I read that particular article, but unfortunately I don't remember much of it. My copies are also in storage. bawling: I still have a good collection of flies from many unnamed men. Like Syd Glasso they didnt care to be known, not in print anyway. I got to be with Wes many times and still think his flies were BEST quality flies. Also spent a few times with Ed Haas in the 70's and he was sure a TOP tyer, but not much on fishing. Much like Polly Rosborough, tyed a good fly, but didn't fish very much. He let anglers speak about his flies and A.J. McClaine made him famous. It's unfortunate what happened in the mid 70-'s, that many great angler/tyers would not publish their flies. Dick Surrette begged many of these unknowns to allow him to publish their work in his magazine, to no avail. I'm not sure what they were afraid of, or if they just did not want any notoreity. McNeese
Dave, just a guess, but maybe some of these guys were hardcore fisherman, and just wanted to share the flies with them, not everyone. The "secret flies" stash. I have friends who send me some every now and then. One friend sent me a fly he's been slaying them on the Rogue with, but said "don't show anyone". For them, it may not be how well the flies are tied, maybe it's they don't want the patterns out. Just a guess.
Dave, your so right,my teacher - nevr seemed to desire any - he tyed plates for collectors but privately-taught a few classes, and mentored me.I know he tyed a few shows for Ed Rice but that was about it.But he simply shyed away from any notoreity.I know Sheweys book uncovered a few of these "unknowns". Speaking of hand tying,years ago I practiced at it and got to where I could tye an acceptable Blue Charm in my hands.Key word is acceptable,for fishing that is.Jeez.my arthritic fingers today would never be able to catch and hold the threads and tinsels I would think. Dave-When you fished with Wes did he just name his fly by number? #1,#3,etc ??Or was that someone else in my spotty memory? Davy
Davy, Wes and I never actually fished together, we just hung out and yakked about the old days. We traded flies, materials and b.s. often. I can tell you, however, that he did speak of his flies with names and not numbers. I'm not sure who you're thinking of. Wish I could help. DM
Since we are on the subject of Syd and his flies -- here are photos of three, courtesy of Art Lingren, from the collection of Bob Taylor in Vancouver, BC: a Thunder & Lightning -- on a #4 hook; a Courtesan; and an unnamed hackle tip spey in the style of his Black Heron. Stu
If anyone's interested, you can usually get a chance to see Harry tie in hand at the FFF show in Bellevue (Feb I think?).
