While I don’t know the exact year, I do know that it was sometime in the mid-1950s. That’s when I started to tie flies. Compared with today’s fly-tying material and hardware, my introduction to this art form was extremely crude at best. I don’t even know how I got the inspiration to tie flies. No one in my family fished, let alone fly fished. My maternal grandfather was a saltwater man, so perhaps there was a genetic fishing link to him? Or perhaps it was because I was born under the water sign of Aquarius? Whatever the reason, I was hooked on fish and fishing at a very young age.

Somewhere in the shadows of those very early years, I got the urge to tie flies. For equipment, I had a saw-sharpening vise mounted on top of the outer wall of our coal bin in the cellar. It was a a good-sized device, with a set of jaws that were about 10 inches long, operated by a handle that one pulled down to lock. Somewhere I got a supply of very large, black hooks. At the time we had chickens, so I invaded the henhouse and found a variety of loose feathers that I collected for my first flies. Next, I found some heavy-duty thread—probably black—from my mom’s sewing kit. To finish the flies, Mom gave me some red nail polish which I used in place of lacquer. Despite the fact that I had no instruction, I managed to lock a hook in the saw vise. Next, I wound on some thread, placed a feather on top of the hook, tied it off with more thread, and then coated the thread with the nail polish. Those first flies were abominations, to be sure, but they provided the spark to continue on.

Some years later, I met several men who became mentors. They provided instruction and helped me purchase equipment. One was Robert Zigsby, whom I’ve mentioned in previous columns. Bob lived in White Plains and took me to Armonk, where I purchased my first vise—a Thompson model B, for $3.50. Once I had that vise, I began to attend fly tying classes sponsored by the Southern New York Sportsman Association at the county center in White Plains. At the sessions, which were held every Thursday, local fly tiers provided instruction, while others sold a variety of materials and equipment. Herb Howard and Harold Kimble attended each week. Herb sold his own brand of pre-waxed, 6/0 thread, along with homemade, stainless steel hackle pliers. Herb’s thread was the best I ever saw. I still have several spools in use today. Harold sold a variety of India gamecock necks, which cost about $3 each. Harold came with a suitcase full of those necks in different grades and colors. 

I used the Thompson vice throughout the early years, including the four spent at the University of Montana. Then sometime in the mid 1980s, I purchased an API pedestal vise from Dick Tallleur, a famous fly tier and author of several books on fly tying. That vise came with two sets of jaws—one for small flies and one for larger flies. When I purchased the API vise, I also purchased several dry fly capes from Dick. I still have several of those necks in my collection.

In all hobbies (and some professions) we generally become better over time. Fly tying is certainly no exception. Without bragging, I can say that I’m a pretty good fly tier, though I don’t promote my level of skill. That’s because I started at a very young age and was fortunate to meet several men who unselfishly provided instruction and guidance during the early years. 

Those of us who grew up in eastern New York State either learned or were taught the techniques established by the Catskill school of fly tying. Pioneers—such as Theodore Gordon, Elsie and Harry Darbee, the Dettes, Rube Cross and Art Flick—all contributed to that method of fly tying. Flies tied in that manner have divided, upright wings, tail, body and radial hackle. They were the standard for over 75 years, with millions of flies tied and sold.

Because the quality of India gamecock necks was so poor, Harry Darbee was the first fly tier I’m aware of to began the process of genetically developing a strain of roosters with natural blue dun hackle. So in effect, Harry began the revolution that led to the development of the beautiful hackle we have today. 

Like all professions, fly tying has evolved over the years. For example, flies tied in the tradition of the Catskill school, have led to Compara Duns and Parachute-style dry flies. In addition, the quality of material has improved dramatically. India gamecock necks are all but a thing of the past, having been replaced by genetically engineered dry fly capes, produced by purveyors such as Mets, Whiting and Hebert. There are others. In the past, dubbing, for bodies, was mostly composed of natural hair and fur. These days, a lot of dubbing is made from synthetic materials. For years, Mustad was the standard for fly tying hooks. Today there are several manufacturers.

Despite all the advances in fly tying and fly tying materials, it seems the trout have evolved too, remaining hard to catch as ever. But we all keep tying!