Inspired, I pressed on, and it was only a short time after that I found a copy of John Sheweys, “Spey and Dee Flies: Their History and Construction.” Wonderfully written, and expertly illustrated. This book brought about my first exposure to the depths of which one could go to explore the history of fly tying. These two books would start me on my fly tying journey.
I spent a lot of time over the next four years learning to hone the craft of fly tying, because it was important to me, not because I was under the illusion that a well tied fly will bring more fish to my line. It is something that I feel I will spend my entire life learning.
The good feeling I get when I hit a cast just right, and the line sings through the air to land in a perfect presentation, ready to fish the moment it hits the water, is replicated when I see a fly that I tied, swing through the current and all of its perceived attributes are present. The way it moves, the size of the silhouette, the way the light hits certain parts of it.
All of this brings that rare moment I get to spend on the water to a new level; it expands upon the overall experience for me.
Beautiful fly for a beautiful fish.