Bob grew up fishing for native brook trout in the headwaters of New Jersey’s northern streams. He migrated west to Montana in the mid 60’s and became a full time guide in West Yellowstone. Bob is a world recognized fly fishing educator, tackle industry consultant and advisor to fish and game departments. Additionally, he was a principal instructor for nearly ten years with the landmark Fenwick Fly Fishing Schools. Bob taught thousands of students the arts of fly tying, fly casting, and fly fishing. He has contributed to many books including Fly Fishing the Yellowstone in the Park, coauthored with the late Gary LaFontaine, He has made a DVD entitled Introduction to Fly Tying with Bob Jacklin.several and several instructional videos, including one for the Japanese market. In addition, you may have seen him in the TV series Fishing the West and In Search of Fly Water. His many awards, including The Buz Buszek Memorial Award, West Yellowstone’s Legacy of Gold, and the 2004 Federation of Fly Fisherman’s Man of the Year, make him a contemporary treasure.
An early all consuming interest in nature guided the young Bill Kelly to his life career in Fisheries Management. He began fishing when in kindergarten – tying his own flies and reading all he could about fish and fishing. Bill worked for the New York State Conservation Department doing fisheries research. He came to the Catskills in 1958 to set up and work in the DeBruce Fisheries Laboratory, and moved on to Fisheries Management at the New York State DEC Region 3 at New Paltz. Under his leadership, programs were developed to reclaim and restock Crystal Lake in northern Sullivan County with native brook trout, and to introduce landlocked Atlantic Salmon into the Neversink Reservoir, providing NYS fishermen with new and improved fishing opportunities. His research paper “A Fish Planting Formula for Hatcheries” became the basis for trout management in New York State. The recipient of many honors, Bill was most proud of being honored by the Sullivan County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, “For having the courage to try something different.”
Ray Bergman was America’s fisherman. His first book, Trout, was in continuous publication for over 50 years from the first release in 1938, making it one of the ten best selling sporting books ever written. It provided an education to many generations of trout fishermen and continues to be a benchmark in fly fishing history. Traveling over a quarter of a million miles in the United States and Canada, Ray regularly reported of his experiences and shared new found knowledge in Outdoor Life Magazine where he was the angling editor from 1933 to his retirement in 1960. Ray’s book Trout, first published in 1938, became his defining work. It is one of the ten best selling sporting books ever written and is the only sporting book to be in continuous print for over 50 years. Ray wrote other books including, Fresh Water Bass in 1942 and With Fly Plug and Bait in 1947. Ray lived his entire life in Nyack, New York and was a frequent fisherman in all the Catskill rivers and streams. Ray traveled over 250,000 miles throughout the United States and Canada gathering information on angling. As a fly tyer, Ray has few peers. Bythe time Trout was published in 1938, he professed to have tied over 100,000 flies. In 1952, when the revised edition of Trout was printed, the number had risen to 200,000. Within this extensive number came creations such as the Squirrel Series Streamers, R.B. Translucent Series, and the Iron Blue Variant. Many of Ray’s flies are displayed in color plates by Dr. Edgar Burke in his book Trout. Ray will always be remembered as the angling editor of Outdoor Life magazine, a position he held from 1933 until he retired in 1960.
Stan, the son of a machinist, followed in his fathers footsteps, to become the most recognized reel maker in the past half century. In 1953 Stan introduced the two-spring floating drag system for salmon reels, and the rest is history. Conviction to the principles of high quality and reliability has been the hallmark of Bogdan Reels. Building each reel by hand, including the screws, makes a Bogdan reel not only a functional fishing instrument, but truly a work of art. The discerning angler has always appreciated such qualities. Today Stan is an ambassador of salmon fishing and works arduously for the Atlantic Salmon Federation in keeping the rivers of the North American east coast viable fisheries. With reel production in the capable hands of his son Steve, Stan has now found the time to pursue his second passion to reel making, salmon fishing.
As Executive Editor of Crown Publications, Nick began the Sportsman’s Classics series which published or republished the backbone of angling authors including Art Flick, Vince Marinaro, and Poul Jorgensen. Later at Lyons Press, he published more than one hundred fly fishing titles, including old and new books by Lee and Joan Wulff, Ed Van Put, Mac Francis, Lefty Kreh, and a host of other great angling authors. Nick is also the author of twenty books, most of them on fly fishing. Appearing for twenty five years in the Seasonable Angler column for “Fly Fisherman” magazine, Nick brought his unique perspective to the angling community.
His response to all his accolades can be summed up in this typical Nick Lyons quote “Despite all of the fishing in print I have read and edited, my fly fishing skills are best suited to bluegills”.
Few people, if any, have put forward to the angling community the accomplishments of Ernest Schwiebert. Over the past fifty years, the information shared from his world travels and research, have opened the door encouraging fly fishermen to explore new waters, assess the conditions, identify the situation, and develop a strategy necessary to meet the challenge and entice a fish. Three of his published works are deemed classics in the world of fly fishing literature: Trout; Matching the Hatch; and Nymphs, earning him the undisputed title as Dean of American Trout Fishing Writers. A leader in the fields of ecology and conservation of cold water fisheries, Ernie provided commitment and unselfish dedication. Ultimately, one of the greatest fly fishermen ever.
Eric authored eight books on fly tying, the use and procurement of fly tying materials, and development of specific insect artificials. Eric also served fly tyers nationwide with complete instructions on preparation and care of natural materials, photo dying, and as a source of high, standardized quality of fly tying materials. His Complete Book of Fly Tying (1977) is in its 23rd printing and has exceeded sales of 100,000 copies.
Frank Smoot was a born conservationist working on the Migratory Game Bird Act in 1928 at the age of 22 and in 1930 became the Youth Conservation Director of the Maryland State Game & Fish Protective Association. This position was the beginning of his long commitment to conservation and his devotion to educating the youth in fly fishing. An early member of the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock, he was also one of the original organizers of the Maryland Wildlife Federation working with many youth groups including The 4H and Boy Scouts of America. An accomplished nature artist, Frank, up until his death in May 2006 just weeks shy of his 100th birthday, would provide sketches to all of the children attending Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock gatherings. His long term commitment to the youth of our country in the education of conservation and cold water fisheries was unparalleled.
Born in 1811, Norris devoted his life to fly fishing. As a young man, he explored American Waters and pursue the sport of American fly fishing in its infancy. Well-educated and well read in angling literature, he discovered Old World flies, tackle and fishing techniques were not suitable for American waters. Making modifications, Norris developed the first true American procedures for fly fishing and was an early pioneer in the development of the fly rod, andselling tackle and flies. He communicated these discoveries through many articles in sporting periodicals and his book, The American Angler’s Book in 1864. This book became every angler’s bible and Thaddeus became the recognized Father of American Fly Fishing. It should be noted that Theodore Gordon learned to tie flies from The American Angler’s Book.
A prolific writer for numerous publications, author of many books, fly tying innovator, world traveler, industry consultant , fly fishing pro, club and organization advisor, outdoor photographer, public speaker, educator, saltwater fly fishing pioneer, expert fly caster, and simply too many more to list, can only be summarized in one word, “Lefty”. This man is the most recognized fly fisherman alive. His induction into the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame was a direct result of the wisdom, guidance, and humor that he willingly shares with everyone he meets; the qualities found in a true legend.
Poul Jorgensen is considered the greatest fly tyer of all time. Born and raised in Denmark, he came to the United States in the 1960’s and developed a keen interest in fly tying, through his mentor, William Blades. Abandoning his career as an engineer, he devoted his life to the art of fly tying. Through his many books and videos, Poul generously shared his talents and techniques with the world, making every tyer, a better tyer.
Acknowledged as the “Dean of American Fly Fishermen”, Sparse wove his magic amongst those who fished the Catskill rivers as well as anglers from afar who could only dream of the experiences he created with his unique ability to put pen on paper. Fishless Days, Angling Nights, published in 1971 brought together many of his life experiences and has become a hallmark ofwhat the sport of fly fishing is all about. Sparse brought life to the gentle art of angling and his spirit created the common denominator by which all fly fishermen are measured. His wit, factual and fictional embellishments, and historical knowledge would always play into a tale; both short and tall.
William A. Chandler a close friend of Theodore Gordon and Roy Steenrod, is best known among anglers today for his refinement of the Light Cahill. It was his role as a conservationist and fisheries advocate where he made fundamental, enduring contributions to sport fishing. Along with Steenrod, William founded the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County and made it into a powerful lobbying force on behalf of public fishing, and improved stocking practices. Through his efforts, the State of New York acquired the “Catskill Mountain Hatchery” on a tributary of Willowemoc Creek in DeBruce. As a member of the State Assembly in 1937, he was instrumental in passage of a law that allowed for public fishing on all waters impounded by dams. The angler who fishes public water or a reservoir or a tail water in New York has to be grateful to William Chandler and should reflect on the irony of his personal fate. William and his wife, Martha, lost the “River of Our Dreams” and their hotel when their property was taken and inundated so that the Neversink Reservoir could serve a “thirsty horde in a far off city.”
A self taught student in the science of trout behavior and insect life, his campus and laboratory was his home water of the Letort River in Pennsylvania. His studies resulted in his first book, A Modern Dry Fly Code, which far sophisticated at the time, failed commercially when first published in 1950. However, it ‘s reissue, 20 years later, influenced Swisher and Richards in the development of the “no hackle” flies and the “comparaduns” of Caucci and Nastasi, made it a classic resource. His second book, In the Ring of The Rise , 1976, provided a masterful analysis of the various riseforms associated with feeding trout and the splendid illustrations and superb photography for anglers to experience stream success.
Born a coal miner’s son in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania, George Harvey learned subsistence fishing from his father. However, his Uncle Ira turned him into a fly fisher. By dismantling flies, he learned their construction. With a handy cache of chicken feathers from his uncle’s meat market, George was ready to craft and sell his own creations at the age of ten. His friendship with the Dean of the Agricultural School at Penn State led him into an angling career. He started the first college-accredited course in fly casting and tying, researched water temperature effects on trout activity, developed leader systems which enhance fly presentation, and participated in the innovative programs devised by the Pennsylvania Department of Fisheries. Techniques of Trout Fishing and Fly Tying (1985) is George’s basic, practical guide to the arts and skills of angling. George Harvey: Memories, Patterns and Tactics, published in 1998, records his experiences and observations fishing spring creeks with the great anglers of his time, and teaching thousands the pleasures of angling.
The First Lady of American Angling. For almost seven decades Joan has continually been devoted to the promotion and education in sport of fly fishing. From pre teen to present Joan has contributed to the education of hundreds of thousands of fly fishers through out the world with her books, articles, classes, films, demonstrations, and appearances. Her marriage to Lee Wulff in 1967, they opened their fly fishing schools on the Beaverkill in 1979 to provide the fly fishing community with a premier learning center.
How to describe Charles Fox? Gentleman, author, fly fisher, conservationist, historian. Try all of the above. In his home on the Letort, Charlie formed his philosophy and techniques, especially with terrestrials, that are laid out in his best-known book, The Wonderful World of Trout. It was also here that Charlie helped pioneer the concept of “catch and release” fishing in the 1940’s, more than a decade before Trout Unlimited championed the cause. It was also here that he entertained fellow members of the fly fishing fraternity: Ernest Schweibert, Vince Marinaro, Sparse Grey Hackle, Ed Shenk and Joe Brooks. Charlie editedPennsylvania Angler magazine for several years and also worked as an editor at Stackpole Publishing Company.
Al McClane has been described as an angling innovator, casting engineer, tackle technician, skilled photographer, and world’s foremost fisherman. As Field & Stream’s fishing editor for 30 years, his articles, views, and opinions entertained, informed and educated millions of fishermen. McClane’s Standard Fishing Encyclopedia was just one of fifteen books he authored. His writings are the lessons of a master he had spent a lifetime acquiring knowledge of fish and fishing. Among his fishing pals, the most noted were Dan Bailey, Ray Camp, Harry Darbee, Arnold Gingrich, Bert Lahr, Ted Trueblood and Charles Ritz.
No man had a greater impact on American tackle, lures and fishing tactics than Lee Wulff. He shared his expertise in a lifetime of lectures, publications, film productions, and in later life, at his fly fishing schools with Joan on the Beaverkill. He loved to solve angler problems and to undertake challenges, like exploring wilderness waters in his small plane, catching large fish on light tackle, and tying tiny flies in his fingertips. Early in his career, more than 60 years ago, Lee was a lone voice, urging anglers to enjoy their fishing but “to come home empty-handed” because “game fish are too valuable to be caught only once.”
With the introduction of the European Brown Trout to American waters, George LaBranche is credited as the first American angler to master the art of dry fly fishing to catch these magnificent game fish. His research and analysis of the requirement of fast water fishing led him to invent the decoy method of floating a fly many times over a fish’s lie, thus creating an artificial hatch. His book, The Dry Fly in Fast Water, remains a classic today for the true trout fly fisherman.