Larry Solomon, with Eric Leiser in 1977, wrote The Caddis and the Angler. This groundbreaking book proved to be the forerunner of many books on caddis flies and continues to serve as a reference on the topic.  Besides covering caddis flies, the book explores new fly patterns and techniques for fishing them.  Larry based much of what he learned for the book on observation of caddis flies in an aquarium in his New York City apartment.

As an outgrowth of his study of caddis, Larry developed the later-to-become-popular “delta wing” concept for tying caddis imitations.  This concept showed up in other anglers’ writings and has been generally incorporated into fly tying of caddis flies.

Larry went on to write another book, The Complete Book of Modern Fly Fishing, published in 1979.  Here he provided anglers with information on tackle, fly casting, fly tying and fly fishing in both fresh and salt water.  Larry also highlighted the importance of taking care of our cold-water fisheries and encouraged anglers to support conservation organizations such as Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers.

Moreover, dozens of fledgling anglers have accompanied Larry on the stream to their lasting benefit, as they learned entomology, casting techniques, water reading and the wiles of trout from him.  Countless more gratefully learned the “arts of angling” programs at TGF and other fishing shows.

Larry also dedicated much of his time and effort to protecting trout fisheries.  He served as an officer and then as president of Theodore Gordon Flyfishers in the late 70s. He continued to press for appropriate stream regulation.  During this time, he actively participated in the fight by TGF against the Prattsville Pumped Storage Proposal by New York State Power Authority.  Larry also worked with other organizations to improve water release schedules from NYC reservoirs into Catskill rivers and worked against various local threats to streams in New York State and elsewhere.

Joe Brooks, the acknowledged dean of international outdoor writing, fly fished every corner of the world. He was the fishing editor of Outdoor Life magazine, featured on ABC’s American Sportsman TV series, wrote thousands of articles and authored ten books including: Trout Fishing, Saltwater Fly Fishing and The Complete Guide to Fishing Across North America.

His teaching generosity was unmatched and his influence is felt by all anglers including such legendary fly fisherman as Lefty Kreh, Stu Apte and Jimmy Albright. Dozens more of today’s greatest anglers have continued to pay forward Joe’s gift of the love of fishing.

Brooks suggested Lefty Kreh start writing about the outdoors for local Maryland papers, taught him to fly fish and pushed him to become the tournament director for the Miami Met Fishing Tournament.  When asked what he could do to repay Joe for his kindness and counsel, Joe replied, “Lefty, just share with others what I have shared with you.” According to Lefty Kreh,  “Joe Brooks was one of the best known American fly fishermen for many, many years…and my biggest influence”.

Brooks was the Chairman of Fresh Water Committee of the Maryland Fish and Game Association.  His interest in youth education blossomed with the founding of the youth educational organization known as The Brotherhood of the Junglecock, a group he remained active in throughout his life.

Brooks believed in starting fly fishermen at a young age and with the assistance of J. Hammond Brown and Frank Burt Smoot, he developed “The Junior Outdoorsman”.  It was published by the Maryland Fish and Game Association and was targeted to young boys to teach them about fishing and conservation.

Considered one of the first modern saltwater fly fishing pioneers, Brooks developed the famous “Blonde” design of streamer flies that worked both in fresh and saltwater.  He was one of the first to angle for bonefish with a fly and his subsequent articles helped create an entire new fishery in Florida and the Bahamas.

An early advocate for light tackle angling, Joe believed strongly in using lighter leaders and tippets, especially as the technology for manufacturing synthetics was improving. Jimmy Albright said, “Joe was a traditionalist. The notion that you should over-tackle a fish was simply not in the cards.”  Therefore, it is not surprising that Joe Brooks would write about the time he fished with Stu Apte off Little Torch Key when Stu caught one of his many world-record tarpon on 16-pound test tippet.

     Joe Brooks died of a heart attack at the age of 71, while wading in one of his favorite trout rivers, the Big Hole in Montana, but he is still connected to every fly fisher in the 21st Century and that connection will last forever.

As an angling student, George Parker Holden followed the writings of Thaddeus Norris on American angling.  In 1919 Holden penned his first book, Streamcraft. At the time, America was experiencing a truly unique fly fishing evolution – weaning itself from the British tradition. This new American manner of fly fishing was distinct in both style and technique. It relied on an approach of recognizing specific natural insects and developing their imitations. The book American Trout Insects, written and illustrated by Louis Rhead influenced Holden to do further investigations and confirm his findings by testing his selection of patterns on Catskill streams.  Streamcraft  was truly ‘An Angling Manual’ on how to’s for the angler.  His second book followed only a year later and was titled The Idyl of the Split Bamboo Rod. It was also a ‘how to’ book focusing on the construction of bamboo fly rods.  ‘Idyl’ remains a classic for those interested in cane rod making. In his Angling Recollections and Practice (1931), we learn of Holden’s first experiences that evolved into a passion so admired by what he called “the brotherhood.”

Holden’s books, together with contributions to Forest and Stream, Field and Stream, Outdoor America, Outdoor Life and the Anglers’ Club of New York bulletins, were informative yet influential. Out of George Parker Holden’s genius and angling passion would emerge many followers and admirers; among them were cane rod builder protégé Everett Garrison (1893-1976) and Catskill region fly angler and tyer Harry Darbee (1906- 1983).

Both of those individuals would rise to (and perhaps surpass) Holden’s own level of fame–Garrison as one of the most talented, creative and influential rod builders who ever held bamboo in his hands and Darbee who became the Catskill trout fly tyer personified.

Harry Darbee once wrotethat George Parker Holden’s Streamcraft “probably had as much influence on fly tiers and fishers as anyone else in his day. His book was the first one I owned and I almost memorized it in the early days of our commercial tying.” Darbee credited Holden as being the first person to publicize Catskill fly tying lore. Holden’s Streamcraft chapter titled “The Angler’s Flies and How to Tie Them” demonstrated step-by-step fly tying instructions using photographs in place of illustrations. Everything from setting wings to winding hackles was described in Holden’s now classic book. Holden’s inclusion in Streamcraft of William Mills & Son color fly plates that featured bass, trout and salmon flies made the book a valuable fly pattern reference guide. Dressings for many of the standard patterns were featured in the book, along with interesting historical observations surrounding the flies.

Beyond discussion of fly tying, fly pattern descriptions and dressings, casting techniques and rod selection notes, Holden’s Streamcraft alsointroduced to his readers to the names of several members of the growing “Catskill School” of fly tyers.  These and other regional fly fishing personalities would later become icons commonly associated with fly angling history: Theodore Gordon and his Protégées Roy Steenrod and Herm Christian along with George M.L. LaBranche and Louis Rhead.

Ed Shenk is best known for his many contributions to fly fishing centered on the LeTort Creek in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In the course of his life-long love affair with the LeTort, Ed originated and tested a number of flies, including the LeTort Cricket, the Flat Wing LeTort Hopper, the Shenk Cress Bug and the Shenk Sculpin.

Ed popularized the dubbing loop or fur chenille method.  He was the first to trim these fur loop tied flies to specific shapes such, as the flat oval of the Shenk Cress Bug.  He also originated the Shenk Minnow and the “double trico.”

Ed also brings his talents to bear on cold-water conservation issues.  With Jim Bashline, Ed shared the first presidency of the Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  For his efforts to save and preserve our fisheries, he has received recognition, including the Limestoner Award, the Charles Fox “Rising Trout” Award, the George Harvey Award and the Order of the Hat (Harrisburg Fly Fishers).

He is a dedicated writer on fly fishing. With his book, Fly Rod Trouting (1989) Ed shares the secrets of his techniques and tactics, fly patterns and the saga of “Old George,” a gargantuan trout of the LeTort.  He has also published numerous articles in fly fishing and other sporting magazines.  In addition, he has created a video, Ed Shenk, Master of the Le Tort (2000) describing tying and fishing five of his fly patterns.

Teaching has also been a forte of Ed’s.  He has served as fly fishing instructor over the years for a variety of organizations, including Allenberry Inn, Orvis and Penn. State University.

Back in the 1800s, American fly anglers had to purchase fishing flies from Great Britain. That changed when Carrie Frost opened the doors of her C.J. Frost Fishing Tackle Manufacturing Company in 1886. What started in the kitchen of her parents’ home eventually put Stevens Point, Wisconsin on the map as the ”Fly Tackle Capital of the World.”

Inspired in childhood by her father, John Frost, she took to the long rod. She could cast well and fish well but her frustration was that trout flies were not manufactured in the United States. Carrie soon found herself experimenting with various materials obtained from local birds and fur-bearers. After tying many types of flies, suited at first to please only her father, others came to her door asking for her fur and feather creations.

Carrie Frost expected to enter the teaching profession but her true passion in life was fishing and so she abandoned the classroom and followed her dreams. Demand led to the establishment of her tackle company, at first employing the household maid and neighborhood girls to assist with fly tying. The demand for Frost flies grew so rapidly that by 1917 the number grew to 150 employees. In only a decade after the establishment of her company, Stevens was annually selling 4.5 million flies and other pieces of tackle.

The enormous success of the C.J. Frost Fishing Tackle Company led to national sales through well-respected establishments, such as Montgomery Ward and others. Her slogan “Fish Fight for Frost Flies,” was known throughout the country. A local business group purchased the company, eventually changing its name to Weber Life Lifelike Fly—the slogan was changed to “If Weber Makes it, Fish Takes it.” Weber eventually became the Weber Tackle Co.

Roderick Haig-Brown (1908-1976) was an English-born, naturalist, fly fisher, author, philosopher, magistrate, educator and ardent conservationist.

He spent most of his adult life in British Columbia fishing for trout, salmon and steelhead.   Blessed with a graceful pen, he put words to deeds and actions that the non-angler could not only understand, but also truly appreciate.

He penned almost 30 books, including such noted works as A River Never Sleeps and the remarkable book series:  Fisherman’s Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and wrote innumerable essays and articles for outdoor magazines and journals.  He pioneered a fundamental environmental awareness and appreciation for the beauty and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest amongst the populace of B.C., which ultimately helped to preserve the precious resources in the Campbell River watershed, the Adams’ River steelhead runs and king salmon in the Nimpkish River.

In 1971, this dynamic duo turned the fly fishing world on its collective hare’s ear by marrying the science of entomology with fly-tying in the book Selective Trout.  In it, they introduced a radical new concept to dry fly fishing, the no-hackle dry fly, giving picky trout an imitation fly with a more convincing, natural silhouette; and anglers a new arsenal of deadly fly patterns.

Championed by Joe Brooks in Outdoor Life and drawing upon the works of such legends as Flick, Schwiebert and Marinaro, these two gentlemen went allover the eastern and western US trout streams collecting bugs, taking pictures, classifying their findings and then developing entirely new types of life-like trout flies.  Under the critical eye of the editor, Nick Lyons, they produced for Crown Publishing the largest selling fly fishing book at 200,000+ copies.  They went on to write well received follow-up books like:  Fly Fishing Strategy, Stoneflies and Emergers.

Pennsylvania natives Barry and Cathy Beck are the husband and wife photojournalist team that exemplifies the best of the old and the new world of fly fishing.  From their simple roots running a fly shop on the small freestone Fishing Creek near Benton, PA and fishing with the likes of Vince Marinaro on Falling Spring Run they have since traveled the world together, hosting adventure-travel fly fishing expeditions and teaching modern fly casting techniques.

They continue to take breath-taking angling pictures that change the way we view the fly fishing world with their photographs.  The Becks have scored hundreds of print magazine covers and articles, fishing catalogs, websites and are now populating the exploding new world of Internet virtual fly fishing e-zines.  They have authored numerous books, including The Blue Ribbon Guide to PA Trout Streams, Seasons on the Bighorn and the Outdoor Photographers’ Handbook. 

John Alden Knight (1890-1966) was a banker, syndicated writer, fly-tier, hunter, naturalist, casting expert, angling filmmaker and developer of the Solunar Tables. 

“Jack” Knight as he was known by his friends, helped popularize a simple yellow & red bucktail streamer (a.k.a. “The Assassin”) which he redubbed the “Mickey Finn” because of its ability to knock-out brookies and rainbow trout.  Knight was friends with Hewitt, Jennings, LaBranche and Alfred “Sparse Gray Hackle” Miller, spending much time developing his fly fishing & fly tying expertise on the Beaverkill, Neversink, Esopus and Brodhead River with these noted gentlemen.  His love for hunting and the natural world held him to be an early proponent of catch & release:  “one nice thing about fishing – you can always put ’em back.”

His greatest legacy was methodically codifying the rhythmic effects of the sun and moon phases on fish (and game) into peaks and troughs by longitude and latitude in his Solunar Tables developed in 1926 and published in 1936 to immediate acclaim (and some scoffing).  In addition to several noted hunting books, he is also remembered for his books The Theory and Technique of Fresh Water Angling, The Complete Book of Fly Casting and Modern Fly Casting.

A talented artist, Louis Rhead came to America in 1883 from Etruiria, Staffordshire England. Although Rhead was widely known for his professional accomplishments in the surrounding NYC art world of the early 1900’s, including his contributions to a series of juvenile classics (Swiss Family Robinson, Gulliver, Grimm, Anderson and others) Rhead is most admired by anglers for contributions to Fly Fishing literature. Given Rhead’s obvious artistic passions, he could not have selected a more apt subject for his first book, The Speckled Brook Trout, published in 1902 by R.H. Russell in New York. In the volume, he marveled that the fish was “the most beautiful of our fresh water fauna, the more so from its mantle of rose and violet which it wears”. Above all of Rhead’s contributions that he made to the sport of fly fishing, through his staggering number of written pieces largely focused on Catskill waters- (including several books and dozens of magazine articles); one cannot deny that he was the first to help sever the American fly fisher’s dependence on British fly fishing entomological works. His American Trout Stream Insects will likely remain a cherished work in the history of American fly fishing.

One of fly-fishing’s great iconoclasts, he represented the Huck Finn in all of us. His innovative fly patterns, like tiny soft hackle patterns, his elegant “sparrows” and the rambunctious saltwater “Gurglers”, were often tied on a vice clamped to the steering wheel of his taxi while waiting for fares in and around Boston. That is how he made enough money to go on his next fly fishing adventure. Jack lived a fishing life with unbridled enthusiasm, from the trout rivers of Yellowstone Park and New Zealand, to his beloved Boston Harbor for striped bass. “I frankly don’t make much of a living, but I make a hell of a life,’’ he told the Globe Sunday Magazine. He was a “trout bum” in the best sense of the words, before we even knew what one was.

Among his many recognitions, he received the FFF’s “Arnold Gingrich Award”, TU’s Appreciation for the Protection and Enhancement of Cold Water Fisheries, the Outstanding Achievement Award for Fly Tying and The Izaak Walton Fly Fishing Club’s prestigious “Jack Sutton Award”. Jack Gartside relished living his dreams of being able to “light out” at a moment’s notice, astride “Gerald” his inflatable giraffe, just like Huck on his raft; something not lost on this former high school English teacher.

Editor Emeritus of Fly Fisherman Magazine, John Randolph has made world-wide contributions to the sport of fly fishing. Following in the footsteps of his father, who wrote the daily Wood, Field & Stream column for The New York Times, Randolph first came to the Catskills in 1956. In the late 1960’s he began his newspaper career as a writer/editor for a Vermont newspaper and then founded The Vermont Sportsman Monthly. His association with Fly Fisherman Magazine came in 1978, where in a short time he became editor/publisher, a position he held until his retirement in 2009. Beyond his contributions to Fly Fisherman Magazine itself, Randolph wrote numerous fly fishing pieces for other major outdoor magazines and also authored three books. Randolph often brought into his writings not only fly-fishing technique pieces, but also the important environmental impacts that affected waters around the world.

An observer, inquisitor, essayist, teacher, author and piscator, Art Lee is a complete angler. Nobody likes a know-it-all, but everyone loves a great coach. For over 40 years, Art explained the ins-and-outs of fishing a dry fly more effectively on Catskill trout streams than anyone else. He shared the secrets of fishing the riffling hitch for salmon. His common sense articles written when ”Editor at Large” of Fly Fisherman Magazine were delightfully composed to be informative for every angler. Art continues to write articles and in particular for the Atlantic Salmon Journal where he has written more consecutive articles than any other fishing writer in any other magazine.

In a review of Art’s book, Fishing Dry Flies for Trout on Rivers and Streams, Gray’s Sporting Journal said, “It is said that, back in the ‘40s and 50s, if an angler had one book on trout, it would be Ray Bergman’s Trout. This book is–shoot me if you want–a better written, more sophisticated book.” High praise indeed, and yes, good old Izaak Walton would have indeed liked Art Lee.

Considered one of the greatest trout fishermen that ever lived. Through his experimentation and observations, Skues proved to the dry fly fishing purists that undersurface, sub subsurface and in surface feeding was commonplace for trout. Of course, many dry fly fishermen of the time considered this to be heresy and stir debate. Skues’ early observations and tactics continue as proof today that fly fishermen have to be well versed in reading water, insect life cycles, and understanding the feeding pattern of fish for on stream success. Ultimately, Skues continues to influence and encourage fly fishermen to explore and experiment as he did 100 years ago.

Has lifelong contributions in preserving, protecting, and promoting fly fishing. Gardner’s past includes: president of Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Federation of Fly Fishers, national director of Trout Unlimited, director of The Atlantic Salmon Federation, director of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, Chairman of the Board of the American Museum of Fly Fishing, founding director of the NYS Environmental Planning Lobby, organizer and co-chair of the Wild Trout Symposia I, II, and III. He organized the 1st catch, tag, and release experiment with Atlantic salmon in Iceland, made two trips to Moscow to arrange the first angling trip to Russia by westerners since 1917, was a bluefish and striped bass fly fishing pioneer. These are just a few of the many achievements, recognitions, and accomplishments of this concerned and generous benefactor to the sport of fly fishing.

He has had a major influence on modern fly fishing and fly fisherman over the past 40 years. Dan developed the techniques now used throughout the world for fly fishing in deeper water with fast sinking lines and special flies. One of the most prolific writers and columnists, his website is considered the most informative on the Internet educating today’s and tomorrow’s fly fishing generations worldwide. His signature fly, The Whistler is immediately recognized by all saltwater fly fishers.

Our first living international Hall of Fame inductee. Roman started his fly fishing career as a fly tyer in his native Austria at age 15. After receiving his Masters Degree in Natural Sciences, he taught at the Business Academy in Gmunden and supplemented his income as a fly fishing and casting instructor with Hans Gebetsroither (a good friend of Charles Ritz and Lee Wulff). Roman’s expertise continued and soon introduced both Western and Eastern Europe to fly fishing techniques to catch local species of coarse fish including carp, walleye, and pike. He proved to the world that by adding a gold bead to his nymphs and those proven patterns of others, fly fishers would catch more fish. This new innovation also created a new dimension to fly patterns and a controversy among fly fishers worldwide, lure or fly? Today beadhead patterns are highly regarded and recognized as one of the greatest improvements to flies of the past century. To improve and rebuild the rivers of Eastern Europe, Roman introduced the Whitlock Vibert boxes with great success. Today Roman continues to bridge the world fly fishing community with fly fishing products, techniques and healthy environmental programs.

The father of dry fly fishing. Not the inventor, simply the proponent who launched dry fly fishing only as a way of fly fishing life. Although one sided in theory and practice, Halford brought forth casting techniques, equipment, entomological study and imitative fly tying into the forefront, specifically to top water fishing. His correspondence with Theodore Gordon initiated an American Revolution in modern fly fishing and truly American fly tying that continues today.

Immediately recognized as the inventor of the one of the most unique, innovative, and productive fly pattern styles of all times, The Clouser Minnow. Originally designed for fly fishing for the smallmouth bass on the Susquehanna River, it has become one of the most productive fresh and salt western fly patterns ever. Through Bob’s keen interest and education in pursuing smallmouth with a fly, his energy has brought attention to this species and elevated it to a game fish status for the fly rodder world wide. Warm water fisheries are very similar to cold water fisheries and require maintenance to keep fish healthy and alive. Bob has been a champion in educating a new generation of fly fishers. Like Henshall’s early works on Black Bass, Bob brings forth a new respect for fly fishing to all warmwater species.

His unending protection of fishing waters for fly fishermen in New York State. Ed, has secured more public access and special regulation water for fly fishers than any other individual. Over 70 years old and still working for the NYSDEC, Ed remains a champion for fishermen not only in the Catskills but in the entire state. Ed is an authority on Catskill rivers, a historian and author.

His first book, "The Beaverkill," first released in 1996 and later expanded & revised in 2016, is the definitive book on the famous trout stream. The follow-up "Trout Fishing in the Catskills" received similar acclaim as a must-read expansive exploration of the development of the Catskills as America's premiere fishing destination. He was a founding member of the Beamoc Chapter of Trout Unlimited, as well as a founding member of the Catskill Fly Tiers Guild. He learned to tie flies from Harry and Elsie Darbee, the noted Catskill tiers, and lives in the Catskills with his wife Judy.