I live in Northern Vermont with my wife and son, but the vast majority of my time on the water is spent in Maine, particularly in the Rangeley area where we have a camp. My passion is fishing for native brook trout and landlocked salmon, in both still and moving water; the following patterns are my “go-to’s”. There is nothing here that comes close to original in design, but merely variations that have proven effective over the seasons. I just finished reading “Blue Upright” by Steve Raymond, a book of his favorite patterns. In his final chapter I think he captures why most fly tyers keep trying to come up with “new” patterns. “Except for the boundaries of imagination, there are no limits to this process. It keeps us all striving for our own version of the truth, and while there may be little that is new in fly tying, we can still achieve results that are new to us. And that’s what counts.”
I’d like to recognize my friend and mentor, Dave Lutton, who taught me to tie and who continues to be the first one I consult when I need help. I’m also fortunate to have several friends who hunt and can provide some not so readily available material.
01 August 2007. This new set of flies reflect my latest and future fishing adventures. The past June saw my first try at Atlantic salmon on the Grey River in Newfoundland. (www.flyfishinggreyriver.com) The run was particularly late this year, but I managed to hook four and land three. It was just enough of a taste to know I will have to go back. John King, Rodney Hobbs and Jammie Caddick from this site were of very generous help with tying for the trip.
Next September I head to Alaska to fish with Eric Knowlton, owner of Reel Trout Studio (www.reeltrout.com) Eric has carved a magnificent brook trout for me and is now working on one of the Atlantic salmon released in Newfoundland. We will fish for rainbows, dolly varden, grayling and silver salmon.
In 2009, I’m planning my third trip to Three Rivers Lodge in Labrador (www.trophylabrador.com) Most of the week will be devoted to fishing for arctic charr in addition to the big brook trout.