Of all the developments in the recent history of fly-fishing, none has such dramatic effect as the proliferation of patterns.
From a few dozen basic trout flies not many decades ago, the list has exploded into the thousands, with more born every day.
Denver-area enthusiasts can examine many of these, old and new, Saturday at the 30th annual West Denver Trout Unlimited Fly Tying Clinic at Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
As much as flies are designed to deceive fish, they increasingly are being conceived with the notion of hooking fishermen. Through an arrangement called the contract tyers program, creating eye-catching flies is good business these days.
It all started several years ago with a landmark agreement between Umpqua Feather Merchants, the world’s largest fly distributor, and noted innovator Dave Whitlock. For the exclusive right to market Whitlock’s specialty patterns, Umpqua agreed to pay a small percentage of the sale price. The firm soon roped in a lengthy lineup of noted artists. More recently, other distributors have mimicked the program.
Locally, pacesetters such as John Barr and AK Best have dozens of patterns registered with Umpqua, while Shane Stalcup has a similar array at Solitude. Others joined the parade to varying degrees, each intent on the profit and, ah, yes, satisfaction that comes with producing a winner. “Honestly, there’s not a real need for all these new flies,” said Charlie Craven, who has a half-dozen patterns in the Umpqua catalog. “But fishermen just can’t stop chasing after that better mousetrap.”
Innovators find their reward in a certain fame that comes with that link to successful, even famous patterns. Here are the stories behind four Colorado artists and their inventions.
Charlie Meyers can be reached at 303-820-1609 or cmeyers@denverpost.com.
