A Fly Wallet Project: Part One

[William Anderson]

These images are poor, my apologies, but I wanted to post something and it's been months since I've photographed anything. My absence can't be helped for the moment. But I have taken some time to tie up a few patterns, most of which you've seen, but these are a weak start to a wallet project, inspired by my first overwhelming encounter with the Hidy wallet and recently Bill Shuck's perfect completion of loading a wallet with impeccable PH patterns tied with exacting precision for reproducing both style and materials.

Im my own way, I've fooled around with tying up a number of Leisenring patterns, and some local hatch matching patterns that I hope will eventually fill the wallet with what might approximate the Hidy wallet, full of fishing flies, some fished, some to be fished, but all proven and essential. An attempt at a true, working model of a period wallet. Most of the flies tied lately are scattered around, waiting to properly photographed and some misplaced all together. But these first poor scans (not approaching a LH level of clarity) are a rough beginning, including a few that were placed in the wallet as tied.

As the project professes, I'll try to fine tune my scanning and arrange flies in groups that will make historic and entomological sense. For now...this is what I have. I'm just happy to be posting something.







w

[letumgo]

William - What a fantastic set of fishing flies. I remember drooling over Bill's fly wallet when we were last in Roscoe. It is great to see you back at the vice.

[tie2fish]

That's a very impressive start, w. The flies are true to the period you are duplicating, and the imaging you are employing will show them off to best advantage. It's really good to have you displaying your always praiseworthy efforts in public once again.

[daringduffer]

Hi William,
You would break ot in tears if you saw the deliberate chaos in my fly wallet. The friend who gave it to me said "a man is not properly dressed without a fly wallet". He obviously knows nothing about emancipation.
Good to "see" you.

dd

[redsedge]

Great project, Will! I am truly envious as this is a task I have set for myself several times in the past to no success. Beautifully photographed as well. When does your production run begin?
Cheers,
Jim

[hankaye]

dub-ya, Howdy;

Impressive! Ya'll make me feel like the Classic underachiever (Bart Simpson),
in a realm of overachievers (banging head upon a brick-wall), ,

hank

PS. Good to see you posting your usual excellent quality.

[DUBBN]

You do awesome work Mr. Anderson.

[CM_Stewart]

William, the flies are so magnificent that I am embarrassed to ask about the wallet itself. I fondly remember my father's fly wallet but sadly I did not take it (or his Phillipson glass fly rod) when he was still alive (didn't seem right) and my mother gave everything to the kid next door shortly after my dad passed away. (I hope he appreciates it!!!)

In any event, is your wallet one that is currently available? I've looked at a few but have never found one that was quite what I wanted (definitely felt, not fleece).

[Mataura mayfly]

Very neat undertaking.
I have seen these used, not often in recent times- the plastic box in its many forms rules the rivers here in NZ, I have often thought on the idea, but water retention and flies tangled in felt fears have put me off ever trying a wallet. Neat nostalgic sentiment, but I personally prefer those nasty plastic boxes .
Ron Eagle Elk is a big fan of the wallet and owns a few.
I see the odd one come up for sale here, usually resplendent with rusty ties of patterns from yesteryear. More often they are single or double "leaf" sheepskin jobs. Have not seen many felt leaved models, but will keep an eye out.

[redietz]

I see the odd one come up for sale here, usually resplendent with rusty ties of patterns from yesteryear.

The "rusty" part is why I no longer use wallets. If you get them in the least wet, every fly in the wallet will rust, even if you dry the wallet out ASAP.