Fly(s) on the Wall

[spotter]

I was thinking about shadowboxes this afternoon. Dennis from the fly desk puts together some nice frames every year for the Idaho Falls fly tying expo and many shops have framed flies from innovators in the area of fly tying. It would interest me greatly to know:

1) What flies do you have framed and who tied them?
2) What patterns would you choose to have framed and on the wall?
3) What is the difference between a nicely constructed (archival/museum quality) frame and a prefab from a department store. I'm wondering about materials and craftsmanship here.
4) What books or resources (websites, suppliers, framebuilders) are available to learn more about custom framing of flies?
5) Those that build shadowboxes (Dennis or others) Where did you learn?


1) I'll start by saying that the only framed flies I have are ones that I tied myself. They are arranged in average store bought oak frames and were done years and years ago. The patterns are general dry flies such as the Royal Wulff and other Lee Wulff patterns.

2) Western patterns are of greatest interest to me. I would love to have a shadowbox with flies from Mike Lawson, Rene Harrop, Craig Mathews or other noted regional angler/tyer/authors. Stillwater angling is of greater interest to me than rivers so framed patterns by Rowley, Chan, Andreasen or other stillwater feather benders would be nice in a cozy den or office. Salmonflies/spey flies/classic wet flies are always beautiful even if its is unlikely I will ever have the chance to fish them. Recently I have taken a shine to streamers like those tied by Carrie Stevens. Framed originals by any innovator such as Ms. Stevens or others would be a wonderful collectible but I don't think the walls of my hovel will be showcasing the likes of these anytime soon.

3-5) Help a brother out. The only things I can think of are the use of acid free matting and UV filtering glass. Not sure what one could/should do to frames or flies to make them presentable or to preserve them long-term?

[chris]

Go to places like A&A Frame in Sandy and check out the styles. If you have the tools to do one I think it would be cool decor.

I would throw used flies in a picture box. Ones that did the job for an outstanding day. Hooks of good memories more or less. "It wasn't pretty but it sure hammered em that day".

If you need glass for them email me.

[spotter]

...I would throw used flies in a picture box. Ones that did the job for an outstanding day. Hooks of good memories more or less. "It wasn't pretty but it sure hammered em that day".

If you need glass for them email me.

I like that idea. I've got several CBS leeches that have been chewed down to the thread base, one of which has a bend in the hook from what I like to believe was a bruiser. Maybe a photo of the same outing in the box.

Thanks for the offer for some glass Chris. I'll keep it in mind. I'm out of state for awhile so it's a no-can-do at present. Some of the frames I've purchased in the past came from A&A. They do a nice job.

I really want to understand the difference between an archival quality frame and the boxstore standards that we see at Target and other department stores.

Some of the shadowboxes at the Guns and Hooks exhibit in IF were fabulous. Wish I could remember more of the contributors. There was one that had a curly maple frame that was amazing--I found myself ogling the frames/matting nearly as much as the flies!

[wildnative]

What can you put in shadow boxes to keep bugs out? My original Bunyan Bug tied by Norman Means (Paul Bunyan) had the wings chewed off by a weavil (I think), could have been some other bug, but it's dead now. Caught the little sucker in a pile of shreaded and chewed hair and smashed him.

I have some original patterns from LaFontaine that he traded for some of mine at a show. I've got to get them in a little memorial shadow box. Of course, LaFontaine would probably prefer that they went to good use on a river.

[Wyoming2utah]

I am not really all that big on guide-worship and am not all that interested in the Lafontaines, Lawsons, Breers, or any of the other "famous" fly fishermen out there.

With that being said, if I were to have a bunch of flies framed and hanging on the wall, they would all be flies that were handed down from my Grandpa or Father. To me, these guys are the real fishing heroes.

[Improv]

I am not really all that big on guide-worship and am not all that interested in the Lafontaines, Lawsons, Breers, or any of the other "famous" fly fishermen out there.

With that being said, if I were to have a bunch of flies framed and hanging on the wall, they would all be flies that were handed down from my Grandpa or Father. To me, these guys are the real fishing heroes.

Agree!!! I would add the local heroes that got me started in my fly fishing endeavors, people that I have actually fished with. I’d frame a Cheech fly over a Borger fly any day.

[Jason]

Here's a good article that may give you some ideas. If you do a search on Amazon, you'll find a few books that may be of some help as well. I did some research a couple years ago on doing some shadow boxes and found that there's definitely an initial investment to get all the proper tools and equipment....not to mention all the materials. Anyway, here's the article. BTW, Dennis would be your best resource...he's a pro.

http://globalflyfisher.com/tiebetter/framing/index.php

[Cary]

I had some custom matting done at Reuels. It holds a 5/7 pic and the fly of the day, for those truly memorable bites. I need more of that.

Currenlty, I have (pic/fly): nice bass, chewed up deer hair frog, Tuna/ one of my tuna flies, Cheasapeake striper/ a fly tied out of a hazmat suit/ another tuna and another one of my tuna flies, and a pac barracuda, and a completley shredded sarmulmac.

I need to create more memories.

[wildnative]

I am not really all that big on guide-worship and am not all that interested in the Lafontaines, Lawsons, Breers, or any of the other "famous" fly fishermen out there.

With that being said, if I were to have a bunch of flies framed and hanging on the wall, they would all be flies that were handed down from my Grandpa or Father. To me, these guys are the real fishing heroes.
Sounds like you need to hang some of your own up. It could be titled, "Flies From a Legend in his Own Mind."

Respect for others is OK. Some of these guys have contributed greatly to fly fishing and fly tying. I think your use of the word worship is an indication of jealousy. I would prefer to use the word "admire."

LaFontaine was not that great of a tier (his own admission) but he was funny, mostly polite, a great thinker and willing to talk to any ordinary Joe (like me) and that is why I like him.

I think there are fly tiers out there right now who are way higher on themselves than any of the old "masters." I was once trying to head down that road myself, but realized, I'm an ordinary talent in a wordwide flood of fly tiers with exceptional skills.

[Cary]

LaFontaine was not that great of a tier (his own admission) but he was funny, mostly polite, a great thinker...
His genius was effective simplicity. The best kind of tier there is in my book. I was in a tying session with him years ago, tying the ESP. I pulled out a hair stacker, he says, "put that away, you'll ruin the fly".

-an unabashed LaFontaine admirer.

[Wyoming2utah]

Sounds like you need to hang some of your own up. It could be titled, "Flies From a Legend in his Own Mind."

Respect for others is OK. Some of these guys have contributed greatly to fly fishing and fly tying. I think your use of the word worship is an indication of jealousy. I would prefer to use the word "admire."



I am a poor tier...and only tie a few select flies. But, I don't care...my flies work for me. Many people consider their flies art...I don't. Flies are simply tools to catch fish...nothing more. I don't give a flying fart whether LaFontaine or anyone else is a better tier or fisherman than me. Call my word-usage what you want, but I think the level of "admiration" some people give these "experts" is ridiculous.... I would no more hang up a LaFontaine fly than i would a Kastmaster lure or hammer. The flies of these "experts" hold no more meaning to me than a snelled eagle-claw hook and much less than a rapala or spin-a-lure.

[Utah DaveII]

While I agree with w2u that our fathers and our dads should be remembered and I tie flies for my kids with the hope that they can remeber me some day. I think he is selling himself short by not reading some of these guys work.

I too am a big lafontane fan.

All I have ever heard about him is he would give the shirt off his back for someone in need. We seem to lose good people like that all too soon in life (One of the reasons I try to have a little a-hole in me so the guy upstairs will let me stick around for awhile to shape up).

I am a huge fan of caddisflies and a couple of his other books.

I think what we need to remember about Gary is he was a trained psychologist who applied his methods to flyfishing. He was the first fisherman to really go and see how fish behaved and fed underwater from a fishes perspective. He studied how fish reacted to individual flies.

The basis for all of his flies, to find the triggering characteristic and accentuate it, was brilliant. that is one of the reasons his flies have simplicity about them. W2u you should really study some of his work.

[skighhigh]

A.K. Best

Who in my opinion is one of the best aesthetic tyers there is.


Oh and did I mention Cheech..........................

[Grizz]

why would you hang a hammer in a display case? Did a hammer fall on your head when you were a baby? There's got to be a little bit of spirit & nostalgia beneath all that hard leathered southern utah skin of yours. You don't find a Royal Wulff attractive to the eye in the least?

1 solution, E-Harmony


peace

[cheech]

I agree that Lafontaine was a poineer at what he did. I love to tie and fish his inventions. Whether we like it or not, Fly tying IS an art. Sometimes it's the very nice LOOKING flies that work the best.

As far as my flies, no need to frame that junk. Chew ew up!

[Utah DaveII]

1 solution, E-Harmony


peace

Grizz, the e harmony database is not that big!

[Wyoming2utah]

I wouldn't hang a hammer in a display case...just like I wouldn't hang a Lafontaine fly or rapala (which is just as artistic) in one. My nostalgia and spirit lies in family and my own personal memories...the only way a fly is being hung in a display case in my house is if it were tied by someone in my family (same with a hammer or any other tool). The nostalgia lies in the memories tied to the fly not in its art.

I am not a big believer in the idea that fish take pretty flies better (my own flies bear proof of this). True, I may be able to learn something from LaFontaine or any of the others, but I would rather invest my time in gaining knowledge through first-hand experience...and, as for the reading, I will stick to more literary works.

[Lonnie]

Grizz, the e harmony database is not that big!

Dave,

Why do you know this?

[jccollier]

My wife is in the Custom Art/ Framing Biz....give me a shout and I'll get you the particulars....through my contacts, she gives really good discounts.....

J.

[wildnative]

I wouldn't hang a hammer in a display case...just like I wouldn't hang a Lafontaine fly or rapala (which is just as artistic) in one. My nostalgia and spirit lies in family and my own personal memories...the only way a fly is being hung in a display case in my house is if it were tied by someone in my family (same with a hammer or any other tool). The nostalgia lies in the memories tied to the fly not in its art.

I am not a big believer in the idea that fish take pretty flies better (my own flies bear proof of this). True, I may be able to learn something from LaFontaine or any of the others, but I would rather invest my time in gaining knowledge through first-hand experience...and, as for the reading, I will stick to more literary works.
PBH
Can we commission you to tie a fly for your brother?

[«°Ñøvã°»]

I agree that Lafontaine was a poineer at what he did. I love to tie and fish his inventions. Whether we like it or not, Fly tying IS an art. Sometimes it's the very nice LOOKING flies that work the best.

As far as my flies, no need to frame that junk. Chew ew up!

They work good for me fish seem to chew em just fine

[PowerBaitHeppy]

I was going to stay out of this...thanks for asking me to join Wildnative.


If LaFontaine ever gave me a fly I would fish with it until:

1. I lost it
2. A memmorable event happend with it.

If #2 happened, I would consider doing something with the fly (ie: stick it in the fish's mouth that is hanging on the wall, that was caught using said fly...).

But, LaFontaine holds no special spot in my heart -- which means I would have no other reason to display one of his flies. To me, he's just another fisherman.

I guess I can understand why some of you "worship" some of these famous fishermen. It actually makes me sad for you for the same reason that I rarely go fishing with people other than my brothers and my dad. It's obvious that many of you don't have family close by that enjoys fishing as much as you do. If you did, you wouldn't be talking about displaying flies tied by LaFontaine, Breer, or any other fly tier -- you'd be saying you'd rather have your Grandpa's passed down "junk" hanging on your wall, or a couple of your dad's flies in a shadowbox.

For me, I'd take one of W2U's crappy flies and use it as home decor (or body piercing) long before anything LaFontaine gave me. But, unlike LaFontaine, W2U has a special place in my heart! His crap holds a lingering distinction that LaFontaine could never match.

Wildnative -- Your flies are fantastic. They work well, and look good. If I ever catch what I consider a "trophy" using one of your flies, it will go up on the wall along with the fish.

[spotter]

Chris, Jason, JCollier and others that have stayed on topic and made generous offers or suggestions I thank you. I'm curious as to the methodology of framing flies and as a side note whose work people admire. The article on GFF was exactly the type of information I was looking for.

For those that shat upon my thread by crossing other people's lines with value judgements and the like I don't know what to say? It comes as no surprise that several of the posters "worship" the creations of their relatives and think the rest of us are to be pitied for admiring the skill and innovation of tyers outside our family tree. It is an attitude that I have been all too willing to overlook until I took one of their jabs between the eyes.

Having and admiring the work of individuals more skilled than myself gives me something to strive for and to enjoy when I can't be out on the water. Flies for you may simply be tools for catching fish and if so, good for you. You've spoken your peace. Flies are more than that for me. They are art, they are therapy, they have provided foundational skills for my chosen profession. They give me something to connect me to nature and sport that at this period in my life I don't get much of. Unfortunately I am the only one in my family that ties and the only one that flyfishes more than 90% of the time. I also don't have the time or the money at this time to visit tying conclaves and get a wide exposure to the other great, albeit lesser known tyers, that are out there.

While I thank you for your opinions, W2U and PBH, please don't throw cold water on my thread.

[Tyson]

Chris, Jason, JCollier and others that have stayed on topic and made generous offers or suggestions I thank you. I'm curious as to the methodology of framing flies and as a side note whose work people admire. The article on GFF was exactly the type of information I was looking for.

For those that shat upon my thread by crossing other people's lines with value judgements and the like I don't know what to say? It comes as no surprise that several of the posters "worship" the creations of their relatives and think the rest of us are to be pitied for admiring the skill and innovation of tyers outside our family tree. It is an attitude that I have been all too willing to overlook until I took one of their jabs between the eyes.

Having and admiring the work of individuals more skilled than myself gives me something to strive for and to enjoy when I can't be out on the water. Flies for you may simply be tools for catching fish and if so, good for you. You've spoken your peace. Flies are more than that for me. They are art, they are therapy, they have provided foundational skills for my chosen profession. They give me something to connect me to nature and sport that at this period in my life I don't get much of. Unfortunately I am the only one in my family that ties and the only one that flyfishes more than 90% of the time. I also don't have the time or the money at this time to visit tying conclaves and get a wide exposure to the other great, albeit lesser known tyers, that are out there.

While I thank you for your opinions, W2U and PBH, please don't throw cold water on my thread.

This is the most schizo post I have ever read. You throw out all these questions, curious to know what flies people would hang on the wall. W2U wasn't off topic. So now you're saying you really didn't want everyone's opinions, just reinforcement for your own.

[PowerBaitHeppy]

cold water? I thought we shat upon it. Sorry for telling you what flies I'd hang on my wall, and why.



1) What flies do you have framed and who tied them?
2) What patterns would you choose to have framed and on the wall?
3) What is the difference between a nicely constructed (archival/museum quality) frame and a prefab from a department store. I'm wondering about materials and craftsmanship here.
4) What books or resources (websites, suppliers, framebuilders) are available to learn more about custom framing of flies?
5) Those that build shadowboxes (Dennis or others) Where did you learn?



1)I have no flies on my wall.
2) If I had to choose a pattern, it would probabbly be a bugger -- 'cause that's all W2U can tie!
3) No clue. Sorry
4) No clue. Sorry
5) N/A


FWIW -- I do have some paintings on my wall. The largest (approx. 3'x5') is by someone I don't know, and have never met -- it's in my living room. The others are paintings done by my father. I also have a bamboo rod with fly reel, and creel hanging in my living room. Our spare bedroom is outfitted with a fiberglass fly-rod my grandfather gave me - used as a curtain rod - with automatic reel attached. I love fishing decor...

[wildnative]

Spotter
I hope I'm not going too far off topic. I love fly shadow boxes but don't have any because the ones I have admired have been out of my price range. I think making ones own would be fun but haven't attempted that either.

I do admire fish and flies as art and have the Utah DWR "Sport Fishes of Utah" poster framed and on my office wall. Call me strange but I consider that art along with other fishy stuff. None of it comes from my family, but I still enjoy it.

I fish with my dad, brother, nephew, bro-in-laws etc. But, I still admire alot of other people who fish and tie flies too.

[Big Eyed Fish]

Spotter
I have framed a few flies for myself & family. I am no master but it is fun to learn as you go. Last year I did a basic frame with no mat. This year I am working on some with double mats and they look better.
What got me started on these projects was an article in Fly Tyer magazine (summer 2005). It contains similar info as the dogma link already posted. There is also alot of info you can google on framing, matting, shadow boxes.
You can get everything you need at the craft stores. I have found Roberts to have the best selection of deep frames suitable for flies. You can buy pre cut mats or cut your own, this takes a little practice but is not difficult. I use basic materials, as I get more practice and feel more confident that things will turn out how I want them to I can upgrade and look into different types of frames, glass, mat ect.
So far I have not had problems with bugs but it does worry me. I would love to hear any ideas to help preserve the fly.
As for flies to frame. I have enjoyed finding older patterns (Rusty Rat & traditional wet flies: white millier, blockhouse ect.) these are often more colorful and nostalgic. It also gives me an opportunity to learn more of the history of flies and fly fishing.
Of course I look forward to framing some fly's that produced special fish or that remind me of particluar trips with family and close friends.

[Marty]

I have three shadow boxes, one of my first tout flies, one of my first steelhead flies and one of Greg Hunts Atlantic Salmon flies. I also have an Alder root from the Grande Ronde that hangs over a Vic Erickson steelhead print. I have flies form all over stuck in it. Most of the flies were given to me by anglers meet on the river and some from friends. My wife calls it my juju stick. To me a well dressed fly or a fly from a noted innovator that is nicely framed is art and should be displayed. I am a self taught fly tier that was influenced greatly by the so called masters of my time, Brooks, Al Trouth and Gartside to name a few. I had flies tied by all three and was stupid enough to fish and lose them. If I had to do it all over they would have been in a box on the wall.

I got into it big time and was milling my own frames and cutting my own mats. I gave away most of them as gifts. It’s a lot of work but I look at the ones I did 25 years ago and I am glad I have them and I am sure my grandkids will enjoy looking at the out dated old school flies of the 70s and 80s. I kind of got away from just flies and started adding photos with the flies. The photos add a more personal touch. A photo of a fish with the fly in its mouth and the actual fly that caught the fish is a neat way to do a shadow box.

Shadow boxes are a great way to preserve some history whether it is yours, your fathers, your grandfathers or one of your heroes. I have plenty of heroes that have helped me become more knowledgeable. I claim to be self taught (just an ego thing) but do give credit to all those so called innovators who have paved the way for all fly fishers.

[Dennis]

Spotter, (or anyone else for that matter)
If you are serious about putting together a plate and want some help, I will work with you. I learned from Darwin Atkins, the best there is. He has done the "special" plates for the FFF for many years and does not do many anymore. He asked me once to take over for him with the plates for the FFF but I don't and never have had the time. A person needs to be retired to do as many plates as he did each year for the FFF. Anyhow, let me know what you want to do and we can try to hook up and complete one for you. I have all the needed tools and connections for whatever you want in frames.
Dennis

[Improv]

Spotter, (or anyone else for that matter)
If you are serious about putting together a plate and want some help, I will work with you. I learned from Darwin Atkins, the best there is. He has done the "special" plates for the FFF for many years and does not do many anymore. He asked me once to take over for him with the plates for the FFF but I don't and never have had the time. A person needs to be retired to do as many plates as he did each year for the FFF. Anyhow, let me know what you want to do and we can try to hook up and complete one for you. I have all the needed tools and connections for whatever you want in frames.
Dennis

Dennis...
I would love to take you up on this. I'll send you an email.

Thanks!
Ben

[Big Eyed Fish]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis
Spotter, (or anyone else for that matter)
If you are serious about putting together a plate and want some help, I will work with you. I learned from Darwin Atkins, the best there is. He has done the "special" plates for the FFF for many years and does not do many anymore. He asked me once to take over for him with the plates for the FFF but I don't and never have had the time. A person needs to be retired to do as many plates as he did each year for the FFF. Anyhow, let me know what you want to do and we can try to hook up and complete one for you. I have all the needed tools and connections for whatever you want in frames.
Dennis


I would also be very interested in learning from someone who knows what they are doing. Maybe if you get a few more of us you could show us the tricks of the trade. Do a little class or something.