Building Classic Salmon Flies

Allen Soroka is assistant law librarian at the University of British
Columbia Law Library.

The classic salmon flies (i.e., feather winged Atlantic salmon flies)
are gaudy creations born in the 19th century. Exotic birds, at that time
as plentiful as the salmon, were plundered to make these Victorian
baubles. The feathers of the toucan, jungle cock, heron, scarlet ibis,
and other birds, as well as the hair of animals soon to be extinct,
became dressing for the fish hooks of Atlantic river sport fishers.
Since Atlantic salmon don’t normally feed in fresh water, the bright
colors of these dressings tapped some ancient predatory instinct,
inducing the fish to strike. Today, these flies are collector’s items;
a Jock Scott or a Rosy Dawn—even one tied today—might sell for $125
or more.

Author Ron Alcott is a skilled New England fly-tyer. His knowledge of
the history of this art combined with his fly-tying skill make this book
a classic of the genre. His clear instructions provide directions on
proportions, methods, and tools, and list substitutes for the feathers
of extinct or endangered species. The text is garnished by excellent
color plates of 16 beautiful classic salmon flies built and photographed
by the author. I’m tempted to try tying a Silver Doctor; no doubt this
book will inspire other fly fishers to try, too. Highly recommended.