Cultivate the Craft of Fly-Tying

I first learned to tie flies when I was a boy of 13. After watching a man up the street create beauties with such magical names as “Parmachene Belle,” “Silver Doctor,” “Rio Grande King,” and “Black Ghost,” I couldn’t wait to attempt this old craft. Every Sunday afternoon for several weeks, I carefully observed my mentor in action, and then I finally took the plunge and invested $5 in a fly-tying kit.

The quality of those original supplies was poor, but I didn’t care. I only wanted to get my hands on the fur, bright feathers, and glittering tinsels, and combine them into enticements for trout and salmon. When I wasn’t actually tying a fly or fishing, I would often sit