Humpy

Dave Whitlock

Dave Whitlock has been an inspiration for me for more than 30 years. I got many of his books, read many of his articles but listening to his voice and watching him tie his flies is just magical!

I think I tied this Matuka Sculpin somewhere around 1992.

I got inspired by the sculpin (page 61) tied by Dave Whitlock in the book 'The Art of the Trout fly'.

Dave Whitlock's Red Fox Squirrel nymph and Matuka Sculpin (page 61)

I met Dave at the Dutch Fly Fair, May 1994. I still remember meeting Dave and his lovely wife Emily during the dinner on the eve before the fair. Both Dave and I were attending the fair as fly tier. Dave tied for me his Red Fox Squirrel nymph during my break from the tying bench. Why didn't we have iPhones with cameras back then?.. 😥

Dave Whitlock about the Red Fox Squirrel (from Mike Valla's book 'The Founding Flies'):

Per Brandin

Per Brandin is considered the top bamboo rod maker in the world. His rods fetch the highest prices on the market. That's probably because he doesn't take any orders for more than a decennia as his order book is filled far beyond his retirement.

Here is a nice article about what makes Per the top builder.