The mystery of the Catskill dry fly hallmark

Rube Cross wrote the book ‘Tying American Trout Lures’ in 1936, later combined with his second book ‘Fur, Feathers and Steel’ published as ‘The Complete Fly Tier’.

In this book Rube describes the typical Catskill dry fly hallmark of the tiny piece of bare shank behind the hook eye. Many debated about the reason for the 'clean neck'. Was it to accommodate the turle knot or for a better balance of the fly on the water? And was Rube Cross the originator? 

So what makes a dry fly a Catskill dry fly? Catskill legend Harry Darbee wrote in his book 'Catskill Fly Tier' what in his view defines a Catskill dry fly.

We have to go back to the Catskill history to figure out how the typical Catskill dry fly became to be. Theodore Gordon was, besides being a fly fisherman, a journalist and was the American correspondent for the London based newspaper Fishing Gazette as early as 1890 (source: Tying Catskill style Dry Flies, Mike Valla). Britain was the center of fly fishing back then, so Gordon was acquainted with the latest techniques on fly fishing and tying.

After reading the book 'Floating flies and how to dress them' (1886, click here to download the book) by the British angler and author Frederic Halford, Gordon got in touch with Halford. The corresponding between the two anglers resulted in 1890 in Halford sending Gordon 48 dry flies.

However these flies were tied with the slower English chalk streams in mind. Gordon adapted the English dry flies to suit the faster waters of the Catskills. The Quill Gordon, Gordon's trademark pattern, with a rooster hackle and wood duck wing started the Catskill (and modern) dry fly tradition.

So at one time this bare shank behind the hook eye became the hallmark of Catskill dry flies. Gordon's flies don't seem to have the bare shank, but Herman Christian who was a close friend of Gordon seems he tied his flies with a bare shank.

Christian by the way never saw Theodore Gordon tie a fly. In an interview in 1950 in the Angler's Club bulletin (New York) Herman Christian denies that Gordon taught Rube Cross to tie. Roy Steenrod, the only person known to have learned to tie flies from Gordon, tied his flies alternated with and without a bare shank. Cross tied most of his flies with a bare shank but sometimes even he tied flies without them.

So somewhere around the time of Steenrod, Christian and Cross this idea of bare shank was introduced. The search continues...

Update 26 Jan 2022:

Another picture from someone who went through two old Wheatley swing-leaf boxes from the period of the 1910s-1950s. 

"One was a brown japanned box from Gordon's time. Every fly that had tippet residue was tied with a Turle knot..."

Update 18 Jan 2022:

In this article about Theodore Gordon by John McDonald mentions about "Bits of leader gut still clung to some flies, snipped close to the hook eyes and revealing that Gordon used a Turle knot...".

The big news today is a Quill Gordon tied by Roy Steenrod was shown with what appears to be the remnants of a turle knot behind the hook eye. It's probably the first time the world has seen such evidence of the reason behind the 'clean neck'.

Catskill dry flies (II) - The Dettes

Although Theodore Gordon is considered to be the founder of the (Catskill style) dry fly fishing, the public awareness of the Catskill flies has been broadend for a great deal thanks to the Dette family.

This family of fly tiers have thus influenced an important part to the American fly fishing history. During the harsh times of the early 1930's Walt Dette and his family tried to make a living selling flies through their catalog and later from their tiny fly shop (and home) in Roscoe, New York (update: fly shop moved to Livingston Manor).

Today the family business is still in operation (the longest still running fly shop in the world) as it's run by Walt's daughter Mary (update: now her grandson Joe Fox is running the shop).

Eric Leiser wrote a book about the Dettes and their flies. It's a very interesting book as it tells the story of a family's choices to combine their love for the art of tying while trying to make a living just like every one else.

Anyone who has the chance to visit the Catskill area, a visit to the Dette Trout Flies is a must. I for one haven't had the opportunity yet, but I for sure will try to visit the birthplace of the Catskill flies one day. Oh by the way, there's a waiting time of over a year if you want to buy a fly tied by Mary Dette... (update: probably impossible now since Mary retired)

A must read about the Dettes is this whole issue of the journal of the American Museum of Fly Fishing.

Update May 2022:

Here is my collection of Dette flies I got nicely framed

Catskill Homage by Edoardo Scapin

Edoardo Scapin is an Italian bamboo maker, although building bamboo rods for more than 25 years, I discovered only a few years ago. It was his classy video that caught my eyes. Unlike many European bamboo makers, Scapin's rods have a vey nice balance of the looks of classic American rods and more contemporary European details.

Recently Edoardo generously offered to send me one of his demo rods for a review. The rod he sent was his Catskill Homage, an 8ft #3 rod in two pieces. While most of the rods he makes are for 4 to 6 weight lines, this light and long rod caught my attention. Rather than using classic tapers by famous rod makers of the past Edoardo designed all of his models and tapers himself. Designing long and light rods require dedication and lots of R&D. Scapin describes this rod as "... my tribute to Catskill Ideal rod for ultra-light fishing. It’s dedicated to advanced casters who want to fish trouts and graylings with a very sophisticated rod".

The first thing I noticed is the straw color and especially the dramatic swell just above the grip, similar to the individualist series by Thomas & Thomas. The wraps on the rod are translucent giving the rod an elegant and clean appearance. The varnish applied has a very glass-like look. As some might know by now, I am very picky about grips. This rod comes with a 5.5 inch cigar type grip, a length that matches the size of the rod very nicely. The reel seat has a very nice burled olive wood and a very 'statuesque' bright cap and ring made by Scapin himself.

On my scale the solid built rod weighs 4.1 oz, slightly heavier than the similar hollow built rod by Cris Carpenter I've tried in the past. The rod has a positive progressive action that's on the fast side of medium-fast. The dramatic swell certainly adds to the power in the butt section (a 'swelled butt' stops the bending of the rod past the swell allowing the action to be 'beefed up'). Scapin says about this rod's taper: "The rod has a fine tip, but I like to have a little firmly but section with good reserve of Power. I don't like too parabolic action".

I tried several lines on the rod. Rated as a 3 weight rod, with several 3 weight lines (Sage Quiet Taper II DT3, Orvis Hydros WF3 and 406 DT3) due to the strong action I felt the rod casts best after about 25 feet. I would use this rod if I need to fish at longer distances with long leaders and small flies (nymph or dry fly), especially in the 30 - 50 ft range.

After changing to 4 weight line (Orvis Hydros WF4 and a Sage Performace Taper II WF4) the rod really came alive, now also at short casting distances (15-20 ft). I even tried a 5 weight line (Hook & Hackle WF5) and thanks to the strong butt section the rod handled it without a problem. Swapping back and forth I liked the rod best with a 4 weight line as I could feel the rod load and unload more pronouncedly.

The swelled butt is clearly visible

After casting several times this rod puts a smile on my face. The slightly heavy mass of the solid build construction doesn't really interfere with the smooth medium-fast action. In my opinion the Catskill Homage would be an excellent spring creek rod with dry flies like on the Armstrong spring creek or the slow moving low land streams like the Konge Å in Denmark. For easy traveling a three piece version of the Catskill Homage would be wonderful.

A final note about the taper: my preference would be a slightly softer butt section and maybe a slightly shorter length (7.9 ft vs 8 ft) as this will soften the whole rod's action a bit too.

Thank you Edoardo for your generosity and friendship! Hope to visit you one day and cast more rods from your hands.


Update 21 Sep 2019:
Here's a nice interview with Edoardo. The influence of the famous American bamboo makers of the past is very evident.

Update 10 Oct 2019:
Here's Edoardo talking about his passion.

Ambassador for the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild

 

Proud & honored to be appointed as an ambassador for the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild. No sponsoring involved here, just sharing the history of the Catskill region and the heritage of the Catskill fly fishing and tying.

Beaverkill on Sinterklaas day

The Beaverkill is one of the most recognizable classic Catskill dry flies. Yet it started as an English wet fly before transforming into a dry fly.

Mike Valla writes about the Beaverkill:

"... was cast upon Catskill waters long before the Dettes were even born. We know from his brochure fly pattern listing that William Warren Cone, in the 1880's, featured a pattern bearing that name. But historical texts also remind us that the Beaverkill was first tied around 1850. 

A Greene County, NY (a Catskill county) judge named Fitz James Fitch gave a similar British pattern to Harry Pritchard who first tied the fly. It was Fitch who named the fly after his beloved Beaverkill River. Harry Pritchard and his brother Thomas operated a sportings goods store at 50 Fulton St., in New York City. Harry was known as one of the greatest fly casters back in his time. Harold Hinsdill Smedley's classic book Fly Patterns and Their Origins (1944) tells us that "the fly as originally tied was similar to the present male or Mr. Beaverkill. Mr. Pritchard's pattern called for dressing with light body and gilt strip ribbing, brown hackle and mallard wings."

-The Beaverkill, in both wet and dry fly form, was also show cased in ca. 1920's Wm. Mills & Son catalogs. It is also interesting to note that as was common with many early Catskill trout flies---given their British influences---the pattern was tied with gray mallard fiber tails (not hackle barbs); wings were sometimes tied with blue heron, pidgeon or the more common mallard duck quill slips that we use today. In his Streamcraft (1917), George Parker Holden featured the Beaverkill by dressing: 

Wings: blue heron or slate colored wings of duck or pidgeon

Body: white silk

Hackle: brown

Tails: gray Mallard

And, of course, Rube Cross listed the pattern as we now love it; White body, gray wing, brown palmer hackle, brown hackle tail.

And, doubly of course, Mary Orvis Marbury (Favorite Flies and Their Histories) gives greatly expanded details concerning the pattern's history and Pritchard's story. (Plate #105 illustration). It's highly probable that Smedley obtained his information from Marbury's reference book. However---the illustration looks nothing like what we would call a "Beaverkill,"--check out the wings. And, that featured was a wet fly pattern."

From "Complete book of fresh water fishing" by P. Allen Parsons

Catskill dry flies (III) - Rube Cross

Reuben Cross was born in Neversink, New York on March 16, 1896 and would become one of the legends of the Catskill tying scene. During his early teenage years Theodore Gordon was tying flies for a living and Rube claimed that he learned tying from Gordon, although this was never confirmed by anyone.

In 1927 Walt Dette asked Rube Cross, in exchange for $50, to teach him the art of fly tying. Rube told Walt to go to hell... Walt started to untie Rube's flies and mastered fly tying retying the fly. (1992 Eric Leiser, The Dettes, Willowkill Press).

Here are some of Rube's dry flies and pictures of Rube at his tying table from his book Tying American Trout Flies (1936 Dodd, Mead & Co). Did you notice how he ties without using a a bobbin holder? It's pretty amazing how tiers like Rube and Walt during that era (1920-1940's) managed to tie such wonderful flies using fly tying materials which were pretty hard to get and hardly the quality as we know now. Wonderful fly tying history. 

About my Catskill project: Hmm... I still haven't had the moment to sit down and tie the Catskill dries... If I start tying, I just want to tie the whole project at once. But before I'm up and running I'll be distracted by the rush of the weekend. I also need to tie a bunch of flies for Ed (olive dahlberg diver) and experiment on some Zoo Cougars for my streamer box. I think I just promised Zach a lanyard. I just need a sunday afternoon without chores and phone calls!

More about Reuben Cross from the book 'Fish Flies: The Encyclopedia of the Fly Tier's Art' by Terry Hellekson.

Update Nov 22, 2025:

I found this issue of Outdoor Life December 1934 in the Internet Archive with an article about Rube Cross. Don't forget to scroll to page 63 for the final part.

Update Oct 24, 2024:

Check out the new book about the life of Rube Cross.

Q&A with Edoardo Scapin

My Q&A's started as an idea to interview some of the memorable people I've met in fly fishing, both online as well as offline. Rather than a true interview I decided to keep it simple by asking a few Q&A's.

My next guest for the 3rd Q&A is Edoardo Scapin. Edoardo is an Italian bamboo maker based in the beautiful San Giorgio Delle Pertiche, near Venice. I contacted Edoardo after I saw his beautiful promotion video on YouTube. A few years later Edoardo sent me his Catskill Homage for a review.

Well, lets start the Q&A!


1) Q: How did you get into bamboo rod making?

"I started in the early 1990's on my own. I didn't have teachers, apart from Garrison's book as a guide, it was a great adventure in those years. Today with the help of the internet everything is accessible. My stubbornness helped me keep going despite being on the verge of quitting several times.

Finding the bamboo, the materials and equipment for construction, the language problem (my English is not good), the study dedicated to design and initially understanding Garrison's calculation system, from which I later departed. Like many, I have lost nights and weekends. It's my great passion, personal satisfaction.

Luckily for me I was able to acquire rods from various catalogs of Keane, Codella, Corsetti and many others, including English ones. I was therefore able to admire and study closely many rods of great rod makers, who helped me to understand the quality and what was "inside" each of them."

2) Q: How does Italian style bamboo rods (if there is such a thing) differ from American style (being the largest market for bamboo fly rods)?

"In my opinion there is no Italian style for the construction of bamboo rods, but there are some builders who have also followed in the construction of their rods the philosophy of the TLT casting technique founded by Roberto Pragliola. This technique involves high line speed, the use of short (max 7'6") and very fast rods with light lines (2 & 3 weight).

To achieve this with bamboo rods dedicated to the TLT, it is inevitably necessary to oversize the rod in many points, it happened to me at times to try rods that reported the wording for line 3, but which in reality should be calibrated for a line 6.

Personally I don't use it, because I don't like rods that are too "hard" and fast, which require more physical effort and movement to keep the line in tension, when in reality with bamboo we want to achieve the exact opposite, that is the exaltation of the entire taper of the rod in all its length, a quality that allows us to appreciate the natural DNA of bamboo.  It is the taper that must work with the minimum effort on the part of the caster.

If I may say I don't think there is one American Style, in the sense that we have different styles also in the United States. Look at the eastern makers from the Catskill school and those of the great builders of the West, there are many differences between them."

3) Q: Do you have a rod builder (present or past) who inspires you?

"Yes, of course I was also inspired by several builders. For the aesthetic part of the rods I have always been fascinated by the Catskill school such as Leonard, Payne or more currently Marc Aroner and Bob Taylor.

For the design part my view is wider, to stay in the Catskill school I have always liked the ultralight rods which are perhaps the ones that best represent this school of thought. The tapers of F.E. Thomas and some of Payne are fantastic. I also love Dickerson's more fast and powerful tapers, I also like Paul Young and Winston tapers on longer rods."

4) Q: What makes your rods stand out (what makes a Scapin rod a Scapin rod)?

"I believe over the years that I have acquired my own style, both from an aesthetic point of view but above all from a design point of view. From the beginning I have always tried to create something of my own and the experience gained over the years has given me this possibility. It is not easy, but this has always been one of the cornerstones of my career.

My blonde or flamed rods can have different types of finish. I never liked the idea of making rods that are all the same aesthetically, I like to play with colors and combinations but always with a good taste. I think the reel seat and the varnish  are also elements that distinguish my rods, and of course the tapers, which I really care about, also here I wanted to look for the ideal rod for every length and application.

I like to work with tapers with medium-fast action, but with thin and sensitive tips allowing very precise presentation. The balance of the rod is moved towards the butt where there is a considerable reserve of energy. I also build saltwater rods in the unusual length of 7'6 ", in my opinion giving the rod the ease of use and the power with minimum effort. Truly amazing instruments for saltwater fly fishing."

5) Q: To how many countries have you shipped your rods to? What's the most unexpected destination?

"Although I have been making bamboo rods for many years, it is only recently I do it full time commercially. I know that I am very appreciated by those who know my work but perhaps not yet well known in certain circles. Beyond the Italian market, I am fortunate to have customers in various countries of Europe and the United States. I must tell you that I am very happy with my American customers who have been enthusiastic about the quality of my rods.

The most unusual destination is Hong Kong. I'd like to reach Japanese customers who I know are very passionate and careful on the subject."

6) Q: What kind of fishing or destination are in your top three bucket list?

"To be honest I travel much less than in the past because I am fortunate to live in an area with beautiful rivers such as the Piave and the Brenta and several of their tributaries (where our magnificent marble trout live). Moreover there is always a couple of beautiful springs creeks in the province of Treviso where big browns swim.

And in a couple of hours by car I am in Austria and Slovenia, all rivers that I frequent since I was a boy and that I know very well. I have been passionate about fly fishing in saltwater too and to be honest I hope to travel to Cuba, the Gardens of the Queen in 2021 but it will all depend on the course of the pandemic.

Take care and try my rods."

Thank you Edoardo!

My other Q&A's:
1) Q&A with Chris Barclay
2) Q&A with George Minculete

3) Q&A with Edoardo Scapin

4) Q&A with Hoagy Carmichael

5) Q&A with Jorge Trucco

6) Q&A with Per Brandin

7) Q&A with Jack Dennis

8) Q&A with Charles Jardine

9) Q&A with Christopher Rownes

10) Q&A with Leon Hanson

11) Q&A with Joe Messinger Jr.

12) Q&A with Mike Valla

13) Q&A with Larry Kenney

Catskill dry flies (I) - warming up

I haven't had the time nor the patience to sit down and tie a decent fly the past months. As I wrote earlier I have had this idea of tying some of the classic patterns called Catskill dry flies (like the Hendrickson) and get them framed. This evening I finally picked up the vice and tied an American March Brown. It turned out okay as a 'warming up fly', but still much improvements are to be made.

I ordered some 50 of the finest lemon woodduck flank feathers I could get my hands on. I just love the delicate structure of these feathers as well as the fine barring on them. Wooduck flank feathers are one of the essentials for many Catskill dries (e.g. Light Cahill, Hendrickson, American March Brown).

Another item that is hard to come by these days are LONG, STRAIGHT and STIFF spade hackles for tailing. The improvements made for hackling has been exceptional, but improvements of spade hackles for tailing are almost non exsistent. The ones you find in the upper parts (larger feathers) of a cape are too short and/or too curvey. By the way, the best spade hackles are said to be found in more cheaper chinese capes. If anyone still has some excellent spade hackles for tailing, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! These days the only thing that comes close are Coq the Leon hackles.

There are some things I need to consider when tying the flies:

* Tie on a straight eye hook (like the TMC 101) or a regular down eye hook? I kinda like the straight eye hooks for my dries: the fly looks much 'cleaner'.
* Tie off the head RIGHT BEHIND the hook eye or keep a little bare hook from to the eye to make room for a Turle knot?
* Use ALL the original materials or use substitutes (like dubbing, color, Darbee hackles etc.)?
* Absolute spot-on proportions, although personal preferences are allowed.
* Sparseness vs robustness. This is an interesting question. I'm going to experiment to see what looks best.

The pictures are taken with my Fujifilm E550 digital camera. I'm no way near as well equiped (especially good lighting!) as Hans so the quality isn't really great. Until I get to take the final flies to Hans we'll have to do it with this quality. I need to pick out which materials I have at this moment, try out different colors and types of materials to see which combination comes the most close to the original Catskill patterns. Well, we'll see what happens the next couple of weeks....


Update 3 november 2006
Here is the list of flies I will be tying:
* Adams
* Light Cahill
* Hendrickson
* American March Brown
* Red Quill
* . . . . . . (any suggestions?)

The Catskill - how to tie it?

The Catskill. There seems to be some confusion how to tie it...
Maybe it's because it's Sunday morning 😁

Two recipes for the Catskill in Cross' book?

In the 'early years' fly patterns were never the same. Mary Orvis, daughter of founder Charles Orvis, acknowledged this (as being a mail order company) and wrote the book 'Favourite flies and their history' (1892) to standardise the patterns (both writing and drawn pictures of the flies) so customers know what they are getting when they order flies.

Whether fly tiers like Cross and later the Dette's etc. stuck to the recipe of a pattern or altered slightly due to (temporary) shortage of materials is possible but unfortunately we will never know.

Del Mazza’s Classical & Contemporary Dry Flies

I heard this name 'Del Mazza' many times over the past 5-8 years. He sounded like an Italian pizza restaurant owner who mistakenly opened his restaurant next to a Catskill river 😂.

There wasn't much available on him on the internet, except that he worked at a fly shop called Hunter's Angling Supplies and also raised roosters for his tying.

The fly shop is long gone unfortunately. Also heard that there was this great DVD he once made but couldn't find it anywhere. Until last year it was suddenly available at the web store of the Catskill museum.

I watched this DVD ‘Del Mazza’s Classical & Contemporary Dry Flies’ this wet Sunday afternoon. It's a well made DVD from the mid 90s. The quality of the video is obviously not as high as we see nowadays but perfectly clear to follow.

Mazza’s flies are dressed a bit too heavy for my taste but for anyone looking to learn the steps I can recommend it. The DVD can be ordered at the website of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum.

Update 17 Jan, 2024:

The DVD seems to be either sold out or no longer available....

Beaverkill history presentation by Judy van Put

I've been a member of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild, a group of people that embraces the heritage of the Catskill fly tying, for some time now. The get togethers being in the Catskills, usually at the Catskill museum, it's tough that I'm not able to enjoy the company of so many amazing tiers and their stories.

Fortunately we also have Zoom meetings in the winter, but the 7 PM meetings local is 1 AM here! The ocassional times I join the nocturnal meeting, it has been very enjoyable.

This past weekend was the Fly Tyers Roundtable at the Catskills Fly Fishing Center and Museum. Thanks to fellow member Phil, the audio of the presentation given by Ed van Put's wife, Judy, about the history & importance of the Beaverkill river was recorded. With approval by Ed & Judy I can publish this great presentation!

Update Dec 19, 2024:

With the recent passing of Ed, it's really nice able to see Ed during the presentation.

Austin Mac Francis

Last week we heard the sad news of the passing of Austin 'Mac' Francis, mostly known as the author of Catskill Fly Tier, Catskill Rivers and Land of Little Rivers.

Austin Francis became an expert on the history of fly fishing in the Catskills by accident. The importance of this very small area in the north eastern part of the United States had in the development of fly fishing and fly tying as we all know now can be read in his books.

I really enjoyed the book he did with Harry Darbee (he was working on a real biography about the Darbees, hopefully he had enough material so it could still be published).

The Land of the Little Rivers is in my opinion one of the finest books on the history of fly fishing in the Catskills. The pictures in the chapter about the history of the Catskill dry flies and its tiers are simply amazing. Due to the size of the book and the lay out it's also a wonderful coffee table book in its own right. I'm really bummed I didn't get a signed and personalised copy of the book*... 

A rare interview with Austin Francis:

*A thing to remember with other authors like Dave Whitlock, Mike Valla, etc.!

Flies for Ed van Put

Update Dec 15, 2024:

Heard that Ed van Put passed away this past Saturday (Dec 14, 2024).

Thank you for your friendship Ed!

Rest in peace 

Update Dec 19, 2024:

The Catskill Fly Tyers Guild Zoom meeting was devoted to remebence of Ed van Put. The fly to tie was the Adams, Ed's favorite fly. The picture below shows my Adams next to one Ed sent me.

Update Jan 9, 2025:

A nice article about Ed in the New York Times after his recent passing.

This was originally posted on June 29, 2021:

Recently I've been exchanging thoughts with Catskill legend Ed van Put. Ed is a Catskill authority who has been fishing the Catskills for more than 50 years. He wrote several books about the Catskills: 'The Beaverkill' and 'Trout fishing in the Catskills'. Ed also participated in Christopher Rownes' series on fishing with the dry fly.

We also decided to do a fly swap. Of course I asked for his signature fly called the Able Mable. I'm getting a few flies ready and of course a couple of Humpies are included.

Update Aug 6, 2022:

Here's a great interview with Ed.

I can now imagine Ed tied the flies for me at the desk you can see in this interview!

Update July 30, 2021:

Ed sent me some flies, a piece of mink and the amber thread for tying the Able Mable.

Thanks Ed!

Some other posts I wrote about Ed van Put:

1) Tying the Able Mable

2) Ed van Put's Joan Wulff Special

3) Adams with rooster or hen wing tips?

4) The Beaverkill - presentation by Judy van Put