Who comes to mind when you think of fly tying celebs?

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Dave Whitlock is probably number one for most. A great fly tier, artist, author and gentleman.

For me Andre Puyans or Andy to most, was a very important person in our sport, especially his fly tying skills.

Bob Quigley, of coarse. Bob was a tier of flies that fish really liked. Bob was very good to many of us.

Hal Janssen is one of the best fly fishers I know personally and his flies are very special.

Our own Alan Barnard is an artist, photographer and great fly tier too.

Our friend Jay Murakoshi is a great tier too. I have saved some of his Seaducers for posterity.


I know a lot of anglers who tie really nice flies that will never be famous but are dam good.


What great fly tiers come to your mind?

[HSano]

I was fortunate enough to learn fly tying from Andy Puyans so he tops my list.

The other fly tying celeb that comes to mind is Rene Harrop. His video "Life Cycle of the Mayfly" has greatly influenced by fly tying. I've found that his Transitional Dun has been one of the most effective mayfly patterns I have ever used especially on spring creeks and crystal clear lakes.

[matthaias]

Andy Burk, Ralph Cutter, Calvert Bird (my favorite mayfly/drake pattern), AK Best

[John Sv]

Hans van Klinken!!!
Lefty Kreh (innovation) and Poul Jorgenson (expert tying) because they are from my home state of Maryland

[Darian]

On the west coast, how about Jay Murakoshi, Steve Potter and Ken Hanley?? Another very good but lesser known tyer (to me) Steve Cali. No longer with us but Mike Fong comes to mind. All of these tyers are real artists/photographers.

Like Bill says, there're many local tyers who really are outstanding but not very well known.

ps. I forgot one local that's well known: Lee Haskins

[Ned Morris]

Pete Woolley was incredible. Puyans was hands down the best I ever saw.

[rylcrawford]

Hogan Brown

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Pete Woolley was incredible. Puyans was hands down the best I ever saw.

Pete Woolley is a world class fly caster too.

Where is Pete today?

[DLJeff]

Can't give that a short answer.

Innovativeness: Shane Stalcup, Craig Matthews
Deer Hair: Tim England, Chris Helm
Realistic: Bob Mead, Poul Jorgenson, Bill Blackstone
All Around and Best Teacher: Andy Puyans

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

About 30 years ago I was at a Granite Bay Flycasters meeting where our late Bill Carnazzo was tying little spring creek flies.

I looked at him and said, "Your not from these parts, are you." He said he had just moved here from the Bay Area.

Back then few in our area could tied that well and especially small bugs.

.