
Check out our newest additions "Other Collectibles" and "Bargain Books"
Fly
Fishing Memorabilia
Click
on the titles below to view that collection.
To
purchase, or for additional information, please contact me (Bob) at
caddis@tds.net for payment methods and shipping charges.
Gary
LaFontaine Unique Memorabilia
Framed Original Illustrations Produced Explicitly for
“The Dry Fly, New Angles”
Includes 1990 First Edition of “The Dry Fly, New Angles”
Signed & Inscribed by Gary with Additional Signed Letter
And Dry Fly from Book Tyed by Gary
Book also Signed by Artist Gretchen Grayum
(Absolute One-Of-A-Kind Offer)
Fin-Nor “Wedding Cake” Reels
Models #1 - #2 & #3
Collector’s Dream
Un-fished Excellent Condition
J. W. Young
Landex & Pridex Fly Reels
Great Fishing Reels – Prized Collectibles
Eric Leiser - Personally Tyed Shadow Boxed Flies – Absolute Provenance with Letters and Invoice
Harry & Elsie Darbee’s List of Sporting Books – Livingston Manor, Privately Printed – Actual Lists – Not Copies
Vintage Canoe or Lodge Creel
Whole Reed Construction – Excellent Condition
Early John Alden Knight’s Solunar Tables Booklets
Three Booklets – 1945 – 1947 – 1950
Includes Original Envelope
As history attests, Gary did not just author angling books, he wrote true classics. He authored a total of five books, along with countless articles he wrote for national and regional magazines plus the numerous books he coauthored with other fly fishing luminaries. Gary untimely death in 2002 from ALS at the young age of 56 shocked and saddened the angling world. Perhaps a bit of solace may be derived with the knowledge that the substantial contributions he made to the world of angling comprise a legacy that will, without a doubt, endure the passing years.
“The Dry Fly, New Angles”
After years of preparation and research, when Gary was finally ready to begin the process of publishing his book “The Dry Fly, New Angles”, he began to seek a professional artist talented enough to produce the quality illustrations necessary to meet his strict requirements .He found that individual in Gretchen Grayum. Gretchen worked hand in hand with Gary over the long Montana winter creating the illustrations that grace the pages of “The Dry Fly, New Angles”. Offered here is a framed compilation of five original illustrations produced for the book. This sale includes the framed art work pictured above. It is important to understand the five illustrations pictured are the actual illustrations which were produced solely for “The Dry Fly, New Angles.” It is also important to know, that there has never been any reproductions of these illustrations making them truly one-of-a-kind.. The illustrations were produced with archival ink on professional illustration paper and later professionally framed with archival mat material designed to stand the test of time in preparation for a book signing event in Helena soon after the book was released.. The overall measurements of the frame are 10 3/4” X 38 1/4” which is an ideal size to adorn the wall of a fly tying room, a cabin wall or perhaps the main room of a fishing lodge.
Following is a direct quote from artist Gretchen
Grayum commenting on the time she spent working with Gary on this book. –
“It was such an honor to be accepted as the illustrator of Gary La Fontaine's
The Dry Fly, New Angles. What a pleasure and fantastic learning experience
it was to meet every few days with Gary, in the winter of 1989. Gary was not
only a highly intelligent author, fly fisherman and entomologist, he was a
gentle person with a delightful sense of humor. Gary was magically tuned into
and inspired by nature, especially trout habitat, the insect world and rivers.
It was serendipitous that I myself was enthralled with Montana rivers and
fly fishing as I illustrated his book. Gary's partners in Greycliff Publishing,
the Bradshaws, worked diligently that winter as well, instructing me ~~~ while
working with Gary on the production of the book. Illustrating The Dry Fly,
New Angles was an exciting and memorable experience and I continue to feel
fortunate after all of these years for the opportunity to know Gary La Fontaine,
a true master of many so many works.” ~~~ Gretchen Grayum
An Invitation
to Book signing and Illustration Reception – Buyer will receive
a copy of this invitation. |
In addition to the original illustrations, also included is a pristine copy of the book which contains all the illustrations being offered in this sale which were created for Gary by Gretchen. This is a pristine first edition, first printing copy of Gary’s “The Dry Fly, New Angles”. This book in addition to being in excellent condition has been signed and warmly inscribed by Gary. Included and adding to the appeal, is a typed letter with one of Gary’s hand tyed dry-flies (an actual pattern from the book) attached, the letter is also signed by Gary. The text of the letter simply exudes with the obvious enthusiasm Gary had both for angling and the people who shared his interest and enjoyed his books. The book is also signed by artist Gretchen Grayum making this a wonderful companion piece for the original framed illustrations.
. The shipping for both art work and book are included in the price. The shipping will be by professional packers and shippers of fine art at their estimated cost of $170.00. For additional information or payment procedures, please contact Bob at caddis@tds.net. Price - $2150.00
Fin-Nor
“Wedding Cake” Reels
Models #1 - #2 & #3
Collector’s Dream
Un-fished Excellent Condition
Whenever and wherever classic saltwater fly reels are the topic, Fin Nor reels automatically become an integral part of the conversation. There is good reason for this when you consider that Fin Nor was producing historically classic fly reels back in the 1950s when fly fishing saltwater was a relatively new phenomenon. This was back when innovators such as Joe Brooks, Ernest Hemingway, Alfred Glassell and Tommy Gifford were busy introducing this exciting new pursuit to the angling public. Those early years are now fondly recalled as the glory days of saltwater angling.
Serious attention originally began to be paid to Fin Nor reels, when a reel designed in 1933 was used to catch a 527-pound tuna. Their reputation for quality only increased with the record catch, again on a Fin Nor reel, of a 1560-pound black marlin near Peru.
Gar Wood Jr. a boat builder who obviously possessed inherent engineering talents, designed a direct-drive reel in a cage frame construction which was so advanced that Fin-Nor picked up the patent. The production of Gar’s prototype led to the now legendary “Wedding Cake” reels being offered in this sale. These Fin-Nor “Wedding Cake” reels were the first saltwater fly reels capable of withstanding the brutal punishment dished out by large tarpon. And if the truth be known, the story of Fin-Nor reels is pretty much the story of the popularization of saltwater big game fishing in America. Many anglers old enough to have been around when these reels were introduced, still consider them to be the finest quality saltwater reels ever to come to market. Simply put, the Wedding Cake reels were the absolute top-of-the-line saltwater fly reels.
Fin-Nor produced the Wedding Cake in four different models, aptly named #1 - #2 - #3 & #4. The #1 was usually fished with a 6 wgt. line with plenty of room for backing, the #2 took an 8 wgt. line with backing and the #3 a 10 wgt. line with backing. The other reel in this series, not present in this sale was the model #4, which was identical in size to the #3 except for the fact that it had a wider spool and thus could store more line.
The integral role these reels have played, along with the important contribution the Wedding Cake reels have made to saltwater angling history, have combined to make them one of the most sought-after historic fly reels of all-time. The three reels being offered in this sale apparently occupied a special place in the heart of the gentleman who originally purchased them, because they were lovingly cared for and never fished, I repeat, never fished, none of these reels have ever even seen a line. Put simply, the pristine vintage Wedding Cake reels being offered here are nothing short of a collector’s dream.
Please see photos below and
while viewing, please keep in mind that I am a fair angler, but unfortunately
a lousy photographer.
.Model
#1
Model #2
Model #3
All 3 reels - $3500.00
Reel Model # 1 - $1450.00
Reel Model # 2 - $1150.00
Reel Model # 3 - $1150.00 Sale Pending #3 Only
Postage & Insurance at actual cost to be added.
Please contact me (Bob)
at caddis@tds.net for payment methods
and shipping charges.
Hardy
“Husky” Vintage Fly Reel
3 3/8” X 1 1/2” – Wide Drum
Early Silent Check Model
For Salt & Fresh Water
Complete with Original Case
Near New Condition
Here is a really nice, made-in-England Hardy “Husky” early silent
check, wide drum model fly reel that truly offers the best of two worlds.
This Husky model 3 3/8” X 1 1/2” classic early reel has honestly
been fished only once or twice and this becomes very apparent when you view
the accompanying photos. You will also note when viewing the photos that the
original reel case is also in new spotless condition which is another indication
of this reel having very little use. Further indication of barely being used
is when you consider the line you see in the photos is the only line this
reel has ever seen and the line still retains its glossy finish. Included
with the reel and case is the care instructions paper that accompanied the
reel when originally purchased.
The Hardy Husky model handling up to an 8 or 9 wgt. line with ample room for
backing, is not only a super large trout, steelhead, sea trout, light salmon
and Tarpon fishing tool, but in this excellent condition, it is also a highly-sought
after, collectible example of vintage Hardy workmanship in a rare near fine
condition which will delight even the most discriminating collector of Hardy
reels. It would obviously be totally redundant to attempt to say anything
about the quality of any Hardy reel, as it has been a long-established given
that Hardy produces some of the most reliably dependable reels ever to come
to market. In many families Hardy fly reels are an important part of their
personal angling history having have been lovingly passed from one generation
to another, often several times, while they continue to offer quality service.
This long, reliable service only serves to further attests to the high quality
of Hardy reels.
This model was first introduced in 1958 and has
constantly been improved and refined ever since to become the benchmark reel
within its class for both quality and value. Built by gravity die-casting
from aluminum alloy, then diamond machined to a fine finish and fitted with
the desirable stamped, two screw nickel silver line-guard. Anodized and stove
enameled reel it has a gun metal cage and silver spool with a quick-change
latch along with the ribbed brass foot. The reel obviously functions as would
be expected of a new Hardy reel. This rugged but attractive reel would make
a fine addition to the gear of the serious angler who enjoys fishing both
inland and blue waters, while it will also be sure to please the discriminating
collector of quality vintage Hardy fly reels.
Price - $250.00
plus Priority Mail Postage & Insurance at actual cost. SOLD
Please contact me, Bob at caddis@tds.net
or (607) 235-7184 for payment methods and shipping details.
J.
W. Young
Landex & Pridex Fly Reels
Great Fishing Reels – Prized Collectibles
J. W. Young produced
fly reels from the early 1900s until the late 1960s. They became the favorite
of many serious anglers because they were not only excellent fishing tools,
they also proved to be almost indestructible. These factors combine to make
J. W. Young the latest reel maker to have achieved the distinctive honor of
“collector” status. It simply does not get much better than to
be able to purchase a fine reel and enjoy fishing with it, while it appreciates
in value. Below you will find three J. W. Young reels, two of them are identical
Landex Models and the other a Pridex. The three reels are pictured and described
below along with the individual price for each reel.
Landex Models
The two reels pictured below are identical
Landex Models that measure 3 1/2” X 1 1/2” with the only difference
being one (reel # 2) has perhaps seen a tad more use than the other (reel
# 1) which may not have been used at all. Presently both are lined with almost
new 6 wgt. floating lines, they will also handle a 7 wgt.. These two reels
in addition to being wonderful collectibles, are perfect for large trout,
light steelhead and salmon fishing. The reels have an enameled paint finish,
twin patent indented ebonite handles providing perfect grip, release lever
latch for quick removal of handle unit and line drum and rear mounted check
lever. Both reels have the clip-on line guide to reduce friction. Another
feature of this reel is that the spool turns when line is going out while
the handles remain still. An added plus is the fact that parts and repairs
are available today for J.W. Young reels, which is a advantage no longer available
for many other fine reels of the past. Both of these Landex models function
mechanically as new reels.
Landex Model
(Reel # 1)
The first Landex Model reel, pictured immediately
below, appears to either never have been fished or perhaps fished lightly
once or twice, as there is no apparent wear other than a bit of paint disturbance
visible on the reel foot. The floating line presently on the reel appears
new also and still retains most of the gloss you associate with a new line
or one that has seen very little use. A very nice example of the outstanding
reel production of the J.W. Young reel makers which will not only offers years
of dependable service, but in this fine condition is also a very desirable
collectible certain to increase in value with the passing years.
J.W. Young “Landex” (reel # 1)
- $200.00 plus postage and insurance.
Please contact Bob (caddis@tds.net)
for payment and shipping details.
Landex Model (Reel # 2)
This is the second Landex model reel which
is identical in size to the reel pictured and described above. This reel exhibits
light use with a very small amount of paint loss visible mostly at the rims
where this type wear usually first appears. As on the reel above, the floating
line presently on this reel also looks to be in very good, lightly fished
condition. This fine reel is also an attractive collectible which will also
afford years of angling service.
J. W. Young “Landex” (reel # 2) - $175.00
plus shipping and insurance.
Please contact Bob (caddis@tds.net)
for payment and shipping details.
J.W. Young
“Pridex”
This is the Pridex model fly reel which was
made in a comprehensive range of seven sizes and was one of J. W. Young’s
most popular reels. This particular reel measures 3 3/4” X 1 1/2”
and will easily handle a 6 or 7 wgt. and perhaps an 8 wgt. line with ample
backing. The reel has features such as check-work in dual sets making the
reel easy to change from right to left-hand wind, bearings, safe grip handle
and easy dismantling for cleaning. The Pridex is also equipped with the clip-on
line guard to reduce friction. This reel as you can see by viewing the accompanying
photos has seen very little, if indeed any, use with no visible paint loss
and operates mechanically as new. A very nice example of a J.W. Young fly
reel that is both collectible and ready to fish.
J. W. Young “Pridex” -
$125.00 plus postage and insurance.
Please contact Bob (caddis@tds.net)
for payment and shipping details.
From
left to right Lee Wulff, yours truly, Kenny |
Back during the fall of 1979, my angling friend Ken and myself had the unique pleasure of spending two days on a float trip down the Yellowstone River in Montana through Paradise Valley with Lee Wulff in pursuit of spawning browns. It was, to say the least, the experience of a lifetime to fish with this angling icon who had done just about everything the angling world has to offer, probably several times, and almost certainly better than anyone else. Where an outdoorsman’s life is concerned , Lee led what many consider one of the most exciting.. Simply but eloquently stated by Charles Kuralt upon hearing of Lee’s death; “Lee Wulff was to fly fishing what Einstein was to physics.” I would not even begin to have enough space or time to list the host of angling innovations, feats, organizations, skills and the list goes on, that Lee was either an integral part of or was responsible for purely by himself.
Upon returning from the trip, I sent a polite request to Lee asking if it would be possible for him to send me a fly or flies he personally tyed. I obviously included a check for his trouble simply because I know we all have to eat. Ever the nice guy, he sent me these two flies along with this note written on his personal stationery, and included two flies and a letter also for Kenny. I purposefully encased my two flies and note in a plain rugged box, because I, like many who knew him personally, considered Lee a plain, rugged individual. Plain only in the sense that he never left his celebrity status affect his amiable, common man demeanor. I recently sold my shadow box containing Lee’s flies to a very happy and excited angler/collector. The flies listed here are the two flies and accompanying letter Lee sent for my friend Ken, which I purchased from Kenny years ago.
As you can plainly see, these flies have the absolute provenance that is so very difficult to obtain when collecting flies.. Lee states in his signed letter exactly which flies he is sending and the letter is hand-written by Lee on Lee’s personal stationery. Apparently Lee was a tad short on grey hackle when he tyed our flies as becomes obvious when you view the pictures. Hey, these are Lee Wulff’s flies. Who cares?
I have enjoyed having these flies behind glass doors in my tying room for all these years. The advancing years have made me decide to part with my fly collection, and these flies from Lee have always been among my favorites. It is time now for someone else to enjoy these flies personally tyed by Lee Wulff who was truly the complete angler.
Price
- $375.00 + Postage SOLD
Professionally packed and shipped Priority Mail
To purchase, or for additional information, please contact me (Bob) at caddis@tds.net
for payment methods and shipping charges.
Eric
Leiser - Personally Tyed Shadow Boxed Flies – Absolute Provenance with
Letters and Invoice
I have had the good fortune to have met many of the luminaries from what I and many others consider to be the golden years of American angling. One of my favorites was Eric Leiser. Although a truly expert angler, advisor and author of several important angling books, he never left his success affect the way he treated the average Joe. He responded to each and every correspondence and was always ready to assist with a problem. My favorite Eric Leiser story occurred at a TU Leader’s Banquet in the Catskills when I happened to be seated next to Leiser. Eric’s well received book, “Fly Tying Materials” which instructed readers how to procure fly tying materials by gleaning road kills, was at that time fresh in everybody’s mind. Poul Jorgensen, the master of ceremonies, after speaking on various angling subjects, told the large gathering: “You will now all be treated to a nice plump, juicy squab chicken dinner. Well everybody that is except for Eric Leiser, I happened to see his dinner when I was in the kitchen and it’s flat as a pancake and seems to have little tread marks.” Needless to say, this brought the house down with laughter. Eric, a little red faced from all the attention, just smiled quietly.
Admiring Eric like I did, I sent him a request for some of his flies to mount in a shadow box. He sent me a list to choose from and I chose three of them. Eric again, was best known for making do with what was readily available where materials were concerned. Knowing this, and also knowing what he liked to work with, I picked three of his woodchuck patterns, the woodchuck Wulff, woodchuck hopper and chuck caddis. As always, Eric complied and sent me these flies. I obviously and gladly paid for these flies, simply because that’s the way things work. This shadow box contains those three flies. These three flies have the absolute provenance of being accompanied by the original invoice Eric sent me with the flies. There are also two cards signed by Eric as additional provenance. I am also including three typed letters from and signed by Eric along with his personal stationery envelopes. Only one letter is related to the flies I requested, and in this letter he ironically refers to an article that recently appeared in Fly Tyer magazine about collecting flies which he felt stirred much new interest. At that time he had no idea, that I was the one who wrote that article. I enjoyed having Eric’s flies very much for years, now it is time for someone else to enjoy them.
Price
- $250.00 + Postage
Professionally packed and shipped Priority Mail
To purchase, or for additional information, please contact me (Bob) at caddis@tds.net
for payment methods and shipping charges.
Harry
& Elsie Darbee’s List of Sporting Books – Livingston Manor,
Privately Printed – Actual Lists – Not Copies
Here is a very nice collectible from what I, and many others, consider, a wonderful
period of American angling history. Harry and Elsie Darbee probably the most
famous of the renown Catskill fly tyers, always had plenty of sporting books
in their shop. Not only did they read these books, they also offered them for
sale. They would issue lists of the books they were interested in selling to
the anglers on their mailing list. This sale includes two of these lists inside
of a labeled paper folder identifying the lists as being issued by Harry and
Elsie.
There are two separate lists, one dated April, 1972 containing 390 items and
labeled “List #3-U”. The other with 909 items and dated Oct. 1974
with the label List #4-U. As you can see by viewing the accompanying pictures,
the paper enclosure is plainly marked as issued by E,B. & H. A. Darbee.
The list are marked throughout where books have been sold
including other information related to the books that Harry and Elsie wanted
the customers to know. It is a very safe assumption that these markings were
written in by either Harry or Elise themselves before sending out the lists.
This is a very nice collectible that will not cost you tons of money and is
sure to appreciate in value with the passing of time. Everything is in very
good condition, with some very light soiling and wear present.
Price - $50.00 + Postage
Professionally packed and shipped Priority Mail.
To purchase, or for more information, please contact me (Bob) at caddis@tds.net
for shipping charges and payment details.
In an earlier era, this lovely creel would have been
placed in the center of a boat or freighter canoe, or perhaps on the front porch
of a fishing lodge and used to store the catch of the day of several anglers.
This was of course back in the day when there were a lot more fish and a lot
fewer fishermen. Catch and release, fortunately practiced today by almost all
fly fishers, was obviously not deemed necessary by the anglers of this era of
plenty. Often a day’s angling would be followed by a meal of trout, which
after a day’s fishing were removed from a creel just like this one where
they had been jointly stored by several anglers.
Obviously the utilitarian value creels one had has
become a thing of the past. But as part of a decor there are few pieces of angling
equipment, once displayed in the main room of a lodge, or perhaps in an angler’s
den or tying room, that can create the ambience and aura of an old creel like
this one. As part and parcel of an angling décor this old creel simply
reeks of earlier times and storied fishing excursions. These old creels are
becoming very hard to find, and although smaller vintage creels which were used
by individual anglers are still available, these antiquated, substantially larger
canoe and lodge creels are rapidly disappearing from the scene.
As can see by viewing the photos, unlike a few other large woven baskets you
may have occasionally seen being offered as canoe or lodge creels, the one being
offered here has the necessary holes and carrying strap which attests to the
provenance of this being an actual fishing creel as opposed to being just a
nice large basket.
Incidentally, I placed the coke can in the photos to better indicate the creel’s
overall size. This creel measures 18 1/2” long, 12” wide and 14”
high. It is constructed of whole reed which was a necessary procedure to create
a creel strong enough to endure years of heavy use. By viewing the photos, you
can also see that this creel is in wonderful condition and will make a superb
collectible for anyone who would like to add an ornate piece of true fly fishing
memorabilia to the décor of their fly fishing cabin, lodge or den.
Alden’s Solunar tables are followed religiously by many anglers, both fresh and salt water, to this very day. And they’ll swear by the accuracy of Knight’s formula.
Here are three of his early yearly issues. Each one
supplies the reader with the forecast for the projected daily feeding times
of both fish and game for each day of the year. Each booklet measures 6
1/4 X 4 1/4 inches. It is anybody’s guess how many of these fragile
paperback booklet are still around. But in this wonderful condition they
are very collectible. Comes complete with the original envelope pictured
(with $.02 stamp) with Knight’s name and address
Price - $45.00 + Postage
Professionally packed and shipped Priority Mail.
To purchase, or for more information, please contact me (Bob) at caddis@tds.net
for shipping charges and payment details.