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Charles A. Chute was born in County Kerry, Ireland more than a few years ago. He came to the United States in 1977 and settled in the greater Boston area of Cambridge, Massachusetts. He enjoys a reputation of being a master in the painting of those lovely old mansions that area is famous for. I've never seen one of his paint jobs but he sure is a master at tying Classic Atlantic Salmon Flies. He's as good as they get, probably at both.

Growing up in Ireland near the River Feale allowed Charlie to begin his love affair with salmon as a young boy. He told me he has caught them by hand, which is no small feat. He says you have to know the river well and understand that Salmon will occupy the same exact spots year after year even though they will be different fish. He says once you understand that, they are easy to get that way, at night. He caught his first Salmon (on tackle) at age twelve, using a worm for bait. He was soon captured by the lure and lore of the Fly and has devoted his life to pursuing both the fish and the flies that catch them.

For the most part Charlie is a total traditionalist and has little use for contemporary tying style or even such things as modern adhesives. He does, however, use saliva. I'm not sure if it's an Irish thing or what but when I've seen Charlie use his spit it seems to have the same effect as Zap-A-Gap. Those feathers stay in place. His "Wing Setter" is an extremely efficient aid in mounting a married wing on large (6/0 and up) flies. He says it was inspired by an old Irish method where a button was attached to the table. To see what it is and read about it click on WING SETTER. This simple innovation has helped many people I know, mount large married wings, that used to seem impossible before.

The Popham appearing above is one Charlie did for me a few years ago. Below are thumbnails of some of his other flies. Some of them creations so new, they don't have names yet, others replicas of antiques (unknown 1), whose names and creators are unknown. Simply click on them to make them larger.

July 16 2005 Charlie has been working on his own website for a little whlie now. Actually he's been tying the flies, his daughter has been doing all the web work. Charlie is a lot like I was a year and a half ago, with help he can turn one on. Check it out:
The Classic Salmon Fly Be sure to sign his guest book.