Wayne Luallen was called the "Johnny Appleseed of Salmon fly tying" by Al Cohen. I have dubbed him simply the Johnny Appleseed of fly tying with good reason. I know of no other individual who has been as unselfish with his time and knowledge over the years as Wayne. Early on he began demonstrating and teaching at many local, regional and international events. He has been a mainstay instructor at the Federation of Fly Fishers Conclaves since 1980 and continues to do so today. In 1991 Wayne became one of the youngest recipients of the Buz Buszek Award recognizing him for his efforts and significant contributions to fly tying. Wayne?s work has been published in numerous magazines both here and abroad. He has been featured in two classic books, Judith Dunham?s The Atlantic Salmon Fly and Mike Radencich?s Tying the Classic Salmon Fly both of major importance to the salmon tyer. Wayne collaborated on Basic Fly Tying With Wayne Luallen, considered by many to be the ultimate beginner?s book on fly tying. The photos are by Michael Radencich and illustrations by John McKim. Wayne tied the flies and supplied the information which was edited by Jon Rounds. If the book has an Achilles heel it is that Wayne did not write it. Much of Wayne's brilliant technical advice was lost as Jon simply took notes as Wayne explained what he was doing.

He began tying in the early 1970?s and like many of us was first exposed to Atlantic Salmon Flies via Poul Jorgensen in the late 70?s. Drawing assistance from Bill Hunter and Ron Alcott among others, by the mid 1980?s Wayne had become a highly skilled salmon tyer. He had already become (in my opinion) a master in most other areas of fly tying but was obviously quite taken by the beauty of the Classic Atlantic Salmon Fly. In 1985 Wayne was instrumental in forming what was known as the Group. Click THE GROUP-WHO, WHAT AND WHY to read Wayne?s opening article in the SALMON FLYER. Wayne became the conduit for sharing ideas, materials, photos, audio tapes and letters all pertaining to salmon fly tying. His phone would ring sometimes early in the morning or late at night from a tyer eager to share or learn. Remember this was all prior to the Internet. Now that instant world wide communication is available to so many Wayne still carries on an unbelievable amount of dialog helping people hone their skills at the vice, it?s just that his U.S. mail carrier has had the burden of lugging countless pounds of letters etc. lifted. In spite of all he has accomplished both tying and sharing in the salmon fly arena he bristles at the notion he is referred to as an Atlantic Salmon Fly Tyer. He prefers to be called a Versatile Fly Tyer. He certainly is all of that, he is equally accomplished in all areas of tying flies whether it's fresh or salt water all the way to exibition grade. I feel his enjoyment now is simply to tie flies that catch lots of fish. His exacting standards and precise work also catch plenty of fishermen as well.

Long before I ever interacted with Wayne I drew on his excellent teaching abilities through a set of video tapes done in the late 80?s. A small group of gentlemen from Chicago brought him in as a guest instructor specifically to teach Salmon Flies. The event began at my FRIEND Don Colman?s home and fortunately for me and many others it was recorded and copies were made available to those in attendance. Eugene Sunday was kind enough to loan me his set that I copied for my own use. I used those tapes to learn the proper methods of building a salmon fly and understanding how the material's structure relates to tying. I have always felt the original Chicago tapes with Wayne were the most complete. I have loaned them along with Wayne's Baron tape and tapes by Tom Juracek and Poul Jorgensen out to many other people over the years as up to only recently there was nothing even close (Mike Radencich's videography in his new DVD is superior to anything out there) as a learning tool. We owe a great deal to Wayne but I?m afraid that will be a debt that will never be repaid.

I suspect that owing to the fact Wayne?s vocation as a Radiology Technologist is the main reason he is so precise in his teaching or maybe it?s the other way around. At any rate I have called on Wayne throughout the construction of this site as I know I?ll get an honest and accurate assessment or answer regardless of what I pose. He is a stickler for detail and will give you not only a detailed critique but always offers a solution on how to correct any short comings he points out. If he was in the business of charging for advice (he?s not) he would be one of the richest people in the world. Then again if wealth is measured in friendship and admiration he is one of the richest.

As I mentioned I have called on Wayne for his technical advice but I also burdened him with sending me jpg?s of fly pictures that he has been collecting for many years. The stunning array of photos in my FLY SLIDESHOW is for the most part thanks to him. Just recently he sent a box containing hundreds of photographs covering two decades of collecting the works of many tyers. It will eventually evolve into Wayne?s Gallery. There will also be other areas of this site that will reflect his efforts and involvement. Wayne has written a number of articles that assist the Fly Tyer but are specific use to the Salmon Fly Tyer. Click on EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES to read some of them. He will also play a key roll in the forthcoming Kori Bustard story when I complete it but for now let?s just enjoy some pictures of his work.

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