I've finally convinced Aaron to complete a bio and become a member of the FRIENDS section. His Flies were the first ones in my Fly Slide Show and we have traded and exchanged material in the past. Now we all get to know a little more about him and also see some more of his beautiful flies. Not only that he succinctly sums up a definition of "flow" as it relates to Salmon Flies. Aaron tells us the following about himself:

"I work as a purchasing agent for a tugboat company and I have been tying classics for about 14 years.

Salmon flies were pretty much the next logical challenge for me in my tying career. The nice thing about them, is that they are still a challenge for me. Over time my tying style has changed quite a bit, and I?m sure it will continue to evolve as I am exposed to other tyers and techniques. Currently, I am trying to achieve "flow" in my patterns. By flow, I mean the way that you?re eyes process the image of the whole fly. I strive to make a fly that is pleasing to look at. If one part or feather in the fly is too overpowering I feel the "flow" is lost. I also feel this look is best achieved with a lower wing, and longer sides, and nice sweeping long shanked hook.

Having said that, I am rarely pleased with the final outcome. I guess that?s what keeps me tying, the pursuit of perfection.

I also enjoy oil painting and drawing. I also fish, hunt, trap, and carve decoys. It seem like I have less and less time to tie lately, but when I do sit down and tie it has been more productive and fun. My early years of tying classics were largely consumed by trying to obtain rare feathers, and in reality tying with those rare feathers was stressful. Now I just try to have fun when I tie."

Click on the thumbnail images below to see an enlarged picture:



August 16 2005 Aaron has sent the four new fly pictures below. One of the new flies, the Abinger, was also done by Aaron in the previous flies pictured above. The new one is on a different style hook. Aaron also included these thoughts:

"I?ve included another picture of an abinger to show the difference hook style can make in the over all look of a fly. The first one that I sent you was on long shank sweeping bartleet, which lends to a low wing flowing fly. The one I?m sending today is on a P-T rational hook and is rather lifeless and "stiff" looking."

That's very sage advice. I don't necessarily agree that the new Abinger looks "lifeless and stiff" but it certainly looks better on the "sweeping bartleet" style of hook. Matching the style of hook to the style of fly is almost important as matching the size of the hook to the size of the material you are using. Thanks Aaron.



August 23 2005 Aaron has come through for us again. Not only has he sent the three beautiful flies below but he has sent us an Article on the "Design" of salmon flies entitled Design of flies?.Going with the FLOW! Aaron also had this to say about the three new flies:

"Here?s a couple more fly pics. These are done on some of my own hooks made from an eagle claw 4/0 jig hook, heavy wire, reshaped into a 7/0 limerick.

I?m trying a few new things on these flies. I?ve thickened up the body of the fly to match the hook and have tried to lower the tails as low as I can. Just having some fun, breaking a few "rules" and trying some new ideas.

These flies are all Kelson patterns: Barkworth, Baron and Benchill."