Many images evoke all manner of satisfaction. The pleasure derived from the perfect form, or combination of colors or suggestions of movement, texture etc. Well, you know all the ways these adjectives can go given the subject matter. For me and many of you, the ability to tie a ‘beautiful’ fly and then photograph it to share is one of the grander pleasures of the endeavor. Many can tie well, but not as many take the camera and capture the beauty of the simplest to the most complex fly patterns.

Whether it is the ornate art of Atlantic Salmon flies, as depicted in this years exquisite Full Dress Calendar 2012 (by Prud Fishing Products) which I was blessed to receive, or the more traditional Trout/Grayling patterns, the photograph of the finished fly offers many layers of satisfaction and enhances our pursuit of tying better….at least it does for this messy, impressionistic fly tier.

I offer a handful of what I consider to be highly inspiring fly tier/photographic works that routinely challenge me to tie a better fly…not necessarily for the fish, but to perfect the techniques.

BAILFLY

Lucian Vasies at Fly Tying Romania

Albino Olive by Hans Weilenmann

Blue Quill by John Newbury

Jean Paul Dessaigne

Jean Paul Lipton, the Carpinator

I am sure there are other equally gifted fly tier/macro photographers out there and I would like to learn about them, so share. Explore the above tiers and their consistent excellence and be inspired to improve your tying or macro work. I know I am; I have macro envy. Oh, and I in no way mean to exclude the beauty of Steelhead, Salmon, Pike etc. patterns.