History, Museums & Collectibles
Jerry Girard
You don't have to be a collector or want to become one to go to a museum, enjoy the exhibits and learn some history. The American Museum of Fly Fishing (AMFF) (https://www.facebook.com/CFFCM), the Catskill Fly Fishing Center (CFFC) (https://www.facebook.com/CFFCM) and the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum Association (PAFFMA) (https://www.facebook.com/PA-Fly-Fishing-Museum-143550435666759/) are some of the most active small museums in the country. Of course, we all know about the almost year round events such as The Fly Fishing Show which is held at various places around the country, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center's Summerfest, The Arts of the Angler Show and the RodMakers Gathering and the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum's Heritage Day , all of which offer fun filled events and educational programs. These museums are living museum with always changing exhibits while sill highlighting the ones that are the staple history of our fly fishing heritage. You can even fish the famous streams near them.
We can't escape history and we can't escape learning about it, even those of us who have no interest in history. To understand current events, politics, sports or the fly fishing, we will learn some history, even if accidentally. Fly fishing is like no other sport. It is a blend of art and an appreciation of beauty, philosophy, science, literature, physical activity, camaraderie and yes, learning some of it's history. Of course, actually fishing is part of the fun! We travel to fish storied waters such as the Catskill streams, Pennsylvania streams , the West and anywhere in the world.. Why do we? It isn't just the hatches or the fish, but a good part of the reason for our choice is the history of these streams and to connect with the anglers of the past who developed the techniques of fly fishing and formed the theories of fly tying. One of the most exciting methods of fishing is using a dry fly. The whole American school of tying and using the dry fly started right in the Catskills through the efforts of Theodore Gordon. The claim of the first to fish a dry fly in American waters was made by George LaBranch at the junction of the Willowemoc River and Mongaup Creek in 1896. Those waters are a part of the DeBruce Club.
Just consider, there is a wealth of history in fly tying. Many people collect flies, although they wouldn't consider themselves collectors. A collection of flies is a great way to enjoy the past and the present and have a connection to fly fishing history.
We can't escape history and we can't escape learning about it, even those of us who have no interest in history. To understand current events, politics, sports or the fly fishing, we will learn some history, even if accidentally. Fly fishing is like no other sport. It is a blend of art and an appreciation of beauty, philosophy, science, literature, physical activity, camaraderie and yes, learning some of it's history. Of course, actually fishing is part of the fun! We travel to fish storied waters such as the Catskill streams, Pennsylvania streams , the West and anywhere in the world.. Why do we? It isn't just the hatches or the fish, but a good part of the reason for our choice is the history of these streams and to connect with the anglers of the past who developed the techniques of fly fishing and formed the theories of fly tying. One of the most exciting methods of fishing is using a dry fly. The whole American school of tying and using the dry fly started right in the Catskills through the efforts of Theodore Gordon. The claim of the first to fish a dry fly in American waters was made by George LaBranch at the junction of the Willowemoc River and Mongaup Creek in 1896. Those waters are a part of the DeBruce Club.
Just consider, there is a wealth of history in fly tying. Many people collect flies, although they wouldn't consider themselves collectors. A collection of flies is a great way to enjoy the past and the present and have a connection to fly fishing history.
