It is not impossible to understand the root cause of this progression. Surely, there is basis in admiration the art of dressing Atlantic salmon flies. There also lies meeting the challenge of acquiring the recognized top skills in fly tying. In any case, for years a number of east Idaho tiers have expressed interest in getting involved in this activity. It certainly intensified in 1993 and 1995 when Greg Webster and Chuck Collins took Atlantic salmon fly tying classes during the yearly International Fly Fishing Show (IFFS). Judy Lehmberg and Mike Radencich taught these classes, and Chuck and Greg returned from the shows with nothing but praise for their teachers and full of enthusiasm for the subject. Other tiers had considered, but many of these had full summer schedules, so attendance from east Idaho tiers at IFFS classes remained low.

In 1996 I chaired the workshops for the 1996 IFFS held in Livingston, Montana. I decided while I assembled them during the winter that it was time to treat myself by taking a fly tying workshop, something I had never done. What do you think my first choice was after listening to Chuck and Greg? That's right! So after I contacted Marvin Nolte and Mike Radencich to identify who would teach the 1996 version of Atlantic salmon fly tying (it turned out to be Mike), I immediately signed up. I broadcasted my bold move to local tiers, and a number of them expressed interest in doing the same. As it turned out only Gary Grant, the current President of the Snake River Cutthroats responded in the same manner.

"You guys are in for quite experience", Chuck Collins (current president of the Southeast Idaho Fly Fishers based in Pocatello and owner of All Seasons Angler in the same town) commented. "I wouldn't mind doing it again myself, but between being part of the fly tying demos and the East Idaho Flies class I will present, I believe I have a full plate," he added. Greg Webster concurred almost to the ing Atlantic salmon word as to what we ied in an area with a would experience. aating trout flies Greg also was dealing with a full schedule because of a planned move of his Bent Rod Fly Shop in Mackay.

In April of 1996 Marvin Nolte was in Idaho Falls to take part in the East Idaho Fly Tying Expo and to give a class on his favorite techniques in building trout flies. Marvin backed up Chuck's thoughts about the two of us being in for an unforgettably beneficial time in Mike's class. So it was that Gary and I took Mike's class, and the thoughts we had heard came true. I came out of the first day of class with a banging headache and the personal embarrassment of not having finished my fly. Gary, at the end of the day, confessed to being physically and mentally exhausted. But what Mike passed on to us in terms of fly tying experience was awesome. We anticipated the next day like two kids on Christmas Eve, and Mike did not disappoint us.

We completed two flies in the course, and wrapped up in those two instructional flies was nearly all the essential operations needed to dress Atlantic salmon flies. We finished filled with wonder at the intricacy of the flies produced and the variety of materials used. This loaded us with resolution to obtain those new and exotic things as well as the information sources that Mike identified. "It would be great to bring a class in tying these flies to our neck of the woods", Gary commented. So, just at the end of Mike's class, Gary approached Marvin, who had come in to offer his help, and brought up the subject. "We can probably work something out for this fall," was his reply. "Knowing you guys in east Idaho, I'm sure you can rustle up enough interest!" Within minutes Gary and I, Anne Privarski and Chuck Collins, who had just walked in, committed. Within days Greg Webster, LeRoy Cook, Buck Goodrich and John Patton, all IFFS participants gave the "thumbs up" sign, and the class was born. On our return to Idaho Falls the class expanded to include Ken Bitton, John Poloski and Bill Cathrae. After laying the groundwork with Gary, Marvin identified the weekend of October 19th and 20th as his best time, and we were in business.

October 19th, 1996 dawned cold and bleak in Idaho Falls, but the chilling wind breathed enthusiasm into the ten neophytes assembling in University Place. Like Mike in the class of summer, Marvin opened with comments and items on materials, sources and history. On we went through the details of the Thunder and Lighting. I still retain my version with care because it is my first dressing of a classic. Then came a Silver Doctor. I moved through it with rigor, and appeared to have a fair rendition after setting the wings. But a dropped bobbin and a careless shoulder on retrieving that bobbin put a skew to the wings that not even Marvin's practiced hand could right. "Hey, Bruce: It's all part of the game!" he consoled. " Have an extra glass of wine tonight, and don't give up on the Doctor. Try another soon." Next came a Green Highlander, another pattern requiring effort and attention. With renewed resolve and attention, I completed a reasonable version. I allowed myself a bit time to observe its blend of symmetry and color. You bet I put that finished product with care and concentration into a protective box that Buck gave me!

Conversations with Marvin after the class led us to the conclusion that there were even more aspects of Atlantic salmon fly construction to learn. So another class to address these was planned as part of the 1997 East Idaho Fly Tying Expo. Ken Bitton, LeRoy Cook, Gary Grant, John Poloski and I took this one day class which specialized in the more advanced techniques for building Atlantic salmon flies. Needless to say, the fly tying room of Jimmy's All Seasons Angler, Idaho Falls' premier fly shop, was the site of some intensity that day. This intensity turned to wonder when John Newbury and Ed Benhardt arrived on the scene to display some of the highest grade exotic feathers to be found.

On the west and south walls of my tying area at home is my collection of framed flies. I have been fortunate to receive flies from many of this world's better tiers. Amongst these are Atlantic salmon flies dressed by Marvin Nolte, Royce Dam and Judy Lehmberg. I obtained Royce's unique Stars and Stripes most recently through the live auction of the 1996 East Idaho Fly Tying Expo in Idaho Falls. Marvin's Silver Doctor was a purchase during the 1995 IFFS in Livingston, Montana after he received the Buszek award. Judy gave me her version of a Dusty Miller to express appreciation for my efforts in chairing the fly tying demonstrations of the 1988 IFFS in Livingston. I have always viewed these flies with admiration. But after taking the three classes, these feelings have come to include a desire to become proficient enough in this art to make me worthy of participating in it and of perpetuating it. I have practiced by turning out versions of several classics. But working by myself, I seemed to be in a vacuu. So when Gary Grant suggested that local enthusiasts come together to form a group to promote the art and to introduce other tiers to it, I jumped on board with enthusiasm.

As one knows dressing the Atlantic salmon fly can be extremely frustrating to the newcomer, and working by ones-self is almost as frustrating. While one may have mastered the venerable trout fly and perhaps taken a few fish on their own creations, the purpose of dressing and mastering the Atlantic salmon fly is a somewhat different matter. Being "trapped" in east Idaho, surrounded by many accomplished trout fly tyers is a good start on the road to dressing Atlantic salmon flies, but many of the accomplished tiers expect flies to be fished on completion, and that is that. It is not difficult here to get more excellent advice than one could possibly ever want on traditional duns, emergers, beadheads or other such "lures", whether in their dressing or presentation. However, try asking one of the accomplished trout fly tyers, how to properly place a bronze mallard roof on a Jock Scott, or how to veil a body segment with toucan. After the "Jack who" and the "bail what" response, one wonders where the understanding will come from.

During his class, Marvin talked about a small cadre of fly dressers that met once a month in Denver to share ideas and techniques on dressing classic flies. After discussing the prospects of forming such a group here in Idaho Falls with some of the tyers that attended Marvin's class, it seemed that there was enough interest to collect thoughts and see if a move towards an organization was worth the effort. The first organizational meeting was held over breakfast at a local restaurant. Seven of the previous members of the "Jack who and bail what" society, showed up to discuss expectations and ideas on what we should do and how we should do it. The overall thought was that while the existing local clubs were performing superbly in educating, advocating conservation and promoting fly fishing, and that we all must be part of these actions, there was no organization devoted to the dressing of classic flies and revealing their histories. As a result, the Rocky Mountain Fly Dresser's Guild was formed. Of course, the "Guild" part was an easier sell than the "Dresser's" part, remembering that this is an Idaho organization!

The Guild's focus is on classic flies, with the Atlantic salmon fly at its heart and soul. The intent of the founding members, is to expand the focus from the initial interest in Atlantic salmon flies out to historically significant patterns. The purpose of expanding the focus was to bring appeal to local kindred spirits (and there are a goodly number of these) who did not have an opportunity to attend one of the Atlantic salmon fly classes and yet still had an interest in the "Classics". This way the Guild could provide a vehicle to advocates of different perspectives and eventually help one another master the techinques necessary to dress these and the classic Atlantic salmon flies.

While having fun teaching each other the art and history of the classics is the basis for the Guild, it also has the object of taking on projects to share with others the classics and their histories. The Guild members are currently working on plates of classic flies that are given to non-profit organizations to be used as fund raisers. For example, there was a composition of Carrie Stevens streamers offered for auction at the 1997 East Idaho Fly Tying Expo, which was the highpoint of the live auction. In addition the Guild will take an active part in the 1998 Federation of Fly Fishers International Fly Fishing Show (IFFS) to be held in Idaho Falls, August 3-8, 1997. In particular, many of the Guild members will be helping'with the Atlantic Salmon Fly Symposium. Overall, the Guild has brought together some kindred spirts that were looking for a vehicle to advance thier skills.