It all began in October 1985, when some of us realized that we not only were fascinated with featherwing Atlantic Salmon flies, but we also liked to share. We wanted to share ideas, techniques and sources, but phone calls and letters and photos sent back and forth weren't enough. We felt that a gathering of people with like interests was a necessity. We needed to get together face to face so that more could be accomplished than our current cross-country mail/phone system

A few months passed as locations were discussed: Texas, Colorado, Vermont, California and Oregon. Finally, Duane Thompson graciously volunteered use of his spacious home in Portland, Oregon. The first meeting was in the fall of 1986 with about a dozen people coming mostly from the Western U.S., but from as far away AS Michigan.

During the week that we met, we tied together, discussed all manner of topics as a group and as individuals, dined together, set some goals and even,got a little fishing in together. Among the goals we set initially, we did not want to be a formal organization; we wanted to be a sharing between friends. We are willing and have donated plates of flies to organizations for conservation efforts, both as a group and as individuals, and will continue to do so. We desired no dues and we desired no board of directors. It may have to come to that, but those of us who initially met hope not. We wanted to involve people of like interests wherever they were in the world, as long as they were willing to share what they know with us, as we will with them. We did not, as a group, want to teach. We would teach teachers to go out and teach as individuals, but our desire is toward participation by those already knowledgeable, at least to some degree.

When we left to go our separate ways, we left with new friendships, new ideas, new techniques, new materials sources and a plan in motion to meet again in 1987 just prior to the national conclave of the Federation of Fly Fishers in West Yellowstone, Montana. We were kind enough to volunteer Marvin Nolte from Wyoming to organize that meeting.

For the next several months dozens of letters, phone calls and tape recordings passed between us. Some got some information, others go other information. It became clear that a lot of information was not shared with all and needed to be. A topic of the first meeting was the need for some sort of bulletin. There was talk and agreement but little other action. It became quite clear that a communication net of some form was mandatory

The second meeting was most compact and successful. Some old friendships were renewed and a few new faces appeared. The enthusiasm had not waned.

Old "Chief Iron Fist" Nolte kept things rolling nicely. We covered everything imaginable: feather dying, substitutes, materials acquisition, photography, framing, materials preparation, techniques, books and their sources, fly shops that handle Salmon fly materials, etc., etc. We also set some formats for a bulletin. We again knew it was a necessity; by now we had a list of about 60+ names of interested people.

During the next year, Marvin Nolte worked diligently toward squaring away an editor. He had some conflicts and delays that terribly slowed the process. Finally, it was agreed that the meeting of 1988 would inevitably center on the topic of the bulletin.

Steve Brocco of the Seattle area was volunteered to organize the next "gathering" (as we now call them). It would be in Livingston, Montana, again just prior to the FFF National Conclave. We met the first evening in the loft of the Master Angler Fly Shop in Livingston. Some varied discussions took place, but it wasn't long until the topic of a bulletin came to the forefront. Notes from our last meeting refreshed old memories and informed new ones. Before long things began to gel. Bob Graham of Bellevue, Washington, would be our editor. Tory,, Travis, an owner of the Master Angler, volunteered to print, collate and mail the bulletin at cost for us. All those in attendance would write an article on a topic related to Salmon flies and submit to Bob by November 1, 1988, along with S5.00 to help defray publishing costs. The bulletin would be quarterly with the first issue mailed in early January to our entire mailing list, now approaching 80 people. They would be invited to submit an article for future publication as well as S5.0C, if they wished to remain on the list.

A brief meeting was held the second evening, but most felt we had accomplished what we had set out to do. It was agreed that the meetings were valuable but the real value would come with the bulletin.

Next year's meeting will be organized by Bob Graham and hosted in West Yellowstone, Montana, in August 1989, just prior to the FFF National Conclave. Hope to see you there!

- Wayne Luallen