Well this is it the last issue of the century. As a matter of fact, this is the last issue of the Salmon Flyer. It has just become too difficult to maintain this publication. Over the past two years I have received fewer and fewer articles for publication, even though there is about 120 members.

This year Marvin and I have contributed the "lion's share" of the articles. Marvin and I written almost two articles each for every issue this year. These articles were almost 60 percent of the text in the publication. Marvin and I both believe that the Salmon Flyer was slowly evolving into the "Gary and Marvin Show" and this was not the purpose of the Salmon Flyer.

The Salmon Flyer was established in the 1980's, during one of the Federation of Fly Fishers, National Conclaves in Livingston Mt. At that Conclave a "Group" of dedicated salmon fly dressers met and developed the concept for a publication where they could share with one another throughout the year. The "Group" was never established for the purpose of building egos. It was, though, established for the purpose of sharing among ourselves. When we stop sharing we defeat our initial purpose, and hence why it has become necessary to call an end to this publication. Basically, we have stopped sharing with one another.

Wayne Luallen, one of the founding members of the Group, wrote me a while back and discussed that-each member, at least initially, was to send an article per year, and if they did not, they were not doing what was agreed upon. The editor was to send a reminder periodically to send articles, but it was up to each member to do their part. If we do not, it is everyone's loss. There is so much to share with each other -ideas to build upon. That was what the Flyer was about. I do not know what else to write on this subject. I had hoped that the appeals for articles and suggestions would not go unanswered, but nevertheless they did.

I know several members did everything they could to keep things going. Contributing articles and helping others to write their own. But, it would have been nice if just 10 percent of the members would have sent just one article a year. It would have been a much easier task. If you are not happy with the decision to stop the Salmon Flyer, neither am I or Marvin. It just seems that there is just not enough interest to keep the it going.

If you paid your membership dues for next year, Marvin will see to it that you get your money back. I think that what ever is left in the treasury might best be donated to the International Fly Fishing Center in Livingston MT. Since it was in Livingston that the concept for the Salmon Flyer was developed. But, that is up to the membership.

So long, and may all your feathers be straight and stress free. May each of you have a wonderful Holiday Season and Happy New Year.