The past few weeks I have been reading through many of the older salmon flyer's and have noticed that the need for articles to keep this publication going is a perennial problem. There have been many solutions proposed and tried. Some of these proposals included: discounts in subscriber fees, question and answer articles, submission of an article as a prerequisite to subscribe, and an offer of a free gift. None have adequately worked.

I have received a few letters from subscribers recommending different approaches to this perennial problem. Some were what was previously tried, however, one subscriber recommended setting up a committee of members to solicit articles for each publication. This recommendation has merit and I would like to explore this idea. As everyone already knows this publication belongs to the membership. And perhaps, with a team of four or five working on finding articles to publish would help improve the overall publication and help ensure the future success of this publication.

Now I know some are probably thinking why would we want to set up a committee of four or five members to solicit articles when we have an editor that should solicit for articles. That is a good question, if the editor was paid to operate the publication. But, the editor is not paid. I receive no money for my efforts. I contribute a considerable amount of time effort and up-front money to publish each issue money. Not to mention contributing articles myself. I can really use some help. This publication was never intended to be a two person operation.

But, maybe this just shows that a group of several members each contributing a little would result in a better publication without a big burden on any one. If four or five members were to each provide (not write them) four articles a year it would mean we would have at least 16 good articles for this publication a year. This would give us a great little publication. So if you would like to help out, please let me know in the very near future.

Changing the subject to letters to the editor. Since the last issue I received some correspondence concerning the use of swan in one of the articles sent in by a member. Essentially, the concern was related to CITES and the statement in the front of the Salmon Flyer that states "this publication does not condone the sale of materials from birds listed on the CITES list of threatened or endangered species." The concern was that this publication should not publish any article that mentions the use of swan or other materials listed on CITES. By doing so, the publication promotes their use which implies promoting their sale.

I will be the first to say that I am not a CITES expert. But, I feel that perhaps, the concern may be somewhat overstated. I believe that jungle cock and macaw, for example, are also listed on CITES. And these materials can be purchased very easily through a number of sources. I think the key aspect is threatened or endangered, as for example Great Blue Heron, Condor, and Eagle. The generic term "Swan" for example includes a wide variety of birds some of which are not threatened or endangered. (Up until the past few years mute swans were still hunted in Utah.) Also, heron used in a generic since is not necessarily a problem either, if one is referring to use of the purple heron of Asia. Molted feathers are still another issue with these birds.

Just to answer these questions you will find an article from Michel Fontan on CITES. Michel published this article over two years ago in the Salmon Flyer, and it also appears on his web-site. Hopefully, this helps answer the concerns raised about swan, jungle cock, macaw and other materials that can be inseparable with Atlantic salmon flies.

As a final note, Ron Rienhold recently sent me two of his lastest hooks. He is now finishing hooks in a more traditional approach that results in a finish that gives the hook an "antique" appearance.

The hooks sell at a reasonable price and are worth at least checking out if you want a more traditional look in your display flies.