By John Pike
This past summer I had the occasion to speak with one of our members, David Zincavage, about the pattern dressings published by Kelson. David has done extensive research on Kelson a may be able to offer a source of information few of us will ever have available. I quote from a letter David sent:
"I am working on a book on Salmon Flies and have gone over the Kelson ground quite extensively. I think it is possible that I may have a more complete list than you are drawing on for your Fall issue, and perhaps I can be of assistance with some additional patterns, or by supplying information about some patterns' inventors and histories."
I believe that David has found one of the main points we are trying to accomplish with this newsletter, the sharing of information not common to all members. I look forward to hearing more from David, and others like him, who wish to bring their historical research to our attention. I hope that such submissions expand the usefulness of these pages into a ready reference for tiers and collectors alike. As a sample, David sent the following dressing:
THE EDITOR
Tip: Silver Twist.
Tag: Light yellow floss silk.
Tail: Toucan, gallina, and powdered blue macaw.
Butt: Black herl.
Body: Dark yellow floss (to first turn of tinsel); equal divisions: crimson, majenta, blue, dark claret, and black seal's fur.
Ribbing: Silver tinsel.
Hackle: Dark yellow and very light blue (together) from the seal's fur.
Throat: Jay.
Wings: Mixed in single fibres: powdered blue macaw, teal, bustard, golden pheasant tail, and peacock; swan, dyed olive, yellow, and crimson; two strips (over) brown mottled turkey with white tips; topping over.
Horns: Blue macaw.
Sides: Chatterer.
Head: Black herl.
Inventor: Geo. M. Kelson
Source: FISHING GAZETTE, Vol. VII, 11/17/1883, p. 565.
Comment: May be dressed light and fine for Ireland; large and well picked out for Scotland; small heavy wings, but flat, for Wales. -GMK
This is the first salmon fly pattern published by Kelson in FISHING GAZETTE. It was invented as a means of flattering its editor, Robert Bright Marston, who was, years later, by his criticism to permanently diminish Kelson's reputation. The gesture succeeded and Kelson was hired by the Gazette to provide "illustrated descriptions of the various ways of casting a salmon fly [and] the dressings of some new salmon and grilse flies."
