Introduction to Monte's Mind's Eye on the Salmon Fly

Monte Smith is a well-rounded and accomplished fly tyer.  His work is featured in books, periodicals, on websites, and in frames around the world.  From a dozen hairwing salmon flies featured in a classic Canadian pattern book to having two of his original featherwing streamers gracing the pages of a recent book on freshwater streamers, there are a good number of projects that feature his flies.  He was also one of 21 tyers to contribute a salmon fly to the Classics Salmon Fly poster project to raise money for ALS research in honor of Gary LaFontaine.

Raised in western Oregon and flyfishing since the age of 12, Monte had a brief dalliance with fly tying in his teens.  It wasn’t too serious.  Some years later, the tying kit was retrieved and a passion was born.  This time it was, indeed, serious.

Tying at Expos and shows for the past fifteen years, Monte soon began to explore the world of the classic salmon fly.  This has become his primary tying interest, dedicating himself to learning about the history of patterns, techniques, and materials by immersing himself in the classic literature of the masters.  Modern works on salmon and steelhead flies, of course, are a keen interest as many people around the globe have become interested dressing both classic and modern style flies.

Monte is a member of the Daiichi Pro Staff and runs what he calls a humble little “tying resource” at www.nwflytyer.com.  He continues to make his home in Oregon with his family as he continues his tying pursuits.  He looks forward to presenting some interesting content for you here.

For more information about Monte's Salmon Flies, please visit www.nwflytyer.com