WFS 298 - Influential People in the History of Fly Fishing with Jim Schottenham
03/08/22 • 71 min
1 Listener
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/298
Presented By: LakeLady Custom Rods, Reyr Gear, Dette Flies, Trxstle
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Jim Schottenham, Curator at the American Museum of Fly Fishing, is here to take us back to the history of fly fishing from 200 AD to this day. We talk about the evolution of fly fishing gear and the people behind these amazing inventions. We learn how Jim classifies these items as classic, vintage, and antique. Find out how the museum acquires their artifacts and how much they have so far in their collection.
Jim is a super fan of fly fishing history. He's put a lot of time and effort into his research so that we can enjoy learning all this information that otherwise would have been forgotten and lost. Today, we're going back in time. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do.
History of Fly Fishing Show Notes with Jim Schottenham
05:38 - Jim just started working for the American Museum of Fly Fishing as a Curator - click here to learn more about his professional background
08:28 - Jim tells us the history of fly fishing beginning 200 AD
10:16 - The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton is the 3rd most printed book in the English language - behind the Bible and the works of Shakespeare
13:29 - Jen Ripple was on the podcast at WFS 146 and we talked about women in fly fishing and some history - we noted that book, A Treatise Of Fishing With An Angle (1885)
14:24 - B.F. Meek & Sons No. 44 was the first artifact that was accessioned in the museum
15:57 - There are over 400 books on fly fishing in the AMFF library that date back to the 1400s
16:29 - If you want to learn about the fly fishing history but can't get to the museum, you can visit the American Museum of Fly Fishing website
18:58 - Charles F. Orvis, (1831-1915), the founder of the Orvis Company, invented the Orvis reel - mounted upright, has a narrow spool, and has ventilated side plates - some collectors refer to this as the father of all fly reels
22:31 - George Snyder perfected the multiplying reel
22:42 - The Archimedian Reel by Frederick Skinner influenced the earliest fly reels in the US
24:34 - William Billinghurst, also a well-known gunsmith, received a patent for his side-mount reel also referred to as birdcage reel
33:14 - 1930s Elmer Sellers side-mounted reel - read more here
35:30 - Samuel Phillippe and Charles Murphy were the first creators of bamboo rods. Charles was the first US maker to produce a split bamboo rod. Samuel and his son were producing split rods in 4 strips (1840 - 1870)
36:47 - H.L. Leonard was the first to mass-produce split bamboo rod (1877)
40:35 - Hardy Perfect Reels started in the 1890s and are still in production today
42:40 - Jim mentions some of the first fly shops back in the 1800s - they were usually centered in major cities
43:36 - One of the sought after collector reels today is made by Talbot Reel Co., called Ben Hur
44:30 - Edward Pole has fly shop Philadelphia and they were making hooks (1776)
46:56 - Jim tells us about the history of Dette Flies - started by Walt and Winnie Dette - they were original Catskill fly tiers
48:25 - Lee Wulff invented the fly fishing vest
50:57 - AMFF is putting together an exhibit this year for Lee and Joan Wulff - The Angling Adventure of Lee and Joan Wulff
51:07 - Joan Wulff was on the podcast at WFS 100
54:49 - Jim explains the difference between classic, antique, and vintage
1:07:56 - The Rangeley Museum in Maine has great history resources that we can dig into
History of Fly Fishing Conclusion with Jim Schottenham
Jim and I talked about the history of fly fishing since 200 AD. We talked about the evolution of fly fishing gear and the people behind these inventions. We learned how to classify items if they're classic, vintage, or antique. We found out how many artifacts the museum has right now and how they obtain them.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/298
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/298
Presented By: LakeLady Custom Rods, Reyr Gear, Dette Flies, Trxstle
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Jim Schottenham, Curator at the American Museum of Fly Fishing, is here to take us back to the history of fly fishing from 200 AD to this day. We talk about the evolution of fly fishing gear and the people behind these amazing inventions. We learn how Jim classifies these items as classic, vintage, and antique. Find out how the museum acquires their artifacts and how much they have so far in their collection.
Jim is a super fan of fly fishing history. He's put a lot of time and effort into his research so that we can enjoy learning all this information that otherwise would have been forgotten and lost. Today, we're going back in time. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do.
History of Fly Fishing Show Notes with Jim Schottenham
05:38 - Jim just started working for the American Museum of Fly Fishing as a Curator - click here to learn more about his professional background
08:28 - Jim tells us the history of fly fishing beginning 200 AD
10:16 - The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton is the 3rd most printed book in the English language - behind the Bible and the works of Shakespeare
13:29 - Jen Ripple was on the podcast at WFS 146 and we talked about women in fly fishing and some history - we noted that book, A Treatise Of Fishing With An Angle (1885)
14:24 - B.F. Meek & Sons No. 44 was the first artifact that was accessioned in the museum
15:57 - There are over 400 books on fly fishing in the AMFF library that date back to the 1400s
16:29 - If you want to learn about the fly fishing history but can't get to the museum, you can visit the American Museum of Fly Fishing website
18:58 - Charles F. Orvis, (1831-1915), the founder of the Orvis Company, invented the Orvis reel - mounted upright, has a narrow spool, and has ventilated side plates - some collectors refer to this as the father of all fly reels
22:31 - George Snyder perfected the multiplying reel
22:42 - The Archimedian Reel by Frederick Skinner influenced the earliest fly reels in the US
24:34 - William Billinghurst, also a well-known gunsmith, received a patent for his side-mount reel also referred to as birdcage reel
33:14 - 1930s Elmer Sellers side-mounted reel - read more here
35:30 - Samuel Phillippe and Charles Murphy were the first creators of bamboo rods. Charles was the first US maker to produce a split bamboo rod. Samuel and his son were producing split rods in 4 strips (1840 - 1870)
36:47 - H.L. Leonard was the first to mass-produce split bamboo rod (1877)
40:35 - Hardy Perfect Reels started in the 1890s and are still in production today
42:40 - Jim mentions some of the first fly shops back in the 1800s - they were usually centered in major cities
43:36 - One of the sought after collector reels today is made by Talbot Reel Co., called Ben Hur
44:30 - Edward Pole has fly shop Philadelphia and they were making hooks (1776)
46:56 - Jim tells us about the history of Dette Flies - started by Walt and Winnie Dette - they were original Catskill fly tiers
48:25 - Lee Wulff invented the fly fishing vest
50:57 - AMFF is putting together an exhibit this year for Lee and Joan Wulff - The Angling Adventure of Lee and Joan Wulff
51:07 - Joan Wulff was on the podcast at WFS 100
54:49 - Jim explains the difference between classic, antique, and vintage
1:07:56 - The Rangeley Museum in Maine has great history resources that we can dig into
History of Fly Fishing Conclusion with Jim Schottenham
Jim and I talked about the history of fly fishing since 200 AD. We talked about the evolution of fly fishing gear and the people behind these inventions. We learned how to classify items if they're classic, vintage, or antique. We found out how many artifacts the museum has right now and how they obtain them.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/298
Previous Episode
WFS 297 - Fly Tying Patterns for Steelhead wit Joel Hill
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/297
Presented By: Dette Flies, Lake Lady Custom Rods, Reyr Gear
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Joel Hill is here today to dig into some steelhead fly tying patterns. Joel shares some tips for marrying wings, how to get your proportions just right, and some of his favorite flies that work great for sea-run and steelhead fishing. We pick some random flies on his Instagram and talk about how he tied them. He has a unique way of using tubes to tie his favorites. There are a few resources that Joel mentions like books and Facebook groups that can help you get better at fly-tying. Another Instagram fly tying phenom!
Fly Tying Patterns Show Notes with Joel Hill
04:41 - Jason Miller was on the podcast at WFS 235
05:30 - Check out Joel and Jason's fly tying video here
07:31 - One of Joel's favorite flies to tie is the Moonlight Dee
09:07 - Dec Hogan's Skagit Mist Variation
09:19 - Dec Hogan was on the podcast at WFS 020
12:31 - The Snow Queen Variation - Joel breaks down the materials
16:25 - Muddler Size 8
17:37 - Joel uses Firehole hook for his muddlers
18:15 - If Joel is going for summer steelhead, his go-to fly is the Purple Muddler
18:29 - The Herl wing GP idea
19:23 - Benn's Black Prince
25:15 - Black King Spey
26:56 - They don't make McNeese hooks anymore
28:29 - One of Joel's favorite hooks is the TMC 700 - another one like this is the Firehole 839
38:20 - John Shewey was on the podcast at WFS 296
39:01 - Joel's fiberglass drift boat
43:23 - There's a group on Facebook called The Spey Tyer and people there are very helpful - click here to join that group - also the group The Dee Tyer
44:50 - Joel mentions some of his influences in fly tying
47:29 - Joel recommends watching Davie McPhail YouTube videos
48:29 - Joel is getting into photography
50:53 - Joel uses a Kona bike
52:01 - John Wells dyes feathers
54:46 - Puget Sound Fly Co in Tacoma WA is where Joel gets most of his materials
Fly Tying Patterns Conclusion with Joel Hill
Joel and I dug into some steelhead fly tying patterns and he shared some tips for marrying wings, how to get your proportions just right, and some of his favorite flies that work great for sea-run and steelhead fishing. We picked some random flies on his Instagram and talked about how he tied them. It's amazing how Joel puts together colors for his patterns.. truly an artist.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/297
Next Episode
WFS 299 - Fish Worship and Art with Ray Troll
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/299
Presented By: Jackson Hole Fly Company, Stonefly Nets, Trxstle, Anglers Coffee
Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors
Ray Troll, a guy who has some of the most unique fish artwork, is here today to share the story of how he got started with his career as an artist and how he became so fascinated with fish. We hear about the inspiration behind some of his famous pieces including, "Spawn Till You Die" and "Fish Worship, Is It Wrong?". We dig into some of his books - how they came to be, and even get a hint about his upcoming book, Fish Head.
Ray also tells us about his podcast called, Paleo Nerds covering some very interesting topics about art and science. If you don't know Ray, you are in for a treat today. His art, which some people describe as "Scientific Surrealism", has a touch of humor and horror.
Show Notes with Ray Troll
07:14 - Someone described Ray's art as "Scientific Surrealism" and somehow Ray agrees to it
08:01 - Linda Leary, founder of FisheWear was on the podcast at WFS 280
08:17 - Ray lives in Ketchikan, Alaska and it rains a lot there - you have to be a Pluviophile to like or appreciate living in his area
11:27 - Ray Troll's Fish Worship - Is It Wrong? - he dreamt about this one
13:40 - Ray and Brad Matsen wrote Shocking Fish Tales (1991)
14:23 - Ray and Brad did a second book called, Planted Ocean: Dancing to the Fossil Record (1994)
18:43 - Ray has his Saber Tooth Salmon piece at the Oregon Coast Aquarium exhibit (Cruisin' the Fossil Coastline Exhibit) - this art was inspired by a real salmon, a 5 million-year-old giant salmon
24:45 - Ray's salmons swimming in a forest mural at the University of Alaska
25:26 - Ray's mural at the University of Washington called, Fishes of the Salish Sea
27:53 - Take the fish quiz here - see how many fish you can name
28:56 - Ray Troll has a podcast called Paleo Nerds
30:26 - What a Sea Squirt looks like
34:13 - Elpistostege
34:23 - Tiktaalik
36:39 - Dr. Neil Shubin was on the Paleo Nerds podcast and talked about his book, Your Inner Fish
37:15 - John Long was on the Paleo Nerds podcast
37:39 - Next year will be Ray's 40th year living in Alaska
38:20 - Ray tells the story of when he first got to Alaska
49:10 - That artwork Ray drew of himself waking in the middle of the night being haunted by that salmon and rockfish that he killed
53:14 - Ray wrote a song called, Fish Worship - Is It Wrong?
53:49 - Ray tells the story of how the Paleo Nerds podcast came to be
59:09 - Ray gives a shoutout to Jerry Smith - Jerry was on his podcast
1:01:44 - Ray's got another booking coming called, Fish Head which will be published by Clover Press
Conclusion with Ray Troll
Ray Troll shared the story of how he got started with his career as an artist and how he became so fascinated with fish. He told us about the inspiration behind some of his famous artwork and books. Ray also told us about his podcast called, Paleo Nerds covering some very interesting topics about art and science.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/299
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/wet-fly-swing-fly-fishing-podcast-38008/wfs-298-influential-people-in-the-history-of-fly-fishing-with-jim-scho-19802357"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to wfs 298 - influential people in the history of fly fishing with jim schottenham on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy