56/131/1-20

This is a collection of copies of nineteenth century salmon fishing flies. They are accompanied by a text panel from the previous owner, the Royal Forrestry Society, which reads: 'These show the contrast between the sombre flies - mainly Tweed - of the early part of the Century, and the gaudy and more elaborately-dressed flies developed mainly in Ireland, during the later decades...'

fishing flies text panel: paper; good condition

Non-MERL text label - 'Copies of some 19th Century Salmon Flies // These show the contrast between the sombre flies - mainly Tweed - of the early part of the Century, and the gaudy and more elaborately-dressed flies developed, mainly in Ireland, during the later decades. // Purists are respectfully requested not to be too critical of hooks or materials used. It is very difficult to find hooks of early pattern - such as that in Bainbridge 2 - and some materials are equally hard to obtain; substitutes have, therefore, had to be used. // References:- Bainbridge - The Fly Fisher's Guide. 1816. 'Ephemera' - Handbook of Angling. 1853. Maxwell - Salmon and Sea Trout. 1989. // Blacker - Art of Fly Making. 1855. Francis - A Book on Angling. 1867. Scrope - Days & nights of salmon fishing in the Tweed. 1854.', 54/415–416 and 54/704–707 were presented to the Museum by the Royal Forestry Society as permanent loans. 54/417–419, 54/708, 55/279–280, 55/454–457 and 56/131 were presented to the Museum by Mr R. C. B. Gardner (of the Royal Forestry Society), either as gifts or as permanent loans. 55/279 was returned to Mr Gardner in 1962.

Paper, Metal, Feather