Master Fly Tyers

[longears 0]

An interesting question came up at our Fly Club meeting tonight.

What is a Master Fly Tyer? and, what does it take to become one? and; Who is it that gives you that title?

Please don't name any specific person as one in your answer.

We just want to know HOW they became one. Thanks in advance, some members of The Whidbey Island Fly fishing Club.

[rscconrad 0]

With lots of practice after tying many flies they became masters whoever they are.

 

Sorry couldn't resist. Good question thought.

[steelie 0]

Good Day,

 

Good question. Beginner, intermediate, advanced, master. A simple progression, howeverI don't think most really get to master class ability nor do I think most really want to. Personally I believe that there are but a few dozen masters in individual classes of tying within the US. For example, masters of spey, classic salmon, wets, nymphs, dries and realistics. Webster's defines master as:

 

1 a (1) : a male teacher (2) : a person holding an academic degree higher than a bachelor's but lower than a doctor's b often capitalized : a revered religious leader c : a worker or artisan qualified to teach apprentices d (1) : an artist, performer, or player of consummate skill (2) : a great figure of the past (as in science or art) whose work serves as a model or ideal

 

A master tier is one who is extremely knowledgable of the history and techniques of his or her style of tying as well as is one who helps to or directly develops new and useful techniques for tying. They have made tying more than even just a passion. It goes way beyond that. It comes to almost being a complete life style choice vs. a hobby. Complete immersion. What will really get you is that there even exist a few super masters! For lack of a better term, they are like the Yoda's of the fly tying world. Not only are they very specialized and knowledgable of any single style or type of tying, but they are masters of more than one style and in most cases are masters of many. It can take many years to of dedication, education and time at the bench to attain this status.

 

Steelie

 

[Guest]

There isn't, as far as I know of, any organization that bestows the title of "Master Tyer", although anyone who has tied long enough knows of someone who would qualify. I know that I could easily name a few whom I would consider for that title.

 

I think the tyer's entire body of work has to be considered; his/her published works in addition to the product coming from their vise. His or her contribution to the craft has to be considered too, what have they done to teach and pass on their knowledge? There are some I would disqualify because they did nothing in their lifetime to pass along what they knew.

 

In a way I'm glad there isn't an official designation, it would only inflate some egos more than they deserve.

[Guest]

I like the way steelie put it. I'd add that they would have the ability to know the tying style of a fly, even to replicate it, just by seeing it. They'd be willing, maybe regularly engaged, in passing on their knowledge, have an intimate knowledge of tools and their uses, the reactions of a given material with water, the parts of a given animal that give the best hair or feathers for a given fly or application, and I'm sure I could think of more.

 

The thing that really identifies a master fly tyer is that he realizes that no one person can know everything and yet he humbly strives to learn more all the time.

[steelie 0]

Good Day,

 

TroutBum, I completely agree! One, in my opinion, cannot be considered a master unless they are willing to share or teach the craft to the up and comers. There certainly are many "famous" tiers who unfortunately took many of their secrets to the grave. This is unfortunate as these secrets may be lost for generations if not forever! Like so many things in life we do need to share our knowledge with those who would like to learn from us!

 

Steelie

[Joe Hard 0]

I dont know if such a thing exists, in modern times there are so many types of flies and materials that no one has mastered them all. Years ago when the world was green I am sure something along that line did exist, but in todays starndards there are many great inovative tiers, but have thery mastered every aspect of every new material, and every techinque know.

[longears 0]

Wow! Excellent answers All! Ilove agree with everything you all pointed out. The amazing thing is that none of you eluded to a persons name, Thank You! I didn't get that on another site.

The other thing that was brought up last night is : If you master at the Art of say, Realistic Fly tying can you call yourself a "Master Fly tyer if you've never tyed Bass Flies or Atlantic Salmon Flies"

I was agreed that the title is self proclaimed but; Do you bestow it upon yourself upon tying your 1000th Green Carey special? You know what I mean.

I don't mean in any way to slam anyone who proclaimsd themselves as a Master. The guys just want to know what makes you a master and I relly like the answers so far on this site!

[Robert_S 0]

This is interesting. I had taken a class way back with a well known tyer and author who had described himself as a master tyer. And even now years later I would say that he is, even though I have not seen a ton of his flys. I hope there could never be a bunch of tests that you would have to pass with a 90 or better, or a certain number of books that you would have to publish to be a certified master tyer. I've seen some world class salmon tyers who's flys are pure works of art yet get them to work with some regular materials for a trout fly and they would fall below average, but I still would consider them master tyers. I think when you see one ya know it and if you are one ya know it and don't care if others see it also.

[Guest]

Someone who refers to himself as a master tyer is a bit too pretentious for me.

[Guest]

Im my opinion "master tyer" is a bit of an inflated tyer. I've met masters of various techniques, but none of them called themselves a "master tyer". there is always more to be learned. Each fly I tie is some type of learning experience (often: don't try it that way again!!)

 

Mark Delaney

[CapeBSalar 0]

Interesting Post!

 

If anyone is familiar with the FQSA World Championship In Quebec, there is a list of master tyer's.

 

There is also a classification within that organization for Master Tyer signification.

 

This is in context with their contest

 

MASTER:

 

A participant is classified as a Master Tyer if he or she is, in the Expert Class, Compulsory Model or Original Designs (Feather-wing and Hair-wing Categories), matching with one of these two judgements :

 

* Ranked in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd position for four different years with at least one year in a feather-wing category.

* Ranked in the 1 st, 2 nd or 3 rd, position for three different years with a 1 st position in a feather-wing category.

* Ranked first for two different years in a feather-wing category.

 

Judging criteria were revised in May 2003. A Master tyers name list has been establish based according to these criteria’s. Members of the Master tyers category are not eligible to participate to the regular FQSA Championship. Masters tyers will be invited to a friendly competition to be held at the beginning of 2006.

 

If anyone is interested in seeing this information .....

 

FQSA

 

 

[Robert_S 0]

The FQSA contest is a tough contest to win and their masters discription is deserving. But winning contests I don't think is a requirement for a master tyer. I'm thinking of a Catskill tyer who I'm sure never entered a contest just wanted to put food on the table from the flys he sold, don't want to get into names but I'm sure most would consider him a master tyer. I agree with TroutBum, don't care much for the self proclaimed even if they are. With the title master tyer and a buck, all your going to get is a cup of coffee.

[Guest]

I believe that to be considered a master tyer, you should be able to tie ideal representations of every category of flies.

[fishyfranky 0]

There's too many styles and techniques to become proficient in all. And I would imagine that few would be interested in trying given the fact that most people would like to have a life outside of fly tying

 

In an old time skilled trade, a "journeyman" is someone who is knowledgeable and proficient in a chosen area. A "master" is a journeyman who has created a master's piece, that is, a masterpiece. This must be something new and exceptional. A master can, and is expected to, take on apprentices to raise them to jouneyman status.

 

Likewise, the difference between a Master's degree and a Bachelor's is that you must add to the body of knowledge and not just know what's already known.

 

So given this, there are very few Master Fly Tyers.