Early on in my pursuit of fly-fishing I can remember the first time I heard the name George Harvey. By that time, Mr. Harvey was in his eighties and had been long retired from teaching the country’s first college level fly-fishing and tying course. After having read several other well-known author’s books and having them mention in high respect Mr. Harvey and his mass of knowledge, I bought George Harvey’s book, “Techniques Of Trout Fishing and Fly-Tying” and read it from cover to cover several times. It was this book that gave me most of my fly-tying knowledge. It also gave me the respect for the Dean of American Fly-fishing even more.
Back when Mr. Harvey was a young teen, the mountain streams were much different then they are now. The wild trout filling these streams were plentiful and pretty much ignorant to the fly. However, don’t let this fact make you think they were that easy to take on a fly. Mr. Harvey developed fly-fishing techniques and fly patterns that made taking trout on a fly much easier. Keep in mind that back in the early days of Mr. Harvey’s fly-fishing career, there wasn’t that much about fly-fishing in print, especially fly-fishing in Mr. Harvey’s home state of Pennsylvania.
I can recall the first time I had the privilege of meeting George Harvey at his home in State College, PA, many years ago. A smiling man who, by that time, face was very familiar from the many books and articles I had read about him greeted my wife and I at his door. He invited us in to have a seat on his living room couch. Hours later, after having reminisced about the old times and having a brief but very informative fly-tying lesson in Mr. Harvey’s tying room, we said our goodbyes. On our way home my wife and I talked the entire two and a half hour drive about our visit.
Even after all these years, we still bring up the first visit, but since then we have had several other visits to remember, for Mr. Harvey invited us back saying, “next time bring your two boys with you”. My oldest boy has made the trip to visit with the great Mr. Harvey. He also had the privilege of getting a fly-tying lesson as well as a casting lesson from Mr. Harvey. To stand in the front yard with George Harvey and my family and watch Mr. Harvey patiently give my son a casting lesson was a memory I will never forget. At the time of this last visit, Mr. Harvey was in his mid to late 80’s. All I can say to Mr. Harvey is thank you for all you have done for the fly-fishing world and thanks for all of the memories.
Brad Wilson Fly-tying artist specializing in custom made domed displays of his realistic flies Contact by e-mail at bradsan@npacc.net
Hatches Magazine Subscription
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The Premiere issue is ready for shipping & the Fall 2008 issue will be available September 1st.
Hatches Magazine Subscription
Price: $6.95 for each issue
The Premiere issue is ready for shipping & the Fall 2008 issue will be available September 1st.
