Harry Lemire

Northwest steelheader and fly tyer Harry Lemire has past on. Mr. Lemire is a true legend and pioneer in steelhead fly fishing. His passing will be greatly felt in the steelheading community.

Rest in peace Harry.

Sad news. A Steelhead legend for sure. It was always fun to watch him tie fabulous flies sans-vice. RIP

Thanks Kerry. Prayers to his friends and family.

I knew briefly knew Harry, a world class Altantic Salmon Fly tyer. I last spoke at length with him up in Sequim back in 2011. Harry tied all his flies by hand, not using a vise.

He recently tied an Atlantic Salmon fly called "The Sentinal". A local artist, Bridgit Sims, from Bainbridge Island, painted that fly in a sort of abstract style.

Dean Childs took that fly and had them framed together as a beautiful work of art. He is donating this piece as a fund raiser. This piece will be up for sale during the Live Auction, at the Federation of Fly Fishers' International Fly Fishing Show being held in Spokane, WA this July.

All proceeds will be donated to Project Healing Waters.

Three other Atlantic Salmon Flies were tied by three other tyers and Bridgit painted those flies as well. All four pieces will be on display in Spokane.

Sorry to see Harry pass on but many of his flies will last forever.

Larry ---sagefisher---

I met Harry a few times, mostly while fishing the Skagit. My first meeting was one of my favorite steelhead memories. I walked into a well known run on the Skagit and a gentleman was already fishing. I knew who it was because of the distinctive hat he was wearing, an Ivy Cap. A style of cap he was known to be fond of and wore frequently while fishing. I waited at the top of the run until the gentleman (Harry) invited me in. I thought to myself this was a great opportunity to watch one of the sport's masters work a run. After a number of casts I hooked into a hot steelhead. Harry turned and looked when the fish made a particularly loud splash after a jump. He watched for a few minutes then resumed fishing. I landed my steelhead which turned out to be a nice 14 to 15 pound wild hen. After finishing the run I talked with Harry who then congratulated me on a nice fish. Not every day one gets to pick the pocket of a living legend. Rest in peace Harry. Thanks for the memory.

Harry will be missed. A world class fly tier and a joy to talk to.

RIP Harry.

While Harry is often remembered for his "in hand" tying of full-dressed Atlantic salmon flies, we shouldn't forget his even greater contributions to to the art of steelhead flies and fishing. Black Diamond, Hari Kari Bucktail, the Golden Edge series and, of course, the Grease Liner and the Thompson River Caddis series are part of his enduring legacy to the steelhead angler. Talking with Harry and watching him tie were always highlights of the fly tying events that we both regularly attended.