When the name Frederick Halford is mentioned, I have mixed thoughts and feelings on the subject. Some claim that Frederick Halford is the "Father of Dry Fly Fishing in the 1890's, when actual transcripts of the show that dry fly fishing and single hand fly rods where used as early as 1850's.
As for the fly patterns in Frederick Halfords many books, those were the work of his friend, George Selwyn Marryat (who refused to take any credit in Frederick Halfords many books.
Today there is still a split camp in fly angling over Dry Flies vs. all other Fly Patterns used....not so much by Frederick Halford by by the fly anglers that took up the cause from his many books that to some made Frederick Halford to be perceived as a snob of those who did not follow his take on fly fishing.
Back then fly fishing was a rich man's pleasure, and they had private streams, with strict rules of conduct and behavior while fly fishing....- finding a fish feeding on winged insects.
- presenting to him a good imitation of the natural insect both as to size and colour.
- presenting it to him in its natural position, floating and "cocked".
- putting it lightly on the water so that it floats accurately over him without drag.
- that the four previous points should have been fulfilled before the fish has caught sight of the angler and his rod.
A person that did not follow Halfords rules was consider not a gentleman, and could lose their fishing privileges on the private waters.....
Information from Andrew N. Herd's site "A Flyfishing History" http://www.flyfishinghistory.com/
"Everyone you meet in life, give you happiness! Some by their arrival, others by their departure!" ~Parnelli
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