Ray Smith was a regionaly well known and respected member of the Catskill school. A contemporary of the Dettes and Darbees, he's briefly mentioned in Darbee's book as "...a top professional tier and guide..."

In a 1972 interview with Cecil Heacox (Outdoor Life, May, 1972), Smith had a telling comment:

Heacox: Like most dry fly anglers,I prefer a high-profile fly.

Smith: "You want 'em to ride down through like a haystack?"

Heacox: I nodded.

Smith: "Well, the next time you're drawing a blank get out your scissors and give your fly a good hair cut. You'll be surprized how often it pays off."

Ray Smith is featured in the latest Issue of AAJ. [url=http://www.artofangling.com/raysmith.html:86988]http://www.artofangling.com/raysmith.html[/url:86988]

[This message has been edited by slw (edited 27 August 2005).]