Welcome to Just Old Flies

Welcome to 'just old flies,' a section of methods and flies that used-to-be. These flies were tied with the only materials available. Long before the advent of 'modern' tying materials, they were created and improved upon at a far slower pace than todays modern counterparts; limited by materials available and the tiers imagination.

Once long gone, there existed a 'fraternity' of anglers who felt an obligation to use only the 'standard' patterns of the day. We hope to bring a bit of nostalgia to these pages and to you. And sometimes what you find here will not always be about fishing. Perhaps you will enjoy them. Perhaps you will fish the flies. Perhaps?

Old Fly Wallet


By James Castwell, WA
For many years a lot of things had to be fabricated if a flyfisher wanted them. Not everything was on the market yet; most hadn't even been invented, let alone produced. It was not unusual, in fact it was often part of the lore of flyfishing, to create or at least make many of the accessories for the sport oneself. Nets were almost a common product. Tying vice's were often home-made. Formula's for 'fly-floatant' were numerous. So were fly wallets. This is one from Rochester, New York, hand made in the late 1960's by now premier cane rod maker, Ron Kusse.

A simple wallet suitable for wet flies, nymphs or streamers, even a spare leader or two. Made of sturdy leather it has three sheets of high quality felt sewn in the center and folded making twelve surfaces. It was a gift from Ron to me; I value it highly and still use it to this day. ~ JC

Archive of Old Flies