The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum has announced the inductees into the Hall Of Fame this year. They are Preston Jennings, Julia Fairchild, Robert Redford, Marty King and Norman Maclean.
Who is Marty King? Julia Fairchild?
Preston Jennings was a wonderful creative fly tier; Maclean wrote one novella about fly fishing, did he write or do anything else for fly fishing?
Redford produced “the movie” any other fly fishing credit to his name?
Has the Museum run out of ‘important’ names to honor?
2004 Inductees
Bob jacklin
Gary LaFontaine
James Leisenring
Helen Shaw
Joan Stoliar
Don Zahner
2006 Inductees
Charles Orvis
Mary Ellen (Orvis) Marbury
Zane Grey
Bob Nastasi
Al Caucci
Harold Demarest
Keith Fulsher
I think it is a Classic case of bad Inductee management!
I looked on Google for Marty & Julia and big surprise! No one has heard of them!
As far a Robert R. & Norman M., well their flyfishing careers speak for themselves! :shock:
Doug
Redford’s contribution was the result of ‘Unintended Consequences’. Good movie but certainly not worthy of ‘Hall of Fame’ status. Maclean wrote a novela that was very good but again, not worthy of this honor. Ms Fairchild founded the Women’s Fly Fishers but, and all sexism aside, who cares? Tabory writes but I don’t know any specific influence he’s had. I’m not familiar with Keane.
Why the Museum has a criteria of 6 inductees per year may have been needed when the ‘Hall’ was started, but that criteria is no longer necessary. The Museum has lowered the status of the ‘Hall’ and is doing a disservice to previous inductees by lowering the standard to meet outdated criteria.
Oh, and for the record, a person who had more to do and a greater impact of flyfishing than all but Jennings has not yet been recognized and is not an inductee. That man’s name is George L. Herter. His involvement: catalogs, books, catalog sales, promotional efforts, etc. in flyfishing, fly tying and camping effected more people on a national/international scale than most.
I am really disappointed with this years inductees. However, the CFFC & M will probably reap some good benefits.
Marty Keane is a collector, seller and historian of classic bamboo rods. His book, “Classic Rods & Rodmakers” is considered the bible of the history of the masters of split bamboo rods.
I don’t know whether I feel his contributions to the sport are worthy of inclusion although I have bought a few rods from him.
But like all things historical; sometimes things do get hysterical.
I used to be a member of the CFFC & M when it first opened but haven’t had much interest since. I do feel that the emphasis SHOULD be on the Catskills or Northeastern Fly Fishing history and contributions from persons to that legacy; not the sport at large. I don’t know if that conflicts with the mission statement or not but why call it the CATSKILL Center if it does?
Once you’ve already honored the Darbee’s, Dette’s, Stoliar’s, Schweibert’s, Gillium’s, Garrison’s, Leonard’s, Thomas’, Carpenter’s, Van Putt’s, Leiser’s, Zern’s, Gordon’s, Deren’s, Flick’s and the rest I neglected; it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to stop or wait until someone other than a has-been movie star or one hit wonder author comes along.
It isn’t such an amazing thing to consider that in a sport where many feel nothing is new; it might be appropriate to honor the pioneers or those that truly made a big difference and not just the next schmo who writes a book or publishes a few articles; just to fill an annual need to “honor” someone.
I am asking this question in all seriousness; Is it possible that the Catskill people wanted to induct previous inductees before they passed on?? Why else would they need to have such large groups of them?
I know there were exceptions to that idea.
Doug
When the CFFC started a ‘Hall of Fame’, there were a lot of people who were renown as well as many who were highly regarded but did not have the national recognition. There were several generations of people who made great contributions to fly fishing. Many had died and some were getting up there in age. Perhaps initially the incentive was to honor those who deserved the distinction while they were still alive. Maybe the Center should have had 2 distinctions at the time and voted in a lot of people who were already dead and limited the number of people inducted who were alive.
Anyway, I think the Center has broadened the brush so much that they’ve watered down the intensity of the paint. JMHO.
I am surprised to see so much agreement. It might be something the outfit should consider.e personally have contributed to them as there are some wonderful things there. But, this does seem to fall short somehow.
I think that I read the Induction Ceremony raises money for the Catskill Museum, but if that is NOT the case, then maybe the Board would consider NOT doing a strict Annual Induction.
It might be worth the wait!
Doug
