FLYMPH FORUM

Yesterday I spent some time looking thru the (digital) pages of an old anglers supply catalogue (Walbran's Anglers Annual/circa 1894/Sixth Edition). I was fascinated by the various descriptions and illustrations of fishing gear from that era.

I love seeing some of the old fly books:

The "Warfedale" Fly Book:


Dubbing and Material Book:


Tackle Books and Flight Cases:


I loved some of the miscellaneous items, such as this flask/sandwich box combo. I want one...


Do any of you collectors have examples of these older fly books/paraphernalia? If so, please post pictures.

NOTE: I was hoping the pages would be more legible in this post. If your right click on the image and open them in a separate tab, they will be larger and easier to read. Sorry for the extra effort needed to see the images.

Within it's pages, there were lists of flies which could be ordered separately or as prepared rigs.






Trout Series Casts (pre tyed combination rigs):



I find it interesting to look thru these old references, to get a glimpse of fishing history.

Thank you for posting this. Where did you find this document? It will be interesting to compare Walbran's commercial list to that of Pritt.

tups - I have an app on my iPad called "Google Play Books". The Walbran Anglers Annual is available for free in the app, along with many other old British fly fishing books. I believe the app is also available for Chromebooks/PC/Mac/other devices.

EDIT: Here is a link to the Google Play Books on-line.
LINK: https://play.google.com/books

You can search on fly fishing books and find many free digital editions, including books by Pritts, Cuttcliffe, Halford, La Branche, Rhead, Marbury, etc... Look around and I'm sure you will find something interesting.

This is great Ray!!!!
Tom

Thank you Ray. I appreciate the feedback.

Ray,
I too find these pages fascinating to read and pour over! My favorite? The sandwich and dram flask! How crazy practical is that! This is awesome Ray! Thank you for bringing these to us! Looking forward to more!
Dougsden

Links to free fishing books.

https://www.johnkreft.com/links-to-free ... ing-books/

Very nice, Ray. Thank you for posting that app's link, I'll be sure to make it useful.

Speaking of useful, if I could only find one of those sandwich and dram flasks, I'd be set. Who the heck was the genius who invented that, and what else did he invent I wonder?

Your post reminded my of an old Ogden Smiths catalogue I picked up a few years ago, tucked in the bottom of the box of some fly tying items. Judging from the second photo, I would date it somewhere in the mid 1930s. I hope some may find the photos interesting.

Thank you Kevin. I enjoyed looking thru these images very much. Check out the Fan Wing Grizzly King & Queen of the Waters patterns. I’d love to have one of them for display. Such grand display of the art. My fishing flies pale in comparison.

Bill - Thank you for sharing the link. I saw a couple more books to download to my iPad.