Calvert "Cal" Bird was a San Francisco native and remains one of the finest fly tyers to have ever plied his craft in the West-or on the planet for that matter. His most notable contribution to the Yellowstone region is his Bird's Stone Fly. This adult salmon fly pattern was one of the first, if not the first, to uniquely replicate the low profile and natural life form of these adult flies. This pattern is a wonderful imitation of the lifelike activity as these large bugs as they are blown into the river or as the females drop onto river's surface to deposit their eggs.
Cal's flies are not limited to Rocky Mountain patterns as some of his steelhead, trout and salmon flies are also remarkable for thier fish catching ability and artistic art form. His flies and artistic skill have also been featured in numerous books that highlight the best fly tyers of the world. This is as good as it gets.
(Above is an original salmon fly pattern tied by Don Labbe--friend of Cal's and fellow California native. Note the "Cal Bird" Style & quality. Don graciously contributed his collection of Cal's flies for this series featured below.)
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