Viking Lars | Saturday, 9 December 2023
There is little doubt that Frederic M. Halford was a special type and a character. He’s considered the father of modern dry fly fishing - and for a good reason. He was a near-religious dry fly fisherman, fishing the famed chalk streams of southern England. There are a lot of stories about him and his relationship with others, and especially G. E. M. Skues, but many - if not most - are not true.
That fact of the alleged animosity between Halford and Skues is that it arose after Halford died. It was Halford’s disciples that took offence to Skues and his sunk flies. That is not really the subject of the front page, so to anyone interested, I recommend Tony Hayter’s excellent biography on both Halford and Skues (two books).
However, as far as one, particular wet fly foes, Halford wasn’t impressed at all. I’ve not stumbled upon writings that say whether this was true for other wet flies. I think one of the most beautiful, classic wet flies is the Alexandra - a fly also shrouded in mystery and stories. Once named “Lady of The Lake”, later called Alexandra. Named after the danish princess Alexandra, who was married to King Edward VII, apparently renamed by Major Turle, better know for inventing the Turle Knot. The fly’s origins are not clear, but it seems to be older that 1860.
Halford certainly didn’t like the Alexandra - and even less the fly fishers who used it. In “Dry Fly Fishing - in theory and practice” from 1889, his opinion is clear.
“Some anglers, especially the selfish ones, are in the habit of using a huge bunch of peacock herl for wings for a silver body, called the ‘Alexandra’”.
It’s said that the danish princess Alexandra was much loved in England and Halford’s further words certainly bears witness to this fact.
“What a profanation to bestow on this monstrosity the name of one of the most charming and amiable princesses of this century!”
He goes on to complain that it looks like no insect found in rivers and his closing remarks somehow do attest to the fact that the fly must haven been effective.
“Long ere that its use should have been prohibited in every stream frequented by the bona fide (note the italics) as it is a dreadful scourge to any water…”
As I have been unable to find evidence of the long told story that it was banned on several fisheries in England, I’m quite sure that tale comes from Halford’s opinion. Although the stories about Halford disliking Skues aren’t true, his opinions regarding the Alexandra does indicate a character with string opinions.
Have a great weekend!
Lars
PS. While on Halford. When tying flies, I wind the thread anti-clockwise, which I sometimes get some heat from. Just to let everyone know - Halford and his mentor, the illusive G. S. Marryat did so as well [SIC].