The Lost World of Mr. Hardy
The astonishing story of how a passion for angling and a love of craftsmanship created one of the most interesting, quirky and best loved British companies ever.
“Spectacular… I defy you to watch with a dry eye” – Ken Russell THE TIMES
“The quality of this film is without equal” – Flylife magazine
“Savour the glory… relish every minute.” – Fieldsports magazine
The Lost World of Mr Hardy (trailer) from Trufflepig Films on Vimeo.
Go fishing. That’s exactly what you’ll want to do after seeing the spectacular new documentary film The Lost World of Mr Hardy. Made by the director Andy Heathcote and his partner Heike Bachelier with the same care, gentle humour and true aim with which a fishing devotee casts his or her line into sparkling water, the story follows the rise, fall and rebirth of the premier family-based fishing equipment manufacturer, Hardy’s of Alnwick and London.
The film takes the contemplative subject of fly fishing and its components – the river, the rod, the reel, the fly, the fling of the line, the fish – and gives us a riveting entry into the values, quirks, dilemmas and sociological drama of true aficionados and the suppliers of “kit”. An insider’s love of the craft and its quality tools is conveyed brilliantly in this very British story of two brothers who invented precision fishing tackle in 1873 and opened a small shop in Alnwick, near the Scottish Border, to make and sell it.
Receiving Flies From Friends…
As i progress in my fly tying ‘career’ i have many epiphany moments – the latest being that i like tying for others more than for myself.
Sure i like tying my own flies, fishing them and catching fish. However, i have learned that i enjoy the whole experience more when putting my heart and soul into my flies, and then giving them away. I just have a much higher sense of reward when i can contribute into a friend’s day on the waters.
So, through the last few years, i tie, i tie, i tie…then i give them away. It must be a karma thing – as now i am graced with more and more similar gifts myself. To be able to fish the flies of another angler on my home waters is a vastly higher blessing than tying my own and hitting the river. Why? Well, since the majority of us fly anglers strive for perfection on our home waters, i already know my own patterns ‘work’. To be able to share and experiment with others is the cherry on the proverbial sundae in my opinion.
Today i happily opened a package i had been waiting anxiously for. Flies! Not just any flies, but flies tied by a very talented individual i am happy to call a friend. Peter Donahower is not only very creative at tying flies, but also at designing them.
Peter has a little penchant for designing and naming flies after beer that he likes, but hey – let’s not hold that against him, ok? 
Roll over the photos to see pattern names…
I am often amazed at the generosity of fellow fly anglers. To be able to be part of such a wonderful and caring community is such an honor. Thank you Peter for your heart felt gift. I will fish them with the grace they deserve.
Christmas in July sale!
Free shipping worldwide on all items on Jay Behrle’s site for the 3rd annual Christmas in July sale!
Custom Fiberglass Fish Replicas
Inspired by a lifetime of angling and countless hours spent fly fishing, fish artist Luke Filmer blends his love of art and angling to create incredibly realistic one-of-a-kind fiberglass fish replicas and fish art sculptures in their natural habitat.
Luke’s passion and knowledge of his subjects are clearly reflected in each fish sculpture. These are original paintings and considered fine art. These art pieces are multi-dimensional displays of salmon replicas, steelhead replicas, rainbow trout replicas, as well as largemouth bass or saltwater fish replicas.
Luke lives in the small seaside community of Gig Harbor located in Washington State on the Olympic Peninsula.
For more information, visit their Photo Gallery or contact Luke at Blackwater Fish Replicas – PO Box 1553, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 or via telephone at 253-851-2551 in order to customize one of these fish replica sculptures for your home, office, fine art gallery, or commercial location.
Please note this is not fish taxidermy.
Fly Fishing Fine Art
A recent piece from Diane Michelin…
Fly-Fishing artist, Diane Michelin – Detroit Fly Fishing Examiner
Our very own Flyfishergirl Diane Michelin gets some press time!
For 20 years, Diane Michelin has been a professional watercolor artist of an extraordinary talent, and has the distinction of winning the Trout Unlimited Canada “2009 Artist of the Year” award. She is an extremely talented artist, a passionate fly angler, and member of “Fly Fisher Girls.” She resides in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
A statement in her own words describes her passions – her art and fly-fishing. In her own words, she conveys her loves and her driving forces. Diane says, “My watercolors describe the essence of fly-fishing, as told by exotic paraphernalia, rusty pickup trucks, fishin’ dogs, and snazzy tackle … read full story
Rogue Angel Artwork
An artist in our midst… K8 Taylor shares with us a painting recently completed of a very handsome treasured pet, Kestrel. Great work K8!
Kelley Sanford Fine Art
For this North Carolina artist, color is a major component in her paintings. “I lean toward simple subjects where color or the play of light becomes the focus. Where others might select a table full of items to paint, I might paint a couple of pears in a colorful bowl or focus on the reflections of a boat not the boat itself.”
A lifelong student of art, she attended Appalachian State to study art. She pursued her goal of becoming a professional artist after a 15 year career in mortgage banking. She has studied with nationally recognized artists Kate Worm, Andy Braitman, Joseph Bohler & Steve Rogers.
She is inspired by both Russian & California impressionists, and is a member of the American Impressionist Society.
Kelley is looking for fly angling ladies and gents who are brave enough and would like to submit their photos to inspire her art. If you are interested, contact Kelley via her website, her blog, add her as a friend on facebook or contact her through email at kelleyart@gmail.com.
More work from Diane Michelin…
Recent work from fellow flyfishergirl and fly fishing fine artist Diane Michelin.
The Painted Trout – Fine Goods for a Sporting Life
While i was attending the Indiana On The Fly show my booth was next to Lauren Kingsley, who is the mastermind behind The Painted Trout. Not only is she an incredibly sweet lady, but also extremely artistically gifted.
The Painted Trout began when Lauren left the house wearing one of her hand-painted silk scarves featuring Brook, Brown, and Rainbow trout. Neighbors in Ann Arbor, Michigan stopped her in the driveway and promptly bought every trout scarf she had.
Today The Painted Trout original designs adorn not only textiles such as bandanas, scarves and neckties, but tile, mugs, notecards, T-shirts, and more. Imagery is inspired by hunting and equestrian themes as well as fishing. They carry the finest quality goods that are unique, useful, and downright wonderful. One-of-a-kind artisan-made items, as well as custom-design services for a single special gift, corporate programs, private label goods, and non-profits are available.
“In the painting of an animal – whether it’s on silk, or paper, or wood or what have you -– I’m evoking memories of my own encounters with that type of animal. There’s an electric instance when you are face to face with a wild creature. That experience is, well, wonderful and mysterious and kind of holy. You may never meet again. I don’t try to describe or capture or interpret anything here. I don’t know about connecting in any way with them. But I have noticed that in the careful acts of composing and of painting I feel duty bound to render them beautifully and mindfully. Creating, for me, means honoring the mystery, and in that, it’s a kind of prayer.”