Lifetime Full Page

From Fly Tyer magazine (Spring 2013 Issue)

 

            We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 Fly Tyer Lifetime Achievement Awards. These folks are all making important contributions to fly tying, and making our time at the vise more enjoyable and productive.

 

Al and Gretchen Beatty

            Al and Gretchen Beatty have each been tying flies for almost half a century. Gretchen says she learned to tie flies when she was about 11 or 12 years old, and Al bought a fly-tying kit when he was 14 years old. "I sold my first fly a month later," he says. "I've been a commercial fly tier ever since."

            Today, Al and Gretchen have retired from jobs in the real world, and they spend a great deal of time filling orders for their flies from their home in Boise, Idaho, and running their business, BT's Fly Fishing. Both are experienced guides and leading fly designers.

            The Beattys are regular contributors to Fly Tyer magazine. they authored the book LaFontaine's Legacy: The Last Flies from an American Master, which is part of the Fly Tyer library of books, and the Fly Pattern Encyclopedia of the Federation of Fly Fishers.*

            Al and Gretchen are active members of the Federation of Fly Fishers, and have received high honors from that organization. They spend a great deal of time on the road, visiting clubs and appearing at major fly-fishing shows around the world. They are leading fly-tying instructors who are always eager to help their students succeed.

            Spend five minutes talking with the Beatty's, and you will happily discover that they keep no secrets; they freely share what they know with fellow fly tiers.

 

* Other books authored by the Beattys include Tying Hair Wing Flies, Innovative Flies & Techniques, Rotary Fly-Tying Techniques and the Beatty Extended Family Cookbook.

 

Other Lifetime Achievement Recipients

2013 Fly Tyer Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include Craig Mathews published author and owner of Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, Montana and Bob Popovics,  an inductee into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and originator of the Surf Candy series of saltwater flies. Recipients for 2011 include Dick Talleur, John Barr and Dr. Tom Whiting and 2012 recipients were Jay Fullum, Mike Mercer, Bruce Olson and Tom Schmuechker.