Blog – Page 12 – Tunes and Ties

The Gang: 1968

Post author By Len Handler
Post date November 2, 2022
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What a Motley Crew! Opening Day, at the Ramapo River, Oakland, NJ, 1968; (r to l) Larry Sosnow, Bob Woods, Rich Saslow and me. Note the distinctive hats.

Friends Rivers & Fish Porn

John Eilhardt

Post author By Len Handler
Post date November 2, 2022
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John and I shared a love of fly-tying, trout and classical music. John was a couple of years older and drove – hence, many great car trips to rivers of our dreams; The Beaverkill, The Willowemac, The Raritan, The Schoharie, The Esopus – many great Catskill rivers. We shared some great times. Here he is on the banks of the Hackensack.

Rivers Rivers & Fish Porn

Ramapo River

Post author By Len Handler
Post date November 2, 2022
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One of our local childhood rivers in Mahwah, NJ.

Blog

Influences

Post author By Len Handler
Post date November 1, 2022
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These guys all provided tremendous inspiration and had a huge influence on my fly-tying. Jonny King (jazz pianist supreme), David Nelson and Mike Motyl. Watching all of them tie I became aware of the economy of motion, the insistence of perfection and the importance of proportion. Three of the greatest (and also the greatest anglers as well.) Thanks, guys!

Gallery

A Tale of Two Rinkers

Post author By Len Handler
Post date November 1, 2022
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Two Rinkers: Ben (r) and Dave (l). Both are from Pennsylvania; Both are master anglers. Ben is a superb guide and environmentalist. Dave makes beautiful bamboo rods. They have never met, and are not related. A true case of “separated at birth.”

Rivers Rivers & Fish Porn

Hackensack River

Post author By Len Handler
Post date November 1, 2022
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Below the cornfield, Montvale, NJ

Another childhood haunt. This was a beautiful stretch of New Jersey water that held some good stocked fish. And even better, the river sustained a good array of mayflies, inchworms, and all sorts of aquatic insects. Rich Saslow, Larry Sosnow, Bob Woods, John Eilhardt and I did some great flyrod work here. But alas, this section exists no more. A resevoir was built, and this section was flooded and now lies under 30 feet of water. But the memories are sweet.

Rivers Rivers & Fish Porn

Bear Brook

Post author By Len Handler
Post date November 1, 2022
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“The Glen”; Park Ridge, NJ

Bear Brook was one of my childhood haunts. Back in the 1950’s and 60’s it still held wild brookies and browns. It was a lovely little secluded gem of pocket water and glides for us to explore.

Gallery