Vincent Marinaro

Bill Harms donated me the magnificent book on Vincent Marinaro he an Tom Whittle published in 2007.

I met Bill in Waischenfeld in 2007 and I remember him gladly as cheerful and witty bamboo rod maker.

But he is also much informed on the history of fly fishing and bamboo rod making. I don't think I honour him and Tom Whittle enough with this modest page.

When I started reading the book on "Vince" Marinaro I was surprised at each new page of the welath and depth of information available. I must say that it is one of the most researched book on a single bamboo rod maker that I had the chance to read.

A similar book in term of serious historical research comes to my mind; Hoagy Carmichael'sThe Grand Cascapedia River: A History".

Anyhow, here a few notes on "Vince" as he was known as well.

He was an accountant by occupation and is probably better known as a fly tyer (he created the split tail) but because he kept his rod making quite secretive and a private matter, including his notorious taper: the "convex taper".

(more to come...)

Books "Vince" Marinaro wrote on fly fishing:

The most famous and historical important is A Modern Dry-Fly Code.

Here is my copy of it (first edition, 1950):

Then there is In the Ring of the Rise: A Startling Look at Trout Behavior and Riseforms

From a Lang's auction 2007 catalogue

Six Collectable Dry Flies by Vince Marinaro. Includes two each
of the following; thorax dun, olive thorax dun and brown hackle
peacock. Excellent examples of vintage flies by the author of A
Modern Dry Fly Code. Includes pattern identification by Brian
McGrath. ($400-$600)

Check Bill Harms website for the book and more information!

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