Pesca

1995 · ref. 75829 — Lakewood CO: Self published ca. 1995. Modern three ring black binder with 73 original color photographs of flies tied by Barnard all neatly annotated at the bottom of each page in manuscript. All photographs are tipped onto a gray sheet of paper each of which is in turn is placed into a plastic sleeve. Five of the photographs were done by Wyoming fly-tier Marvin Nolte probably used as models for some of Bernard's creations. Included in the front pocket is a price guide of Barnard flies and his business name appears to be “Barnard Fishfeathers and Wood” and laid in are two printed articles about Barnard and his creations. Very good condition. Likely the only copy.When one looks at his price list one see prices of $150 to $200 for a single fly one is taken back a bit as 30 years ago $1.25 would have bought you a nicely-tied fly. As a fly fisher in days gone by this was surprising to me until I read the article enclosed. Gary Barnard was a graphic designer and sculptor in wood for 25 years before giving up his business and opening “Barnard Fishfeathers and Wood” in Lakewood CO in 1990. The reason for the incredible pricing is that Barnard was not making flies to be used for fishing but was constructing these very intricate and beautiful flies and using wood as his only medium in very imposing designs as sculptures. In a standard fly the 'wings' are made from parts of birds feather but even here Bernard used wood. Surely an incredible time-consuming process. Two photographs are no longer present and they appea to have been removed on purpose as Barnard likely didn't want to continue that design. In essence he was selling wooden sculptures of flies priced at $200; a bargain really as Barnard was a serious artist a very skilled woodworker a graphic designer and a serious fly fisherman. These were surely meant to be proudly displayed on mantelpieces and the like. Looking on the internet I could not find a single example for sale. Self published unknown