Paint & Pen in Fly Fishing

Brett Smith is without a doubt my favorite painter and artist of outdoor hunting and fishing.  The realism and care to detail he brings to his paintings  is unequaled in my opinion. A gift from God.  I can only imagine what his flies would have looked like if he had been a fly tier..  Preview his art here, I am sure you will agree;  http://www.brettsmith.com

Bill Tapply is my  favorite all time outdoor writer (both fly fishing stories & mystery novels). Some of you may recall his Dad "Tap" Tapply of "Taps Tips" from the old Outdoor Life Magazines.  Although there are others that I enjoy reading and admire, Bill was able to bring a simple, directness and eloquence to his fly fishing stories that made the pages simply melt away chapter by chapter.  Bill was a a true New Englander,  and I've always connected with his settings and descriptive moments on a local river or pond.
Several years ago I met Bill on two occasions.  We spoke of hatches, trout and the great scenery around us. He was an avid fisherman, a true gentleman and everything I would have expected from his reading.
You can find more on Bill at http://williamgtapply.com
-ASM