The phrase, popularized by Carrie Stevens, a outstanding determine in fly fishing, refers to a selected and extremely efficient streamer fly sample. This distinctive lure usually encompasses a shiny yellow physique, usually made from bucktail, and contrasting darker wing sections, designed to mimic a small baitfish. Variations exist, using completely different colours and supplies, however the core design ideas stay constant. As an illustration, some variations incorporate feathers or artificial fibers to boost motion and entice fish.
This specific fly sample has earned a big fame inside the angling neighborhood for its efficacy in attracting quite a lot of sport fish, particularly in difficult circumstances. Its success is usually attributed to the mix of coloration, measurement, and motion, which triggers a predatory response. Traditionally, its improvement marked a notable development in fly fishing lure design and continues to be a staple in lots of anglers’ sort out containers. The fly’s enduring recognition speaks to its practicality and persevering with effectiveness.
This exploration of the sample’s design, variations, and historic influence will present a complete understanding of its significance inside the broader context of fly fishing. Subsequent sections will delve into particular methods for tying and fishing this basic streamer, providing sensible recommendation for each novice and skilled anglers.
1. Carrie Stevens’ Creation
Carrie Stevens’ legacy as a famend fly tyer is inextricably linked to the “Who’s Your Daddy” streamer. This specific fly stands as a testomony to her progressive method to lure design, mixing artistry with practicality. Stevens’ meticulous craftsmanship and eager statement of aquatic life led to the event of a sample that successfully mimics the looks and motion of baitfish, a major meals supply for a lot of sport fish. This understanding of predator-prey relationships is prime to the fly’s success. For instance, the contrasting colours and strategic use of supplies like bucktail create a lifelike phantasm that triggers predatory instincts in fish like landlocked salmon and brook trout, species generally focused with streamers. The fly’s effectiveness stems straight from Stevens’ means to translate her observations right into a tangible, practical design.
The “Who’s Your Daddy” sample’s influence extends past its rapid fishing utility. It represents a big milestone within the evolution of fly tying, notably inside the realm of streamer design. Stevens’ progressive use of coloration and supplies influenced subsequent generations of fly tyers, inspiring numerous variations and diversifications of her unique idea. This ripple impact solidifies her contribution to the game, highlighting the significance of particular person innovation in shaping broader practices. Her creation serves as a tangible instance of how cautious statement and inventive experimentation can result in lasting developments inside a specialised subject. Modern fly tyers proceed to attract inspiration from Stevens’ work, demonstrating the enduring relevance of her design ideas.
Understanding the hyperlink between Stevens’ artistic course of and the ensuing “Who’s Your Daddy” fly offers worthwhile perception into the event and effectiveness of this iconic sample. Her legacy underscores the importance of meticulous statement, progressive design, and sensible utility on the earth of fly fishing. Whereas challenges corresponding to materials availability and variations in tying methods exist, the core ideas established by Stevens proceed to information anglers and fly tyers alike. The “Who’s Your Daddy” fly stands not solely as a profitable fishing lure but in addition as an emblem of particular person ingenuity and its lasting influence on a time-honored custom.
2. Streamer Fly Sample
The “Who’s Your Daddy” fly, created by Carrie Stevens, stands as a notable instance of a streamer fly sample. Streamer flies are designed to mimic baitfish, leeches, or different aquatic prey, engaging predatory fish by way of their measurement, motion, and coloration. Understanding the traits of streamer flies, and the way the “Who’s Your Daddy” embodies these traits, offers worthwhile perception into its enduring recognition and effectiveness.
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Imitating Baitfish:
Streamer flies excel at mimicking baitfish, a major meals supply for a lot of sport fish. This imitation hinges on a number of elements: profile, coloration, and motion within the water. “Who’s Your Daddy,” with its elongated form, shiny physique, and contrasting wing sections, successfully replicates the looks of a small, injured baitfish. This realism is essential to triggering a predatory response in goal species.
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Dimension and Motion:
The scale of a streamer fly influences its enchantment to completely different fish species. Bigger streamers usually entice bigger predators, whereas smaller patterns might be efficient for extra cautious or smaller fish. The “Who’s Your Daddy” usually falls inside a measurement vary appropriate for quite a lot of species. Furthermore, its building, usually incorporating supplies like bucktail and feathers, imparts lifelike motion within the water, additional enhancing its attractiveness. This dynamic presentation contributes considerably to its success.
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Coloration and Supplies:
Coloration performs an important position within the effectiveness of a streamer fly. Shiny, contrasting colours like these discovered within the “Who’s Your Daddy” are sometimes extremely seen in numerous water circumstances, attracting fish from a distance. Materials choice influences each the fly’s look and its motion within the water. Bucktail, a standard materials in “Who’s Your Daddy” patterns, offers each sturdiness and a pure, pulsating motion that enhances the phantasm of a dwelling baitfish.
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Method and Presentation:
Whereas the design of the “Who’s Your Daddy” contributes considerably to its success, correct fishing approach and presentation are equally essential. Retrieving the fly with brief, jerky strips or a gradual retrieve can impart completely different actions, mimicking the actions of injured or fleeing baitfish. Understanding the way to successfully current the fly in numerous water circumstances and depths is important for maximizing its effectiveness.
The “Who’s Your Daddy” fly successfully embodies the core ideas of streamer fly design. Its mixture of life like baitfish imitation, strategic use of coloration and supplies, and responsiveness to different retrieval methods contributes to its widespread use and enduring recognition amongst anglers. By understanding how this particular fly exemplifies the broader class of streamer patterns, anglers can recognize its effectiveness and adapt their fishing methods to maximise their possibilities of success.
3. Shiny, Contrasting Colours
The effectiveness of Carrie Stevens’ “Who’s Your Daddy” streamer fly is considerably attributed to its strategic use of shiny, contrasting colours. This design ingredient serves a number of essential functions, impacting the fly’s visibility, attractiveness, and total success in attracting fish. The interaction of colours creates a placing visible distinction that enhances the fly’s silhouette within the water, making it extra noticeable to predatory fish, even in difficult mild circumstances or murky water. This enhanced visibility will increase the probability of a fish detecting and reacting to the fly, notably from a distance. The particular coloration mixtures employed, usually that includes a shiny yellow or orange physique juxtaposed with darker wing sections, are believed to imitate the looks of injured baitfish, triggering a predatory response. As an illustration, the flash of yellow in opposition to a darker background can recommend a weak prey merchandise, engaging a strike.
Sensible purposes of this understanding are readily obvious in fly fishing. Anglers usually choose “Who’s Your Daddy” patterns, or comparable brightly coloured streamers, when fishing in stained or dark-colored water the place visibility is diminished. The excessive distinction helps the fly stand out, rising the prospect of attracting fish. Conversely, in clear water, the brilliant colours can set off aggressive strikes from species like smallmouth bass or largemouth bass which can be interested in flashy displays. Variations in coloration mixtures can be tailor-made to focus on particular species primarily based on their recognized prey preferences. Modifying wing colours or physique hues can improve the fly’s effectiveness relying on the goal species and prevailing water circumstances. This adaptability contributes to the fly’s versatility and continued recognition.
The strategic use of shiny, contrasting colours within the “Who’s Your Daddy” fly represents a key ingredient in its design and effectiveness. This coloration technique enhances visibility, triggers predatory instincts, and permits for adaptation to various water circumstances and goal species. Challenges in choosing acceptable coloration mixtures primarily based on environmental elements exist, requiring anglers to think about water readability, mild ranges, and goal species habits. Nevertheless, the underlying precept of utilizing contrasting colours to create a extremely seen and engaging lure stays a cornerstone of profitable streamer fly design, as exemplified by Carrie Stevens’ enduring creation.
4. Bucktail and Feather Development
Bucktail and feather building are integral to the “Who’s Your Daddy” fly’s effectiveness, straight influencing its look and motion within the water. Bucktail, a naturally buoyant and sturdy materials derived from the tail hair of deer, offers the fly with a particular profile and pulsating motion. Its inherent stiffness creates a lifelike phantasm of a small baitfish, whereas its means to lure air bubbles provides to its buoyancy and engaging motion. Feathers, usually included for wing sections or tail accents, contribute to the fly’s total silhouette and might improve its motion with delicate undulations or added flash. The mix of those supplies permits the fly to imitate the pure swimming motion of baitfish, triggering predatory instincts in goal species. For instance, the delicate pulsations of bucktail throughout a retrieve can simulate the struggling actions of an injured minnow, engaging a strike from a close-by trout or bass. Equally, strategically positioned feathers can add a fluttering or flashing impact, additional enhancing the fly’s enchantment.
Sensible implications of understanding this building are quite a few. Anglers can adapt the fly’s materials composition primarily based on particular fishing circumstances and goal species. As an illustration, utilizing denser bucktail can create a bulkier profile appropriate for bigger predators, whereas sparser bucktail can produce a extra delicate presentation for smaller or extra cautious fish. Feather choice additionally influences the fly’s motion and visibility. Longer, flowing feathers can impart a extra pronounced swimming movement, whereas shorter, stiffer feathers can add delicate vibrations or flashes of coloration. Recognizing these nuances permits anglers to customise the fly’s building to maximise its effectiveness in numerous situations. Take into account a situation the place an angler targets trout in a transparent, fast-flowing stream. Utilizing a “Who’s Your Daddy” fly tied with sparse bucktail and delicate feather accents creates a pure, streamlined presentation that successfully imitates small baitfish frequent in such environments.
Bucktail and feather building are basic to the “Who’s Your Daddy” fly’s success, impacting its look, motion, and total fishing effectiveness. Materials choice and building methods permit for personalization primarily based on particular fishing circumstances and goal species, highlighting the sensible significance of understanding these parts. Challenges related to materials availability and variations in tying methods exist, however the underlying ideas of utilizing bucktail and feathers to create a lifelike baitfish imitation stay central to this iconic fly’s design and efficiency. This understanding empowers anglers to pick and modify the fly to optimize its effectiveness in various fishing environments.
5. Imitates Baitfish
The “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly’s effectiveness hinges on its masterful imitation of baitfish, a major meals supply for predatory sport fish. This imitation isn’t merely superficial; it includes a cautious mixture of design parts that set off instinctive feeding responses. Understanding how this fly mimics baitfish offers perception into its enduring success and continued relevance in fly fishing.
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Look:
The fly’s profile, coloration, and materials composition contribute to a convincing baitfish imitation. The elongated physique, usually constructed with brightly coloured bucktail, mirrors the form and coloration of varied small baitfish species. Contrasting wing sections, usually darker than the physique, additional improve this resemblance. For instance, the basic yellow physique and darker wing mixture can successfully mimic a yellow perch or different equally patterned baitfish.
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Motion:
Past static look, the “Who’s Your Daddy” fly excels in replicating baitfish motion. The bucktail and feather building, coupled with acceptable retrieval methods, create a lifelike swimming motion. The pulsating movement of bucktail within the water, mixed with the delicate undulations of feather accents, simulates the erratic actions of a distressed or injured baitfish, a very engaging goal for predators. This dynamic presentation considerably enhances the fly’s effectiveness.
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Dimension:
Dimension concerns play an important position within the fly’s baitfish imitation. The “Who’s Your Daddy” usually falls inside a measurement vary that represents frequent baitfish species. This measurement appropriateness additional enhances its realism and enchantment to predatory fish. Variations in measurement might be employed to focus on particular predators or adapt to various prey availability in numerous environments. For instance, a smaller model is likely to be more practical in imitating juvenile baitfish or when concentrating on smaller sport fish.
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Triggering Predatory Instincts:
In the end, the effectiveness of the baitfish imitation lies in its means to set off predatory instincts. The mix of life like look, lifelike motion, and acceptable measurement creates a compelling phantasm of a weak prey merchandise. This triggers innate feeding responses in sport fish, engaging them to strike the fly. The “Who’s Your Daddy” fly’s success lies in its means to convincingly current itself as a pure meals supply, exploiting the predator-prey relationship to the angler’s benefit.
The “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly’s meticulous imitation of baitfish is central to its effectiveness. By combining visible and behavioral cues, this iconic fly successfully triggers predatory responses in sport fish. This understanding of the fly’s design ideas, coupled with acceptable fishing methods, contributes to its enduring recognition amongst anglers in search of a flexible and efficient streamer sample.
6. Attracts Varied Sport Fish
The “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly’s effectiveness extends to a various vary of sport fish species, a testomony to its versatile design and lifelike imitation of baitfish. This broad enchantment stems from the fly’s means to set off predatory instincts throughout numerous species, making it a worthwhile software for anglers concentrating on several types of fish in various environments. Understanding the fly’s attractiveness to numerous sport fish offers perception into its enduring recognition and sensible purposes in fly fishing.
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Trout Species:
Varied trout species, together with brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout, are readily interested in the “Who’s Your Daddy” fly. Its imitation of frequent baitfish present in trout streams and rivers, coupled with its engaging motion, triggers aggressive feeding responses. The fly’s measurement and coloration variations might be tailor-made to match particular prey preferences inside completely different trout populations, additional enhancing its effectiveness. As an illustration, smaller, extra subtly coloured variations might show notably efficient for brook trout in smaller streams, whereas bigger, brighter patterns is likely to be most popular for rainbow trout in bigger rivers or lakes.
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Bass Species:
Bass, together with smallmouth bass and largemouth bass, are additionally vulnerable to the “Who’s Your Daddy” fly’s attract. The fly’s usually shiny, contrasting colours, mixed with its lively swimming motion, can set off reactionary strikes from these predatory fish. Retrieving the fly with brief, erratic strips can successfully mimic the actions of an injured baitfish, additional engaging bass to strike. Adapting the fly’s measurement and coloration to native forage fish patterns can considerably enhance its success when concentrating on bass in numerous environments.
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Landlocked Salmon:
Landlocked salmon, recognized for his or her aggressive feeding habits, are often focused with streamer flies just like the “Who’s Your Daddy.” The fly’s measurement and profile successfully imitate smelt and different small fish that represent a good portion of the landlocked salmon’s food plan. Retrieving the fly with a quick, regular retrieve can set off aggressive chases and strikes from these highly effective fish. The fly’s sturdiness additionally makes it well-suited for the hard-fighting nature of landlocked salmon.
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Different Predatory Fish:
Past these major targets, the “Who’s Your Daddy” fly can entice quite a lot of different predatory fish species, together with pike, pickerel, and musky. Its versatile design and talent to imitate numerous baitfish make it a worthwhile software for anglers pursuing various species. Adapting the fly’s measurement, coloration, and retrieval approach to match the precise preferences of goal species in numerous environments is essential to maximizing its effectiveness throughout a broader spectrum of predatory fish.
The “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly’s attractiveness to a various vary of sport fish underscores its efficient design and flexibility. Its means to imitate frequent baitfish, coupled with adaptable options like measurement and coloration, makes it a worthwhile asset for anglers concentrating on numerous species in a mess of fishing environments. The fly’s persevering with recognition speaks to its confirmed means to constantly entice and entice a broad spectrum of predatory sport fish.
7. Enduring Angling Recognition
The enduring recognition of the “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly inside the angling neighborhood stems from a confluence of things, all rooted in its confirmed effectiveness and historic significance. This sustained curiosity transcends mere nostalgia and displays the fly’s continued means to supply ends in various fishing situations. One key issue contributing to its longevity is its effectiveness throughout numerous sport fish species. Its versatile design and lifelike baitfish imitation entice species like trout, bass, and landlocked salmon, solidifying its place in anglers’ sort out containers throughout completely different areas and fishing types. This broad enchantment ensures its relevance throughout generations of anglers pursuing various targets. The fly’s historic context additionally performs a big position in its enduring recognition. Created by Carrie Stevens, a pioneering determine in fly tying, the “Who’s Your Daddy” represents a milestone in lure improvement. Its progressive design, that includes shiny, contrasting colours and the strategic use of bucktail and feathers, influenced subsequent generations of fly tyers and continues to encourage up to date patterns. This historic legacy provides to its attract and contributes to its continued recognition inside the angling neighborhood. Actual-world examples abound, illustrating the fly’s enduring effectiveness. Veteran anglers usually recount tales of constant catches utilizing the “Who’s Your Daddy,” whereas novice anglers often uncover its effectiveness early of their fishing journeys. Event outcomes and anecdotal proof from fishing guides additional solidify its fame as a dependable and productive fly sample.
This sustained recognition interprets into sensible significance for each anglers and fly tiers. For anglers, the “Who’s Your Daddy” presents a confirmed sample with a excessive probability of success. Its versatility permits for adaptation to numerous fishing circumstances and goal species, simplifying lure choice and rising the possibilities of a productive outing. For fly tiers, the sample serves as a worthwhile template for experimentation and innovation. Its enduring recognition encourages exploration of various coloration mixtures, materials substitutions, and tying methods, contributing to the continued evolution of streamer fly design. Understanding the elements behind the fly’s enduring recognition permits anglers to understand its historic significance and sensible worth, whereas inspiring fly tiers to proceed exploring its potential by way of artistic adaptation and refinement. For instance, up to date tiers may experiment with artificial supplies to boost sturdiness or discover regional coloration variations to optimize the fly’s effectiveness for particular native fish populations.
In abstract, the enduring recognition of the “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly is a testomony to its effectiveness, historic significance, and flexibility. Its continued success throughout various fishing situations ensures its relevance for each seasoned anglers and newcomers to the game. Whereas challenges corresponding to materials availability and the event of recent fly patterns exist, the “Who’s Your Daddy” fly’s enduring recognition suggests its timeless enchantment and its enduring contribution to the artwork and follow of fly fishing. Its legacy inside the angling neighborhood serves as a reminder of the worth of progressive design and the ability of a well-crafted fly to attach anglers with the fish they pursue.
Incessantly Requested Questions
This part addresses frequent inquiries concerning the “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly, offering concise and informative responses to make clear potential uncertainties and improve total understanding.
Query 1: What distinguishes the “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly from different streamer patterns?
Its distinctive shiny, usually yellow, physique mixed with contrasting darker wing sections, usually constructed of bucktail and feathers, units it aside. This particular mixture of coloration and supplies, initially conceived by Carrie Stevens, creates a singular profile and motion within the water, successfully mimicking injured baitfish.
Query 2: Which fish species are most successfully focused with this particular fly sample?
Whereas famend for attracting trout species (brook, brown, and rainbow), the fly’s versatility extends to different predatory fish, together with bass (smallmouth and largemouth) and landlocked salmon. Its effectiveness hinges on its baitfish imitation, interesting to the predatory instincts of varied species.
Query 3: Are particular retrieval methods really useful for maximizing the fly’s effectiveness?
Assorted retrieval methods can improve the fly’s motion and attractiveness. Brief, jerky strips can imitate the struggling actions of an injured baitfish, whereas a gradual retrieve can recommend fleeing prey. Adapting the retrieval pace and rhythm to the goal species and water circumstances is essential.
Query 4: What position do coloration variations play within the fly’s efficiency?
Coloration variations cater to completely different water circumstances and goal species preferences. Shiny colours improve visibility in murky or darkish water, whereas particular coloration mixtures can mimic native baitfish patterns. Adapting coloration selections to the fishing setting is important for optimizing effectiveness.
Query 5: How does the development of the fly contribute to its success?
The usage of bucktail and feathers creates a lifelike profile and motion. Bucktail offers buoyancy and a pulsating motion, whereas feathers improve the fly’s silhouette and contribute to delicate undulations or flashes of coloration. This mix successfully mimics the looks and habits of baitfish.
Query 6: What accounts for the fly’s enduring recognition amongst anglers?
Its sustained recognition is attributed to its constant effectiveness throughout numerous species and its historic significance inside fly fishing. Developed by Carrie Stevens, a outstanding determine in fly tying, the fly’s enduring success displays its progressive design and confirmed means to draw fish.
Understanding these key points of the “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly offers a complete basis for appreciating its distinctive qualities and maximizing its effectiveness on the water.
Additional exploration of particular tying methods, materials choice, and superior retrieval methods can improve sensible utility and refine particular person approaches to fishing this versatile and traditionally vital fly sample.
Suggestions for Fishing the “Who’s Your Daddy” Fly
Efficient use of the “Who’s Your Daddy” fly requires an understanding of particular methods and techniques. The following tips supply sensible steerage for maximizing this basic streamer sample’s potential.
Tip 1: Range Retrieve Velocity and Rhythm: Experiment with completely different retrieve speeds and rhythms to search out what triggers strikes in particular circumstances. Brief, erratic strips can imitate injured baitfish, whereas a gradual retrieve can recommend fleeing prey.
Tip 2: Take into account Water Circumstances: Adapt retrieval pace and fly measurement to the water circumstances. Sooner retrieves are sometimes efficient in shifting water, whereas slower displays is likely to be needed in nonetheless water or when fish are much less lively.
Tip 3: Match Fly Dimension to Forage: Choose a fly measurement that matches the prevalent baitfish within the goal space. Smaller flies are sometimes efficient when baitfish are small or when fish are selective.
Tip 4: Regulate Depth and Weight: Add weight to the chief or fly to fish deeper water. Sinking traces or weighted fly patterns might be employed to succeed in fish holding close to the underside.
Tip 5: Deal with Construction: Goal areas with construction like submerged logs, rocks, or weed beds. These areas usually maintain baitfish and entice predatory sport fish in search of ambush factors.
Tip 6: Pay Consideration to Present: Current the fly successfully in present by permitting it to swing naturally or by using upstream retrieves to keep up management and a pure presentation. Take into account mending the road to forestall drag and preserve the fly’s meant depth and motion.
Tip 7: Observe Fish Conduct: Take note of any floor exercise or indicators of fish feeding. This statement can inform fly choice, retrieval approach, and total fishing technique.
Tip 8: Adapt to Circumstances: Be ready to adapt to altering climate, water circumstances, and fish habits. Flexibility in fly alternative, retrieval approach, and fishing location can considerably improve success.
Constant utility of the following tips, mixed with an understanding of fish habits and native circumstances, will considerably enhance the probability of success when fishing the “Who’s Your Daddy” fly. Its versatility permits for adaptation to numerous fishing situations, making it a worthwhile asset in any angler’s repertoire.
By incorporating these methods and regularly refining methods by way of statement and experimentation, anglers can maximize the potential of this basic streamer sample and improve their total fly fishing expertise.
Conclusion
This exploration of the “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly has highlighted its significance inside fly fishing. From its origins as an progressive creation by Carrie Stevens to its enduring recognition amongst up to date anglers, this streamer sample’s effectiveness and flexibility stay simple. Key design parts, together with its shiny, contrasting colours, bucktail and feather building, and lifelike imitation of baitfish, contribute to its success in attracting a various vary of sport fish species. Understanding these parts, coupled with acceptable fishing methods and diversifications to particular circumstances, empowers anglers to successfully make the most of this iconic fly sample.
The “Carrie Stevens ‘Who’s Your Daddy'” fly stands as a testomony to the ability of statement, innovation, and sensible utility in lure design. Its enduring legacy inside the angling neighborhood encourages continued exploration of its potential by way of experimentation with supplies, colours, and methods. This ongoing adaptation ensures the fly’s continued relevance within the ever-evolving world of fly fishing, solidifying its place as a timeless basic and a worthwhile software for anglers pursuing quite a lot of sport fish species. Its continued use serves as a tribute to Carrie Stevens’ ingenuity and the enduring enchantment of a well-crafted fly.
