Atlantic Salmon And Jock Scott Fly

by Don Balke

Title

Atlantic Salmon And Jock Scott Fly

Artist

Don Balke

Medium

Painting - Watercolor On Cold Press Illustration Board

Description

Relentlessly, and with but one purpose, an Atlantic Salmon will return to the very stream of its birth. Driven by instinct to continue its species, it will undergo many hazards, cross thousands of miles of ocean, and battle through torrents and rapids until it reaches the clean spawning gravel where it mates. Disinterested in food after it leaves the sea, an Atlantic Salmon will nonetheless strike at a bright lure out of annoyance or reflex, and this quality provides fortunate anglers with what is still considered the ultimate fly fishing challenge. When sport fishing became accepted as a gentleman's activity during the Victorian era, salmon fishermen took fly tying to its most fanciful and dramatic extension. A single fly like the Jock Scott (developed in 1844 by Jock Scott) might take hours to tie, and consume dozens of different materials. Scott's creation consisted of bits of feather from no less than golden pheasant, Indian crow, ostrich, toucan, cock chicken, gallina, wild turkey, bustard, mallard, macaw, swan, jungle cock and kingfisher. Today, few anglers could afford the luxury of fishing with such complicated and expensive flies, and much simpler versions, like the one in this painting, have been developed instead. But the original Jock Scott and other romantic ties to a fanciful past remain -- displayed in airtight cases befitting their status as true works of 19th century art.

Please note the "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on the painting or any print reproduction.

Artwork Copyright © 1991 Wind River Studios Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the Copyright. WRSH Stock Number XB13011

Uploaded

July 19th, 2022

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