Overmywaders -- A site of sundry articles on fishing, its history, and its pleasures

The Contemplative Angler provides some refuge from the mundane. It has a collection of short essays, some editorializing, and some humor. Chortles, guffaws, and harrumphs are appropriate and welcome.

Flyfisherman magazine's site I've probably learned more from the great tiers who frequent this site than from all the books I've ever read, and I've read a lot of books.

Galeria Muchowa I was sent this link to a wonderful site in Poland by Sebastian Ruszkiewicz. It's well worth a look.

Fly Anglers Online Jim and Deanna Birkholm have created a fantastic resource from fishermen and tiers alike here. This site is a virtual library of information, from tying instruction to casting lessons to forums to book and video reviews, to Just Old Flies.

http://www.danica.com/flytier/ The best tiers in the world are featured on Hans Weilenmann's site, with photography done by the best on the net. Hans is one of the most knowledgeable tiers and educators around, and gives so much back to the fly fishing community.

http://www.classictrout.com/ This site is all about traditional fly fishing and tying in the Catskills. There is a vast collection of beautifully done classic flies shown here, as well as some Bergman originals and other flies of interest.

Classicflies I find myself referring to this collection of full dress salmon flies all the time. Wolfgang Von Malottke ties all the flies here, in hand if I'm not mistaken, and they are gorgeous.

Charlie's Fly Box Charlie Craven has the best tutorials on the web, and is on my "top three" list of great tiers. I've tried to keep this list down to the more traditional sites, but you can't keep Charlie off any list where fly tying is concerned.

http://www.dtnicolson.dial.pipex.com/ Donald Nicholson's site gives insight into the realm of Brittish and Scottish traditional flies. The only thing with which I disagree on this site is his claim that he's an average fly dresser.

http://www.flytying.sitestogo.biz/ Some beautiful full dress flies here, done by the likes of Paul Little and Peter Dunne.

The Highlander Way What can I say about my friend Alan Goodwin from Scotland? When I first received some flies from him years ago I realized right then and there that I didn't know a single thing about wet flies, or fly tying for that matter. Alan is the ultimate traditionalist, and a superb fly dresser.

http://www.classicsalmonflies.co.uk/ Alex Koper's flies have always impressed me as being some of the best around.

http://feathersmc.com/ I've generally stayed away from "commercial" sites on this list, but if John McClain is making any money here I'll be amazed. He provides very specialized materials for a small group of us, and seems to give away more than he sells. Anyway, the friends section of this site has some wonderful full dress tiers on it, including greats like Ron Alcott, Ronn Lucas, Ari-Heikki, Bud Guidry, and the Canadian Jerome Malloy. Check this out if you want to see some dazzling full dress salmon flies.

Fly Tying World Ed Gallop has been very kind to me over the years, as have many of the very fine tiers represented on his site. Tiers from all over the world are beautifully presented on Ed's site.

Fishing with Flies Peter Frailey is a fine photographer and fly tier. This inovative site features "Flies with a Story", personal tales sent to Peter by fly tiers around the country. Don't miss Peter's photos in the "Photos and Images" section.

http://homepage.eircom.net/~conba/ I've saved maybe the best for last. When Hans Weilenmann put up a single fly of Alice's on the on-line forum we frequent, I knew instantly I was looking at true greatness. Well, I had no real idea. Only when I had some of her flies in my possession did I begin to realize what a phenomenal dresser of flies she really was. Only when I corresponded with her on-line over the years did I begin to fathom the depth of her knowledge where fly dressing is concerned. She knows all the old ways, and all the new. She's been a real inspiration to me, and many others. And she's a better person that she is a fly dresser, and that is REALLY saying a lot.