We are lucky enough to have a “fly fisherman and tier in residence” and his name is Chip Drozenski (seen above on foot in Argentina with some gauchos) and we’d like to introduce him to you all. As we develop a line of fly fishing related paraphernalia we have constantly turned to Chip every step of the way. Chip originally turned us on to the work of Shawn Davis, and for that we can’t thank him enough. We asked Chip for a brief synopsis on himself and a short introduction to Shawn Davis and here’s what he had to say:
Chip on Chip:
My passion is fly fishing and fly design interrupted by thirty years of life in Corporate America. I have been fortunate to fish many of the great trout and salmon rivers worldwide. My home river is the Delaware which I have been fishing since 1968. Give me selective fish particularly midge and trico feeders and I am a happy camper. In 2003 I retired, discovered Argentina and spend every chance I have fishing all the waters that Patagonia has to offer. Big rivers, small rivers, spring creeks and stillwaters. The choices are many and the crowds are few. In addition to all the exciting fishing options this destination has to offer I have found some unique fisheries like bonefish flats with big cruising bows and the ” RIVER of MONSTERS ’ where fish over five kilos are plentiful and a ten kilo fish is a possibility. As part of ANDES DRIFTERS I am truly living the dream!! A friend of mine has dubbed me the ’ old gray trout bum ’ and I relish the name and the perks that my new life in the reel world has to offer.
Chip on Shawn:
A few years ago at a fly fishing forum I had the good fortune to meet Shawn Davis and was immediately drawn to his work. I was blown away by his fly design of a traditional full dressed salmon pattern, the fact that he handmade the hook and his ability to capture light in his work. After thirty years of seeing some of the best I knew that this guy was the real / reel deal!!
In the international world of fly tying Shawn has elevated the art form to new heights and is in a category that many aspire to achieve. The history of fly tying is respected and preserved as Shawn captures the integrity of classical patterns but is able to shine a beam of light that gives the past more meaning. I starting thinking ( beware readers danger zone ) BEST MADE and Shawn Davis.
I picked up the phone and talked to Graeme and Peter excitedly telling them that I was looking at the banding and inscription of a very special gift received from my friend Rem, my axe ’ FORTITUDE ’ and looking at a Gray Ghost tied by Shawn and photographed by his wife and I see magic in both ……a special linkage to the past and all the important imagery that an axe and a fly have for those that enjoy the best of the outdoors.
The true test is that one does not have to be a fly fisherman or fly tier to appreciate the works of this gifted artist.
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