A List of Wharfedale Flies ~ 1807 John Swarbrick

A LIST OF WHARFEDALE FLIES 1807

JOHN SWARBRICK

With an introduction by Leslie Magee

John Swarbrick was a farmer who lived in the hamlet of Austby, near Ilkley, a few hundred metres from the river Wharfe. He wrote his manuscript list in 1807 and it is not just a list of fly dressings but also a diary of natural events in and around the upper Wharfe. The importance of the size of the flies and the slim style of dressing was later defined by T E Pritt as North Country Flies. At one time it was believed to be the earliest known list of artificial flies for that river. The list remained relatively unknown until it was printed as a small booklet exactly 100 years later in 1907 and very few copies of this list have survived.

Our edition reproduces John Swarbrick’s List as a miniature book, typeset in 7pt Monotype Garamond and printed letterpress on 1950s handmade paper by Simon Lawrence at his Fleece Press. With almost one description per page, the edition will include several illustrations by Joan Hassall. A copy of each pattern has been tied for the edition by Stuart Bowdin, photographed and reproduced in full colour on fold out pages. Binding will be undertaken by Ken and Joyce Smith, in marbled paper made in 1995 by Compton Marbling, with a mounted fly tied by Stuart Bowdin set inside the front and back boards; at the front is Large March Brown (No 5) and at the back is Small Black Flie (No 26). Each copy will come with a cloth covered slipcase.

There is only one miniature book in the world which bears actual fishing flies and Swarbrick’s List of Wharfedale Flies will be the second. The book is a joint publication with Fleece Press and only 260 copies of this standard edition will be produced, half the edition bearing each publisher’s imprint.

Size 60 x 65mm

Extent 70pp

Illustrations 30 in full colour, on four fold out and two tipped-in plates

Binding In Compton marbled paper, hardback with slip case

I S B N 978 1 906159 11 5

Price £64, plus £3 for postage.

Please contact us for availability on this title before placing an order through the website.

This title is also available in a deluxe limited edition

Publication November 2009