Sandy:

Recently accessed your site and read the text/obituary on Pat Barnes. I fished the West Yellowstone area in the 1970's and was in the Barne's fly shop numerous times and visited with both Pat and Sig. Great people--I had ripped up my chest waders on one trip and went into their shop that evening to see what they might have. Sig went into the backroom and came out with a pair of size 13 marathon waders which she said I could have for $50(about $50 below retail at that time). I said she should probably get more than that as she wouldn't be able to restock. She wouldn't listen--stated she had had them around a long time and was happy to finally sell them. That was the best pair of waders I have ever owned--they lasted for years.

I recall being in the shop one September evening when the door opened and two guys came in--one was carrying a huge cutthroat (5 or 6 lbs). Obviously, he was very proud of his catch and was asking Pat about taxidermists, etc. After, I got over ogling that fish, I realized that Pat didn't seem all that enthusiastic about it. After the two left the shop, my friend and I visited some more with Pat and learned that he was upset about killing such a fine fish and made it very clear that he thought catch and release was the only way to go.

I also recall watching him tie some Adams dry flies as we visited one evening. I marveled at those huge rough looking hands turning out those delicate size 16's.

Did you ever see Sig's fly tying vise? It was built on an old peddle sewing machine and she was able to open and close the jaws and rotate the head with the foot peddle. Darndest thing I had ever seen, and I kick myself to this day that I didn't even take a picture of it. It may well have been the first full rotary tying vise--I watched her tie a bunch of spruce fly streamers one evening--she would attach the materials--lead wire, floss, peacock, etc. and then rotate the hook as she fed the materials. This vise should definitely be preserved if it is still around somewhere.

I will close this long-winded thing with another Pat Barnes thing that popped
up. When graphite rods first came on the scene, I remember that Pat had a
Fenwick strung up in his shop. When someone would come in to inquire about
the capabilities of this new wonder stick, Pat would pick up the rod, go out
in front of the shop on the then gravel street and proceed to cast the entire
fly line with almost no effort. Very Impressive, and I bet it sold some
rods. What we all failed to realize was that Pat could undoubtedly have made
the same cast using a pool cue, and if asked would probably have told the
would be purchasers that far more trout were caught with accurate 30 ft casts.

Pat and Sig Barnes were great people.
I'd appreciate hearing from you with some other stories.

Respectfully,
Terry Sanderson