As seen at various art and craft shows throughout the Midwest, and at the Midwest Fly Fishing Expo in Warren, Michigan.  All flies and frames are custom made with over 30 years experience by Joe Barker, a commercial fly tyer and fishing guide, and member of the Vanguard Chapter, Trout Unlimited.  Flies include many classic patterns and others are one of a kind tied into the theme of the picture.  Pictures come in a variety of sizes from large with 16 x 20 mats to small with 5 x 7 mats. Prices range from $60 to $130, with free shipping.  No two pictures are the same. Flies are made with only the finest materials and hooks.  Shadow box type frames are also custom made in order to give pictures a more rich look.  Mats are themselves unique and come in a variety of colors to match the frame and flies.  See the tabs to the left for available pictures.  Also custom framing can be arranged for your own flies and pictures to commemorate your own fishing experience.

NEW BOOK RELEASE! "Fly Fishing with the Little Fat Bastard, Second Edition," by Joe Barker.

An updated, 248-page, second edition of fly tying instructions for 17 of my original patterns, including the Little Fat Bastard, Madam Hex, CDC Rusty Spinner, Banana Hopper, along with new patterns; Wakeley Lake Special, Foam/Flying Ant,  CDC Pheasant Tail Emerger, and Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle. Also, fly fishing tips, strategies, and stories from fishing trips across the country and beyond. Profits from the book are donated to the Vanguard Chapter of Trout Unlimited of Rochester Hills, Michigan.

$19.95, plus $5 shipping on the Square online store at vanguard-fly-tying.square.site. The book is also available on Amazon.

Those who bought the first edition may return the book for a $10 trade-in credit by sending it and a check for $9.95 plus $5 shipping to Joe Barker, 6537 Hollison Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

NEW BOOK RELEASE! "Pine Bend," by Joe Barker.

A 366-page fishing memoir of a life of worm dunking, spin casting, and fly fishing for trout, salmon, carp, snook, and every other fresh and saltwater species. True stories of fishing exploits across the United States and worldwide and innovative fly tying successes and failures. Insights into where to go fishing, how to catch more fish, and how to stay out of (or get into) trouble while doing so. Five chapters cover early years growing up in Buchanan, Michigan, fishing for suckers and creek chubs, and shooting carp with a bow and arrow; teenage years on Hamlin Lake near Ludington learning how to fly fish and tie flies; a log cabin named Pine Bend, covering 25 years on the Upper Manistee River and living and breathing fly fishing on one of the premier trout streams in America; saltwater fishing experiences from a young age through adult years in Florida; the adventures of the Vanguard Fly Fishing Team, covering 30 years of annual trips by members of the Vanguard Chapter of Trout Unlimited to just about every notable trout stream in the U.S. from Alaska to California, to Colorado, and beyond, including Argentina and British Columbia. 

$19.95, plus $5 shipping. Profits to be donated to the Vanguard Chapter of Trout Limited.

To order, send a check to Joe Barker, 6537 Hollison Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, or visit the Square on-line store at vanguard-fly-tying.square.site

NEW BOOK RELEASE! "The Vagabond Vanguard Fly Fishing Team," by Joe Barker.

Hardcover, glossy 89-page book printed by Shutterfly with photos and narrative of 30 years (1992-2021) of fly fishing trips by members of the Vanguard Chapter (Rochester Hills, MI) of Trout Unlimited. Insights into fishing destinations from California to Colorado, Alaska to Florida, and international destinations of Argentina and British Columbia. $39.95, plus $5 shipping.  Profits from the book are donated to the Vanguard Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

For excerpts from the book, see the Manistee River Blog tab on this website.

To order, send a check to Joe Barker, 6537 Hollison Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, or visit the Square on-line store at vanguard-fly-tying.square.site

Profits from the book are donated to the Vanguard Chapter of Trout Unlimited of Rochester Hills, Michigan.

For excerpts from the book, see the Manistee River Blog tab on this website.

To order, send a check to Joe Barker, 6537 Hollison Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, or visit the Square on-line store at vanguard-fly-tying.square.site

CUSTOM FLY TYING

Choose from dozens of patterns already available or special order your own favorite pattern.  All in stock patterns are $1 each. Dry flies, nymphs, wet flies, streamers, and steelhead/salmon flies available.  Prepackaged collections of flies with fly boxes included available at even greater savings. Most special orders can be tied at the same price, although more detailed patterns or patterns requiring specialized material are subject to negotiation.

SALMON FLIES MOUNTED UNDER GLASS

Salmon flies mounted on unique collectable rocks on oak or cherry base under a glass dome for $40.  Sorry, this item cannot be shipped.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED ON ALL ITEMS.  Simply return for a full refund.

Payment Methods:  Checks and all major credit cards (thru Square).  For credit card purchases, visit the Square on-line store at https://squareup.com/store/vanguard-fly-tying/

Email:  joe@vanguardflytying.com or jvngrdflytng@aol.com

Check out the VANGUARD FLY TYING Facebook page for the latest fly tying and fishing updates.

NO INTERNATIONAL ORDERS