American Museum of Fly Fishing’s Top 50 Objects, Part 4: #15–#11
For more than 50 years, the American Museum of Fly Fishing has been preserving the history of fly fishing across two physical locations—in Manchester, Vermont, and Springfield, Missouri—and through their award-winning quarterly journal, The American Fly Fisher. This year, AMFF and MidCurrent have teamed up to count down the 50 most interesting objects in the museum’s permanent collection, which currently includes more than 25,000 objects in total. Each month will feature a variety of historically significant items, with brief descriptions from AMFF curator Jim Schottenham.
That’s Jim in the video above, giving even more in-depth info on each item. Start the video, and then scroll through the images below, allowing Jim to serve as your guide.
This month, we almost crack the top ten, counting down objects #15—#11. If you missed the first two installments, be sure to check them out (Part 1: #50—#36, Part 2: #35—#26, and Part 3: #25-#16).
To view additional information on each object, click on the link below the object image to access AMFF’s online collections database.
#15
NY Anglers’ Club Medal of Honor awarded to Joan Wulff in 2018
Gift of Joan Wulff (2021.025.038)
A Medal of Honor was awarded to Joan by the Anglers’ Club of New York in 2018. She was the 11th person and the first female to receive the award in the club’s 119-year history. Click the thumbnails below each item for more views.
#14
Fly tying desk with two work lamps, modified and used by Lefty Kreh, c. 2000s
Estate of Lefty Kreh (2018.025.001)
The centerpiece of Lefty Kreh’s tackle room, this metal desk was used by Lefty as he tied countless flies, experimented with new fly designs, and tinkered with fishing tackle to improve or modify equipment to his liking. The tools and materials are all original to the desk, including the pair of Vise-Grips he used as a fly-tying vise.
#13
Fly tying desk formerly used by Dave Whitlock, 1960-2022
Gift of Emily Whitlock (2024.043.030)
Used until the time of his passing, this fly-tying desk came directly from the Oklahoma home of Dave Whitlock, the legendary fly angler, artist, author, conservationist, and inventor of numerous flies. This important desk is currently on exhibit—along with all the tools, books and accessories that Dave used almost daily—as part of the AMFF gallery in the Wonders of Wildlife Museum in Springfield, Missouri.
#12
Ogden M. Pleissner (American, 1905-83), “The Battenkill”, c. 1960
Oil on canvas (23 ¼ x 29 ½ inches)
Gift of D. C. “Ducky” Corkran (1996.010.001)
Titled “The Battenkill”, this original oil by one of the most celebrated angling artists of all time depicts a summertime scene of an angler netting a hooked fish.
#11
S.E. Woods Ltd. fly-fishing vest, formerly used by HRH King Charles III, late 1980s – circa 2001
Gift of His Majesty King Charles III (2001.009.001)
Donated when his title was the Prince of Wales, this well-used vest accompanied His Royal Highness on many expeditions on the Dee and the Spey. An avid angler, King Charles III cherished his time on the water.
