William Lovelace Flies

Purple Matuka (Maxwell)
Tied By William Lovelace

Purple Matuka was tied by Salmonfly.Net Contributing Fly Tyer William Lovelace.

Bill's notes: "It is hard to find a more down to earth, true Outdoorsman than gentleman Forrest Maxwell. His signature fly probably catches fish for fish the same measure as his fishing partner John Shewey’s Spawning Purple. Other than including purple, these two flies are rather different. This should gently remind us all again that it is our presentation not our fly that needs the most attention. I have been running into Forrest since the days of McNeese’s Fly Shop and every meeting is a ray of sunshine even on a rainy day. This pattern is found in Fly Fishing for Summer Steelhead by Forrest Maxwell and John Shewey.

In more recent years I had the pleasure of watching Forrest tie many Matukas at The Valley Flyfisher in Salem, Oregon. We will miss Keith Burkhart’s shop. Keith still ties at Expos & Conclaves where he has been a tireless fly-fishing promoter working behind the scenes as well as at the tying tables."

Read more about William Lovelace and see more of his flies at The Flies of William Lovelace.