Fran Betters Flies

[waterworker]

Has anyone ordered any flies from Fran in the past year and received them.I ordered some last April and haven't gotten them yet and haven't received any e-mail reply.Is he OK?

 

[biot]

He was just inducted into the Fly Fishers Hall of Fame. This was at the Catskill Fly Fishing center just this past Sat. the 18th.
He seemed allright to me all though he was wheelchair bound.

 

[waterworker]

Thanks biot !

 

[spent spinner]

i rememember fishing the ausable years ago and we went to fran's store. we bought a few green drake comparaduns for that night. we used them with less than hopefull results. we spoke to another local fisherman the next day and he laughed when we told him about the flies. he said it is the only fly tied that is a dry on the fisrt cast an emerger on the second and a wet on the third.

 

[BIGBOW]

i rememember fishing the ausable years ago and we went to fran's store. we bought a few green drake comparaduns for that night. we used them with less than hopefull results. we spoke to another local fisherman the next day and he laughed when we told him about the flies. he said it is the only fly tied that is a dry on the fisrt cast an emerger on the second and a wet on the third.

I've never used his drake patterns, but I'd have to disagree when it comes to Frans' flies. Stick to what he does best.. Ausable Wulffs, Haystacks, Usuals.. nothing out there like his IMO.

 

[Ryan R]

Has anyone ordered any flies from Fran in the past year and received them.I ordered some last April and haven't gotten them yet and haven't received any e-mail reply.Is he OK?

First, Fran Betters is an Adirondack institution. We have a regular group thats been heading up each June for years and the word the last two years has been Fran's health is really up and down. He's been mostly wheelchair bound since I've been going up.

Spent Spinner, I'm with BigBow on Fran's flies. His Ausable Wulffs, Haystacks, and Usuals are really hard to beat. I still remembering nailing two 17" and 18" Browns on successive casts on A. Wulffs at the BFB on my way home from the ADKs one summer!

 

[DoubleHaul]

Unless you stand there and watch him tie it, don't believe that every fly from his shop comes from his vice & hand. If you haven't got your flies by now, you need to call and figure out where your order is. Ausable Wulff, Haystack & Usual are all his patterns but he isn't the only one who knows how to tie them and believe me, the trout don't know (& don't care) who tied them. Fran is the master, of that there is no doubt, but he won't take those patterns to the grave. He is an icon & the Adirondacks are a "Better" place because of what he has done for flyfishing here.

Rich Garfield is the next Adirondack innovator & Icon, in my opinion. He has 2 great patterns, the Sirloin & Ugly. He located in the right place (Lake Placid) and has the montra to carry on the tradition.

 

[waterworker]

I actually did that...twice.Once in June and again in August.He said he hadn't been feeling that well but was better and would be filling orders soon and had mine.I tried twice this month but got no replies and was just wondering if anything had happened to him or if he was tired of my asking.Maybe I'll just let it go and if they come.they come.I'll be going back next spring for the Two Fly again and hopefully,he'll be there,in great shape, and I'll get some then.

 

[theartoflee]

Do you have a pic of Richs sirlon fly? I would be intrestes in seeing how it varies from the sirloin featured in lou taborys book that was published in 1992.

Now that is a streamer!

 

[bkill]

Rich is one of the most talented guides working the Adirondacks!

 

[AKSkim]

Rich Garfield's Sirloin Fly Pattern

 

[bkill]

Always a little late AK....Thank god you aren't a gun slinger

 

[AKSkim]

Always a little late AK....

The request was to see it...

Now the puny one you posted.. well, lets just say you should be ashamed of yourself for putting up that postage stamp.

The only value "YOURS" would have if it was posted upside down.

Mine, its for the entire world to see.

 

[bkill]

Bang..Bang...

 

[DoubleHaul]

I love the fact that you have to go out & shoot coytoes to get the urin stained hair for the pattern. My buddies don't quite understand why I pull out the knife after a good night of hunting. Their loss.

 

[eddavidson9]

Saw this linked on another site, thought I'd pass it along...

Adirondack Fly Fishing in upstate New York, Adirondack Mountains-Adirondack Sport Shop

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width=250 border=1><TBODY><TR align=middle><TD vAlign=center bgColor=#000000>[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica]<CENTER>I AM ASKING FOR HELP[/FONT]
</CENTER>
</TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD>
It is simply time to be very straight forward. I am in difficulty. Too many things happened at the same time. Number One: I was FORCED to move my business and decided since I HAD to, I would do it the correct way which took everything I had. Number 2: I came down with congestive heart failure which is now in its end stages and Number 3, the economy decided to tank all at the same time. How about that for a bit of luck? I cannot QUIT until I find a buyer for my business of forty seven years. I have to try and survive somehow.
So I am asking for some help. If you have been considering buying one of my rods, please do so now. It could possibly be one of the last ones made. I know my days are numbered. Or one of the framed collectibles with a dozen of the flies I created, let me make one for you now. I could definitely use the business. Some of you say I am a legend but I have always considered myself just one of you all. I never sought the limelight nor took advantage of many opportunities I had over my forty seven years of business. Money never really motivated me. Big money at least. Perhaps I made a mistake. The place I find myself in right now seems to indicate that. So what I would like to ask of you all is this. I know my days are very limited and I MUST find a buyer so would everyone please network and if you know of anyone who would be interested in being my successor, please send them my way. I want to meet them before I pass on. The price is very low and the deal is absolutely turnkey. It is listed with a wonderful agent in Lake Placid, Margie Philo who is Adirondack Premiere Properties. Here is a link to see the information. Lake Placid Vacation Rentals - Lake Placid Real Estate Listings - Adirondack Vacations FRAN BETTERS SPORTS SHOP - MLS# 132310 Thank you everyone in advance for any help you can give. Fran

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Ryan R]

Wow, I certainly wish him the best. I hope he finds a buyer, wish it could be me (Big money isn't necessarily a prime motivator for me either. Of course I'll take any if its offered.)

 

[46er]

That truly sucks. I used to own a cabin down from Fran's home in the Acres and remember the problems he had when he originally sold the old place to the guy that opened shop at the dam in Wilmington, since closed down. One of the nicest folks I've ever known, a saleman for sure, but he never tried to take advantage. It was a good thing when he was inducted into the hall of fame. He's taught a lot of folks how to enjoy their sport, would be nice if some sort of benefit were done for him, not that he want it. He's put a lot of effort into his new endeavor and I hope he can recover something for his wife's sake. I'm surprised his son doesn't keep it going, but he may be walking a different path. I need to get back up there this spring.