Dave Footer is an artist, and taxidermist. He is a man who has guided fisherman into the wilds of Maine, and Quebec, in search of brook trout.
My first encounter with Dave was in the late 1970's, when while fishing Mooselookmeguntic Lake in Maine, my brother in law caught a landlocked salmon of generous proportions. We went back to camp, which was on Haine's Landing, and asked about having the salmon mounted. Almost everyone suggested Dave Footer.
The fish was taken to his studio in Lewiston, and was mounted. The salmon is in my brother in law, John's home, and looks as good as it did when taken back a long time ago.
About 25 years later, while fishing a tributary to Rangeley Lake, I was fortunate to catch my personal best brook trout. I knew what I wanted to have done, and who I wanted to do it.
I stopped in at the Footer home in Lewiston, and talked about my mount with Polly,
Dave's wife. She is a very knowledgeable and told me all about the process of a Footer mount. While taking the info from me on the fish she showed me around Dave's studio. There were beautiful paintings of brook trout all over. And oh so many fish.
Work that was being done for anglers from all over the world. Well one year later I received my mount from Maine and was impressed with the results.The man is said to have mounted over 6000 fish, most of them brook trout. And many fish restorations, as well as fish paintings. An artist who was taught by "Herb Welch"
Dave Footer doing a brook trout painting.
Dave and his family, all of them involved with with the business of fish mounting and restoration.
A self portrait of Dave.
Two of Dave's fine mounts.
The "Footer Special" a streamer created by Dave. It is a very effective streamer for brook trout. This one from his studio and well used. It now sits in a plastic case, fully retired.
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
I so envy people who can create beauty with a paint brush or a fly vise!
ReplyDeleteI'd marveled over that same article for some time. I suppose it was only a matter of time to find a connection in blogdom.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive. I'm in awe of people with that kind of talent.
ReplyDeleteMark
Inspired by your streamers, Brk Trt, I tied up my first attempt last night from odds and ends in my tying kit. Surprisingly, it provoked a strike today from a stocked rainbow that, after a few seconds, threw the hook. No matter; it was going to be released anyway. Thanks for introducing me to this style fly.
ReplyDeletepenbayman,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
He is a gentleman who is fortunate to have a talent for outdoor expression.
John,
Thanks.
Yes sir. Somewhere there an answer, to many of our thoughts.
Shoreman,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
He is quite the talent.
Gary,
Thanks.
That's awesome. Keep tying, and maybe post a few of streamers. I for one would love to see them.
Hi Alan...I need to get to Rangeley Lake one of these days.
ReplyDeleteAnother Maine treasure. That streamer can rock some big brookies.
ReplyDeleteEd,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
It's a trip you won't forget.
Todd,
Thanks.
That he is. I take it you have some experience with the Footer Special.
Amazing magazine..I have a few issues myself.
ReplyDeletepenbayman,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
They were an outstanding publication, to bad they folded.
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ReplyDelete