Howells, Gary - Personal Dry Fly Boxes

For sale here we have Gary Howells' personal dry fly boxes with flies. The flies were tied by Howells himself -they are in exceptional condition and expertly tied as Howells was a very accomplished tyer. Howells tied thousands of flies for over the years for R.L. Winston and the practice is apparent. The collection consists of four plastic boxes, three H.L. Leonard "Beaverkill" boxes, and one Cortland "Unbreakable Fly Box". 

The three Leonard "Beaverkill" boxes are model 1636 featuring 18 compartments and measuring 7/8" x 3 1/4" x 7 1/2". The boxes were sold in the 1970's and feature shatterproof transparent plastic lids with a red "HL" emblem in the bottom right corner and white bases. The hinges are made of stainless-steel. These boxes were sold for $2.25 in the 1974 Leonard catalog (pg. 32).

This Leonard box is dedicated to ~50 pale morning dun flies. The flies range in size from #14-18 with the vast majority #16. The box is free of defects with the exception of the top right corner of the base being cracked. The plastic divider above the crack is also cracked.

The second Leonard box is filled with an assortment of flies including Catskill-style Adams, royal Wulffs, ants, hoppers, elk-hair caddis, quill bodies, tiny midges, and 4 pheasant tails. The flies range in size from #12 hoppers and traditional dries to #26 midges with everything in between. There are approximately 100+ flies. The box is in excellent condition free of cracks or other defects.

The third Leonard box is an assortment of mostly dry flies but also a good deal of wet flies. The patterns include Catskill-style dries, Wulff-style flies, yellow sallies, hoppers, midges, ants, pheasant tails, hare's ears, caddis emergers with trailing shuck, and various others. The box is in excellent condition free of cracks or other defects. There are approximately 175+ flies in the box. 

The fourth box, made by Cortland is of the same plastic design with stainless-steel hinges and features 10 compartments with green felt lining the bottom of the compartments. The box measures 7 1/4" x 4 1/4" x 1 1/4". The box is in excellent shape free of cracks or other defects. The box contains an assortment of large dry flies and a few wet flies. Patterns include - Adams-style flies, Royal Wulffs, elk-hair caddis, salmon/stone flies (wet & dry), damselflies, muddler minnows, hare's ears, caddis pupa, and various others. There are approximately 75+ flies. 

These personal artifacts from Gary Howells are a rare glimpse into a bamboo rod making legend. A must have for R.L. Winston or Howells collectors. Don't miss out on this piece of fly fishing history. 

Note: A letter of provenance will be included from current owner Craig Lynch.