A.K. Best, master illusionist of fly fishing, died on August 20 in Boulder, Colorado, at the age of 92. His passing, attributed to an aortic aneurysm, marks the end of an era for the angling world, leaving behind a legacy of meticulously crafted, lifelike designs that, as Fly Fisherman magazine tribute noted, “shaped the soul of modern fly fishing.” Mr. Best was not merely a fly tyer; he was an artisan whose dedication to detail elevated a pastime into a profound art form, deceiving the most discerning trout with creations that verged on the miraculous.
For more than four decades, from his humble basement workshop, Mr. Best transformed bits of feathers, fur, hair, and thread into exquisite replicas of aquatic insects. His specialty was dry flies, those delicate lures designed to float convincingly on the water’s surface, presenting an irresistible, yet deceptive, meal to fish. His work was characterized by an unwavering commitment to authenticity, a quality that set his creations apart from mass-produced alternatives and earned him a revered place among fly fishing’s most influential figures.
This article explores the multifaceted life and extraordinary contributions of Archie Kenneth Best, whose quiet precision and deep understanding of the natural world redefined the craft of fly tying. From his philosophical approach to the smallest detail to his prolific output and educational endeavors, Mr. Best’s impact on angling culture is immeasurable. We delve into the artistry, the intellect, and the profound passion that made A.K. Best a true master.
1. **Master Illusionist of the Angling World** Archie Kenneth Best was celebrated as a master illusionist, a title earned through his extraordinary ability to conjure lifelike imitations of nature from the most unassuming materials. He utilized a careful selection of feathers, fur, hair, and thread, transforming these components into intricate replicas of beetles, mayflies, caddisflies, and other aquatic insects. These creations, meticulously tied to hooks, were designed to entice trout to the surface of streams and rivers, offering what appeared to be deceptively tempting meals. This unparalleled skill in mimicry was the cornerstone of his renown within the fly fishing community.
His artistry was particularly evident in the way his designs fooled even the most discerning trout. Ed Engle, a longtime outdoors columnist for The Boulder Daily Camera and a fishing companion, articulated this marvel in 2010, writing that Mr. Best’s “peerless designs fooled discerning trout palates ‘to a degree that verges on the miraculous.'” This sentiment underscores the profound effectiveness of his work, which transcended mere functionality to become an almost magical act of deception. The success of his flies was not just about catching fish; it was about perfectly replicating the natural world to outwit an instinctively cautious prey.
The essence of his illusion lay in his capacity to replicate the minute details that characterize real insects. Every wing, every segment of a body, every subtle coloration was considered and painstakingly recreated. This level of meticulousness ensured that his artificial lures appeared genuinely organic, rather than manufactured. His creations were a testament to his understanding of both entomology and fish behavior, allowing him to bridge the gap between human craft and natural form with remarkable success.
2. **The Meticulous Craft of Dry Fly Tying** Mr. Best’s particular mastery resided in the meticulous art of professional fly tying, with a distinct specialization in dry flies. These are artificial lures engineered to float precisely on the water’s surface, mimicking insects that have either fallen onto the water or are emerging from their aquatic larval stages. The challenge of creating an effective dry fly lies not only in its visual accuracy but also in its hydrodynamics and buoyancy, ensuring it drifts naturally without sinking or appearing artificial.
The almost weightless quality of his artificial lures was a hallmark of his skill. He understood that to fool a trout, the fly had to perfectly replicate the delicate presence of a real insect upon the water. This involved selecting and preparing materials that would shed water, maintain their form, and remain afloat, even after repeated casts and submersions. His designs precisely mimicked midges, caddisflies, and other specific bugs that constitute the trout’s diet, rendering them virtually indistinguishable from their natural counterparts.
The “Dry Fly Guru” nickname, affectionately given to him by his friend John Gierach, encapsulated his deep affinity for this particular type of fly. This specialization was not merely a preference but a profound commitment to a complex facet of the sport, requiring an intricate understanding of insect behavior, water dynamics, and material science. His dedication to dry flies transformed them from simple fishing tools into miniature works of art, celebrated for their effectiveness and aesthetic perfection.
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3. **The Basement Workshop: A Hub of Innovation** For more than 40 years, A.K. Best found his sanctuary and laboratory in his basement workshop in Boulder, Colorado. This space was not merely a room but the epicenter of his prodigious output and innovative spirit. Here, surrounded by the tools of his trade, he dedicated countless hours to the painstaking process of transforming raw materials into exquisite fly patterns. It was within these walls that the “soul of modern fly fishing” was, in part, meticulously shaped and refined.
The workshop itself was equipped with an array of specialized implements, each chosen for its precision and utility. A vise held the tiny hooks steady, while pliers and tweezers allowed for delicate manipulation of feathers, fur, and thread. Even a common toothbrush found its purpose, likely for grooming materials or tidying the finished product. These tools, in his skilled hands, became extensions of his creative vision, enabling him to achieve the minute details that were crucial to his lifelike designs.
His productivity within this dedicated space was remarkable. He was known to work at a commercial pace, handcrafting the wings and tails of insect replicas, not only for his personal use but also for leading companies in the angling industry. At peak efficiency, Mr. Best could tie approximately 40 lures an hour, accumulating an astonishing 36,000 flies a year for renowned brands such as Orvis, Umpqua Feather Merchants, and Urban Angler. Such output speaks volumes about his dedication, discipline, and the sheer demand for his exceptional work. He was even said to have attached a shoulder rest to his phone, allowing him to continue tying while taking calls, a testament to his unwavering commitment to his craft.
4. **From Music to Mayflies: A Life of Precision** Before he became a celebrated master of fly tying, A.K. Best cultivated a deep understanding of precision and detail through his distinguished career in music. A former music teacher and high school band director, Mr. Best brought the disciplined eye and ear of a musician to the intricate world of fly tying. He often listened to classical music and jazz in his workshop, a practice that underscored the profound connection he perceived between these seemingly disparate arts.
Mr. Best articulated this philosophical link with profound clarity: “There’s no such thing as an unimportant detail in music,” he told The Gazette of Colorado Springs in 2024. “The composer put that dot on the paper with an ink pen for a specific reason. Just like when you look at a picture of an insect, every dot is important.” This statement reveals the core of his approach, emphasizing that every minute component, whether a musical note or a segment of an insect’s anatomy, contributes critically to the overall integrity and effectiveness of the whole.
His background as a saxophonist, clarinetist, and flutist, a skill he honed at Drake University and even jammed with touring big bands, instilled in him an appreciation for exactitude. Just as a musical score demands faithful execution of every note and rhythm, his fly tying demanded an equally rigorous adherence to natural forms and proportions. This unique perspective, born from a life steeped in musical precision, undoubtedly informed his ability to craft flies that were not merely imitations but perfect, harmonious replicas of nature’s designs. His “professorial tone” in instructional videos was a direct echo of his teaching days, further solidifying the link between his two great passions.
5. **An Outdoors Sommelier: The Art of Observation** A.K. Best possessed an almost scientific rigor in his observational practices, approaching the natural world with the discerning eye of a sommelier evaluating fine wine. His quest for authenticity in fly tying began long before he ever picked up a vise or thread. He was known for his meticulous field research, ensuring that his artificial lures were based on the most accurate and current understanding of local insect life. This dedication to empirical study set him apart and was fundamental to the miraculous effectiveness of his designs.
His methods were thorough and systematic. Mr. Best maintained detailed diaries, logging his observations of insects and environmental conditions. He would physically catch insects, create slides of them, and use rulers to precisely measure their body proportions, leaving no detail to assumption. He would even squint through his eyelashes to refract the subtle hues of blue-winged olive mayflies, discerning the exact shades of gray, yellow, cream, and green that characterized them. This level of sensory engagement speaks to an uncommon commitment to truth in his craft.
When arriving at a trout stream in the early morning, his routine was a testament to his observational artistry. He would first check nearby bushes and spider webs for signs of insect activity, then dip a net into the water to identify what insects had hatched overnight. Beyond sight, he took photographs and jotted notes on the weather and even the subtle smells of the environment, demonstrating an all-encompassing sensory approach to understanding the ecosystem. This comprehensive field study ensured his flies were perfectly adapted to the specific conditions and insect populations of any given fishing locale, making him, in essence, an “outdoors sommelier” of entomology.
6. **Beyond Store-Bought: Best’s Principles of Natural Design** Mr. Best’s profound skill lay in his ability to create flies that appeared unequivocally natural, starkly contrasting with the often-generic aesthetic of store-bought lures. This distinction was not accidental; it stemmed from his deep understanding of insect morphology and his uncompromising commitment to realistic detail. He knew that trout, evolved over millennia to identify their prey, would readily distinguish an artificial imperfection from a genuine food source. His goal was to eliminate such discrepancies, ensuring his flies were utterly convincing.
He operated on specific principles derived from extensive observation. For instance, Mr. Best noted that “no adult aquatic insects have fuzzy bodies,” a common characteristic in many mass-produced flies. Instead, he crafted his flies to appear “shiny and waxy, not translucent,” capturing the accurate texture and sheen of living insects. These subtle yet critical details, often overlooked by others, were paramount to his success. He meticulously sourced and prepared materials, even knowing, as John Gierach detailed, “where on the skin that hair should come from, why the deer should have lived in a field rather than a swamp, and how the venison from each animal is likely to taste” when using deer hair for caddis wings.
His pragmatic approach was encapsulated in his own words from a 2015 interview: “You don’t need a fly so big you’re going to scare the hell out of a fish,” he advised, adding that if “it’s the right color and floats, it’ll catch fish.” This philosophy underscored his focus on essential, naturalistic attributes over exaggerated features. He understood that the nuanced variations in color, even within the same insect species, depending on their habitat, were crucial. This knowledge allowed him to adjust the color of his flies precisely for specific locations, further enhancing their natural appeal and effectiveness, consistently creating “a new pattern that may… fool a few more trout.”
7. **A Prolific Author and Educator** Beyond his masterful tying bench, A.K. Best cemented his legacy as a prominent educator and author, generously sharing his unparalleled knowledge and techniques with the wider angling community. His writings and instructional materials became essential resources for both novice and experienced fly tyers, disseminating his unique insights and detailed methodologies across the globe. He adopted the “professorial tone” of his earlier teaching career, making complex processes accessible and engaging for his audience.
Mr. Best penned a total of nine books throughout his career, including seminal works such as “Production Fly Tying” (1989), “A.K.’s Fly Box” (1996), and “Advanced Fly Tying” (2001). These texts delved into every facet of the craft, detailing materials, methods, and techniques with the precision and thoroughness for which he was known. John Gierach, a close friend and admirer, highly recommended “Production Fly Tying,” advising readers to consume it cover-to-cover for its shrewd details and profound wisdom.
His educational contributions extended to magazine articles for most fly-fishing publications, including Fly Fisherman, Fly Rod and Reel, and Mid-Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide, where he had a regular column titled “From the Vise” starting in 1995. He also produced a collection of instructional videos, ranging from 50 to 120 minutes, which detailed “efficient and practical methods” for fly tying. These diverse platforms allowed him to reach a vast audience, ensuring that his philosophy and techniques continued to “shape the soul of modern fly fishing” long after they left his workshop. His work was so extensive that his manuscripts, articles, and personal correspondence are now housed in the A.K. Best Collection at Montana State University, a testament to his enduring academic and practical impact.
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8. **Commercial Success: From Local Shops to Industry Giants**Archie Kenneth Best’s journey to commercial acclaim began modestly in Michigan during the 1960s. He ingeniously sold his handcrafted flies from display cases he carried in his car, stopping at gas stations and local fly shops while en route to trout streams. This opportunistic approach garnered regular accounts, laying the groundwork for a professional career.
Upon relocating to Boulder, Colorado, in 1980, Mr. Best’s commercial endeavors rapidly expanded. He transitioned from localized sales to serving a broader mass market, a testament to the exceptional quality and consistent demand for his artificial lures. In 1972, he had already opened A.K.’s Fly Shop, which, at its peak, was producing an astonishing 72,000 flies per year, reflecting his formidable work ethic and the growing recognition of his craft.
His reputation soon attracted the attention of major players in the angling industry. Mr. Best became a commercial contract tyer for renowned companies such as Orvis, Umpqua Feather Merchants, and Urban Angler. He worked at an impressive pace, capable of tying approximately 40 lures an hour and contributing an estimated 36,000 flies annually. His collaboration with Orvis, involving pattern and tool development alongside influential articles, further solidified his indispensable artisan status within the industry.
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9. **The Influential Friendship with John Gierach**Among Mr. Best’s most significant relationships was his enduring friendship with the acclaimed angling author, John Gierach. Their connection, forged after meeting at a fly shop in Boulder, blossomed into a deep bond rooted in a shared passion for fly fishing. Gierach, often considered the sport’s original “trout bum,” frequently featured Best in his early columns in The New York Times, introducing the master tyer to a wider audience and implicitly endorsing his unparalleled abilities.
Mr. Gierach became an ardent champion of Best’s work, writing the foreword for his seminal book, “Production Fly Tying” (1989). In his recommendation, Gierach urged readers to absorb the book cover-to-cover, praising its “shrewd details” and “profound wisdom.” This endorsement not only elevated Best’s profile but also provided invaluable context to his meticulous techniques, detailing material origins and qualities. Their camaraderie also led Gierach to affectionately dub Best the “Dry Fly Guru,” a nickname perfectly encapsulating his friend’s affinity for surface lures.
Despite Gierach’s frequent inclusion of Best in his narratives, the author humbly denied having made Best famous. Gierach posited that Best “made himself famous, because his flies were really exceptional, and he had some ideas about flies that weren’t exactly common wisdom,” highlighting Best’s independent genius. Their friendship, documented in essays like “A Few Days Before Christmas,” underscored a philosophical understanding that “the fishing itself is always good,” transcending the mere act of catching fish.
10. **The Michigan Discovery: Birth of a Fly Tyer**Before his widespread recognition as a fly-tying maestro, A.K. Best’s life followed a different trajectory, deeply rooted in music. It was a move to Alpena, Michigan, in 1962, where he and his wife, Janet, taught music at local schools, that unexpectedly set the course for his future profession. This seemingly ordinary life transition would prove to be the pivotal moment that ignited his lifelong passion for fly fishing.
While in Michigan, Best made what he described as a “life altering discovery”: brook trout. He found these fish in the local waters, affectionately calling them the “prettiest, dumbest fish on the planet.” This encounter was more than just a casual fishing trip; it was an awakening that “changed my life,” as he recounted to writer Seth Boster for The Colorado Springs Gazette.
However, a practical challenge soon emerged: the financial strain of purchasing sufficient quantities of store-bought flies to satisfy his burgeoning passion. Supporting a family on a music education salary meant such an indulgence was simply unaffordable. Faced with this dilemma, Best, ever the pragmatic artisan, resolved to learn the craft himself. “I couldn’t afford to buy them,” he noted, explaining how he began to disappear into his basement tying room for hours, thus commencing what would become his illustrious fly-tying career.
11. **Preserving a Legacy: The Montana State University Collection**The profound impact of A.K. Best’s work, both as an artisan and an intellectual, necessitated the establishment of a formal archive dedicated to his legacy. His extensive output of meticulously crafted flies, combined with his prolific writings and detailed correspondence, formed a comprehensive body of work that deserved preservation for future generations of anglers, scholars, and naturalists.
The profound impact of A.K. Best’s work, both as an artisan and an intellectual, necessitated the establishment of a formal archive dedicated to his legacy. His extensive output of meticulously crafted flies, combined with his prolific writings and detailed correspondence, formed a comprehensive body of work that deserved preservation for future generations of anglers, scholars, and naturalists.
Beyond the physical artifacts and written documents, the collection offers further insights into Best’s life through an interview conducted as part of the Angling Oral History Project. This oral history provides a personal dimension, capturing his reflections on his journey as a fly fisher and tyer, offering direct access to his thoughts and experiences. Among the preserved items are eleven flies personally tied by Best, each a miniature masterpiece reflecting his unparalleled skill and dedication to the craft.
12. **Enduring Influence on Modern Fly Fishing**A.K. Best’s contributions transcended the confines of his workshop, profoundly influencing the broader landscape of modern fly fishing. As Fly Fisherman magazine noted in its tribute, his designs “shaped the soul of modern fly fishing,” a testament to his lasting impact that resonates with anglers across generations. His meticulous approach and innovative patterns set new standards for authenticity and effectiveness, inspiring countless others to refine their own craft.
He generously disseminated his knowledge through a variety of educational platforms, ensuring his unique philosophies and detailed techniques reached a vast audience. His nine books, including “Production Fly Tying” and “Advanced Fly Tying,” became essential guides. Furthermore, his regular column “From the Vise” in the Mid-Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide, starting in 1995, offered detailed instructions for creating specific flies, empowering readers to replicate his artistry. The collection of instructional videos he produced further amplified his reach, detailing “efficient and practical methods” for fly tying, providing invaluable visual guidance to learners.
Best’s unique patterns and methodologies garnered international interest, leading to interviews in prestigious fly fishing magazines such as Sweden’s Flugfiske i Norden and Japan’s Tight Loop. Even today, the enduring relevance of his work is evident, as leading companies like Orvis and Umpqua Feather Merchants continue to utilize his patterns and reference his fly-tying methods in their instructional materials and product lines. This continued acknowledgment from industry giants underscores his indelible mark on fly fishing techniques and the evolution of artificial fly patterns, confirming his status as a true pioneer.
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13. **A Deep-Seated Conservationist Ethos**Beyond his artistry and commercial success, A.K. Best embodied a profound conservationist ethos that underscored his deep respect for the natural world. His approach to fishing was less about the pursuit of trophies and more about the intrinsic value of the experience itself. This philosophy was most clearly articulated in his practice of not keeping the fish he caught, choosing instead to release them back into their aquatic habitats.
In a 2013 video, Best eloquently summarized this sentiment, stating, “It’s just fun to smell my hand at the end of the day, and say, ‘Well, that could have been a 27-incher.’ Smells alike, whether it’s seven or 27.” This quote reveals a perspective that valued the tactile memory and the connection to the wild over any material gain or bragging rights. For Best, the joy was in the engagement, the successful deception of a trout, and the intimate interaction with the ecosystem, rather than the capture.
His conservationist mindset was a quiet, unassuming aspect of his character, yet deeply ingrained in his angling life. It spoke to a broader understanding of stewardship, recognizing that the health of the fish populations and the pristine nature of the streams were paramount. By releasing his catches, he contributed to the sustainability of the sport he so cherished, allowing future generations of anglers, and the fish themselves, to thrive. This practice was a silent testament to his respect for nature’s delicate balance and his role in preserving it.
14. **A Spirit of Wisdom and Humor**A.K. Best was not only a master of the vise but also a man imbued with a distinctive spirit of wisdom and a dry, often understated, humor. These personal qualities shone through in his interactions and observations, adding a rich, human dimension to his legendary status. His favorite quote, “It doesn’t matter how big the fish are, your hands still smell the same,” perfectly encapsulated his perspective, offering a lighthearted yet profound commentary on the true essence of angling, valuing the experience above all else.
His instructional videos, while professional in tone and meticulous in detail, often carried the “professorial tone” of his former teaching career, sometimes even accompanied by the image of him as a pipe-smoking teacher. Yet, this gravitas was frequently punctuated by his wit. He famously described brook trout as the “prettiest, dumbest fish on the planet,” a remark that humorously highlighted both their beauty and their susceptibility to his artful lures. This blend of erudition and playful observation made his teachings particularly engaging.
Best’s unwavering dedication to dry flies was another source of his distinctive humor and passion. A true purist, he had a memorable, if colorful, reaction to any mention of nymphs, quickly dismissing them with his classic line: “You f*ing bait fisherman.” This quip, while irreverent, underscored his deep commitment to a particular style of angling. His love for Big Band music and ability to spin captivating stories further painted a portrait of a man whose artistry was deeply intertwined with his unique, wise, and often humorous spirit, leaving an unforgettable impression.
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In the final analysis, A.K. Best’s life was a master class in dedication, observation, and artistry. His quiet precision, honed over decades in a basement workshop, transformed fly tying from a mere craft into a sophisticated art form. From his intricate dry flies to his prolific writings and profound conservationist philosophy, Best’s impact on the angling world is indelible. He taught us that every detail matters, whether in music, entomology, or the serene act of fishing. His legacy, meticulously preserved and widely celebrated, ensures that the soul of modern fly fishing will forever carry the imprint of his genius, a testament to a man who truly mastered the art of illusion, inspiring countless anglers to look deeper, observe more keenly, and appreciate the profound beauty of the natural world.
