OLD FLIES IN NEW DRESSES: HOW TO DRESS DRY FLIES WITH THE WINGS IN THE NATURAL POSITION AND SOME NEW WET FLIES. By Charles Edward Walker. Illustrated by the author and Edward Wilson.

1898 1st edition. Large 8vo (150 x 226mm). Ppxii,116. 3 plain plates by the author and Edward Wilson. Ribbed dark green cloth, spine titled in gilt, small gilt device on upper board, top edge gilt.

Walker discusses 'Colour perception in fish,' winging of dry flies, and a theory of wet flies tied to represent corixids, freshwater shrimps, and 'Larvae of water-insects.' "Soon to become a victim of the dry fly tsunami, through literary and reputational eclipse was C.E. Walker, who in 1898 after much experimentation published his book 'Old Flies in New Dresses'. In this he recommended the imitation of nymphs, shrimps, corixae and terrestrials, giving detailed tyings and flying in the face of Halford's increasing calls for dry fly purism. The dry fly revolution rolled over him although he was an imitative innovator of the first order. Walker had great designs for shrimps and corixae, and a general recipe for ephemeropteran nymph imitations in 1898. But who nowadays has even heard of his work?" (Peter Hayes).