THE SALMON FLIES OF JAMES HARPER: PROPRIETOR OF WILLIAM BROWN FISHING TACKLE, ABERDEEN, 1901-1945. By Colin Innes. Angling Monographs Series Volume Seven. De luxe edition.

2017 1st edition. 8vo (165 x 242mm). Pp300. Colour and b/w photographs, illustrations. Dark green leather over oatmeal cloth, spine titled in gilt, green angler on cloth. Edition limited to 26 lettered copies, each signed by the author.

James Harper was the proprietor of the famous fishing tackle firm of William Brown of Aberdeen from 1901 to 1945, and during this time he kept detailed records of the 200 or so salmon fly patterns that the firm produced. The patterns come from many sources, some are well-known, some are variants of known patterns, some have previously only been known by their name, and some never been heard of before. The collection is particularly strong on Spey and Irish flies. In this book Colin Innes sets the scene with a tale of how the pattern list was "re-discovered, then goes on to give an entertaining and sometimes surprising history of the firm of William Brown and it's owners before revealing the list of patterns. Where possible the fly patterns have been illustrated with original vintage flies and cross-referenced with period books and tackle catalogues. This is the de luxe hardbound edition that is limited to only 26 lettered copies. There is also a standard edition of 550 copies.