I have been tying flies since 1966.  During those fifty plus years I probably tied every type and style of flies on the market and then some.  I was a commercial fly tier for many sporting goods stores and fly fishing shops from 1970's through 1990's.  As an owner of two fly shops, Joe Armenti’s Fly Shop and North American Fly Shop, I specialized in hard to find materials and fly tying in the traditional Catskill style flies. Today, with all the fly tying materials available, there seems no limit to the fly patterns one can create and tie.

During those early years I guided many fly fisherman throughout the northern trout streams of New Jersey, the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains, the famous Catskill Mountain streams and New York’s Salmon River.  There in the Catskills I would visit my favorite friends Harry and Elsie Darbee.  We would trade rooster necks (home raised) for paired natural turkey wing quills and other hard to find materials.  Natural turkey quills became hard to find during those days as well as jungle cock necks.

I am a member of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild located in Roscoe, NY.  On July 27, 1974 I became the founder and charter member of the Ernest Schwiebert Chapter of Trout Unlimited and a member to this day. During those years I organized many fly tying classes and fly fishing demonstrations.   I am a member of the Delaware Valley Fly Fisher Club, which is a non-profit educational and conservation organization. I am currently a member of Fly Fishers International and recipient of the Bronze, Silver and Gold Fly Tying Skill Awards. Recently I became a Fly Tyer Associate with Flymen Fishing Co. and other fly tying companies.

When it comes to trout flies, my fly tying style would be considered traditional and Catskill inspired.  I have always been inspired by the Catskill fly tiers such as Harry and Elsie Darbee, Art Flick and Walt Dette.  Ernest Schwiebert's book, "Match the Hatch" was my go to reference.  I prefer tying flies with fur, hair and feathers, especially using hard to find materials. Blending and dying furs were my specialty. Dubbing out the fur bodies of nymph patterns and revealing the translucency of the underbodies were the hallmark of my nymphing techniques. Those flies were deadly!  Flies tied in this manner just seem more natural and catch more fish.  The use of synthetic materials has its place and are used for salmon, steelhead and saltwater flies.  The durability and vast selection of materials and recent innovations only makes sense to use them.

When I look back in time I see a proven track record. I recall the time when me and my good friend Frank Everett of Raritan, NJ spent days developing and experimenting with a fly called the “sand caddis”. That fly pattern has accounted for thousands of trout caught and released over the years and even to today. Other patterns, although not develped by me but improved upon was the “musky shrimp” and the “gay’s grub” To this day they are the go to patterns that account for many trout coming to the net and released.  Many trout fisherman and fly tyers have honored me with many titles and distinctions. And I thank them for that.  But at the end of the day, what really matters is, “what's at the end of your line”.

Joe Armenti
Master Fly Tyer since 1967 

Pro Flies Unlimited, LLC