Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”

by Rusty Dunn

What is the measure of great achievement for a trout fly? Featured articles in glossy magazines? Making “Top Ten” lists of the fly-fishing paparazzi? A fly whose bin is always empty at the local fly shop? These are fine tributes to accomplished flies, but the most noble of honors – the pièce de résistance – is reserved for a chosen few: flies so good they have a beer named after them! Such is the case with the Haystack dry fly and its namesake beer “Haystack Blond Ale”, brewed by the Great Adirondack Brewing Company of Lake Placid, NY. The Haystack is a pat­tern born of the creative mind and talented hands of Francis Betters. Fran Betters (1931-2009) owned and operated Adirondack Sport Shop, located on the West Branch of the AuSable River in upstate New York, for decades. Mr. Betters was known widely as a fly-fishing guide, teacher, storyteller, and creator of champion flies, including the Haystack, the Ausable Wulff, and the Usual. Read More