A total of 37 famous salmon flies from the Killarney area have been included in a new online book which offers a unique glimpse into Ireland’s past.

Traditional Irish salmon flies from Kerry and across Ireland, commissioned 120 ago for the Cork International Exhibition in 1902, are included in ‘The 1902 Cork Collection of Salmon Flies’ a new historical picture book from Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Fly tying involves the ‘dressing’ of a fishing hook to create an artificial fly, which is then used by anglers at the end of a rod and line to catch fish. It’s a little-known part of Ireland’s heritage but many angling shops in Ireland in the late 1800s and early 1900s employed ‘fly dressers’. Some were considered masters of their craft, thanks to their skills, creativity and the traditional methods that they used.

In recognition of the cultural importance of the craft and to record examples, a collection of traditional fly dressings was commissioned in 1902, with specific sets of flies collected for each of the 20 fishery districts throughout the country, including Kerry. The current custodians of this important collection, Inland Fisheries Ireland, has published the picture book online recently, making it freely available to new generations around the world.

For the 1902 Exhibition, the salmon flies for the Waterville and Killarney districts were tied by T. Courtney (Main St., Killarney), T. McCarthy (‘Anglers Rest’, Waterville), W. Haynes & Son (Patrick Street, Cork city) and Joseph Owen Harold (JP) (Mallow, Co. Cork).

The Killarney district had a total of 37 flies including the ‘Red Eye’, the ‘Brown Ant’ and the ‘Dooks’ and these flies were for use on fisheries such as the Killarney, Cloon, Coose and Caragh Lakes and Rivers Laune, Flesk and Maine.

“This new book offers a unique glimpse into Ireland’s past, putting a spotlight on traditional salmon angling in Killarney, Waterville and the other fishery districts of the era," Shane O’Reilly of Inland Fisheries Ireland said.

"Each of the flies showcases the detail and beauty of traditional Irish salmon flies and the wide range of materials and techniques used by Irish fly dressers at the time.”

Inland Fisheries Ireland is exploring ways of putting the original collection on display once more and members of the public are being encouraged to contact the State agency with any suggestions they may have.

The book is available to view at www.fisheriesireland.ie and on the Fishing in Ireland website at www.fishinginireland.info.