Special Heritage Resources exhibit features fly fishing collection

Western Washington University Libraries’ Heritage Resources department presents a special opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the Library’s most treasured collections.

The fly fishing collection, housed in the library’s Special Collections, holds more than 1,600 historic and relevant items, many of which were donated by library patrons Paul and MaryAnn Ford. Local fly fishing enthusiast and historian Darrel Martin will be presenting the collection on July 10.

Martin, who grew up in Eatonville, Washington, is an avid fly fisher and has spent a significant amount of time researching the history of fly fishing from documents dating back hundreds of years. Martin will be giving two presentations to highlight the collection.

The first, the Antique Angler, will focus on some of the older methods and tools used by fly fishers from generations past. The second, The River Itchen, will discuss the famed river in England which has become a historical point of interest for fly fishers everywhere.

Both presentations will be held in Special Collections. The Antique Angler will be at 2 p.m., and The River Itchen will be at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served, and a tour of the Fly Fishing Collection will be provided.