by Paul Marriner photos (flies) by Roger Yip Keepers Of The Craft Fly tying. It’s an art form, a science, a noble tradition. Meet Canada’s top 10 With original brook trout and Atlantic salmon patterns dating back to the 1830s, Canada can safely boast a long history when it comes to fly tying. And as a nation of fish-filled lakes, rivers, streams and oceans, this country certainly continues to produce a great number of tiers, many of them outstanding. Some are professionals, others amateurs. Some have gained recognition through the prestigious Fédération Québécoise pour le Saumon Atlantique (FQSA), or the U.S.-based Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF), while others have made names for themselves commercially. Whatever the case, they’re all dedicated to their craft—and to the great sport of fly fishing—as revealed by the following profiles of just 10 of the country’s top tiers. Shawn Bennett - Tofino, British Columbia Shawn Bennett & Catface Streamer Chasing saltwater coho with a fly rod and boat is a relatively recent addition to the sport of fly fishing, and Shawn Bennett has been at the vanguard, developing successful flies and techniques, as well as identifying local hot spots. A fly tier for 16 years, Bennett actually started tying before ever picking up a long rod, and his early baitfish imitations were a hit. In 1995, Bennett and his wife, Lise Peters, started their own commercial fly-tying company—Moonlight Flies—specializing in innovative flies for Pacific fin-fish species. They soon found a receptive market throughout the Pacific northwest for their unique, epoxy-reinforced patterns. These days, Bennett spends much of his time developing a fly-fishing program for Clayoquot Sound’s Weigh West Marine Resort, while conducting fly-tying demonstrations for television and fly-fishing shows. Of his own creations, the 36-year-old is mighty fond of his Catface Streamer. Developed to imitate local baitfish, this fly continues to boat many fish each season. As this area of fly fishing continues to progress, expect to see even more fresh and effective patterns from Shawn Bennett. Roman Scharabun - St. Albert, Alberta R.S. Quad PMD It would be tough to find someone more immersed in the world of fly fishing than Roman Scharabun. A certified fly-casting instructor and professional guide, Scharabun also ties flies commercially, builds custom rods and volunteers for several fly-fishing organizations. All this while holding down a day job as a school teacher. With his work often appearing in fly-tying magazines, videos and books—including the FFF’s Patterns of the Masters series—Scharabun has developed dozens of successful designs. Probably his most potent trout-fly pattern, for example, is the R.S. Quad series, of which the R.S. Quad PMD is a favourite. Today, this productive series is widely used in western North America, while also gaining adherents from as far away as the Ukraine. No wonder Malcolm Knopp and Robert Cormier asked Scharabun to contribute trout patterns to their 1997 book, Mayflies: An Angler’s Study of Trout Water Ephemeroptera—one of Canada’s premier contributions to fly fishing for trout. Given the 49-year-old’s undiminished passion for all things fly fishing, it’s safe to say he still has plenty more to offer. Read more about Canada's top fly tiers: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4