About Me

Basic Information

Gender

Male

Birthday

01/01/1960

About me

I live in Johnstown, PA and am a retired steelworker with 28 years in the steel mills. 
I'm also an
Army veteran of the Vietnam era.  Much of my retirement time is spent fly fishing, fly tying, and
teaching others to tie.  I also enjoy wood working and specialize in building shadow boxes. 
Email me
if interested in obtaining a custom box to display your flies. 







I've been fly fishing and fly tying since the age of 13.  That was in 1952, when a
gentleman friend and master fly tier, Karl Kesel, took me "under his wing" and taught me to make something from
feathers that would catch fish.  He became ill and passed away later that same same year but not
before instilling in me the desire to be as good a tier as he was, and carry on for him. 







After my first year of mentoring I taught myself and learned mostly by trial and error.  
I still use
the same vice today that my father bought me when he saw me tie my first flies on his workbench
vice. 

 

Note
by Ed Gallop:  Bob had a pet rabbit named "Bunny" that was house
broken and accompanies him when tying. 
Sadly, Bunny passed
away on September 8, 2003.  He went peacefully in his sleep, and will be sorely
missed.

 

Not only
did Bunny provide an endless supply of
dubbing, he also provides other tying material.  Bob sent me a fly he said
Bunny made just for me.  It sort of looks like a
beetle but could be mistaken for a cased caddis.  Click here
to see it...  Bunny Dung Fly.

 

Bob
is quite a craftsman with feather, fur, and even wood.  He builds shadow
boxes for sale at very reasonable prices.  A few of his many designs are
pictured.  Tell him what you want and he will design and build it for
you.  

 

Bob also made and
marketed "Clear Wings," which can be seen on his "Cahill" and "Trico Parachute"
flies below.  The wings are clear with prisms of iridescent colors
reflecting in the light.  He makes them in various sizes and colors for
mayflies and caddis.  Flies tied with the wings have proved productive for
several anglers, including myself.  This endeavor has been curtailed due to
arthritis in the fingers.  Bob now just does the wings for himself and close
friends.

 

I
am fortunate to have Bob as a personal friend and fishing buddy.   His
eccentric humor keeps me laughing, his knowledge and talent keeps me learning,
and his cooking keeps me wanting more.  Ed.

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