Acknowledgements
Below are listed those who have had a direct impact on the quality of my flies
and their presentation. There are also many, many others – family members,
close friends, and total strangers – too numerous to mention in full, who have
been tremendously helpful and supportive. To all those people, my sincerest
thanks.
God – I thank God for His infinite grace and beauty, tiny
measures of which suffice to inspire me for a lifetime. I also thank God for
instilling in me a desire to create and endowing me with the means to pursue
it. It is my aspiration that this endeavor honor Him.
Brenda
Davis – I thank my wonderful wife Brenda for loving me far more than I
deserve. She has been a constant source of help and encouragement to me
throughout this endeavor, despite my own periodic admissions that what I was
trying to do was probably impossible. Brenda is a professional photographer and
is solely responsible for the exquisite photography found on this
site.
An Nguyen – I thank my good friend An, a gifted custom
jeweler, for sharing with me many years ago his vision of jewelry-quality
hooks. I also thank him for his irrational confidence in my ability to achieve
that vision. I have benefited from his immense knowledge and skill far more
than I could possibly repay, and yet he has never asked anything of me in return
for his help.
Alex and Roger Perkins – I thank my cousin, Alex, and his father, Roger, both computer professionals, for their help in making this website possible. They have both spent
many, many hours helping me learn how to set it up and manage it, and
continue to help me troubleshoot problems on an ongoing basis.
Kiersten Perkins – I thank Kiersten, Alex’s wife and a
professional graphic designer, for her tireless hours designing and customizing
the logo for my business pro bono. To the public, Kiersten makes her
graphic design talents available on a freelance basis. She may be contacted at
kc@tiswell.com.
Christopher King – I thank my cousin Christopher
for helping me procure rare molted feathers. He is a true conservationist and
bird-lover who has been gracious with his time and energy. I hope that my flies
demonstrate a proper regard for the animals for which he cares so
deeply.
James Thurman – I thank James, Assistant Director of Art
at Penn State University, for sharing with me from his expertise in
metallurgical art. Specifically, he is responsible for first envisioning the
ingenious leader construction I’ve developed for my flies’ final
presentation.
I would also like to thank Duane Davis, Sara
Niederhuber, and Mena Davis for their continued advice and
encouragement. My brother Duane has significant business and flyfishing
expertise, my sister-in-law Sara has a terrific eye for color and style, and my
mother Mena is simply the most creative person I've ever known. I consult each
on a regular basis, and their influence permeates my work.
To these and
others who have helped and encouraged me in so many ways, my deep
gratitude.
