172 - EXCEPTIONAL SALMON FLY CASE belonging to Mr. Charles C. RITZ (1891–1976)

EXCEPTIONAL SALMON FLY CASE belonging to Mr. Charles C. RITZ (1891–1976) A cabinet specially crafted for Charles César RITZ from solid oak, with a chrome handle and an owner’s plaque under the lid reading “Ch.C. RITZ.” Includes 2 keys. In perfect working order and in excellent condition. Circa 1930. Height: 15.5 cm, length: 25 cm, depth: 16.5 cm. Inside, six removable trays with clip-on fasteners. Each tray contains 21 to 23 salmon flies, for a total of 132 flies. The vast majority of the flies are “fully dressed” in sizes No. 4 to 6/0 for the largest models. About one-third of the flies have never been used for fishing. The others, which were used in Scotland or Norway, are in excellent condition. All flies were tied between 1930 and 1960. The collection includes numerous patterns such as the Jock Scott, Akroyd, Durham Ranger, Black Doctor, Silver Doctor, Green Highlander, March Brown, Hairy Mary, and more... Note “Salmon fly cabinets” were designed to store the many different fly patterns available to anglers, primarily based on the season and water level. Unlike fly boxes, they were not taken to the water’s edge but remained either at the hotel or in the ghillie’s (fishing warden’s) car, serving as a storage reserve for the flies. Provenance This cabinet was given to Pierre Affre by his friend Charles Ritz in 1975, when Ritz decided to stop salmon fishing. It has been carefully preserved ever since.