Ernest Hemingway's Trout Flies

This collection of trout flies were gifted to Hemingway by Charles Ritz (yes, Ritz as in the hotel), who was a contemporary expert on fishing, and author of one of the most renowned titles on fly fishing direction, "A Fly Fisher's Life." 

Hemingway used to refer to Ritz as "an iconoclast who never hesitates to destroy an idol in order to deal only with true and important facts." 

This treasure trove is a small peak into the private life of the great American author and his love of the outdoors. Regifted to Hemingway's son, Jack Hemingway, in 1951, the trout flies were held in his personal collection before being passed to his close friend, Pierre Affre, in 1995. In addition to the flies, proof of their historical journey are documented in a letter written to Affre by Jack Hemingway in October of 1995.