By Gord Follett
If there’s such a thing as “a natural” in fly tying, Dennis Quigley fits the bill quite nicely.The 38-year-old lifelong resident of Fleur de Lys on Newfoundland’s northeast coast started tying flies and fishing for salmon just four years ago, but he’s gone “all in” to the point where he doesn’t hesitate to sleep on rocks in the rain overnight to get an early crack at a particular river or pool. As for his salmon flies, the details are simply amazing. He’s already designing his own patterns and often ties remarkable variations of other popular flies, of which he doesn’t hesitate to give credit to the originator when known. 
I have never tied my own flies, but through almost four decades of salmon angling experience, I’ve been known to have “a pretty good eye” for quality flies that will entice salmon. With that in mind, in 2022, I contacted “some young fella” who had posted photos of his flies on Facebook under his ‘Fleur de Lys Flies’ logo. That’s when Dennis and I first began chatting, and we’ve done quite a bit since that time as both anglers and friends. After complimenting him on what I called “those dandy lip stingers,” I recall being more than just a little shocked when he informed me he’d been tying just one year at that point. Twelve months! That’s it! “Well, buddy, you’re a natural if there ever was one,” I commented, following up with the question, “How and why did you get started at 34 years of age?”
“I always was a little fascinated with the flies and was just amazed at how this powerful fish that was used to feeding in the ocean comes up the river – supposedly not interested in eating while he’s in the river – yet savagely attacks these tiny little flies. So I guess you could say I always had a fascination with the flies almost as much as the salmon itself. Eventually, I tried my hand at it and found that tying flies was just about as relaxing as fishing.”
A fourth-generation commercial fisherman who has worked on offshore draggers for the past 15 years, Dennis went to his motto – “if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right” – when things didn’t turn out from the get-go as he had hoped. “My first few flies weren’t very pretty, but just because of the enjoyment I got out of it, I was determined to get better at it. It was only a short time after I started that I received positive feedback, so…”
One of those impressed with his talent is Jeff Piercey of Port Rexton, another of the province’s best and most respected fly tyers and creator of some of today’s more popular patterns, the Nimbus being uppermost amongst them. “In looking at the work of countless young fly tyers, I am super impressed with the skills of Dennis Quigley,” Jeff said. “I met Dennis at Chute Pool on the mighty Pinware a couple years back and, as expected, our conversation was largely about flies. In looking at his flies on that occasion and online since then, it’s hard to believe how proficient he has become in the art of fly tying in such a short period of time; skills that take most decades to master.”
In describing Dennis’s flies, Jeff said they are “super clean, well proportioned and, from what I’m told, incredibly durable,” adding with a chuckle, “and with my eyesight failing and finger dexterity not what it used to be, Dennis may very well be tying my favourites in the not-too-distant future.”
Like any good fly tyer in Newfoundland and Labrador, seeing and hearing about other anglers catching fish with them gives Dennis the most enjoyment. “Hooking fish with your own flies is great, but seeing other people catch fish with them is even better, whether it’s a kid who is trying to catch his first salmon or a good buddy that you brought to one of your favourite fishing spots and gave him that secret fly. When I think about someone tying on one of my flies, I like to inspire confidence.”
Speaking of catching salmon, Dennis has hooked quite a few since his rookie season in 2021.
“I’m totally addicted to salmon fishing. I chase the salmon all over the province, from early June right up through September. It doesn’t matter where the fish are; if I hear tell of fish, I’m going! And it doesn’t matter what I gotta do, I WILL be the first one there in the morning. I’ve slept overnight on rocks in the pouring rain; I’ve left my house the evening before so I can get to my favourite pool for the next morning. I’ve driven hundreds of kilometres, I’ve walked miles in the dark, and I’ve snuck past people camping on the river just to get to ‘that place,’ so you could say salmon fishing has driven me a little crazy…I’m a full-blown salmon junkie now,” he laughed. “I want the rod bent over all the time.”
