Sig·na·ture ti·er n. [fr. Idylwilde] (c. 2000)
1 : Idylwilde’s improvement on “contract tier” paradigm.
2 : expert fly-fisher dedicated to creating superior flies through the proven practice of: river-testing; fly-bench fiddling; river re-testing; repeat.
3 : elite craftsman and inventor with the ability to develop a name which will move flies through your bins.

syn. see:

Idylwilde’s Signature Tier program began in 2000 when we signed on Ken Morrish to create fly patterns, unique to Idylwilde, with a proven track record on Western rivers. Ken was fishing a lot of nymphs in northern California and southern Oregon. He liked to fish very heavy nymphs, and was having problems finding a dry fly that could float his heavy nymphs while effectively fishing as an attractor dry. Thus Ken innovated first ever Morrish Indicator Fly. Ken adopted the poly-yarn used to float indicators as the wing of the fly, and foam to make a realistic silhouette for the body. The result is a virtually unsinkable dry fly that fishes effectively, while suspending the heaviest nymphs at the angler’s choice of depths.

Since Ken developed the Morrish Indicator Fly and Idylwilde marketed it, it has been copied by virtually every other fly company in the business. That is the success we strive for with our line of signature flies. We look for a product, designed by a knowledgeable expert, which is universally appreciated for its ability to solve fly-fishers’ dilemmas.

Many fly companies have a line of “contract tiers,” people who have invented a single fly and get a commission on sales of their fly. These eponymous flies sell at a premium, and they clutter your bins with a seemingly endless list of one-fly-wonders. Idylwilde expects that you should be asking a simple question when you look at these lists of contract tiers: “What’s in a name?”

Idylwilde expects more from a signature tier than just “one” fly. We want a fly that has solved a particular problem, and we want a tier that offers a portfolio of flies that have solved a number of angling problems. That way, when your customers experience success with Quigley’s Hackle Stacker, Silvey’s Edible Emerger, or Kingry’s Better Foam Caddis for example, they can return to your bins to find a complete line of flies developed by these tiers. And those names will mean, “Proven success.”

Idylwilde has put together an elite roster of signature tiers. We take pride in the quality of names on that roster, not the quantity. We have a working relationship with each and every one of our signature tiers, meeting regularly to discuss ideas and needs in the marketplace. We assure you that an Idylwilde Signature Fly is designed by a dedicated angler and artist, not just another fisherman who got lucky one day with one fly.