Since last Fall when I saw her work in the art gallery before the Fly Fishing Film tour in Middlebury, Vermont, an event put on by Middlebury Mountaineer, I have been thinking of her flies. The delicate, intricate flies that she’s paints with precision captivate you. The sharp lines and textures look soft, smooth, approachable. The detail work she achieves so seemingly effortlessly is what kept her flies in my mind since the first time I saw them.

Her name is Samantha Aronson. She is from Vermont where she grew up fishing worms with her dad. He taught her how to fly fish with time and now she has gotten her husband converted as well. It all began as a fun hobby and quickly turned into a way of life for her and her husband. Five years ago Aronson was headed to a fundraiser for a river restoration project in Vermont when a friend asked her if she would be interested in painting some salmon flies for an auction. Those first three flies started an obsession and love affair. Sam began researching tyers, materials, and exploring the rich history of flies.

Her work and process highlight her beautiful obsession.

“I paint the flies very magnified. I paint them as accurately and proportionately as I can. I make sure I understand the textures, colors and action of the feathers, fur and materials used in each fly I paint. I like to know who originated each fly and what waters it comes from. More recently I have also enjoyed collaborating with some local tyers, painting some big, flashy pike flies. My medium is watercolor and I dabble with prisma color pencils as well.” – Sam Aronson

Her work shows her passion and dedication. The textures are drawn as if they can be felt, the patterns drawn as if the tyer is telling the story of the fly, and the detail shows the commitment she has for her work.

You can look at more of her work or contact her here.