Selene Dumaine

Selene's Streamers

#208 MacEachern 365 - Selene Dumaine

Selene's Biography

Selene Dumaine, born the year Carrie Stevens died, is an accomplished fly tyer dedicated to practicing traditional methods of fly tying, as well as originating new patterns to closely replicate the naturals found on her home waters of Maine.

She won the North East Fly Tying Competition at the World Fly Fishing Expo in Wilmington, Massachusetts in 1998. The distinguished judges for that competition were Lefty Kreh and Dave Whitlock. She has taught beginner and intermediate fly tying courses as well as offering fly tying demonstrations nationwide. She has been a registered Maine guide specializing in the fields of Fly Fishing and Recreation. An article in Fly Tyer Magazine; Winter issue 2003, features Selene in the Tyer Profile section. Nine of her flies are also featured in Tying Classic Freshwater Streamers: An Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide,by David Klausmeyer.

"Carrie G. Stevens (1882-1970) of Upper Dam, Maine, created some of the most beautiful and enduring streamer patterns ever designed," wrote Graydon R. Hilyard, author of Carrie G. Stevens maker of Rangeley Favorite Trout and Salmon Flies. While the Gray Ghost is the most widely known fly of her creation, many more baitfish imitations exist thanks to her talents.

Selene has dedicated herself to mastering Carrie's unique tying techniques of tying flies in her hands without the aid of a vise, which results in a perfectly balanced and durable fly. Selene takes care to use as many authentic materials as are available including native wood duck feathers, jungle cock and silk floss. Maintaining the integrity of Carrie's craft Selene's primary concern. Carrie's mark of distinction on her flies was a red band on the head of the fly. Selene has chosen, out of respect for Carrie, not to include this band on her fly reproductions. Instead, her trade-mark on presentation flies is three tiny jungle cock feathers found near her signature.

From the perspective of fly tying art, Selene derives most of her tying satisfaction from commissions. The majority of her artful flies and presentations are derived from commissions taken from clients to create new streamer flies that commemorate an event such as a retirement, birthday, or life changing event such as conquering cancer. Selene then collaborates with the client for style and color ideas along with suggestions for the name of the fly. Once the fly is complete a presentation dome or framed fly is complete with a copy of the pattern, along with two more flies of the same pattern to be fished with. Many clients have hopes that their cherished flies will someday be published in a book about Selene's original flies.

Currently, Selene is a feature fly tyer at the American Museum of Fly Fishing, Manchester Vermont as part of the; "A Graceful Rise" exhibit running until Summer of 2012 featuring women of the past, present, and future influential to the world of fly fishing.

Selene lives with her two sons on the banks of US Route One overlooking the Androscoggin River in Brunswick, Maine, and works in the Freeport School System. While her demands of family, home and work are great her spirit dwells in the realm of fly fishing; tying and teaching as time allows.

While her life as a professional fly tyer has evolved through business name changes and life changes with the opening and closing of her own fly shop known as Merrymeeting Flies & Tying Supplies, Selene has found that her true calling is as a tyer and teacher rather than business owner. The best way to reach Selene is via email: selenetiesflies@gmail.com.

selenedumaine.com/