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HERB WELCH
Probably best known as the premier taxidermist of his era, Herb Welch
created in his Oquossoc shop, life like, realistic mounts of the
trophies sportsmen caught in the Rangeley waters. He normally used a
glass bubble to protect his work, or mounted the fish on rectangular
birch board with a stitched reed border. Herb was also an outstanding
wildlife artist, especially when the subject was his favorite, trout
or salmon. He was a sculptor with one of his works reported to be the
Louvre in Paris. Herb was also a fly-tier, creating a number of
patterns well known to fly fishermen even today…including the
Cupsuptic Streamer, the Jane Craig Streamer, the Yellow Jane Craig,
the Kennebago Streamer, the Welch Rarebit and his most famous creation
the Black Ghost.
Herb was also a teacher, as he enjoyed nothing more than sharing his
knowledge and love for the outdoors with others, especially
youngsters. Children in the Haines Landing area would come to his shop
not only to learn how to cast or tie a fly, but also to learn about
the wildlife and native plants in the local forest. He loved to tell
his young admirers stories that stirred their imaginations and
stimulated their interest in the outdoors. Most of all, he enjoyed
teaching them to cast a fly and spent hours helping them develop their
casting technique on the dock at Haines Landing.
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