Join Sculptor Debbie Elmer in discovering early female pioneers in American fly fishing - a special project which is a part of a June 2011-2012 exhibit at the American Museum of Fly Fishing. Inspiring the next generation of fly fishers

Debbie Elmer, Sculptor. After living in a variety of places from the West to the East Coast, Debbie Elmer has returned home to Wisconsin with a renewed respect for our extreme seasons and how these changes affect our lives and mark time.

About the location of the studio. After years living across the United States, I have returned to he hometown in Northwest Wisconsin. Here stunning natural beauty, with abundant lakes, forests and rolling hills transform through four distinct seasons each year.

Beginning a Sculpture in Clay. Every sculptor has their own unique way of working, and at times different projects call for different methods. However, one way that I work is to quickly build a sculpture in water based clay to ensure my general proportions are correct.

Debbie Elmer uses the “lost wax” method for casting her sculptures. The “lost wax” method of bronze casting is an ancient technique that has been used to create sculpture for hundreds of years.

Carrie Frost Carrie Frost (1868-1938) b. La Crosse, WI Owner of the first commercial fly tying company in America. C.J. Frost and Co. located in Stevens Point, WI

Elsie Darbee Elsie Belle (Bivins) Darbee (1912-1980) b. Willowemoc, NY Early Catskills Style Fly Tyer — First President of the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum

Elsie Darbee Elsie Belle (Bivins) Darbee (1912-1980) b. Willowemoc, NY Early Catskills Style Fly Tyer — First President of the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum

Winnie Dette Winifred “Winnie” Eveylyn (Ferdon) Dette (1909-1998) b. Roscoe, NY Lived and worked in Roscoe, NY Early Catskills Style Fly Tyer

Title: “The Autumn of that Year” (back) Medium: Bronze Dimensions of artwork: Half life-size female