I have thought a lot about this topic even before it was posted here on this forum. I have purchased close to 100 flies from Brett, both in his shop and over the phone. I also have made close to that many for my personal use and not quite the same quality. I have felt a little guilty about it since they are only sold in his shop and are his creation. What makes me feel this about his flies versus say copying a Prince nymph? I'm not sure except that a Prince nymph is sold in almost every fly shop and catalog in the country, and that Brett is one guy trying to make it on his own through his shop and guiding. Is one right or wrong I don't know. I was at a shop this summer on Taney that sold a imitation of his G-bug, but was called a B-bug it wasnt quite the quality but none the less it was a copy. Phil's shop was not the shop I saw it at and I was staying at Lilley's and have seen all his flies. I really like the owners of the shop in question and enjoy going there as much as Brett's and Lilley's. I thought another shop selling a copy with out Brett's permission was maybe not illegal but maybe not very respectful. I talked to Brett this summer and his wife this week (when I was ordering more flies) about tying his flies and they know individuals will copy and they don't seem to me to have a big problem with that but, another shop is over the line.
Just my thoughts and opinions.
