Joan and Lee Wulff

Lee Wulff

Fishing on River of Ponds in Northeast Canada circa 1950.

Joan Salvato performing at a dance recital, mid-late 1940s

Photograph: Unknown
In 1938, Joan Salvato became a student of Eleanor Egg, a celebrated track star from Paterson, New Jersey, who opened The Dance Studio. Joan transitioned to a teacher after her first year, specializing in tap and baton dancing, and ultimately becoming a full partner at Egg’s studio from 1944 to 1952.
The American Museum of Fly Fishing
2022.017.009
Gift of Joan Wulff

Valentine for Joan Wulff from Lee Wulff

An ink on paper valentine that was given to Mrs. Wulff from Lee during their 23-year marriage. Lee studied art while in Paris, and became a professional artist upon his return to the United States in 1927. His talent was on display with this very personal work given to his wife.
The American Museum of Fly Fishing
2021.025.001
Gift of Joan Wulff

Lee Wulff’s Underwater Camera

Originally built for use in filming the wreckage of the Andrea Doria in 1956, this hardshell movie camera case was obtained by Lee Wulff to capture underwater scenes of trout and salmon. Using this new tool, Wulff captured amazing underwater footage in his film Three Trout to Dream About. The American Museum of Fly Fishing 2021.034.001 Gift of Joan Wulff

Lee Wulff’s Underwater Camera

Originally built for use in filming the wreckage of the Andrea Doria in 1956, this hardshell movie camera case was obtained by Lee Wulff to capture underwater scenes of trout and salmon. Using this new tool, Wulff captured amazing underwater footage in his film Three Trout to Dream About. The American Museum of Fly Fishing 2021.034.001 Gift of Joan Wulff

Joan Wulff’s First Casting Trophy

Earned by competing in the 1939 New Jersey Jr. Fly & Bait Casting competition, Joan Salvato won first place and was awarded this 5 ½” trophy. Joan would go on to win many casting tournaments over her long career as an amateur, then a professional caster, achieving 21 championships from the years 1943 to 1951, including an international title in 1948. The American Museum of Fly Fishing 2021.025.030 Gift of Joan Wulff

Joan Wulff’s First Casting Trophy

Earned by competing in the 1939 New Jersey Jr. Fly & Bait Casting competition, Joan Salvato won first place and was awarded this 5 ½” trophy. Joan would go on to win many casting tournaments over her long career as an amateur, then a professional caster, achieving 21 championships from the years 1943 to 1951, including an international title in 1948. The American Museum of Fly Fishing 2021.025.030 Gift of Joan Wulff

Lee Wulff Tied Prefontaine Dry Fly

First tied by Lee Wulff in 1964 for use in the newly formed “Sixteen-Twenty Club”, this fly was named for the first angler to accomplish the feat of landing a twenty-pound salmon on a number 16 size hook, Alain Prefontaine. According to Joan Wulff, this was one of Lee’s favorite flies, due in large part to its erratic movement in the water. The American Museum of Fly Fishing 2021.017.111 Gift of Joan Wulff

Lady Joan Salmon Fly

According to Joan Wulff, this was the only fly she tied herself, leaving the task of producing the flies used for fishing to her husband, Lee Wulff. Attached to the original card, it lists the materials used in creating the colorful Lady Joan. The American Museum of Fly Fishing 2021.017.107a-b Gift of Joan Wulff

Lee Wulff’s Ultimate Fly Reel Prototypes

Working with famed reel maker Stan Bogdan, Lee Wulff had three prototype fly reels made based on a request for a lighter weight reel that could land large fish such as tarpon and sailfish. Bogdan produced these reels with no drag, a rim-controlled spool, along with a heavily perforated frame and spool face. Retaining two of the three for himself, Lee sent the third to his angling friend and then Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, J. P. McConnell. The American Museum of Fly Fishing 2021.017.048 2021.017.051 Gift of Joan Wulff

Custom fly rod used by Joan Salvato

Custom fly rod used by Joan Salvato

Custom fly rod used by Joan Salvato

Custom fly rod used by Joan Salvato

Custom fly rod used by Joan Salvato

In 1943, Joan Salvato competed in—and won—her first national casting competition: the women’s dry-fly accuracy championship at the National Association of Angling and Casting Clubs competition in Chicago, using this very rod, built for her by casting mentor William Taylor. Fitted with a special thumb rest on the otherwise standard cork grip, Joan would go on to use this rod in several contests. The American Museum of Fly Fishing 1994.003.001 Gift of Joan Wulff

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