Paul Barmore

“Metal sculpting gives me the opportunity to refine my craft, experiment with copper, and provide people with a sense of wonder.

I enjoy creating my artwork because each piece is a breadcrumb on the trail of understanding my story. I grew up tying flies because I had impactful teachers and pivotal moments in my childhood that will always be intertwined with fly tying. When I started crafting metal fly sculptures with my mentor Mitch S. Billis in 2018 it seemed to come full circle, and I decided to focus the first part of my artistic career on tying metal flies.”

-Paul Barmore

Big Sky Flies

My sculptures are mostly copper, steel, and stainless steel, all hand forged, hand cut, and welded together to represent traditional fly patterns and details that any avid fly fisherman will recognize. 

I strive to create sculptures that are truly distinctive, both in form and technique. By welding dissimilar metals—a practice that is relatively uncommon—I differentiate my work from that of other metal artists. Over time, I have developed a recognizable style that incorporates a range of metals while embracing each material’s inherent character, including its natural coloration and organic rust patterns. These elements, combined with my unconventional patina processes and dynamic flame painting techniques, ensure that every piece I produce is entirely unique—an unrepeatable work of art tailored to each client.