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Fly fishing and fly
tying books are a passion. Here you will find book reviews of books I have
read covering fly fishing for trout, smallmouth bass, muskellunge,
steelhead, and many other freshwater and saltwater species. You will also
find fly tying books covering the same areas. There are also books on
aquatic entomology, history of fly fishing and fly tying, hydrology, and
great prose having fly fishing as its main theme. There is far more to fly
fishing than casting a line, and there should be far more to a fly fishing
guide service web site than just costs and services offered.
The Fly Tier's Benchside
Reference
by Ted Leeson & Jim Schollmeyer
Portland, OR 1999
459 pages, Hardbound
Illustrated, Color
Suggested price $100.00
Reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This is a major work dealing with fly tying techniques and methods.
Broken down into fifteen chapters, which are
subdivided into thirty-eight sections, the reader
can quickly find the type of procedure of interest.
While the book does have chapters on thread handling, materials
selection, and hooks, it is not a beginner's
teaching manual. Once you the tier have, a basic
understanding of fly tying this book comes into its own. Whenever
the tier needs to refresh his tying technique or learn a new
technique, this book will most likely have a photo
sequence showing how to proceed. Necessarily, due
to its broad coverage, tying sequences are short and
straight to the point. Not incomplete by any means, but not fleshed
out to the extent a beginner can walk through
without help either.
The close-up photography
of Jim Schollmeyer is incredibly good. The
reproduction of the photographs in the book is also of high quality. The
use of different colored backgrounds to indicate main procedures and
alternative procedures is a nice touch. The writing is clear,
concise, and well edited.
Overall, the work is well
explained and illustrated. However, everyone can
and does make dumb mistakes. The authors have, for example, stated that a
"...whip-finish is essentially a series of half hitches..." This is
totally incorrect. A whip-finish is no more a series of half hitches
than is a nail knot. So like everything else in
print you must read with insight and common sense.
This is clearly an
important book, which needs to be open on the tying
bench of every fly tier. The fact that you can purchase it at around
$70.00 on several online book dealers makes it easier to justify to
your significant other. In addition, if your
significant other also ties the book only costs
$35.00 apiece!
Buy this book, keep it on
the tying bench and use it often. You will become
a better tier.
©
2002 Bruce E. Harang
The World’s
Best Trout Flies
edited by John Roberts
Tiger Books International
London, England, 1995
177 pages, hardbound
illustrated, color
suggested price $30.00
reviewed by Bruce
E. Harang
The
editor has collected the favorite trout flies of thirty fly fishers and fly
tyers from around the world. These include some of the most innovative fly
tyers the world over. Included are Oliver Edwards of England, Hans van
Klinken of Holland, Marcelo Morales of Argentina, Marjan Fratnik and Bozidar
Voljc of Slovenia. There are also some of the best of the United States,
Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway , Austria, Czech Republic, Poland,
Sweden, Italy, Finland, and Japan. Many of the flies are original patterns
by their creators that have become standards or have taken the world of fly
fishing by storm. Others are old standards which have become the favorite
“go to” flies of some of the best fly fishers in the world.
Each of the thirty chapters focuses on a single fly tyer or fly
fisherman including a biography, basis of the fly selection, patterns for
each fly, as well detailed tying instructions. All of this is set off by
the exceptionally well done illustrations of each fly done by Aideen
Canning. While not disclosed I would venture to say the Aideen is an
accomplished botanical illustrator. Her work shows the important points of
each fly such as can not be done with a photograph, but which is the
standard method of illustrating plants.
The book concludes with a chapter by American commercial fly
tyer Al Beatty on how to tie hair wing dry flies.
Overall, an excellent volume for the fly tyer who is interested
in tying some of the most innovative patterns as their originators intended
them.
©
2002 Bruce E. Harang
Joan Wulff’s Fly-Casting
Accuracy
Joan Wulff
The Lyons Press
New York, NY 1997
96 pages, hardbound
illustrated, B&W
suggested price $20.00
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This slim volume is
a real treasure for every fly fisherman wanting to improve his casting and
casting accuracy skills. In ninety-six pages of clear and concise writing,
enhanced with well designed and executed illustrations, Joan has provided
everything a fly caster needs to improve both his overall casting and his
casting accuracy. The use of common language, instead of scientific jargon,
allows everyone reading this book to understand and fully comprehend what is
needed to be a better caster and how to achieve this goal. There are twelve
short chapters covering the mechanics of casting, how to achieve accuracy,
how to practice both indoors and out, and how to strengthen your casting
muscles. Also included are chapters on shooting line, single hauling, double
hauling, roll casting, and achieving accuracy under actual fishing
conditions.
For those who teach casting or who wish to teach a friend or
family member how to cast this book has numerous tips and methods of
explaining the dynamics of casting allowing you to teach in a most efficient
manner.
The writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand. The
illustrations are extremely well done, clear, and well designed to reinforce
the writing.
Overall, this is a real masterpiece of fly casting
instruction. A absolute must for everyone waving a fly rod in the air.
©
2002 Bruce E. Harang
Quill Gordon
by John McDonald
Alfred A. Knopf
New York, NY, 1972
196 pages, hardbound
illustrated, color and B & W
suggested price $35.00
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This book is the
quintessential work on the Dame Juliana’s The Treatise of Fishing with an
Angle. It is also is the seminal work of its time on the origins of fly
fishing and the American origins of fly fishing. The book contains reprint
of the 1450 edition with missing sections of that available copy with the
1496 edition. This has all be translated into modern English such that the
reader can easily concentrate on the information contained in the work.
There is also a reprint, in modern English, of Joseph Cotton’s Part II of
The Compleat Angler, the first known essay on fly fishing in the English
language.
All of the old English beginnings are preceded by a consise
history of fly fishing in America set as a collection of chapters on various
topics. These include a chapter on Theodore Gordon and American fly fishing,
Green Drakes of the American West, fishing for Steelhead, and the first
modern trout flies including wonderful color plates.
This book has been long out of print. However, the effort of
locating a copy is well worth the effort. If you are interested in the
English language written history of fly fishing this is a must volume.
Overall, extremely well written and worth every penny you pay
for a copy.
©
2002 Bruce E. Harang
The Reasonable Art of Fly
Fishing
by Terry Mort
Abenaki Publishers, Inc.
Bennington, VT, 1998
205 pages, softbound
illustrated, B & W
suggested price $24.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
Terry Mort has spend a
good portion of his career as a communications specialist. As such, he is a
very good wordsmith and this first book about fly fishing is no exception.
The book comprises chapters on a fly fishing overview, water, trout food,
trout flies, trout behavior, fly fishing equipment, casting instruction, fly
fishing etiquette, and fly fishing finesse. All sections are prefaced with a
original collection of quotes by fly fishing names and many that are not.
This book is a very good backup to a more traditional fly fishing
instruction book. However, on its own it is a bit light on technique. It
does provide the thinker with quite a lot of food for thought. This is a
good place to find out “why” something is done in fly fishing more than
“how” that something is done.
Overall a book well worth reading. An especially good companion
to a instructional book such as Tom Meade’s Essentials of Fly Fishing.
©
2002 Bruce E. Harang
Troubleshooting the Cast
by Ed Jaworowski
Stackpole Books
Mechanicsburg, PA 1999
77 pages, Softbound
Illustrated, B&W drawings
Suggested price: $12.95
Reviewed by Bruce E. Harang for the FFF
ClubWire
Is this the sequel to The Cast? No, it is something even better.
Here is the "behind the making of" companion
edition to The Cast. In this very slim handbook
Ed Jaworowski has identified thirty-two of the most common
casting problems. You know, the ones you are always trying to figure
out when your fly lands two feet from where you
thought you aimed it. Moreover, he has provided
lucid text and concise line drawings to show both
the problem and how to correct it. No hyperbole, just straightforward,
clears information on how to fix the problem.
For the fly fisherman
this little volume will save you hundreds of hours of
frustration on the water. However, it will also eliminate your many
excuses as to why you didn't catch that big one. If you read this
book, and apply the corrective measures to your
casting, you will become a much better caster.
There is no getting around the fact that this book is
probably the single greatest help a fly caster can have short of
having Ed live with you.
For the casting
instructor this book is a Godsend. Here in one place are
the answers, no the solutions, to most beginners casting problems.
Here, also, are the solutions to most of the
problems the intermediate clients are trying to
find. Every fly-casting instructor and guide should be
required to read and learn these seventy-seven pages by heart.
It is possible to learn
fly-casting from almost anyone. But to learn to do
it best, only Ed's new handbook will let your attain the goal. If
you cast a fly line, or at least think the stick
waving you are currently doing is casting, you
need this book. Buy it, read it, apply it. It will serve you
well.
©
2002 Bruce E. Harang
Trout River
By Larry Madison
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
New York, NY 1988
166 pages, hardbound
illustrated, Color
suggested price $45.00
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This is a coffee table
picture book of extremely exquisite photographs by a long time professional
film maker. The accompanying text is written by Nick Lyons, one of the
finest editors and writers of fly fishing literature. Taken across North
America including North Carolina, these photographs will take your breath
away. You will see familiar water in many of these photographs even if you
have not been on the exact river shown. The mood conveyed by these works of
art can not be appreciated without holding the book in your hands and
viewing them for yourself.
On a cold miserable winter’s day when fishing is out of the
question this may be just the thing to bring comfort to the avid fly
fisherman.
Overall, a great “picture book” worth the cost of admission.
Especially, if you find it on sale. Check out the Club’s copy and see for
yourself.
©
2002 Bruce E. Harang
Jason Borger’s Nature of Fly
Casting
by Jason Borger
Shadow Caster
Press
Wausau WI, 2001
296 pages, softbound
illustrated, B&W
suggested price $$29.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
After several hundred years of publications teaching fly casting
there is finally a volume that teaches both the practice and theory of fly
casting in a systematic manner. There are a number of excellent books and
videos dealing with fly casting technique. The casting videos by Doug
Swisher, The Essence of Flycasting by Mel Krieger, and The Cast by Ed
Jaworowski coming immediately to mind. But this is the first publication to
systematize the craft of fly casting. It is also the first to teach the
theory of fly casting. What this means is that the reader can not only play
the game he can get his head into the game.
Here for the first time is a fresh new way to look at the craft,
and dare I say art, of fly casting. Here for the first time is a systematic
method and methodology of learning both to cast and to think casting. Here
is a learning tool allowing the fly caster to make a proper and successful
cast under every fishing situation. Studying this book will allow every fly
caster to analyze his cast, recognize his strengths and weaknesses, and take
successful corrective measures to eliminate those weaknesses. If it has to
do with fly casting it is in here.
The one thing the reader has to supply is a willingness to learn
the author’s set of definitions which is the basis of the systemization of
the theory and practice of casting. For some this will come easily, for
others it will be the highest hurdle they will have to clear on their road
to being an efficient and successful caster. But once you allow the author’s
system to take hold you will be amazed at the vast fly casting tool box
opened before you. You will literally be able to make any cast you need at
any time you need it. Be it a roll cast on a mountain stream, a distance
cast into the wind on the seashore, or a spey cast of over 90 feet on an
immense steelhead river, you will have the tools to succeed. So while this
book presents a new casting language and manner of visualizing casting, it
also presents the fly caster with the physical and mental tools to be
successful under all conditions.
Interestingly, this milestone in fly casting comes from the
fertile mind of a young man. Like Nymphs by Schwiebert, taking a completely
new approach to something seems to be best accomplished by young minds not
yet taught what is not possible. And while the author is not now a teenager,
he developed a good portion of what has turned into this book and casting
methodology while he was a pre-teen and teenager.
The book is well designed, laid out, and edited. It is well
illustrated with line drawings and is extremely easy to read. Not really a
book to just read from front to back, though you certainly can do so and
learn a great deal. Its real strength is in the design and layout that
allows you to pick a topic you are interested in and go directly to it and
have a complete learning experience.
This is simply the finest book on fly casting every written. Buy
it, study it, and you too will be able to successfully understand the theory
of fly casting and therefore succeed at being a proficient caster. If you
wave a fly rod in the air you definitely need this book.
©
2002 Bruce E. Harang
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