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Post by flyfishgb on Oct 17, 2006 15:22:40 GMT -5
I am gonna order a bunch of fly fishing books this weekend on all different subjects, from reading rivers, hatches, general fly fishing books. Anything that will help me understand the sport better than i do now.
If you guys can help out and maybe give me names of the ones you've read.
Thanks alot!
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Post by AgMD on Oct 17, 2006 18:36:30 GMT -5
Books , Like most things fly fishing related, can be a highly personal matter. With that in mind "Tactics on Trout" by Ray Ovington, Knopf Books -- out of print but it can be had through a good used bookseller. IMHO THE best book on how to read and fish different types of water. The author takes you fishing on different stretches of river, in different seasons. He explains how you are going to fish the water and why. Then you fish it together, working your way through the water cast by cast. Quite a bit about fly choice also. "The new Stream side Guide" by Art Flick -- Narrows the choice of dry, wet, and nymph flies down to a handful and charts their seasonal appearance. Useful around here since Flick did all his research in our area in N Y. "Trout" by Ray Bergman -- A classic, a bit dated perhaps ( 30's) but well written, good information, and an enjoyable read. One of those "standards" that every fly fisherman should have or at least read. "The Practical Fly Fisherman" by A. J. McClaine -- another "standard" . Early 50's vintage. An excellent text for the beginner and stuff you will refer to for as long as you will fly fish. Anything by Arnold Gingrich will be a tale well told. Founder of Esquire magazine and sometimes member of the Algonquin Round Table, Gingrich was a Bon-Vi-Von who fished with McClaine, Hemmingway, Charlie Ritze, Wulf and all the "names" that fished the Catskills in the 40's and 50's. He has some good stories to tell and knows how to tell them. Well that would have to be some of my top picks. I am a self confessed reading junkie, and one of the dangerous allures of fly fishing is the wealth of well written literature. One suggestion: find yourself a used bookseller who specializes in sporting books. A good many of the best books were only printed once or maybe only a few printings. Unless you are looking for highly collectible and rare books they can be surprisingly inexpensive. I recently bought a clean, hardbound, w/ dust jacket, "Practical Fly fishing" for $45 + shipping. AgMD
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Post by ctroy36 on Oct 17, 2006 22:16:36 GMT -5
I'll second AgMd's vote for Ray Bergman's "Trout". As AgMd says, it's an old-timer but it's the one I learned from in my youth and still refer to today.
If you want to get a feel for the heart and soul of the sport, Roderick Haig-Brown's books are a must read.
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Post by JoeOverlock on Oct 17, 2006 22:29:56 GMT -5
Welcome to the other aspect of this sport, book collecting. The Fly Tiers Benchside Referance is a must if you're going to start tying. There are so many books out there it's hard to pick just one.
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Post by Mark Patenaude on Oct 18, 2006 8:05:30 GMT -5
I agree with Joe regarding the Benchside Reference. Its a must have for someone starting out on their own without someone to teach them. Don't try to read the thing cover to cover. Decide on what fly you want to tie and reference each step needed for it. With this book you will be able to tie any pattern. You will also find that most of the "non-reference" books will show the patterns, usually broken down by either fish species or by water type (cold, warm, salt). These are good to have after you learn the basics. Remember that fly proportion will be the hardest thing to master. There are several basic "rules of thumb" that relate to tail or tag length, height of upright wings, hackle height for dry flies, body and thorax lengths, etc... Focus on getting these correct and you'll be happy how your flies turn out. Follow this link to Frank Amato Publishing for some good references and pattern books. www.amatobooks.com/Mark
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Post by bscanman on Oct 18, 2006 9:33:24 GMT -5
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Post by ctroy36 on Oct 18, 2006 11:19:23 GMT -5
Another good tying book is "The Orvis "Fly-Tying Guide" by Tom Rosenbaur. Excellent sections on techniques and material, step-by-step illustrated directions for a variety of types of flies and an extensive pattern section. Picked it up at Barnes&Noble for $29.95 a few years back. Should be same price now.
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Post by deanh on Oct 18, 2006 19:38:24 GMT -5
I may still have a couple of vhs tapes that I used to pass around at the TU mettings years ago of Gary Borger. That guy could fish he just looked like a child molester with that bandana and hat. I live around the corner from you so send me a note when you are up. Also Josh I have a couple of great DVD's for Fly Tying I will try and bring to the next meeting for you. I used them for a couple of kids I start teaching last year. If anyone else is interested we can pass them around.
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