10 Fly Tying Books my recommendation

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the best fly tying books you should read

Over the last 35+ years that I’ve been tying flies, there are a few books that have become major reference books for me, some that I return to probably weekly. here are some of these books, for different reasons, some for patterns, some for techniques, some for sheer beauty, and some for priceless knowledge that can only be learned through decades of inquisitive and experimental fishing and fly tying. here are some…

You are reading: Books on fly tying

eric leiser’s: the fly pattern book.

first published 1987 published by alfred a. knopf. inc.

my absolute top, go to the book, not only for patterns but also for techniques. the most complete and useful pattern book for the fly tyer. with over 1000 classic and contemporary patterns for freshwater and saltwater flies. with professional advice to solve the problems inherent in each, by a master aviator. the photography hasn’t stood the test of time, but the illustrations are simple yet beautiful and very informative.

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gary lafontaine – caddisflies.

first published in 1981 by nick lyons books.

The definitive work on the caddis fly for both the shooter and the angler. Gary Lafontaine’s simple yet practical and effective patterns covering larvae, pupae, emerging, crippled and adult caddis have become standards in the caddis box. with ‘caddis flies’ being partly responsible for it. A great book that delves into every stage of the caddis fly life cycle, all backed by thousands of hours spent fishing and intelligent observation of trout hatching and feeding behavior. Combine all of this with Lafontaine’s unique theory of fly design and you have a classic book. Unfortunately, the black and white photography is extremely poor and explains little, but the illustrations are much more informative and support the brilliant text very well.

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dave hughs – trout flies.

First published in 1999 by stackpole books.

As you can see from the photograph of my Norwegian edition of this book, it has been used very well and the dust jacket was worn, torn and discarded during the first decade of use. This is one of the first books that really covered just about everything for the novice fly tyer, but it was also an indispensable addition to the experienced fly tyer’s library. There are informative introductory chapters on tools, techniques, and materials structured primarily for the new beginner. with more than 500 familiar and functional patterns, most photographed step by step in full color. most patterns also list alternate variants that can be linked using the same illustrated step-by-step technique. Although now over 20 years old, the photography has stood the test of time and clearly illustrates every step for every technique and pattern.

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forgotten flies. paul schmookler & ingrid vs sils.

First published in 1999 by a complete athlete.

a monolith of a book with 550 pages, which has a cumulative weight of almost 5 kg! This is not a book to take on vacation with you. a true coffee table book, in a double sense, you could use it as a coffee table! Jokes aside, this is one of the most beautifully produced fly tying and fly reference books ever created. Let’s start with the flies. all of the photography is beautifully detailed and nothing short of immaculate, both technically and aesthetically, making it a real joy to read. ancient flies are for me of great interest and well worth scrutinizing for the curious. contemporary interpretations in the book of “forgotten flies” are tied at the highest level of skill by many of the world’s best fly tyers and are like jewels to behold. Each pattern is accompanied with a detailed recipe and accompanying notes, which are also extremely useful and interesting. There are also five or more portraits of some of the most famous American fly tyers and there are special flies, making for an engaging read for enthusiasts. these are compatible with black & old blank photos and related memorabilia, which add a nice personal touch to the name. Forgotten flies quickly became a classic, and their current price now reflects their monolithic stature within the fly tying fraternity. if you have an interest like mine, and money to spare, this book will not only provide you with a lifetime of pleasure, but a good solid investment that will only increase in value.

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oliver edwards – aviators masterclass.

merlin unwin books first published in 1994.

one of the first books to focus heavily on fly tying techniques. learning fly tying techniques gives the inquisitive fly tyer a fantastic springboard to adapt existing patterns and create their own. this was facilitated by oliver edwards in this book. With his work experience as an engineering draftsman, his step-by-step illustrations for each and every pattern in the book made understanding and mastering his techniques plausible with practice, even for newcomers. beginners. an innovative book with many of the techniques still worth learning and adapting to more contemporary patterns.

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ed jaworowski – essential saltwater flies.

First published in 2007 by stackpole books.

It’s not the first book I’ve bought on saltwater moorings, but it’s one of the best. another one of my go-to books when it comes to well known patterns, techniques and materials for saltwater patterns. If your moorer has not yet entered the world of saltwater, this is a great option to start that journey in good hands. This is a no-nonsense book that is backed by a wealth of fishing and tying expert who explains the materials, techniques, and patterns in depth. each pattern is supported by clear, well-done step-by-step images and instructional text.

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barry ord clarke & Robert Spaight – International Guide to Fly Tying Materials.

merlin unwin books first published in 1996.

I hope you’ll excuse me for including one of my books. this was my first book on fly tying, before any of us knew what the world wide web was! Even though I wrote this book, with the help of my good friend Robert Spaight, I still use it for reference material, I have so much time in the tooth now that I can’t remember everything. At the time of researching and writing, he already had a more than usual interest in materials, their origins, uses, supply and substitutes. so everything new in 1996 about both natural and synthetic materials is in this book. Although the book is out of date with regards to vendors and their contact information, the material information is still helpful at any level and can be purchased now for just a few dollars, for those who are interested.

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chris mann-hairwing & tube flies for salmon

First published in 2004 by Merlin Unwin Books.

this is a great book for anyone and everyone who ties hair wing flies, not only for salmon but also for rainbow trout & sea trout. Chris was not only a fly fisherman, but also a talented graphic designer. this becomes quite clear once he begins to flip through the pages of this, the second book in a series of three devoted to the salmon flies of the world. his illustrations, in my humble opinion, are better to tie than the photographs, as every hair, beard, and proportion is correct or without fault. so if you’re interested in mastering the art of hair-winged flies, this book is an indispensable reference! The book’s chapters cover the history and development of the capillary fin, European capillary fins and tubes, North American capillary fins, and a catalog of dressings. each and every pattern beautifully illustrated and accompanied by a detailed recipe and history.

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paul schmookler and ingrid v. sils – rare and unusual fly tying materials: a natural history.

First published in 1994 by a complete athlete.

The first of two books, covering rare and unusual fly tying materials. yet another monolith by schmookler and sils, published in two volumes. the first volume, birds 1994, and the second volume birds & Mammals 1997 covers different fly-tying materials, and together these books comprise the most definitive work to date on rare fly-tying materials. Volume 1 contains information on 115 different birds whose feathers have been used historically for fly tying and includes species such as the Indian raven, blue babbler, golden pheasant, lady amherst pheasant, corncrake, toucan, guinea fowl, ocellated turkey, merlin, coot and wood duck. the book is once again a masterpiece with every material including a beautiful painting of the bird, its natural history, the uses in fly tying and the patterns in which it is used…again a book of great beauty and a A true gem to own, it quickly gained the status of a classic collectible, which is reflected in its current price. As before, if you have a special interest and the money to spend you will come to treasure this book.

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eric leiser – fly tying materials.

first published in 1973 by nick lyons books manchester press.

one of the first, but still most important books I bought on fly tying. this book was a huge influence on my career as a tether, not only have i read it not sure how many times but i still go back to it many times for reference. still available, can’t recommend this highly enough. Although now dated in many ways, Leiser’s knowledge of the materials and their uses is extensive, and they are of great use to pilots of all levels.

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fly fishing books my recommendation

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