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Book and DVD Reviews
No sport or game has had as long, and as extensive, a literature history as has fly fishing and its companion craft fly tying. This large body of written and visual material creates one of the greatest joys to members of the brotherhood of the angle. This body of work is one of the truly unique attributes of fly fishing and one that every fly fisherman should indulge in.
Collected here are reviews of books and DVDs I have read or viewed concerning fly fishing, fly tying, and stories about both. No hype, no paid endorsements, only my opinion of each book. These reviews not only describe the contents but also how well the contents have been executed by both author and publisher.
Lani Waller's Steelhead Legacy
by Lani Waller
Miracle Productions
Helena, MT, 2007
2 DVD set, 240 minutes, Color
suggested price $44.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
Lani Waller's three steelhead fishing instructional videos done in the mid-1980's by John Fabian, stand as the finest teaching aid ever produced for fly fishermen wanting to learn to take steelhead on a fly. Unfortunately, for over a decade they have not been available. Now Lani and Miracle Productions have reissued the original 3 videos on a single DVD and the reproduction is superb. Once again, any fly fisherman wanting to learn to fish for steelhead with a fly or to improve his steelhead fly fishing technique can learn from the best. The materials on this DVD provide a complete course in the classic methods of swinging a fly for steelhead. The viewer will learn to read water and use this knowledge to fish water that has a high probability of holding steelhead and skip over water that does not. You will also learn how to cast and manipulate the fly for a presentation of the fly that increases the probability of a hookup. There is also good information on flies and fly selection as well as equipment that was the best at the time the original videos were made. The instruction includes excellently designed and implemented animations to illustrate reading the water and locating fish as well as how a casting plan covers the water effectively and efficiently. In addition, there is underwater photography illustrating how the methods taught result in the presentation of the fly from the fish's point of view.
The second DVD in the set is directed to present gear and casting techniques which have evolved from the popularity of the two-handed rod and Spey casting. There is also a section on steelheading in the Great Lakes region which was not covered in the original videos. This section features a number of Great Lakes steelhead knowledgeable fly fishermen showing the viewer the methods and gear suitable for success on the different types of rivers in that region. The addition of this chapter is very welcome as the Great Lakes region steelhead fishery has become a legend in its own right. Finally, Lani and a few of his friends talk about Lani and his passion for steelhead, steelhead fishing, and the habitat of these magnificent fish. This last chapter will inspire the viewer to get a fly in the water and swinging properly.
If you fly fish for steelhead, or want to learn to do so, this 2 DVD set by Lani Waller is a must have addition to your library. The information presented and the quality of the production is worth far more than the asking price. This is a very well done reissue of a great work with a superbly done update.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
Articulated Streamers with Kelly Galloup
by Kelly Galloup
Cascade Mediaworks, LLC
Portland, OR, 2007
DVD, 120 minutes, Color
suggested price $34.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
In this 120 minute DVD Kelly Galloup details how to create the articulated connection he has developed to provide flies with an S - curve swimming motion like that of a real fish. This motion he believes is a trigger for larger fish to attack these articulated patterns. Then four very effective patterns are tied from beginning to end using this articulation method. These patterns are the T&A Rainbow, the Articulated Zoo Cougar, the Crawl Daddy, and the Sex Dungeon. The program concludes with a chapter wrapping up the methods and materials used to adapt and tie many patterns using this unique articulation method. The tying steps are well documented visually. The sound is excellent throughout the DVD. However, there are some things that make for difficult viewing. Foremost is the need for a much tighter script. The author tends to ramble, repeat, and alter terminology making watching the DVD less than a pleasure. The director also used a small camera mounted between the tier and the fly to give the viewer the same perspective as the tier has, but unfortunately the lighting was not well controlled and there are several times with the image is washed out by too much light. In addition, on the camera shoots from across the tying table the small camera is a visual distraction and a physical distraction to the author. While the technical aspects of the production are not all they could be, the information is well presented visually and allows the viewer to reproduce the patterns illustrated. The program also clearly teaches how to make the articulated connection for any pattern the viewer wishes to adapt to this style of tying.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
Nymphing by the Numbers with Kelly Galloup
by Kelly Galloup
Cascade Mediaworks, LLC
Portland, OR, 2007
DVD, 120 minutes, Color
suggested price $34.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This is a very interesting DVD program teaching nymphing techniques for trout. The 2 hour program is broken into five logical sections so that the viewer can build a solid nymphing strategy. The first chapter teaches six different ways to present a nymphing fly and the classroom diagrams are extremely well thought out and presented. The second chapter details many options for indicator choice and placement, as well as types of weights and weight placement options. The third chapter discusses fly choice and how to position the fly or multiple flies as well as the knots used to create the nymphing set-up. The next chapter discusses how to present and fish the nymphing rigs with lots of great on-water demonstrations. The final chapter is directed to the reading of water and adapting the nymphing rig to the conditions you have in front of you on the stream. The mix of "classroom" instruction and on stream instruction provides an excellent tutorial for anyone wanting to learn to nymph or wanting to improve their nymphing technique and success. The overall production is very good. The sound is excellent and the lighting and camera work is very good. This DVD is certainly worth much more than the purchase price. One of the finest instructional programs on nymphing ever done.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
How to Catch the Biggest Trout of Your Life
by Landon Mayer
Wild River Press
Mill Creek, WA, 2007
159 pages, hardbound
illustrated, Color and B&W
suggested price $29.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This is the latest edition to the Wild River Press "Masters on the Fly" series. The book is directed to how to successfully fish for huge trout. The author, Landon Mayer, shares his years of experience targeting trout over 5 pounds and particularly trout in the teens and higher in weight. The book is composed of twelve chapters broken down in a logical progression to allow the reader to learn to successfully fish for these unique large trout. The first chapter is directed to understanding what a trophy trout is and its typical physical characteristics. The next two chapters explain when to hunt for huge trout and where to find them. The following chapter teaches the reader how to sight these large fish. Chapters five through seven explain how to approach and cast to trophy trout, an effective method of determining where to have the fly land so it will pass directly in front of the targeted fish, and the special techniques required to fight these large trout. Chapter eight provides excellent and very valuable information on how to land a huge fish successfully and chapter nine teaches you how to safely handle the trophy so that it has the best chance of living to fight another day. The last two chapters provide a selection of flies suitable for attracting the attention of large trout and the gear you need to be successful. The final chapter shares some fishing stories that teach how to learn from both failure and success.
Landon Mayer writes in a style that makes it not only easy to read but also fun to read. His enthusiasm for, and love of, trout are evident on every page as is his willingness to share his knowledge. Hopefully, he will grace us with more work such as this. The color photographs of trophy trout and the drawings to illustrate the techniques explained in the text are superb. The photographs of the fly selection for hunting these huge fish are adequate but are not of the same caliber as the rest of the photographs and illustrations. The editing, layout, and printing are of the highest quality. If you would like to learn to hunt for a trout of a lifetime this is the best book you can purchase. It is simply superb.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
Tube Flies Two - Evolution
by Mark Mandell and Bob Kenly
Frank Amato Publications, Inc.
Portland, OR, 2007
175 pages, softbound & hardbound
illustrated, Color
suggested price $35.00 & $50.00 respectively
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This tube fly tying book deals with the styles and techniques of thirty five tube fly tyers from all over the world. In addition, the tube fly patterns presented cover not only salmon and steelhead tube flies but also tube flies for saltwater, warm water, and cold water species. Each tyer has a separate chapter that is enhanced with photos of the tyer and locations they fish, as well as a short biography. Each tyer's patterns are illustrated with color plates, recipes, and where suitable, the tying instructions. What a wonderful addition to the history of tube flies and the evolution of tube fly patterns and tube fly applications. The fly plates and photographs are of excellent quality. The writing, apparently by each of the tyers, is very readable and interesting. There are an unusually large number of editorial errors and omissions for a book from this publisher however. Otherwise, the book is technically very well done. Fly tyers everywhere will love this book and all of the great ideas for tying beautiful and effective flies on tubes. The book finishes with an excellent appendix listing of important tube fly tying material suppliers and a comprehensive and easy to use index. This book is definitely a keeper and of great value in documenting the history of tube flies. Now I am off to tie up some prawn tube flies designed by a tyer in Germany.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
Positive Fly Fishing
by Marla Blair
Lyons Press
Guilford, CT, 2005
193 pages, hardbound
illustrated, B&W
suggested price $24.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This book is an introduction to fly fishing by an author with endless enthusiasm and love for the sport. For anyone wanting to learn to fish with a long rod this is an excellent place to start. The real beauty and strength of this book is teaching the beginner what questions to ask, where to find help, and how to go about being successful in learning how to fly fish. This should be the first book given to every person wanting to learn our fascinating sport. It will not teach you to fly fish by itself, but it will give you enough knowledge and positive reinforcement to allow you to learn and successfully become a fly fisherman. The discussions on how to select instructors and guides is well worth the cost of the book. The author has been on both sides of the instructor/guide table and her information is insightful. The writing is well done and extremely easy to read. It is, surprisingly for a text book, a page turner. The line drawing illustrations are nicely done. The black and white photographs are suitable for the text they illustrate. If you want to get into fly fishing or know someone who does, this book is a must.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
Tying & Fishing Soft-Hackled Nymphs
by Allen McGee
Frank Amato Publications, Inc.
Portland, OR, 2007
95 pages, softbound
illustrated, Color
suggested price $24.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This book is a poorly written retread of that class of flies fished underwater either by classic swinging or Skues style upstream nymphing. There is nothing really new or interesting in the fishing techniques or fly pattern histories presented here. The attempt to resell the solely advertising slogan "flymph" is just as ineffective as it was for the originator of the slogan thirty years ago. If you have no knowledge of wet fly fishing this book will give you a start. If you are looking for additional inspiration and tools for wet fly fishing you will not find it here. The text layout is disappointing in that there are a number of very amateur editing mistakes which make reading the book even more difficult. However, the images of the flies are some of the best in print, and the fly tying sequence photos are really excellent as is the selection of wet fly, nymph, and soft-hacked patterns presented.
Thus, the book is a real paradox. On one hand it has some of the best images and tying instruction on wet flies in print. On the other hand it is one of the most poorly written books on wet flies in print. This is definitely a book you will want to check out carefully before putting your hard earned money on the barrelhead.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
Pools of Memory
by Charlie Kroll
Frank Amato Publications, Inc.
Portland, OR, 1994
168 pages, hardbound
illustrated, B&W
suggested price $21.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
Charlie Kroll grew up in a frontier Idaho and went on to become one of the county's best outdoor writers. Along the way he spent his working career with Bear Archery Company and fished and hunted with the legendary Fred Bear. This wonderful book is a collection of fishing adventures covering 60 years of fly fishing. Charlie fished some of the most famous water's throughout the world before the era of destination travel lodges. During a time when getting there was as much of an adventure as the actual fishing. Hear about fishing in Chile, Russia, Norway when the fishing was truly outstanding. And during his life of fly fishing Charlie also got the opportunity to fish with people who have become icons in fly fishing. Fly fishing icons such as, the Wulffs on the Laxa, and John Voelker on his Frenchman's Pond for example. For anyone who would like to see how fly fishing was during most of the past century this book will give you a wonderful window into the past. If you want a good book for a winter's day this book is well worth the time to locate now that it is out of print.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
One More Cast
by Albert Haas, Jr.
Frank Amato Publications, Inc.
Portland, OR, 2001
150 pages, hardbound
not illustrated
suggested price $24.00
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
The author provides the reader with a book of wit and humor with a fly fishing backdrop. This isn't about fly fishing so much as about author's views of both fly fishing and those, past and present, which participate in this great sport. The reader will learn of fishing on streams both famous and unknown where the discoveries about self, fishing and the outdoors in general are the topics of remembrance. In addition, you will learn some secrets like the Dot.Com fly guaranteed to catch more and bigger fish for high pressure executives requiring "quality time productivityï". This is a wonderful read when fishing conditions are so bad even a steelheader will not venture forth. This is another out of print book that is worth the effort to track down and spend time with.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
Tube Flies for Steelhead with Rick Kustich
by Rick Kustich
West River Publishing
Grand Island, NY, 2007
DVD, 60 minutes, Color
suggested price $21.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
In this 60 minute DVD Rick Kustich details how to tie six practical tube flies for catching steelhead throughout North America. In addition, the choice of patterns provides the viewer with a large tool box of tube tying techniques that may be applied to hundreds of different tube fly patterns. Included are techniques for using marabou, rabbit fur on the hide in strips, foam, and other popular materials and techniques for tying effective and durable tube flies. The six patterns are the White Bunny Spey, Gurgler, Marabou Spey, Bunny Leech, Egg Sucking Tube, and Purple October. Between the tying segments are some lovely fishing and catching segments to show how effective tube flies in general, and these patterns in particular, really are. The sound and camera work are nicely done. The subject matter is always in focus, the sound levels are at a very pleasant level and the author speaks very clearly so that the viewer can simply enjoy and learn. Very well done technically and very well presented fly tying instructions. This DVD is definitely worth adding to every steelhead fly tier’s library.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
Ten Best Western Flyfishing Destinations
by Michael Fong
Frank Amato Publications, Inc.
Portland, OR, 2003
96 pages, softbound
illustrated, Color
suggested price $19.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
For those fly fishermen that wish to experience some of the finest fly fishing the Pacific Northwest has to offer this book will provide you with most of the background information you need to get on the water and catching fish. Michael Fong has provided you with the results of having done the homework and leg work on where to go, where to stay, who to speak with, and techniques that will greatly increase your chances of catching fish. For those who wish to plan a vacation or fishing trip to the area this is a rare look at ten of the truly great fisheries of the PNW and how and what to do once you arrive. The locations presented are the Clark Canyon Reservoir, Dean River, Eagle Lake, the Elk River, the Green River, the Lower Sacramento River, the Lower Williamson River, the Missouri River, the South Fork Boise River, and the Upper Rogue River. These ten represent what many consider to be the best of the best for native trout and steelhead the PNW has to offer. The writing is clear, concise, and easy to read. Each section ends with an excellent overview of all of the information you need to plan and enjoy a great fishing experience.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
Flies for Sea-Run Cutthroat Trout
by Skip Morris
Frank Amato Publications, Inc.
Portland, OR, 2003
DVD, 120 minutes, Color
suggested price $29.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This DVD is directed to instructions for tying sea-run cutthroat trout flies but the patterns are clearly suitable for other species of trout as well. The author is very personable on screen making watching a pleasure. The patterns taught are the Raccoon, the Jim Dandy, the Skip’s Sculpin, the Glo Bug, and the Spruce Fly. As you can see some of these patterns are well known for trout fishing in general. The tying sequences are very well done. In addition, the author clearly informs the viewer of many tricks and materials tips as well as his affiliation with certain of the products described. These comments are of excellent value in giving the viewer a real insight into the development and design of each pattern. Some of these patterns are creations of the author and local PNW guides. Others are old patterns or variations of old patterns. But they all have one common thread – they catch sea-run cutthroat trout. The sound is well done and the original music is a very pleasant addition. The DVD is kept very interesting by the addition of fishing segments between pattern tutorials, and the short concise sections on tackle, fishing techniques and the life history of the sea-run Cutthroat trout. The DVD is beautifully photographed and edited. Overall, this DVD is easy to watch, easy to learn from, and just plain fun. Buy a copy, you will be happy you did.
© 2007 Bruce E Harang
Advanced Spey with John and Amy Hazel
by John and Amy Hazel
Cascade Mediaworks, LLC
Camas, WA 98607, 2008
DVD, 120 minutes, Color
suggested price $29.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
This DVD is directed to the assembly, fine tuning, and casting of both Scandinavian and Skagit Spey line systems. The segments on the tailoring of a line to a rod, and how to assemble the line system of choice is clear and well illustrated. While one method of each part of this tailoring is shown, options are discussed, leaving the viewer with a proven workable system and allowing further development as each viewer sees fit. The casting sequences are directed to only four of the simpler Spey casts. But again this information presents enough clear information to enable the viewer to go fishing successfully. The best part of the casting demonstrations is that both authors do all of the casting “off-hand, across-body” or “off- handed”. This is a very useful method of being able to cast off of the casters non-dominant hand side without having to switch hand positioning on the rod and is especially suitable for the compact casting stroke used for these types of Spey lines. Coupled with good, though at times overly verbose, narrative and excellent photography these casting sequences are simply superb. The cinematography, sound, and editing are top notch which makes this DVD a pleasure to watch and learn from. The DVD also includes a chart illustrating suggested line set-ups for both Skagit and Scandinavian line systems which will allow the viewer to get it right the first time. For anyone wanting to learn to fish a Scandinavian or Skagit line well this is a wonderful learning aid. This program is very well done indeed.
© 2008 Bruce E Harang
Making Strip-built Fly Rods
by John Betts
Frank Amato Publications, Inc.
Portland, OR, 2007
178 pages, hardbound
illustrated, Color
suggested price $45.00
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
John Betts seemingly has spent a lifetime building all things fly fishing and then documenting these experiences in books so that these crafts do not become lost to future generations of anglers and tinkerers. This volume is one of the latest in the author’s journey. Here John sets down the craft of making strip-built fly rods from wood as opposed to cane. But he does more than just set down the craftsman’s directions; he creates a piece of art in the very production of the book describing the craft of lathe turned solid wood rods. The text is handwritten, illustrated with numerous drawings and sketches, providing a complete course that anyone with even a very basic understanding of using wood tools can use to successfully create their own rods. There are no missing steps here. Everything you need to know from initial wood selection through building ferrules and reel bands is covered completely and clearly. Tool selection, set-up, and jigs for use with the tools are all clearly explained and illustrated. In all there are sixteen separate chapters providing the reader with a complete rod building manual. In addition, there is a chapter of thoughts that John found useful during his journey of solid wood lathe turned rods, a chapter with a selection of rod measurements, a chapter on casting these lovely rods, a chapter on the making of the book, and one of photographs of the rod construction steps, finished rods, and reels John made to use with the rods. The book is formatted in a coffee table style which is very appropriate as the book is both a craftsman’s companion and a work of art in its own right. For all of us that fish with a fly and also love beautiful fishing tools this book is a must. Thank you John, for providing us with such a beautiful and useful volume.
© 2008 Bruce E Harang
Fly Fishing for Striped Bass
by Rich Murphy
Wild River Press
Mill Creek, WA, 2007
457 pages, hardbound
illustrated, color
suggested price $59.95
reviewed by Bruce E. Harang
The author has chased striped bass for more than 25 years and has caught striped bass as often and as big as anyone. Surprisingly, he has done so without the use of a boat but instead by stalking his quarry from the beaches and marsh banks. He has now distilled these 25 years of experience into a beautifully illustrated 457 page volume that covers everything you need to know to be successful fly fishing for this premier saltwater fish. The layout of the book and the design are well conceived and executed. The coverage of the striped bass and how to fly fish for them throughout North America is extensive. The author presents the life of the striped bass and how it not only survives but thrives. He also teaches how to find striped bass by season, weather conditions, and habitat type. Then he presents his own innovative fly patterns that are both beautiful and functional. Also covered are the tools of the trade; rods, lines, reels, etc. that make up the arsenal of the striped bass hunter. The author then covers fishing beaches, estuaries, rocks, and flats, all the types of habitat that the striped bass calls home.
Unfortunately, the author has written this important fly fishing book as if it were a college engineering text which makes reading it very hard going. For example, the descriptions and tying instructions for the fly patterns are not written in standard fly tying format and language but instead as if they were bridges under construction. The information is current and available nowhere else as the number books on the striped bass are few and far between. If the reader is willing to plow through the language barrier this book has everything that is needed to successfully fish for this wonderful fish. While a tough read it is definitely worth the price and effort.
© 2008 Bruce E Harang