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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.
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
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