Nice Recognition of JC!

Hi Folks,

I've just finished reading Arlen Thomason's book Bug Water which I highly recommend to anyone interested in good aquatic insect pictures both above and below the surface. Arlen knows his stuff. His writing style, while informative and factual, is entertaining and easily understood. The definite Western bias should interest many FAOLers.
While reading his material on fish vision, I came across a very familiar name to all of us. Thomason was discussing the use of the "slant tank" to help the angler see and photograph bugs and flies exactly as the fish sees them leaving the mirror section of their vision and entering Snell's window. The following is a quote from pages183-184.
"During the first half of the twentieth century, how an insect or fly looks to a fish received minimal perceptive attention from fly fishing authors.---------Then in 1976 Pennsylvania angler Vincent Marinaro published In the Ring of the Rise, which included a section called "What the Fish Sees and Does Not See." Marinaro's book depicted the use of slant tanks as tools for the underwater visualization of bugs and flies on the surface. Other than an article later posted by his protege, Jim Birkholm (aka J. Castwell) on the website Fly Anglers Online slant tanks seem to have been little noticed---a surprising situation in light of their utility and ease of use."
I thought that was a very nice recognition of JC's work and friendship with Vince. My apologies in advance if someone else has already posted this information. 8T :)

8T - I haven't seen the book, who is the publisher?

Hi Ladyfisher,

It's a pretty new book. Stackpole Books 2010. 8T ;)

Hello All,

I just got my Autumn 2010 issue of Fly Tyer Magazine and for those who might be interested in Dr. Arlen Thomason's book Bug Water, the book is one of the featured stories in that issue. I'm not talking a little two paragraph review. This is a six page, full-color, center-of-the-magazine review which is more like a feature story. Just thought someone might be interested. Honestly, Eight Thumbs is not a pseudonym for Arlen Thomason and I don't own any stock in Stackpole Publishing. I'm just excited about the book. 8T :)

I also noticed the mention of JC in Bugwater.

I was acquainted with Arlen's work for some time before Bugwater came out. He is very knowledgeable and his insect photography is spectacular. Yes, it is west-centric, but I think a lot its information would be useful to everyone.

If you're puzzled at what they are talking about, it is the use of the slant tank to view insects (and flies) the articles are here:
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/fliesonly/ Will give you a NEW way of looking at your flies.