fly tying book

[nyfisherman]

if you can only buy one fly tying book for fly patterns for trout that would it be

[Normand]

the fly tyers benchside reference by leeson & schollmyer

learn the techniques first and then the patterns

[FishnDave]

I really like Skip Morris' books and tutorials.
Here's one of his books specifically for trout:
http://www.amazon.com/Trout-Flies-Ri...N%3D0811704769

[TyroneFly]

Here are two books I find to be exceptional for trout patterns and tying techniques:

Tying Dry Flies, 3rd edition by Randall Kaufmann
Tying Nymphs, 3rd edition by Randall Kaufmann

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Since your after patterns and not techniques I wouldn't suggest The Tyers Benchside Reference. It is THE book for techniques, but not patterns or recipes. Trout Flies by Dave Hughes has tons of patterns, but a lot of them are variations of similar patterns. For wet flies A Guide to North Country Flies and How to Tie Them by Mike Harding is one I suggest to tyers getting into wets.

REE

[Eight Thumbs]

I've got to agree with REE on this one. If you want patterns, not technique, the Hughes book, Trout Flies, is DEFINITELY the way to go. I also like Patterns of the Umpqua Feather Merchants as a pattern reference. 8T

[AlbaSurf]

Whoa, I think we are forgetting a big one here! My FAVORITE book for patterns is the FFF - Fly Pattern Encyclopedia edited by Mr. Al & Mrs. Gretchen Beatty!

And thus far trout have hit every fly I used for largemouthed bass. So, in my experience trout can be very unpicky, and "flies for trout" doesn't tell me what kind of patterns you are looking for, but maybe that's just cause i haven't hung out around here enough to have learned that yet. *wink*

Karli-Rae

[JohnScott]

the fly tyers benchside reference by leeson & schollmyer...

.... if you are interested in patterns, which is what "nyfisherman" is asking about.

It is so worthless from a fisherman's point of view that I gave mine away here on FAOL a couple years ago. Haven't missed it at all.

I think Karli probably hit the nail on the head with the suggestion on Al and Gretchen's book.

John

[WarrenP]

I was not going to post to this thread, but, I have to. I cannot agree with anyone who states that The Fly Tyers Benchside Reference by Leeson & Schollmyer is worthless! I have this book plus many, many fly tying pattern books and they all have their place at my tying table. Of what value is a pattern book if a person does not know how to do some of the tying steps to tie a pattern they see? I have been tying flies and teaching beginners how to tie for close to 20 years and I will be the first to tell you that I do not know how to do some of the techniques for some patterns and that is where my copy of The Fly Tyers Benchside Reference comes in. Of course, I could be wrong and I am the only person who does not understand all tying techniques for all patterns. There is a need for a pattern book and there is a need for the benchside reference for: tying in weed guards, tandem hooks, woven bodies, extended bodies, upright wings, spun, flared, stacked and clipped bodies, fur-strip and hide-strip bodies, spinning deer hair and on and on...

Sorry folks, but I just cannot agree with calling this book "junk" and "worthless"

I will get off my soap box now and crawl back into my box....Sorry

[Ron Eagle Elk]

WarrenP,

My benchside Reference is just that, my benchside reference. Should I run across a technique I don't quite understand or remember clearly I grab the book. I don't use it all that often, but when I need it, I'm sure glad it's there.

REE