Reviewed by Ron Eagle Elk
Last year was my self-imposed wet fly year. I was going
to tie only wet flies and fish wet flies and wet flies
alone. I did this so I could become a better wet fly fisherman.
Besides swinging and dead drifting a lot of wet flies, I also
read volumes by fly tying and fly fishing greats from W.C.
Stewart to Dave Hughes. All in an effort to be a better
fisherman, period.
Now that 2007 is past I finally find the Holy Grail of wet
fly tying and fishing books. Tying and Fishing
Soft–Hackled Nymphsby Allen Mcgee is worth
it's weight in gold for the soft hackle fan. Don't let
the name fool you, yes there are some nymphs in the book,
but the old standbys are there too, along with newer flies.
For the new tier and fisher of wet flies, the section on
materials and their selection is full of solid information
and beautiful color photographs.
In the how–to section on tying there is information
for well experienced tiers as well as the newby including
everything from dubbing methods to tying in and winding
hackle. This section is so well demonstrated in clear
color photographs that making a mistake would take some
doing.
The pattern list, again, full of beautiful color photos,
features old stand-bys as well as innovative new flies.
There is something about a simple, flowing wet fly that
just strikes me as elegant. This large section of flies
proves the point.
Chapter 3 is about wet fly fishing equipment, from rods
to leader formulas for those who tie their own leaders
or would like to. Looks like I may be trying a Bergman
leader or two.
The remainder of the book, almost half of it, is about
ways to present and fish the flies, and how to select
flies under different conditions. That saying about not
being able to teach an old dog new tricks, well at 61
I may be an old dog, but I picked up several new tricks
from this books on presenting a wet fly. This is a well
written and illustrated with even more color photos and
very well done color illustrations that reinforce the
written word.
If your new to soft hackle flies, do yourself a favor and
read this book. If you've been tying and fishing wets for
some time, read the book. Your sure to improve as a wet
fly tier and fisherman.
Allen's book is published by Frank Amato Publication, Inc,
measures 8 ½ X 11 inches and has 95 pages of information
and great photos and illustrations. Tying and Fishing
Soft–Hackled Nymphs is easily worth the price
of $24.95. ~ REE
Tying and Fishing Soft Hackled Nymphs
By Allen McGee
8 ½ x 11" format
Softbound 95 pages
ISBN: 978-1-57188-403-9
Price: $24.95 US
Published by Frank Amato Publications
Portland, Oregon 97282
Phone: 800-541-9498
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