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Individual taste in books varies as much as the favorite rod or fly. With that in mind, we hope to review books and videos from the ever-growing fly fishing world, and share them with you. Books will be the best of all worlds, new and old. Many of the old books are now available in reprint, and the wisdom contained is timely today. Others can be found in second-hand book stores, or by mail order dealers. As we find videos we feel are outstanding they will be included. Be assured, reviews are based on what we have actually read or viewed, and due to that fact, may not appear weekly.
WET FLY TYING AND FISHING
“For the simplest patterns will be found to out fish their
Most elaborate counterparts”
Roger Fogg
From the introduction to the Art of the Wet Fly, 1979
Published 2009, by The Crowood Press Ltd,. Ramsbury, Marlborough Wiltshire, SN8 2HR. ISBN 978-1-84797-127-2, www.crowood.com with Email enquiries to enquiries@crowood.com 20.00 pounds
Seldom has a new book, caught my interest as this volume has. There are few pages that do not have notes in the margins or hi-lighted passages. Like the work of my friend the late Gary LaFontaine, Roger Fogg’s work makes you question and think about what he has written. I can give no greater compliment to the author, than this.
After the publication of his volume, The Art of the Wet Fly, in 1979, which was well received many began to ask for another book on Wet Flies, or a revised edition. However, Roger decided that, his ideas had been modified over the years and that a fresh start was required. Even though this review is based solely on the contents of Wet-Fly Tying and Fishing, 2009 I would like to share with a passage or two from The Art of the Wet Fly, Chapter One, Page 6. I believe these passages will give a greater insight into the mind of the author. These passages are describing the early days and his first steps on the road to knowledge.
“Like a medieval knight I had discovered a quest and became determined that the coming season should form the beginnings of a long experiment. And so it was.”
“I embarked on a voyage of discovery, and I discovered humility, for the knowledge of past writers opened before me in the soiled and well-thumbed pages of borrowed and ancient books. My Discoveries were not new after all; I had merely walked into the rich treasure vaults of fly-fishing history.”
Roger does not claim that wet fly fishing is better or more effective than using a dry fly or nymph. He clearly states that these methods should not compete with one another, should rather be complimentary to one another.
Roger also has some rather interesting theories on the historical development of both the wet fly and the dry fly. These ideas are very different from the accepted, as we now know it.
He further states the method of fishing is a personal choice that brings relaxing delight to the angler. Throughout the book the reader will sense his delight and effectiveness of fishing the traditional wet flies.
Roger sets his definition of Traditional Wet Flies, which he primarily fishes with a floating line and by staying within the boundaries of his definition; he does thoroughly cover the subject. Giving the reader a real look at the capabilities, that are possible by using traditional wet flies and a floating line. He does explain condition where other fly line types are needed. He even dispenses some valuable tips for both the nymphing and dry fly angler.
He does an excellent job of describing and explaining where to fish wet flies and when to fish wet flies and how to employ them properly. His chapters on Fly Tying are clear and concise with good instruction and great photographs. He covers both river fishing and still-water fishing.
At no time, does he insist that his ways and methods are the only proper ones, rather he lead the reader through by gently sharing the knowledge and experience that he has gather from almost a half century of fly fishing.
In the past few years there seems to be an increased interest in fishing wet flies on American waters. For those of you who have this interest Roger Fogg’s Wet-Fly Tying and Fishing is a Must Read!
His descriptions of the rise forms and how wet flies should be fished may make you re-think your own strategies the next time you are fishing. His explanations of fishing a wet fly up and across in the manner of W. C. Stewart will give you something to challenge yourself with, when next you visit you favorite water.
Like any volume that I read and review, I don’t agree with everything. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this volume and it will cause me to alter and contemplate my own methods and strategies.
Enjoy & Good Fishin
Tom Travis