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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.
LEARNING FROM THE WATER
When you see the name René Harrop associated with a book on fly fishing you automatically know that you are in for a treat if you are a serious fly fisher. René is the Dean of Anglers when it comes to fishing for difficult trout. His previous book, Trout Hunter, published in 2003 established his premise that the angler that wishes to seek out large trout on heavily fished waters needs to adopt the attitude of a hunter stalking wary wild game. His current book continues that line of thought.
This quote sets the tone for the entire book.
“Like any serious endeavor, fly-fishing proficiency requires study, practice, and determination. An experienced mentor can be of significant assistance, as can the sport’s credible literature. However, true knowledge is a derivative of experience, and once obtained it owned forever. For the developing angler, the water is a classroom where the answers to all the questions can be found. And the joy of personal discover is the lasting benefit of any lesson.”
While not diminishing the common practice of chuck and chance it angling he clearly views that type of angling as less than desirable.
“While rather indiscriminate in its results, the popular tactic of fishing a weighted imitation beneath a brightly colored strike indicator is nevertheless enjoyable to those who choose to avoid complication in a pastime that does not employ a strict set of rules for participation. ………Winged insects are more an irritant than a welcome subject to be studied and them imitated as a logical attractant to trout, and an extremely light tippet need never be the reason for a lost prize. The innocence and simplicity of this type of fishing cannot be condemned as less sporting and enjoyable than another method of greater commitment and difficulty when it is responsible for bringing so many into the fold who might otherwise be excluded.’
A very quick review reveals that this book is not intended for the casual angler. In the chapter entitled “The Art of Deception” he makes the following observation.
“The common tendency to frantically change from fly to fly is founded only in hope, and problems with presentation must be cured before any blame can be placed on the imitation. An imitation may be visually perfect, but it is worthless if fished in the wrong manner, and changing flies is not likely to change the results.”
These selected quotes set the tone for the balance of this book. There are 23 chapters that cover everything from presentation to a series of chapters on specific types of imitations from caddis to Baetis.
This is a beautiful book with excellent illustrations drawn by the author and wonderful photographs, many of which were taken by the author and his wife. The book is well written and contains a wealth of fly fishing information that provides insight into what it takes to fish for and catch large trout on heavily fished waters. This is a must have book for anyone that is interested in taking their fly fishing to a higher level.
Learning from the Water
René Harrop – 2010
Stackpole Books – Hardcover – 213 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8117-0579-0
$39.95