Reviewed by Ron Eagle Elk
My wife Vickie and I have been tying with
rotary vices for years and I thought we had
a pretty good handle on using them to their
full potential. After sitting across a table
watching our friends Al and Gretchen Beatty
tie flies at an Idaho Fish-In two years ago,
we knew there were many more valuable techniques
to learn.
When I heard that Al and Gretchen had a new
book being released entitled Rotary
Fly-Tying Techniques I knew I had
to have a copy. It finally arrived in the
mail box and I sat down to skim through it.
Wrong. Skimming is not something you
want to do with this book because you'll
miss too much. I suggest turning off the
television, getting your beverage of choice,
a comfortable chair, good lighting and read
the book. It's packed full of information
that's just too good to miss.
It seems Gretchen's family has been in on the
true rotary tying revolution since the early
stages, starting with treadle powered tying
vises. Yup, I said treadle powered. They add
a bit of history to the book by discussing
the antique rotary vises as well as how to
use them, including a neat electric powered
vise. Kind of makes me glad I only have to
deal with a manual vise.
When Al and Gretchen did the live demonstration
tying session for us at the Fish-In, they were
both constantly interrupted by "Wait, how did
you do that?" and "Do that again, will you?"
One technique Al showed us was the traveling
bobbin rest. (There were several of the "Wait
a minute." interruptions on that one) By the
time we had a chance to chat a bit and I walked
to the cabin, I had forgotten how he did it.
Thankfully, it's in the book, along with other
techniques to make your fly tying simpler,
easier and more fun. Now we can carry it to
the tying bench and practice, practice, practice.
Not only are the techniques of rotary tying
written about in clear prose, but the
accompanying high quality photos are a perfect
compliment to the written word. Something
readers of Al and Gretchen's other books
have come to accept as the norm from these two.
I was surprised to note how many vises are
discussed in this book. Al and Gretchen tie
on a bunch of different vises and include
information on several of today's modern
rotary vises, and use those vises to
demonstrate the techniques.
Not to leave anything out, there are several
fly patterns in each chapter that encourage
using the techniques. Some are patterns you
already know that will be so much simpler to
tie with the techniques shown, and others may
be brand new to you and an enhancement to your
fly box. For an example, check out the
EZY Parachute PMD,
HERE.
If you aren't tying on a true rotary vise and
are thinking of upgrading, this book will be a
big help. If your already tying on a true rotary,
this book is a must to bring out the best in your
vise of choice.
Rotary Fly-Tying Techniques
By Al and Gretchen Beatty
8 ½ x 11" format
Softbound 116 pages
ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-1-57188-418-3
Price: $24.95 US
Published by Frank Amato Publications
Portland, Oregon 97282
Phone: 800-541-9498, ~ REE
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