Here is a tip of the hat to the
folks at Greycliff Publishing. From time to time I
have mentioned how valuable the "old" books are.
And even said, "maybe there isn't anything new."
Unfortunately, those old books are few in numbers
and not cheap if you do find them.
So the tip of the hat is for
the publication of The Dry Fly and Fast Water.
The usual term would be re-publication
- but in this case, Greycliff has chosen to add some
really thoughtful features.
For those who have been
following the 'just
old flies' section here, this week's fly is taken from this
book! The fly is one described in the older version,
but in the new version, there are photographs of
the flies, tied by David Ledlie. What a delightful
improvement. But that's not all. Le Branche also
is well known for introducing fishing techiniques.
It's one thing to read about them, another entirely
to see them! The new book is liberally illustrated,
with both drawings and photographs.
The photos are a treasure.
Seeing La Branche fishing his favorite water, seeing
Hewitt, Skues and Theordore Gordon in the proper
frame of reference with their peers, is very enlightening.
Another addition to the orginal
book, is a 3,000 word introduction by Paul Schullery,
explaining La Branches importance in the developement
of fly fishing. La Branche was indeed a man ahead of
his time. His ideas on reading the water and presentation
(explaining such techniques as the bounce cast, line
control, and creating the hatch) and his descriptions
of rise forms and how to read them are as relevant today
as they were some eighty years ago when it was first
written!
There is something else that
especially struck me. Something that is again,
not in the original book. There is the correspondence
between G.E.M. Skues and La Branche between
1925 and 1947. I found it particulary facinating as
a commentary on others in fly fishing, the condition
of waters they both fished, rods and equipment of
the times - and the flies! Marvelous stuff!
The Dry Fly and Fast Water
$24.95. The ISBN number is
0-9626663-6-X.
My only complaint is I wish
it were hard cover as is the old copy we have. (Which by the
way, shows a retail price on the dust cover of $6.95 in 1972). I realize
the price of books has gotten very pricey, but I still believe books
are a wonderful investment and addition to our lives.
~ DB
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