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, and due to that fact, may not appear weekly.
September 8, 1997

SALTWATER NATURALS
 by George V. Roberts Jr., Illustrations by Arolina Kehoe,
 published by Ragged Mountain Press, 1994.(McGraw-Hill, Inc.)


Part one is a readable scientific overview, (rare itself) of gamefish predation - a serious look into the world of the fish. Vision, elements of prey recognition, and why selective feeding occurs, all give the anglers an edge on choosing fly patterns what work. Here is the foundation required for tiers yearning to design their own saltwater flies.

The second part gives the angler total insight on what bait fish and other foods are available at specific times of the year. The full color paintings in this section are terrific! Identification of various bait is simplified with side-view silhouettes shown for each species.

Finally, there is an extensive directory of imitative fly patterns, spanning the history of saltwater fly fishing, usually with the creators recipes. Tying instructions are specific with exact procedures. Where tying tricks are used they are explained - not glossed over. Numerous color photographs of flies are very detailed. I almost expected the squid to swim away.

For the saltwater tier and angler SALTWATER NATURALS is a "got to have it" book. ~ DB

Previous Reviews