By: Mark Harding
2009, 192 Pages, Aurum Press LTD
7 Greenland Street, London, NW1 OND
United Kingdom
www.aurumpress.co.uk
A Book Review
By: Tom Travis
I picked up a copy of this book in November 2009 when I attended the British Fly Fair International. I love to travel and shop for fly fishing or tying books, as not all books printed in other countries make it to the markets in the United States. Even though this primarily a pattern book, it has some keen insights into fly fishing and fly tying history as well as useful tips on fishing the imitation.
Mike is not unknown in British Fly Fishing Circles. He writes a monthly column for magazine entitled Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Magazine which is published in the United Kingdom. He is also a well known Broadcaster and Comedian. There are places in this small volume where his humor definitely comes through.
Now some of you might ask, “What are North Country Flies”, and simply stated, they are Soft Hackle Flies. I always carry a couple boxes of Spiders (Soft Hackles) with me and I often employ them in both my personal fishing and when I am guiding. This book caused me to go through my notes and add some additional fly patterns to my already over crowded fishing vest.
At the back of the book is a list of fly tying suppliers in the UK. Some will offer items we rarely see in the US. Looking at and studying some of the patterns may lead you to explore and create some of your own versions of North Country Flies.
This is an excellent body of work, it entertains, it educates, and it treats those who came before with the respect that they deserve.
“Note from Tom”
“For me, the more I know, the less I know. The more questions I answer, the more questions there are”
“To seek knowledge is sublime; to stop seeking is to stagnate”
“To think that you know it all, shows not the depth of your knowledge, but highlights your lack of it!”
Originally published April 5, 2010 on Fly Anglers Online by Reviewed By Neil Travis.