Hi Folks,
I’ve had a very bookish Christmas this year and now have a winter reading list. Instead of getting over-priced neck ties with trout flies, over-priced lamps with trout flies lamp shades, over-priced pillow cases with fly fishermen, flannel shirts with trout and over-priced coffee cups with old fishing lures, I, at the request of my family, posted a list books that I would like to receive. I received the following books:
Czech Nymph and Other Related Fishing Methods by Karel Krivanec and Friends
Tying and Fishing Soft-Hackled Nymphs by Allen McGee
Fly Fisherman’s Guide to Saltwater Prey Arron J. Adams
LaFontaine’s Legacy by our very own Al and Gretchen Beatty
Fisherman’s Coast: An Angler’s Guide to Marine Warm-Water Gamefish and Their Habitats by Aaron Adams
Trout Flies for the 21st Century by Dick Talleur
What do you think of my list? Is there a book that you particularly recommend I start with? Do you think there’s a weak choice in the group? Just curious! Thanks for your input. 8T 
8T,
I have few of the books you mentioned. Allen McGee’s Tying and Fishing Softhackled Nymphs is a great book with very good information on materials, tying techniques and fishing strategies. When I teach soft hackle flies to my tying classes it is a book I suggest buying.
LaFontaines Legacy is another fine book. It reminds me of Gary’s book “Proven Patterns”. Not only is there great information of producutive flies, but personal anecdotes about Gary and his sense of humor that makes the man seem that much more human. I loved the book.
Sounds like a nice time to sit by a fire with sipping your favorite beverage and enjoy some fine reading.
I still like, The Dry Fly and Fast Water, by George M. L. La Branche. I think it’s a classic because his approach is a little different from matching the hatch.
Also I’d recommend Nymph Fishing For Larger Trout by Charles E. Brooks. To me, it’s another classic, partly because the nymphing methods he describes are so easy to follow.
Finally I’d also recommend Active Nymphing, by Rich Osthoff - Rich thinks outside the box -and Reading Trout Streams by Tom Rosenbauer.
If you’re interested in fly-fishing history: The Beaverkill by Ed van Put.
For memoirs: Spring Creek by Nick Lyons.
I could go on and on, I guess what’s unique about our sport is the amount of literature it has produced.
Randy
Still pursuing the techniques and spirituality of an ideal cast …
www.flyandspincasting.com
Hi REE,
The two books you mentioned from my Christmas stash are both excellent. LaFontaine’s Legacy is just wonderful and packed with innovative tying ideas. The step-by-step tying instruction pictures are not as large as I would like but should please those under 45. There are many excellent tyers out there but Gary was certainly in a class by himself.
The other book that you mention, Allen McGee’s Soft-Hackled Nymphs, is really the best catch of the entire lot. I almost didn’t request this book because I already have several books by Sylvester Memes and I thought I had the topic of soft hackles pretty well covered. I’ve only read three chapters of the book but I am amazed at the information that is packed into those chapter. Great Book
Hi Randy,
All wonderful suggestions! I’ve got many of the books that you suggest including the Brooks, Osthoff, and the Lyons book. I personally feel that Rich Osthoff offers some great insight (very much outside the box) with Active Nymphing and the companion book, No hatch to Match. Your input is very sound and appreciated. 8T 