Hi All,
I'm looking for a little help. I would like to get my dad a book on fly fishing, to go with his Christmas present. I haven't read as much as I would've liked to, I tend to be a trial and error guy. My father on the other hand seems to enjoy reading about it as much as doing it. I was wondering if any of you could recommend a good book.
My dad has been throwing a fly for about 6 or seven years now. He doesn't get out a whole lot, but when he does, he sticks to dries mainly.
I was thinking about getting a book on nymphing. Have any of you read one or more of the "aggressive strategies" books by Rich Osthoff, or the "Larger Trout" books by Charles Brooks, or perhaps any of the Orvis Guidebooks by Tom Rosenbauer? Or, is there a better book on the subject? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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I have several nymphing books, since that is what I mainly do. I personally enjoy "Nymph-Fishing Rivers And Streams" by Rick Hafele. It comes with a DVD which is also very informative and entertaining. I bought it at Sportsman's Warehouse. I thought it was worth the $49.95. Another good one is "Nymphing Strategies" by Larry Tullis which is about $18. Some of the others just don't read as well, or are not as informative. Just how badly does your dad want to get into nymphing?
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Thanks Mister, for the suggestions. I'll definitely check those out. I'm not sure how bad he wants to get into nymphing. He's mentioned learning how to nymph better a couple of times. When we get out together, I can help him out. But, he lives in Cali., so most of the time, he's on his own. So, it'll be nice to get him something to help out. Thanks again for the info, I really appreciate it.
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I've read most of the "classics" about fly fishing in the last 25 or so years, and there's one that's a stand-out above the rest for learning and thinking about fly fishing. If you can find a copy, "The Dry Fly" by the late Gary LaFontaine is the Bible in my mind. It goes above and beyond most other theories, is as well-researched as any, and written by a late legend. Gary provides revolutionary theories in this book about making a trout eat a fly. Much of the book is based on his own underwater observations (Yes, IN the water, looking up, like a trout!). All the variables are covered. Its incredible, and changed the way I fish when it first came out. After reading this book is when I personally felt like I had finally "arrived" as a fly fisherman for trout. I learned more from it than I did from 40-50 others.
I've read every page over 10 times, and each time I pick it back up, I read for a few pages, and learn something new or remember something I had forgotten.
Ok, I'll stop! GET YOUR DAD A COPY OF THIS BOOK! I wouldn't sell mine for $1,000 if I couldn't get another. They should still be in print, though. Google it, and buy it. Then, borrow it from your dad when he will part with it and read it yourself.
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just found this one on amazon.. is this the book you are talking about??
[url "http://www.amazon.com/Dry-Fly-New-Angles/dp/1585744387"]Dry Fly - New Angles[/url]
MacFly [cool]
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Jackpot! It will change the way you fish!
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thank you.. just wanted to clarify since the name you gave and the name of the book on line vary a little.. I dont mind buying a book to read.. just want to make sure its the right one.. [
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..thanks again for the tip...
MacFly [cool]
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Great suggestions on books. I had the pleasure to me Mr Lafontain while stopping in Mike Lawson's shop in Island Park. It was several years ago and he was able to still get around, but was showing signs his end was near.
Jack Dennis has some awesome videos and books also.
Larry Tullis is a good friend and teacher, so I grab any new publications by him.
Some thing I wanted to bounce off you, you say he dry flies and showed some interest in nymphing. I will be the first to say, Nymphing is a must, but I wanted to go a different direction and suggest "WET FLY" it is a dry, it is a nymph.
One book is: "The Soft-Hackle Fly and Tiny Soft Hackles - A Trout Fisherman's Guide" by Sylvester Nemes.
Wet Fly is old school and over looked too much in my eyes.
A couple of other books are:
Sex, Death and Fly Fishing - by John Gierach
and
No Hatch to Match - by Rich Osthoff
for fun there is: Fish Tales, Etc. by Richard McCullough
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[indent]I like Joni's picks too! Syl Nemes is classic stuff.
Anything by Gierach is as good of "fireside" essays as they come. He really takes you there, and you'll say, "oh yeah" as you read his stories so easy to relate to, yet so insightful. Not instructional or scientific, per se, but very entertaining and you'll learn some things from one man's perspective as well. I grew up around this guy and his side-kick, AK Best, in Colorado. I can tell you he's the real deal, just a regular trout bum who also happend to coin the phrase and write the book! I've read all of his works, all worth my time.
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Thanks everyone, for the suggestions. I know that there is an unimaginable number of books out there on the subject. Having y'alls' suggestions will definitely help me narrow it down a bit. Although after I get a book for my father, I'll undoubtedly be picking up a couple of these to read myself. This is one of the things that makes this a great place. Most of y'all are so quick to help out another. I hope I can pay it back in the future. Thanks again!
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[.One book is: "The Soft-Hackle Fly and Tiny Soft Hackles - A Trout Fisherman's Guide" by Sylvester Nemes.
Certainly a good one- you'll get hooked on the soft hackle fishing-- almost makes it too simple.
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Skip all the "how-to", instructional, John Gierarch-style, half-entertaining garbage and jump right to the good stuff--read David James Duncan's River Why or My Story As Told By Water...MR Montgomery's Many Rivers to Cross, or the ultimate book on conservation--Aldo Leopold's Sand County Almanac.
If your father's been fly fishing for 6 or 7 years now, give him something really good that has some substance!
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[quote Tarponjim] "The Dry Fly" by the late Gary LaFontaine is the Bible in my mind.
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+1 !!! what a great read!
if your looking for the comical side of things:
If you dident bring jerky, then what did i just eat, by Bill Heavey (satirical writer for field and stream).
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Denny Rickards books are crazy good. Very informative and loaded with tons of fish porn. My favorite book by far is "How to land the Biggest trout of your life" by Landon Mayer. Now that is a sweet book!!!!!!
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Are you still deployed? I think you left in Feb. right? When do you get back?
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I liked "The Dry Fly" a lot, but I loved "Trout Flies: Proven Patterns" by Lafontaine. He not only presents his information but presents it well. It is a very interesting read. If you haven't read it you should at least check it out at the library since it out of print.
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Yes! Trout Flies is the perfect follow-up to Dry Fly. As I mentioned, when you read and study both of them, it changes the way you approach fly fishing for trout.
One can only imagine what Gary would have come up with by now, had he not been stricken with illness leading to death in the prime of his life. His legacy will last forever though.
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i actually got back a few weeks ago. i will need to check out that book!
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Welcome home.
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I'm glad you made it home safe. Just in time for hard deck too! Good fishing!
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