[truchas]

Looking for a good general reference book on fly fishing. which one would you recommend?

1 The Complete Book of Fly Fishing by Tom McNally

2 The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide by Tom Rosenbauer

3 The L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing by Macauley Lord, Dick Talleur, and Dave Whitlock

4 The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fly Fishing by Michael D. Shook

5 Fly Fishing for Dummies by Peter Kaminsky

6 Other, please indicate the title and author.

Thanks,

Truchas.

[kinderfly]

the complete book of fly fishing is really a great book. it teaches you a little bit of everything. I especially like the focus he puts on Knots and the step by step instructions. I'm new to fly fishing and this book has helped tremendously.

I suggest you go to your local library and check out all three of the top books that people suggested and you can determine for yourself which one you would want to buy... If you want to buy any of them. I personally don't buy any books because we have an awesome library system in N.Y. One card and you can go to any library in about 8 counties...

[Frank Whiton]

Hi truchas,

I have a little different perspective on buying books or DVD's. I think you are better off with specialty books for specific interest. If you want to learn knots, buy a knot book. If you are interested in Steelhead fishing, buy a book about Steelhead. I think you get the idea. When you buy a specialty book you generally get an author who specializes in a specific type of fishing. General books that give you a little bit about everything are OK but you may not get as much information on a single type of fishing that you may be interested in.

Having said that I can recommend a very good all around book for fresh and saltwater fishing. "Lefty Kreh's Ultimate Guide to Fly Fishing"

A second series of books that I can recommend is "Lefty's Little Library" This is a series of books about all aspects of fly fishing. There are 21 or 22 different, small books. They have top quality paper and binding. This is not a cheap way to go but it is something you will want to hand down to a Son or Daughter. This set was originally sold one book a month until Left'y had finished the set. They did screw up on the index book as it was done as a add on and it is not easy to use.

Frank

[Piscator]

Truchas,
I first started out with the LL Bean book. They also have a couple of other fly fishing related books that are pretty good. To anyone that I find interested in learning about fly fishing, I always suggest the Curtis Creek Manifesto. It's a fun book to read, as well as, easy to understand with the illustrations. I gave each of my kids a copy and they seem to enjoy it. Check it out.

Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Terry

[Wyatt]

When we took our first lesson last year the Instructor showed us several books and I ended up with The Freshwater Angler - Fly Fishing Strategies & Tactics which has a lot of info from gear to reading water and identifiing fish and the bugs they eat and I would recommend it to all beginners.
Wyatt

[truchas]

So, it seems like number 3 is a clear winner. I hope that voters followed kinderfly's suggestion. I did that and read 1, 2 and 5, which is all they had. I did not like 5 so much but chapter about tying was pretty informative. 1 and 2 were both good but the pictures or diagrams were not so good. I read that the new edition of 2 corrects the problem. I think that Frank makes a good point, I will also consider that option. Piscator and Wyatt, I will also check your suggestions.

Thanks,

Truchas.

[Davo]

Truchas

Not sure what specific species your into fishing. If your interested in trout there is another book written by Tom Rosenbauer that you should definitely check out. It is called "Prospecting For Trout". It covers trout behavior, reading water, stream evaluation and tactics for dry flies, wet flies, nymphs and streamers. This is one of the most complete guides to trout fishing I've found and my copy is well worn!!

[smith950]

We Lauri and I started Fly Fishing last year we bought Fly Fishing Basics by Dave Hughes. A friend gave The The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide by Tom Rosenbauer. Both were good, books. I think Fly Fishing Basics did a better job of going over beginner type topics.

Scott

[jimw]

My 2 favorite would have to be
1) Fly Fishing saltwater by Lefty Kreh
2) Inshore fly fishing by Lou Tabory
both are a must for salty fly fishers

[wlb06]

Curtis Creek Manifesto by Sheridan Anderson