Fundamentals for the beginning fly fisher including tips on rod and reel selection, tackle and tying techniques, basic and advanced casting methods, and more.

Hook up with the fly-fishing guide that’s a keeper Some say successful fly fishing requires supreme athleticism, a surgeon’s delicate touch, and the serene spirit of a Zen master. But forget the hype: The updated edition of Fly Fishing for Dummies shows that all you need to get the hang of this enjoyable sport are the right tools, a disciplined technique, and a positive attitude. Whether you’re an old salt or dipping your toes in for the first time, you’ll find everything you need to learn, improve, and keep your casting sharp and fresh! Longtime fishing writer Peter Kaminsky wades right in, taking you from choosing a rod and tying flies all the way through to staying dry with the right wardrobe and cooking up a delicious catch. You’ll also find out how you can get by with just 20 flies, a half dozen casts, and three knots. And, if you want to plunge deeper into the sport, he suggests some bucket-list destination rivers and streams to keep you agreeably hooked and learning for life—proving that the father of fishing writers Izaak Walton was right when, three centuries ago, he said: “No life is so pleasant and happy as that of a well-governed angler.” Study your quarry—from rainbow trout to fashionable “glamour” fish Get the best rod, reel, and gear for success—including the smartest tech Know where to fish (land or sea) and how to read the water Follow visual examples to sharpen your casting Whatever your fly-fishing aims or skill level, the proven advice and 150+ illustrations in this friendly guide are your path to a lifetime of happy and productive trips: Don’t let it be the one that got away!

This essential book on fly tying will teach anyone how to tie flies. All the important techniques are illustrated with color photographs, from starting the thread on the hook to whip finishing. The book lays the basic ground work by fully explaining simple tying techniques, and then progresses to detailed tying instructions for some of the most popular, modern patterns. How to choose and prepare the correct material, and all the necessary tying steps for each fly, are detailed in superb, large, color photographs. Even if you have no previous tying experience, you'll be able to tie dries, nymphs, streamers, saltwater offerings, and bass bugs after just a few sessions with this book. The tyer is then advised how to progress to similar patterns using the same basic techniques. Also included is a huge reference of fly patterns - more than four hundred flies from the Orvis catalog are shown in full color, along with the tying recipes and proportions for each one. This book, drawing from the Orvis Company's vast resources and teaching experience and written by an author whose name is synonymous with Orvis, has become the bible for fly-tyers of all skill levels.

Many anglers who wish to get started in fly fishing are intimidated. With so many choices of expensive rods, reels, lines, leaders and flies, it's difficult to know where to begin. And it doesn't help that a few of the so-called "experts" in the field write articles implying the sport is difficult to master. The truth is, to be a successful fly angler you don't need to know everything about everything. That's what sets this book apart from the many other fly fishing books available today. In these pages, veteran fly-fishing instructor Chris Hansen concentrates on teaching you the basics. For example, if you aren't sure what level fly angler you are, check out Hansen's "10 Ways to Tell If You're a Beginner." Want to learn how to fly cast? Read "12 Tips to Making the Perfect Cast." And if you think you must carry everything but the kitchen sink with you every time you wade into a stream, look at Hansen's "8 Accessories for Every Trip." Hansen understands the best reason to try fly fishing is that in many situations you can catch more fish with flies than you can with spinning or baitcasting lures. In this book's final chapter, "Catching Fish on Flies," he details these situations for panfish, trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and even northern pike. In addition, he shows you his "Top 10 Fly Patterns" for each species and the best retrieves for getting finicky fish to strike.

Modern-day fly fishing, like much in life, has become exceedingly complex, with high-tech gear, a confusing array of flies and terminal tackle, accompanied by high-priced fishing guides. This book reveals that the best way to catch trout is simply, with a rod and a fly and not much else. The wisdom in this book comes from a simpler time, when the premise was: the more you know, the less you need. It teaches the reader how to discover where the fish are, at what depth, and what they are feeding on. Then it describes the techniques needed to present a fly at that depth, make it look lifelike, and hook the fish. With chapters on wet flies, nymphs, and dry flies, its authors employ both the tenkara rod as well as regular fly fishing gear to cover all the bases. Illustrated by renowned fish artist James Prosek, with inspiring photographs and stories throughout, Simple Fly Fishing reveals the secrets and the soul of this captivating sport.

Wherever you find a clear freshwater stream or river, you'll also find devoted anglers intent on matching their wits against trout, salmon, and other fighting fish. Here is the perfect instruction book for beginners. Clear, comprehensive charts detail essential information on how to choose appropriate flies, rods, reels, and lines for catching different varieties of fish. With words and pictures, author Peter Gathercole also coaches his readers on fishing skills and techniques, starting with simple basics that include assembling the fishing rod, attaching the fly, mastering casting techniques, and reeling. He takes novice fishermen through the many steps toward proficiency and a pleasurable fishing experience. He also offers refresher chapters for those anglers who have been away from fishing for some time. And even advanced anglers will find advice and tips guaranteed to improve their skills for their next fishing outing. This attractive book is filled with hundreds of how-to color photos.