One of America's top experts shares decades of experience to cover trout fishing history, stream ecology, various trout behavior, and fly tying tips to aid any level of fly fishers.

Every fly fisher wants bragging rights about landing a 32-inch behemoth of a carp. Even better? Adding extra colour to your tale by hooking the monstrous fish with a fly tied from a tuft of your golden retriever’s fur. These are just some of the tips, tricks, and fishing anecdotes packed into Stu Thompson’s illustrated fly-pattern book. Thompson, who has been fishing in the province of Manitoba and beyond for more than 55 years, has smartly grouped flies into categories such as chironomids, wet flies, dry flies, and streamers. Every fly pattern is accompanied by detailed photographs and step-by-step instructions for tying flies that work for multiple species of fish. From simple to more difficult (but always effective) the 101 fly patterns in this book were developed, tested, and proven—not only by Thompson but also by his friends across North America and Europe.

Filled with the wisdom and advice of North America's top fly-fishing guides, the pros share advice about regional and seasonal complexities.

A master fly fisherman reveals the essentials of fly fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, and exotics.

America's Favorite Flies: 9 x 12 inches, 656 pages, full-color, case bound with cloth, smyth sewn. America's Favorite Flies, a book by Rob Carter and John Bryan, is a landmark gathering of 224 persons from across North America, each of whom has provided a favorite fly along with comments and materials. Among the book's contents are stunning photographs of the flies and writings by the participants. The list of participants is compelling: President Jimmy Carter, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, fly-fishing matriarch Joan Wulff, salt fly legend Lefty Kreh, 1% for the Planet co-founder Craig Mathews, Riverkeeper founder Robert Boyle, rock musician Huey Lewis, artist James Prosek, author Tom McGuane, and on and on. America's Favorite Flies is dedicated to Norman Maclean, author of A River Runs through It, which spawned the movie that has had arguably more impact on fly-fishing than anything in its history. Norman Maclean's children, Jean Snyder Maclean and John N. Maclean, have given their appreciation and enthusiastic confirmation for this dedication. The book also includes approximately 100 artworks by some of North America's most beloved outdoor artists. 14 influential people in the world of fly fishing have contributed special essays. All of the profits from America's Favorite Flies are donated to two organizations whose work benefits ever healthier fisheries and waters. The James River Association is guardian of the 348-mile James River that begins with mountain trout waters and concludes amid bluefish and flounder waters where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Native Fish Society plays a vital role in the conservation and recovery of wild, native fish in the Pacific Northwest, and is an active advocate both regionally and nationally.

From rods to reels, fly lines to tippets, fishing hats to hip boots, this guide covers everything an angler will need before heading to the water. If your favorite way to spend the day is stepping into a mountain stream—fly fishing gear in hand—to match wits with an elusive rainbow trout, The Orvis Encyclopedia of Fly Fishing is the perfect companion. Ideal for newcomers looking to get their feet wet, as well as for seasoned fisherman who need a reliable reference, this A to Z guide unlocks the mysteries of the sport, including answers to questions such as: Where in Montana will I find the best fly fishing for mountain whitefish? (“Montana,” page 136) What kind of fish bite at night? (“Night Fishing,” page 176) Which European country has the best fly fishing? (“Scotland,” page 235) Can I catch a shark on a fly rod? (“Sharks,” page 240) What’s the difference between a Bucktail, a Featherwing Streamer, and a Woolly Bugger? (“Streamers,” page 251) Written by Tom Rosenbauer, a top instructor at the Orvis Fly Fishing School, and loaded with stunning full-color photographs and clear illustrations of step-by-step techniques, The Orvis Encyclopedia of Fly Fishing serves as a comprehensive course in the fundamentals of the sport.