A brilliant and innovative book by the author of "Caddisflies."

Though not always easy, of the many fly fishing methods, dry-fly fishing is the easiest. This full-color book offers dry-fly fishing tips, entomology, historical information, plus shows you how to tie the world's most popular dry-flies with over 850 step-by-step color photos. Through 26 demonstration patterns you will learn how to tie the most effective dry-flies with speed, ease, and efficiency.

The champion of the dry-fly ethic developed on British chalkstreams in the late 1800s Now acknowledged as the symbolic father of modern dry-fly fishing, Frederic M. Halford was known during his remarkable fishing career as the "high priest of the art," the man whose milestone books codified the entire world of the dry-fly angler more than a century ago. Halford on the Dry Fly excerpts the core wisdoms from the original Halford book that launched the "dry-fly revolution" --and has influenced every generation of serious fly fishers since--Dry-Fly Fishing in Theory and Practice. Halford on the Dry Fly shows a first-rate angling mind at work, a gifted naturalist who witnessed an historic moment in the development of fly fishing. "No place else in the literature of fly fishing have the original basics been so clearly laid out," writes Paul Schullery.

The Catskills region of the eastern United States, just two hours northeast of New York City, was the birthplace of a uniquely American style of fly that continues to grace the bins of fly shops around the world. Mike Valla explores the essence of Catskill flies, delving into the history of the region's rivers, fly fishers, and fly tiers and blending their colorful histories with precise step-by-step tying methods. He compares the styles of all of the Catskill school of fly tiers and shares color photos of never-before-seen flies from the vaults of the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum as well as detailed tying steps for 11 Catskill-style fly patterns. This book is essential for those not only interested in learning to tie the Catskill-style flies, but also those interested in the history of American fly fishing.

This handy reference and guidebook covers the essential elements of this most exciting form of fly fishing, including tips on how to select the right dry fly for the situation, the best types of water and the best times of day to fish dries, identifying riseforms and what the fish are eating, special leaders and the right rod and line, and ways to present the fly to make it look natural. Also included are valuable tips on how to approach a rising fish without spooking it, and how to cast the fly on fast, slow, or still water to obtain the best results. Whether you are fishing the water for unseen trout or for rising selective feeders, this pocket reference book should always be in your tackle bag or vest. Illustrated with color photographs and superb drawings by Rod Walinchus, this pocket guide will prove indispensable for beginners and experts alike.