Fly Tying Book Recommendations

[Jay_H]

I have been tying for several months now and have been primarily using the Tightline videos on YouTube to assist. While I love these videos and will continue to use them I still prefer the old fashioned book to have it right in front of me without having to pause the video and restart it.

I have the newest Orvis book on fly tying but was looking for a more comprehensive book on tying patterns with step by step instructions. I’m primarily looking for trout patterns, I don’t fish much in the way of bass or salt water.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[nfrechet]

i/m not going to list books by specific titles but books by charlie craven, david hughes, gary lafontaine, jack dennis, terry hellekson, shane stalcup, mike valla, gary soucie, mike mercer, randall kauffman, ray bergman are just a few

the number 1 book to get is "the fly tyers benchside reference to techniques and dressing styles" by leeson and schmookler for tying techniques. i'm sure you dont know all the tying techniques

a lot more fly tying patterns with step by step instructions on google than in tying books. print them out. no rewinding required

 

[shakey]

Mike Valla books are gold .

I particularly like books by Sylvester Nemes .

Leisenring / Hidy is great for flymphs .

“The art of fly tying “ by Claude Chartrand is fun.

Also AJ McClane lists tons of flies in his fishing encyclopedia.

Sometimes Mary Orvis Marbury books come up cheap.

Good luck!

 

[blueheron]

Google Charlie’s fly box, it’s Charlie Craven’s fly list on his website, lots of detailed techniques and patterns.

 

[Dave_W]

Although dated and mostly black and white photos, I'd recommend a couple well worn classics that I still reference...

Chauncy Lively's FLYBOX
Art Flick's Master Fly-Tying Guide

 

[Bamboozle]

Double ditto, especially on Chauncy's book...

I relished getting the "PA Angler" magazine as it was called when Chauncy's fly tying articles graced the pages. I cut them out, put them in sheet protectors and still have them in three ring binders on a shelf over my fly tying desk.

I learned a lot from Chauncy & Art!!

 

[Jay_H]

Thanks guys. Will be picking up some of these and of course Googling.

 

[CRB]

by Bamboozle on 2020/11/13 10:46:51

Double ditto, especially on Chauncy's book...

I relished getting the "PA Angler" magazine as it was called when Chauncy's fly tying articles graced the pages. I cut them out, put them in sheet protectors and still have them in three ring binders on a shelf over my fly tying desk.

I learned a lot from Chauncy & Art!!




Check out the legacy issues:


https://www.fishandboat.com/Transact/AnglerBoater/Pages/default.aspx

 

[Jay_H]

Great resource on the Legacy issues. So neat to read some of the old articles.

 

[Fly-Swatter]

Great website mentioned above: Charlie's Fly Box

I learned a lot tying patterns from the Barr Flies. You'll get detailed instructions and photos on tying many original John Barr patterns that are all good fish catchers.

 

[fishbaithohaha]

... Fly Tyer's Benchside Reference.... best

 

[Prospector]

My recommendation to any new Fly Tyer is Dave Hughes book “Essential Trout Flies”. It covers the gamut very well and your fly boxes will be filled with super effective flies.

As mentioned above, I’d also endorse Chauncey Lively’s book.

 

[Bamboozle]

CRB wrote:

Check out the legacy issues:

https://www.fishandboat.com/Transact/AnglerBoater/Pages/default.aspx

Thanks for the reminder!!

I look at those all the time and forgot how great a resource they are if for nothing else, putting a huge smile on my face remembering...

I've been a subscriber since I was a kid.

 

[supervdl]

CRB wrote:
by Bamboozle on 2020/11/13 10:46:51

Double ditto, especially on Chauncy's book...

I relished getting the "PA Angler" magazine as it was called when Chauncy's fly tying articles graced the pages. I cut them out, put them in sheet protectors and still have them in three ring binders on a shelf over my fly tying desk.

I learned a lot from Chauncy & Art!!




Check out the legacy issues:


https://www.fishandboat.com/Transact/AnglerBoater/Pages/default.aspx

Thanks for the link. I didn't know about those and they are fun to dig through.

 

[JeffK]

To give a PA flavor, try Favorite Flies For Pennsylvania. It uses patterns from top guides and tiers across the state.

Anything by Ed Koch is good. Midge Magic is a good one, but specialized on midge patterns. These are developed for PA's spring creeks, but they work anywhere. How to tie laid out clearly.

Many good books that combine tying and fishing start with In the Ring of the Rise (a real classic) by Vince Marinaro, Spring Creek Strategies by Mike Heck and many of the books by Charlie Meck. And of course Ed Shenk's book.

PA generated plenty of great tying/fishing books. Most focus on limestoners, but the patterns work anywhere.

 

[beadhead2]

Jay_H
I have most of the books mentioned ,and am willing to sell them .
Let me know if interested