ABC's of Fly Tying [Plastic Comb]

Maurice Beliveau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

Plastic comb binding with title stamped on binding for easy identification. Format lays flat for easy use in following step-by-step instructions

Proven system of teaching based on years of testing with TU tiers

With this straightforward manual any beginner can get started fly tying. Based on the course taught by the Basil W. Woods chapter of Trout Unlimited (NH), the book covers the 21 basic skills every tier needs to learn, practice, and perfect: tying on, the whip finish, pinch tying, abrading, dubbing, working with wings and hackle, and the high tie method. After the basic techniques, the book moves on to the step-by-step instructions for tying 18 popular flies. Beliveau simplifies the often intimidating world of fly tying and gives just the right amount of detail to enable tiers to fill their flyboxes with the dry flies, wet flies, streamers, and nymphs they need for all kinds of trout fishing."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author and illustrator Maurice Beliveau is an active Trout Unlimited member and fly fisherman. He lives in Bedford, New Hampshire.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 96 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; Spi edition (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811726509
• ISBN-13: 978-0811726504
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 4 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,017,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good starter, December 12, 2007

By 

A. Marker (Boise, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ABC's of Fly Tying (Plastic Comb)

I teach how to design instructional materials at a university so when it comes to learning something new myself, I tend to be pretty critical. As a starter book for beginning fly tiers, this book does a pretty good job. This book has a number of strengths.

First its illustrations are in color. You wouldn't think that would make a difference but for those beginning to tie flies, color is a pretty strong cue to whether or not you're using the right materials. I would have preferred good photographs to the illustrations the author uses, but the illustrations get the job done.

There are also frequent cues in the text that link the author's descriptions to the illustrations. There isn't a lot of space in a book (more a booklet) this size for using white space to separate steps so this is a reasonable way to conserve space while retaining clarity.

Roughly the first half of the book is devoted to learning basics about hook and fly types, hook sizes, and basic tying techniques that you'll use later. Instructionally, this is sound and it's presented in a way that allows you to skip over them if you find them unnecessary. I found that it had one of the instructions on using a Matarelli whip finisher of any of the several fly tying books I purchased.

Finally, the book is narrow and uses a spiral binder. This means that it sits comfortably beside your tying materials without taking up valuable desk space.

If you're looking to get into tying and don't have much time or the availability of an instructor, this introduction is a reasonable choice - it will get you started without overwhelming you. Though honestly, I preferred Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple by Skip Morris, or Fly Tying for Beginners by Peter Gathercole.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting started in Fly tying, March 22, 2002

By 

Scott Beaudreau (Warwick, Rhode Island United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ABC's of Fly Tying (Plastic Comb)

I have never tied flies before and just started fly fishing a year ago. This book provides detailed instructions and illustrations on how to tie a variety of flies. Even if you have never done this before. The book covers materials, various patterns, knots, and more. The illustrations are large, colorful, and easy to understand. A very good book for a beginner.