The Complete Steelheader: Successful Fly-fishing Tactics [Hardcover]

John Larison (Author), James R. Larison (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 2008

The Complete Steelheader: Successful Fly-Fishing Tactics is a comprehensive guide that explains effective approaches and presentations for steelhead and gives suggestions for fly patterns that will attract the most fish. It provides an in-depth look at steelhead behavior and carefully outlines techniques commonly used by fly-fishing guides. Larison presents a different way of approaching the river, a methodology that is more aptly suited to the habits and habitat of modern steelhead.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Larison was born and raised in the heart of Oregon's steelhead country. A former guide and fly-fishing instructor, his writing has appeared in Gray's Sporting Journal, Fly Rod and Reel, American Angler, Fly Fishing and Tying Journal, Salmon and Steelhead Journal, and Fly Fisherman where he serves as the Northwest Field Editor. He lives with his wife, Ellie Rose, in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; First Edition edition (February 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811734668
• ISBN-13: 978-0811734660
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #680,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have been WAITING for this book!, March 4, 2008

By 

Wintersteelhead "Max" (Olympia, WA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Complete Steelheader: Successful Fly-fishing Tactics (Hardcover)

Up until now, I haven't come across a book as full of detailed information and great photos that also offered a refreshing (and often hilarious) glimpse into the culture of steelheading. Larison's writing style is easy and humble. It is about time a steelhead flyfishing author came along who is able to cut through all the bravado and self-glorified big fish stories and just tell you how to catch more chromers! The stories and information he presents are both helpful and witty. (Check out the chapter on skating). This one will be staying off the shelf and on the table for a while.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steelhead presentations, January 7, 2010

By 

R. Miller "The Music Lover" (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Steelheader: Successful Fly-fishing Tactics (Hardcover)

I have been fishing for steelhead for over 30 years and found this to be an excellent book, especially the very complete descriptions on different presentations from wet-fly swings to dead-drift to fishing with indicators. My home waters are the Deschutes so I am pretty much stuck in a rut fishing wet fly and greased line swings with some sink-tip during the day. However, I am recently retired and getting into winter steelhead fishing and find I have a lot to learn. I have enjoyed many of the other steelhead books by Combs, Hogan, etc. but found the descriptions on the different presentations the most complete in Larison's book. He also includes a nice collection of some different and very effective steelhead flies not included in other books such as the Lifter pattern. John's father does a beautiful job with the photography and John's style of writing is easy and enjoyable to read. The bottom line: the book is loaded with information and will definitely improve my steelheading skills.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, May 12, 2008

By 

J. McGee "caretaker" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Steelheader: Successful Fly-fishing Tactics (Hardcover)

Good information, easy to read. Hard to find this kind of sportsman with experience that can also teach and share his knowledge in a way that is easy to understand. I guess it helps that he's a professor at a college when he's not fishing. Great gift book too.