Dyeing and Bleaching Natural Fly-Tying Materials [Hardcover]

A. K. Best (Author), John Gierach (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1993

The second edition of this important book focuses on one of the most crucial aspects of the fly-tyer's art: color control. It is the most important book devoted entirely to the subject-an indispensable and practical handbook by one of America's finest and most respected professional fly tyers.
A. K. Best explores the equipment and supplies needed for accurate and safe dyeing and bleaching--most of them commonly available. Then he progresses on such subjects as

· Body Feathers
· Bucktails
· Deer and Elk Hair
· Calf and Squirrel Tails
· Furs
· Bleaching
· Dye Recipes
· Color Removal
· Stripping Quills
· Fur Blending

A. K.'s new material in this second edition augments the original with over a decade of new tips, techniques, and refinement. Dyeing and Bleaching is an indispensable book for all fly tyers who want more precise colors for their fly patterns.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This important book is narrowly focused on one of the key aspects of the fly-tyer's art: color control. It is the first book wholly devoted to the subject - and it is a definitive, practical handbook by one of America's finest and most respected professional fly tyers.A. K. Best explores the equipment and supplies needed for accurate and safe dyeing and bleaching - most of them commonly available. Then he progresses with chapters on such subjects as "Body Feathers," "Bucktails," "Deer and Elk Hair," "Calf and Squirrel Tails," "Furs," "Bleaching," "Dye Recipes," "Color Removal," "Stripping Quills," and "Fur Blending."This is an indispensable book for all fly tyers who want more precise colors - and color is critical! - for their fly patterns. (7 1/4 X 9 1/2, 136 pages, color photos, b&w photos)

About the Author

A. K. BEST has tied flies and fly fished for over thirty-five years, and his books on the subject of fly tying-Production Fly Tying, Dying and Bleaching Natural Fly Tying Materials, and A. K.'s Fly Box-have become modern classics in fly-tying literature. He is also the Fly-Tying Editor for Fly Rod & Reel magazine, and contributes to the Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide, the Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Journal, and several websites. The Quill Body Dry flies he originated are produced by a leading manufacturer for sale throughout the world. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, and appears regularly in John Gierach's popular fishing adventures.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 136 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (April 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558212140
• ISBN-13: 978-1558212145
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dyeing and Bleaching for natural fly material is Great, December 14, 2007

By 

M. Fontanella "Hiding in America" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dyeing and Bleaching, Second Edition: Natural Fly-Tying Materials (Hardcover)

If you ever thought that you might be interested in this topic, this is the book. Easy to understand and lots of great tips to get started and continue on.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dyeing and Bleaching, July 6, 2009

By 

J. Horrer (Salt Lake City UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dyeing and Bleaching, Second Edition: Natural Fly-Tying Materials (Hardcover)

If you plan to try your own dyeing and bleaching of furs and feathers than you need this book it will save you a lot of time and trouble and cut the learning curve down to nothing. it tells you just what you need and how to mix the dyes and how to prep the fur (like it tells you to soak the fur or feather in water for a while before dyeing, I have never read that any place else and it helped) so lots of information and tips
if I had purchased this book frist I would have save the cost on failed fur dyeing.
I rate this a 5 star must have book

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Way Through the Woods, January 12, 2010

By 

Magilla (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dyeing and Bleaching, Second Edition: Natural Fly-Tying Materials (Hardcover)

A.K. Best, long known as one of the premier technical fly tyers, has penned a work that allows the average fly tyer, with minimal amounts of training and materials, a way of achieving necessary or needed colors in common feathers and furs used in fly tying.

Best, in his own straight forward technical way, takes the reader from step to step in the preparation, bleaching, dyeing and final processing of a number of common fly tying materials. The steps are clear and the text is laced with a number of "common sense" ideas which may not be immediately apparent to the novice (or intermediate for that matter) tyer.

A must-read for anyone going beyond the initial amateur stages of fly tying.