Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia of Fishing Knots & Rigs

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book should have been tested by handing it to novices and watch them tie while attempting to follow the diagrams. I think the results would have been hilarious. I still find it useful, but I wish another 10% had been added for the sake of clarity. It would then be a 5-star book instead of 3-star. After a 23-year hiatus, I am returning to serious fishing as I step into retirement, so naturally I have to learn to use the new materials and also try to revive my old skills. One challenge is knot-tying and splicing with the new and slippery super lines (Gelspun) like SpiderWire and Power Pro. I bought two knot books, the Waterproof Book of Knots and this Geoff Wilson Encyclopedia from Australia. To its credit the Wilson book lives up to its name; it is definitely encyclopedic, dedicated to fishing, and printed on good paper with very clear drawings. It has a great section on rigging baits and is pretty well organized. Bluntly, some of the directions are simply a mystery. When it says, to splice a super line to monofilament "Tie a knot in the braided lines and pull the entire monofilament through," I have no idea of what kind of knot I am supposed to tie, the tag ends are not labeled so I can identify them in the diagram, there is no explanation of how to interpret the diagram conventions, and frequently I feel more steps should be added to many of the instructions. Some knots do have more understandable diagrams, and some diagrams do identify which end is what, but it is inconsistent. I found the book frustrating, but believe when I learn more about knot tying in general, I will become more comfortable with it. By the way, the Waterproof Book of Knots is expensive for a small, limited book, but I had no trouble comprehending the drawings.

Geoff Wilson's Encyclopedia Of Fishing Knots & Rigs is a 128-page compendium of fishing knots that are essential for anglers of all skill levels, and instructions that teach the most novice fisherman how to master them quickly. The revealing, step-by-step visual digrams make the instructions extremely explicit. This is an absolute "must-have", user friendly, quick reference for the dedicated fisherman.

This book was written and published in Australia. Consequently, some of the names for knots US fly fishermen are familiar with have different names in the book. But that is a small matter. There are a number of knots that I have not (no pun intended) seen in other knot tying manuals which are both clever and effective. The price is right. However, the majority of the knots described are intended for bait and hardware fishermen. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is for that reason. It would be nice if the author prepared a book solely for fly fishing.

The most comprehensive knot instructional book geared toward the fisherman I've seen, all in the size of a pamphlet. Wilson's treatment of fly fishing knots, fresh water and saltwater rigs alone make this book a worthwhile read. And there is much, much more. So many anglers limit themselves to the old cinch and blood knots for tying everything. Browsing through this one can be amazed at just how many more options exist, most knots shown are tied at least as easy as the old standbys just mentioned. Much of what's in this book can get pretty complex so be prepared to spend practice time learning things like a Dacron splices or plaited splices if joining lines is what you need. The instructions are clear and well supported with illustrations. Well worth getting.