Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada [Paperback]

Bill Sunderland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

From Lake Almanor's exciting hex hatch in the north to the lovely golden trout of Monache Meadows in the south, "Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada" describes when, where and how to fish California's premier mountain range. Detailed maps and directions chart the way to hundreds of rivers, creeks and lakes that offer some of the best fishing in the state. No matter where you go, you'll know what flies to use and be privy to angling secrets that result from years of fishing the region. Toss in some history, geological background and a bit of humor, and the result is a book that will be on the must-have list of every trout angler who fishes California.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bill Sunderland has fly fished since he learned the sport from his father in Idaho a half-century ago. He's been a journalist and writer almost that long, working as a foreign correspondent, political writer, editor, and newspaper owner/publisher before concentrating his writing on fishing. Bill is also co-author of "California Blue Ribbon Trout Streams" (published by Frank Amato Publications) and writes regularly for a number of fly-fishing magazines. In addition, he is a contributing editor to California Fly Fisher magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Aguabonita Books; First edition. edition (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096525660X
• ISBN-13: 978-0965256605
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #906,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical guide oriented towards major trans-sierra highways, September 7, 1999

By 

"yesavage2" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada (Paperback)

I have just finished reading the new guide entitled Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada by Bill Sunderland, (Aguabonita Books, 1999). When I first heard about it I thought this was the last thing we needed, as Ralph Cutter has long had the definitive guide to the High Sierra, now in its second edition. However, upon reading the new work I see that the two are complementary. Basically Cutter's book assumed you would be backpacking in to high country lakes; Sunderland's book assumes you will making the initial approach by car, essentially along one of the many transsierra highways. Thus the new book takes you up Interstate 80, US 50 and California 4 and 108 and tells you where to get off. Having spend decades coming up these roads without a clue where to find good fishable streams makes the book worth its price immediately. Spending a lot of time in photography myself, I could not help comparing the photographic content of the two works. Both are of top quality. Here Sunderland had considerable help, but I tire a bit long exposures of slow film on rushing streams resulting in flowing milk rather than water. A little fill-flash would not have hurt on some of the images. All in all, I found Cutter's photos and illustrations a small cut above. Cutter also spends 21 pages with detailed illustrations on "Trout food" to 4 pages by Sunderland. On the other hand, where Sunderland shines is the clear maps. There are sufficiently detailed maps of all the major roads and access to the relevant waters. There were a couple I would have liked to learned even a bit more detail. Getting off on those Forest Service roads (where the locals seem to lisf the signs each season) is often an adventure without GPS. Yet, given the number of anglers currently in California, a little obscurity for some streams will not hurt. A nice touch by Sunderland is the extensive listings of resources such as fly shops, camp grounds ranger stations for each section. In sum, Cutter is basically High Mountains and foot travel with a lot on basic techniques. Sunderland is more stream-oriented and road travel, a bit like a AAA guide. All in all, both books are complementary and worth the price. Jerome Yesavage, author Desolation Wilderness Fishing Guide END

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book, January 21, 2009

By 

J. Baumann (Truckee, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada (Paperback)

I just finished this book and i have to say it was great. I read it on a trip down to Mexico for a bonefishing trip and it just made me want to go back to the Sierra Nevadas and get my fish on! Highly recommend!!!!
[...]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada, February 3, 2010

By 

John A. Kinsfather "JAK" (CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fly Fishing the Sierra Nevada (Paperback)

If you fish the Sierra you will enjoy the fact that this book is specific to that area alone and covers each section of the sierra, both West and East, in detail. Each section is accompanied by a general map for reference. I enjoyed the book and know I will use it for a ready reference, in the future. I have not seen the updated version but would hope that the area maps are more detailed.
John A. Kinsfather