Customer Reviews

The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide, Completely Revised and Updated with Over 400 New Color Photos and Illustrations

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I would say this book along with the L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing are the two single best resources available for new fly fisherman. Both have tons of information and both have wonderful color pictures and diagrams. I would not hesitate to order either book. In fact, at the time of this review both books are priced identically here at Amazon. If you must pick only one of the two books I would give the slightest of nods to the LL Bean book. Why? Because it has about 50 additional pages and a better section on fly tying. On a scale of 1-10 I'd give the LL Bean book a 9.5 and I'd give the Orvis book a 9.0. Either way you are going to get a fantastic resource.

This is the new edition of one of the best books for introducing anyone to the sport of fly fishing, whether the angler wants to shop for equipment at Orvis or Wal-Mart. The information is clearly explained without going into tedious details that novices (and experienced anglers) don't want. Everything is covered here--from rod types to fly lines to casting basics. The excellent graphics are helpful--especially of the knots. Some books have knot instructions that are impossible to follow--"knot" so here! For someone who wants to start fly fishing, this book would make a great start. Orvis no doubt added the color illustrations to compete with "L.L.Bean's Handbook to Fly-Fishing" (another excellent "How to" book). So, if you're looking for "How to" info, this is the book to get; for inspiration (both about fishing and life itself), pick up Schreiber's novel, "Life on the Fly."

I am a novice to fly fishing. I had ordered Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide together with the L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing and I have to say that L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing has a slight advantage over this one. On the other hand though, this book provides a well-rounded package of information on fly fishing, which the beginners will no doubt appreciate in time as well once they get past the basics. Pros: This is a well written book for all fly fishers. Nobody will find it boring. Even the most advanced fly fishing enthusiasts will benefit from this book. Con: The beginners might have difficulty understanding the basic concepts and terminology. In conclusion, I think I will learn the fundamentals of this sport/pastime from the L.L. Bean guide at the beginning and will advance to Orvis book to refine my knowledge and build on my experience. I definitely recommend it.

I found the LL Bean Guide to be much more informative to a new trout fisherman than The Orvis Fly-Sishing Guide, Completely Revised and Updated with Over 400 New Color Photos and Illustrations. I bought both books, along with The Orvis Guide to Beginning Fly Fishing: 101 Tips for the Absolute Beginner, as a package from Amazon. This book was quite a bit more informative than the Orvis book. While expected promotion of the Orvis brand, the Orvis book is practically a sales catalog for the Orvis brand, whereas the LL Bean book focused more on casting techniques and other much needed information, that was less in depth with the Orvis book. Also, the Orvis book dedicates way too many pages to fly tying, well over 1/3rd of the book, an art that is surely lost on the beginner fly fisherman. I firmly believe that most new fly fisherman will buy flys for quite a while before beginning to tie their own. There is so much to learn and practice in fly fishing to take on the art of fly tying in my opinion.

If you are new to fly fishing and looking for a book, this is it. This book covers all the basics that a person new to the sport will need. But where other intro books are too high level, this book also goes into enough detail to actually provide some insight and understanding of the sport. I have been fly fishing for three years now and have re-read this book before each season. It makes more and more sense each time I read it as I can relate my experiences each year back to what is in the book.

Just recently started Fly Fishing again after 20 year so thought I would update my copy. It was more than worth it. The book has been updated with changes in techniques. Highly recommended for beginners or even more experienced fishers who my be trying new things or brushing up on their basics.

I think the reviewer who complained there was too much fly-tying in this book must have it confused with another book. There is absolutely no fly-tying in it--this book is strictly a guide to the basics of fly FISHING.

For very good information tool for the novice flyfisherman and it's even a good reference guide for the more experienced flyfishing individual.

After four months of scouring the internet for all the information I could gather on fly fishing to begin my fly fishing adventure I finally purchased this book and it has become my fly fishing reference staple. The book is laid out well and makes for a good cover to cover read or a thumb through it reference guide. I highly recommend this book for anyone beginning their fly fishing adventure.

Fly-fishing is an endlessly complex pursuit. To catch that lunker you need to know a lot about subjects seemingly arcane and esoteric. For instance, insects and their respective life cycles are a matter of great importance. Fly fishers will get excited about the creepy crawlies that they discover under streambed rocks. They may even suction the contents of a hapless trout stomach to study the bugs that may be found within.

You also need to know about knots, tippets, leaders and fly lines (there are many kinds); the hydrodynamics of streams and tides, the theory and practice of casting, and on and on and on.

The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide provides a path into this labyrinth of complexity.

Tom Rosenbauer makes it accessible with a straightforward and comprehensive overview of the many facets of this sport. It's clearly written and well organized, and the updated edition contains over 400 new color illustrations.

One shortcoming is the inclusion of a bit more Orvis self-promotion than necessary. There's a whole chapter on gear, which looks and feels a bit like the Orvis catalog. And in the section on fly rod selection, Rosenbauer describes the Orvis Flex Index in great detail. Not very useful if you're considering a rod from another manufacturer.

But all in all this is a good book, and one that will certainly be helpful to the beginning fly fisherperson.