Customer Reviews

Fly Fishing for Trout

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As I'm writing this, I see it's out of stock from the publisher. The reason I'm still bothering to write a review is to make you feel a little better if you're dying to find it. I noticed it got rave reviews in certain circles. I've wondered if these were friends of Talleur's, or if he simply has a good reputation. I'm an intermediate flyfisherman, and I really didn't find this book as useful as I hoped. It's a *good* book, just not a *very* good book. I found the chapter on leader construction quite useful. The book seems to assume that you'll be fishing during a hatch on classic trout waters. This is only a slight exaggeration, but let's face it - the vast majority of trout flyfishing done in this country is not during the Hendrickson hatch on a calm pool on the Beaverkill. The chapters on casting and rod/reel selection are only mediocre (although I've read better casting instruction, most equipment discussions in books seems to be mediocre.) So that leaves the fishing. And I can't help but noticing a subtle bit of arrogance in Talleur's writing, as if he seems to be saying "This is a great book." I can't put my finger on why. I would have to recommend other books for the fishing aspect, such as Rosenbauer's excellent "Prospecting for Trout" or Humphrey's slightly off-beat "On the Trout Stream". I have glanced at Kreh's "Presenting the Fly" and that may be a real winner - we'll see!

There are a slew of beginner how-to fly fishing manuals out there. This one was recommended recently by a local outfitter store as"The" guide. Not so much. While there were some worthwhile tidbits, there were a a few too many "No Kidding, There I Was..." fish tales and some heavy-handed environmental lessons (acknowledged as such by the author). The book was scant on breaking down the nomenclature and utility of specific gear. The hatch/fly section was useful but far more attuned to the etymology than the lure strategy. Yeah, this may be out of print, but I'd be leery of those selling it as the Anglers' Bible.

Twenty years ago I bought "Fly Fishing For Trout", the previous incarnation of this book (from a different publisher) and it made me a fly fisherman. I've already been through three copies of the present (expanded, revised, updated) edition, as the people I lend it to never return it.
While the book does have it's shortcomings, such as an outdated equipment section, and a slant toward Eastern (Catskill) style fishing, it is still an incredibly complete and concise overview of what you need to know to become a proficient
trout angler. I do not find Mr. Talleur's style overly arrogant. I believe that this is a tightly targeted work, aimed, as it says in the title, for beginners. Just before the beginning of every season I read it again, and I am always a better fisherman for it.
For an experienced angler, there would be better books, but if you are the person in the title, a beginner, this should be the first book you read.