Customer Reviews

Fly Tying: Adventures in Fur, Feathers and Fun

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I bought this book with plans to begin tying flies. After watching me tie McKim's "Just a Bug" pattern, my partner had to try it too. Within a few days she, I, our two youngest children (ages 8 and 11), and her father had all tied flies. In addition, with the author's directions, I made two of the tools I now use for tying. The book has loads of information beginners like my family and I need regarding tying techniques, tools, materials, and fishing techniques for new patterns. After tying my first 100 flies (15 patterns) based on the instructions in this book and one other, I was able to examine the fly that gave me an hour of non-stop fishing action last summer and figure out how to tie it. Now I'm ready to return to the stream with a dozen of my favorite pattern fresh off my own vise.

In Fly Tying: Adventures In Fur, Feathers And Fun, experienced angler John McKim presents a complete "how to" a one-volume workshop covering every aspect of creating flys including tools and materials and fly tying techniques. This "fisherman friendly" compendium of advice and instruction is wonderfully illustrated by McKim's line drawings. Very highly recommended for the serious fly fisherman, the informative and practical text is enhanced for the aspiring angler with a glossary of fly tying terms, sources, and an appendix of fly diagram plates.

This is one of the books that got me started years ago. I borrowed it from the local library and I learned so much from it. The drawings are very detailed. You get super-close-ups, and x-ray views not possible with photographs. And the techniques are clearly explained. You also learn tips that can help you skip years ahead of other tyers.

From this great book, I first learned how to whip finish flies by hand (without a tool). This alone made it worth while. But there are so many other gems of insight as well.

Now I am a commercial fly tyer & retailer who ties thousands of flies every year, and I owe much to this book.

This book is more than I hoped for. It explains the art of fly tying in a way that I can comprehend.