Customer Reviews

Nymphs Volume I: The Mayflies: The Major Species

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an excellent book that combines so many different elements. Schwiebert has enough biology information that this was the reference for a long time; but it is really his famous literary skills that make this book. I guess it would date me but I can remember the first Schwiebert story I read in an ancient Flyfisherman magazine - you could always tell them because people spoke in italics, not quotes!

The book is chock full of stories and suggestions; in particular you can read Schwiebert's ideas on the ideal fly rod, fishing during a big stonefly hatch and the art of matching the hatch for nymphs.

The colour plates are gorgeous and the paper was very high quality - my copy still looks brand new. If you see a copy I highly recommend buying it.

Ernie, is an enlightened flyfisher and writer. The narrative is beautiful so are the colour plates of nymphs in the centerpages.

I was a bit disappointed in the lack of photography.

Lots of dressings throughout the book which could do with a photo of the pattern.

I regard this book as a must have althgough I feel it could be well embellished by addition of colour photography.

Pier

Ernest Schwiebert originally published this monumental work in 1973, never fully satisfied that it was complete and up-to-date. He continued to work on it for 30 years until his death, and never ceased to improve, create, and record new illustrations, ideas, and fly patterns. Fortunately, his son picked up where he left off and provided us with this new (2007) volume that includes all the work Ernest had put into the ever-evolving treatise on aquatic insects that trout eat. The figures are stunning. The text is rich and full of pertinent scientific information, fishing stories, and ideas about how and why the imitations work. Simply put, this book is the bible of nymph fishing information. You will not read it in one sitting. You won't get through it in a week. Not a month. Probably most useful as a reference book, or something that you can gradually wade through over a couple of seasons, the knowledge and learnings of 30+ years on the water and in the lab are something that will truly astound and impress you.

This book should definitely be in the library of any angler who wants to learn more about the wonderfully cryptic and colorful world of subaquatic insects. It would be a perfect gift for any fly fisher and I cannot recommend it enough.

This pair of books is a lovely final chapter in the incomparable legacy of Ernest Schwiebert. Although he died before finishing this master work, his very capable son, Erik, finished the project with the help of a who's who of entomolgists, biologists and many others in the scientific community. It is a serious angling work, "...intended, after all, for an audience of serious anglers." And, it should be noted that this abundance of information is provided, couched comfortably in the author's mellifluous tales and his resonant, implacable voice.

These books should be on any serious anglers shelf, period. And, if you are not serious, then these books might make you so.

This is no dry treatise on entomology. The stories and anecdotes in this delightfully entertaining tome have made this one of my most cherished books in my fly-fishing library. It is not something to be read in one sitting, however; more on the order of something to be savored over the years.

If you are wondering if this is a book for you, go to the library and sample it. If you are like me, you will have a difficult time putting it down.

Of course the book is (obviously) primarily a highly technical reference book; I am unashamed to admit being completely unqualified to review this aspect of the book.

Ernie Schwiebert was a true renaissance man. He enjoyed art, science, history, food, fishing, and life. I never met him, but through his writing, I feel as if I somehow know him. Not only has he fished many of the same places I've found myself, but he's travelled globally in pursuit of his passions. This book is much more than simply a pattern book, or a book on entomology. It is a veritable journey around the globe, through time, and alongside the most prominent (and not-so prominent) fly-fishers in history. Thoroughly enjoyable, but also exactingly precise, this tome will keep you reading for years to come. The patterns are practical and numerous. Do you need all of them? No. Well...probably not...unless you encounter very specific conditions. But if you pay close attention to the water, as Schwiebert has demonstrated, more times than not, those "special circumstances" may become the norm.

This volume is a hugely expanded version of Ernie Schwiebert's 1973 volume. His son Eric picked up the slack left after Ernie's passing in 2005. Erik finished the book, and with the help of others who loved Ernie, got this masterful volume published in 2007. Astonishingly, Ernie Schwiebert had never stopped working on new art, new text, and new experiences in all those 33 years. The man is an inspiration! His artistic style is impecable and the color plates are worthy of being framed. I only wish the images were larger...but then I might be tempted to rip them out and hang them on the wall...so perhaps little is best.

If you are passionate about fly fishing, or ecology, or even history, or just plain good stories...this book and its companion volume (Vol. 2) are well worth your time. These books encompass the life of a man who lived more in one lifetime than most of us even dare to dream for. You're life WILL be richer for sampling from this masterpiece.

Wonderfully written + highly informative = One of the best reference books I have ever seen. Both books in this series (Nymphs volume I & II) are absolutely great. Very detailed descriptions of practically every species of Mayfly, plus fly tying recipes for each one. This book is recommended for both beginners to fly fishing and fly tying, as well as those seasoned veterans who are looking for a comprehensive reference.

Nymphs Volume II is a great addition to a fly fisherman's library. Highly detailed descriptions of various aquatic insects, with fly recipies for each one. Great color plates of drawings of the actual insects. This an excellent book as both a reference as well as an enjoyable read. Well worth the price - Also check out Nymphs volume I (Mayflies) I was so impressed with Volume II, I purchased Volume I.

Perfect written book but I tought it was full of images about insects, but nothing just text!