Customer Reviews

The Orvis Fly-Tying Guide

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I just began to investigate the world of fly tying. This was the third or fourth book I read in detail, and the only one that provided enough detail to actually tie some simple flies correctly.

It provides a good combination of clarity on specific techniques, and step-by-step instructions on tying several patterns. Both the photos and the text are clear and easy to follow. Also, things are not made more tricky than they actually are, a problem with some of the other books.

I also just bought the Benchside Reference, which I agree with all is an indispensible reference. I could not put it down after I got it from the library, and that is saying a lot for a reference book. I think with the two, the typical beginner could tie a decent Wooly Bugger in an hour -- I did.

The book shows in very clear colour detail the upright (hair & feather) wing, parachute, klinchammer, dubbing, hackle and has a vast number of fly patterns. This book is very good for beginners and those who are experimenting and starting to advance. Reading this book should give anyone a good strong basis on which to build.

This is a great beginner's introduction to fly tying but it doesn't stop there. It continues to build on itself such that you will soon be tying more complex flies. The beginning of the book discusses tools and materials needed, in much detail. Then, there are extremely detailed descriptions, with many color photos, of how to tie, step by step, all sorts of flys. Finally, there is a section of fly "recipes" with photos, covering hundreds of other flies that you will be able to tie using the techniques of the previous detailed, step by step section. Did I mention that the photography is superb? Get this book; you won't regret it!

This is the book that got me started fly-tying and I am an enthusiastic fan. What makes it a perfect book, in my eyes, is that it focuses on very detailed step-by-step descriptions for tying a relatively small number of flies. They are selected to cover a wide range of styles and techniques -- so by the end of the book you have tied a few streamers, a few nymphs, a few dry flies, a few terrestrials, and a few saltwater flies. In doing so, you've learned a number of key techniques, starting with the basics (tying on the thread, tying on materials, etc) and ending with some more intermediate skills (like spinning deer hair; using epoxy, etc).

Most importantly, once you've mastered a few of these flies, you've got the basic tools to start exploring the web. Fly tying websites and youtube are great sources for fly tying patterns and inspiration. After you've worked through parts of this book, you're ready to start taking advantage of all the information floating around the web.

If you're looking for a book that covers hundreds of different patterns, this book is probably not what you're looking for (although the appendix does contain color photos and materials lists for a hundred or more flies). But if you're a beginner, looking to learn basic skills through tying a few very useful flies, this is the perfect book.

Once again, Tom Rosenbauer delivers a clearly-written, practical, and insightful book on fly-fishing. This time he looks at tying and gives many practical tips--especially on the use of tools and materials. For example, a beginner is hit with all these tools--which ones are best, which ones to use, etc. Rosenbauer gives clear descriptions of which tools are most useful, what they're used for, and which ones you don't really need. At the same time, he gives tips from his experience--also useful for the expert.

The bulk of the book is, of course, the fly-tying receipes. He provides many photographs of each step in making a fly. The many photos are probably more than the expert will need, but very important for a beginner. For the expert, you get many great fly receipes.

Overall, highly recommended fly-tying guide.

This has got to the most useful fly-tying guide I've ever read. It covers every single aspect from the basic to the most complicated flies. Detailed instructions are arranged in such a way that every fly builds on the same techniques learned previously. If you are going to buy one book on tying flies, get this one!

As if fly fishing is not difficult enough in and of itself, eventually the time comes when the fisher person figures that tying their own flies will provide a leg up on that wily brown trout. This ushers in a whole new world of demanding and complex minutiae - the study of the properties of various feathers and furs, the design and nomenclature of a myriad of hooks, the performance of various threads, yarns, wires and tinsels, all in the context of an ever deepening understanding of the life cycles of all manner of aquatic and other insects.

Like the sport itself, this calls for a mass of paraphernalia. Before long you'll have a vise as well as bobbins, dubbing tools, hair stackers, high precision snippers, and more. And then there's the matter of materials - marabou, pheasant tail, peacock herl, all manner of hackles, as well as elk and deer hair, muskrat fur, hare's mask, and squirrel tail just for starters.

And just what, might you ask, is a hare's mask?

It's basically a bunny's face, including the ears. You'll use it to tie a gold ribbed hare's ear nymph, as well as many other useful patterns.

As I was entering the house with my squirrel tail and hare's mask tucked under my arm, my wife apprehended me and, horrified at my new acquisitions, relegated them to the garage.

While the Orvis Fly-Tying Guide won't help you sort out marital problems, it will disentangle virtually every other thorny knot that the budding fly tyer is likely to encounter. Author Tom Rosenbauer once again makes things seem simple with a lucid and well-organized exposition of this art.

The book is comprised of three sections. Part 1, The Basics, goes over essential skills and demystifies tools and various materials. Part 2, Tying Instructions, provides detailed and very well illustrated step-by-step guidance for producing a variety of the most important flies. This section is sequenced in increasing order of difficulty. By the time you've worked your way through Part 2 you'll be a pretty accomplished tyer. But this isn't just an introductory guide. Part 3 is a rich pattern index providing pictures and recipes for a host of additional flies.

But be forewarned, you're gonna need some black bear hair, arctic fox tail, ostrich herl, and wood duck flank feathers. Oh well, just another run out to the garage...

This is the second time I've purchased this book over the years. It is thorough, easy to follow, and great illustrations as well. The only thing I wish it had was to be spiral-bound so that the book would lay flat as I tie. Otherwise buy this one you won't be disappointed!

The plain English explanations and simple, step-by-step directions make this the best fly-tying guide for the novice tier. It's also nice that the author provides substitutions for materials that the tier just might not have lying around.

I throughly enjoy working from this book, and have become an avid fly-tier working with Mr. Rosenbauer. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in getting into fly tying.

This is the best fly tying I have purchased since getting into fly fishing. It has great pictures and easy to follow recipies for lots and lots of flies. Everything you need to know book, this is it.