Spey Flies and How to Tie Them [Hardcover]

Bob Veverka (Author), Michael Radencich (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2003

Elegant and graceful, Spey flies originated on the River Spey in northeastern Scotland and are well over 150 years old. Author Bob Veverka, passionate about Spey flies, gives us the history and background on classic Spey, Dee, Don, Eagle, and Steelhead Spey patterns, including step-by-step instructions for tying the Lady Caroline, White-Winged Akroyd Dee, and Orange Heron. The chapter on materials is loaded with insights from decades of tying and the descriptions of salmon fly materials will quickly become a standard reference for all those who tie salmon or steelhead flies. The special challenges of tying Spey and Spey-style flies--winding the long body hackles, wrapping the collars, mounting the unique wings, finding substitutes for materials no longer available--are explained and solved. Although the original patterns from the River Spey and River Dee have fathered a large, varied, and ever-growing family, a common theme ties all these flies together. "The essence of the Spey style remains the same," Bob Veverka writes, "a body of silk and fur; a long, mobile body hackle; a set of low-set wings; and a small, neat head."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

"Bob has arrived at a style of tying the beautiful Spey flies found in this book," Poul Jorgensen writes, "which surely places him among the world's most accomplished salmon fly tiers." Veverka, who lives in Vermont, is also the author of Innovative Saltwater Flies (0811709027).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 159 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (December 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811700321
• ISBN-13: 978-0811700320
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #672,608 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for Spey Fly Enthusiasts and Anglers in General, February 24, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Spey Flies and How to Tie Them (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful book. Part history book, part fly recipes and tying instructions. The book is worth buying for the tremendous photographs alone. These pictures highlight these elegant flies and show them as the works of art that they are. The step by step instructions are very helpful and the chapter on materials is excellent. All in all, well researched, written and published. A tremendous reference for any salmon/steelhead junkie!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spey - nicely done, March 21, 2004

By 

Former Rater (Nowhere) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Spey Flies and How to Tie Them (Hardcover)

Mr. Veverka has a direct writing style that is immediately accessible. This is a very, very nice treatment of a niche within a niche.

Spey flies are Salmon flies - (and Steelhead flies) of the "Spey" persuasion. Spey flies are a traditional type of Scottish Salmon fly where most of the originals call for Herron feathers. This fine book proves that the modern Spey fly can be tied well with substitutes for the original feathers.

The history of the Spey fly, the materials and examples of many classic dressings are stunning and well presented through Mr. Veverka's prose and Mr. Radencich's excellent photography. This book explores modern variations on these flies including an excellent, in-depth selection of modern Steelhead Spey flies.

The dressing guides are well written and clearly illustrated (again, featuring Mr. Radencich's excellent photographs) making the task of tying the historical patterns within the reach of most mere mortal fly tiers. The modern Steelhead Spey flies are well within the skills of any intermediate fly tier.

5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd best book on Spey flies, March 19, 2011

By 

Joel Stansbury (Lexington, Ky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spey Flies and How to Tie Them (Hardcover)

This book is almost as well done as John Shewey's Spey & Dee Flies. Bob Veverka is without a doubt the 'Best Fly Tyer" I have ever had the pleasure to tie with. He has an unbelievable 'touch' with materials. Somehow he makes any material succumb to his purpose.

The book delves into his personal history as well as the history & development of the Spey fly both overseas and on the west coast. There are detailed instructions on 'his' methods of tying as well as traditional methods.

I have always admired the 'wicked streamlined' look of his wings. If I have one criticism, it would be that I would have liked more how to examples on the different methods of winging. However, he shows how 'He does it', and the point of the book is to demonstrate how He ties the best looking flies in the world.

This is a must have book for anyone who wants to become an accomplished tyer of Spey & Dee Flies.

Joelst