Customer Reviews

Spring Creeks

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

 

 

Within the corpus of technical American fly-fishing literature an innovative and influential text on the finer aspects of flat-water trout angling eludes us. For years I anxiously awaited "Spring Creeks" and had automatically incucted Lawson into the "KLM club" (i.e. the best American fly-fishing authors to date: Kreh, LaFontaine, and Marinaro). Unfortunately, this book is a missed opportunity and certianly does not deserve a "must read" distinction.
Why have I elected to write such a harsh criticism of Lawson's "Spring Creeks?" Foremost, Lawson has been working on this project for a long time (10 or more years I belive), which provides ample opportunity for critical and innovative research. Additionally, he has the best labratory imaginable--Harriman State Park on the Henry's Fork. These two factors, I argue, should have resulted in something new and profound (e.g. fly design theory pertaining to flat-water trout, technical "how to" features that expand upon current tactics, unique insect and trout behavior, and more) but "Spring Creeks" is largely anecdotal and undisciplined; more importantly, it does not expand upon the previous contributions provided by other authors. A beautiful book it is, a fine addition to any angling library--sure, but a text that consumes one's free time--no.

Superb book. The author is the master of spring creek and tail waters and explains all that very well to the reader. Pictures are fantastic.
Every fly fisherman, experienced or novice, needs to have this book.

I think I have learned something from virtually every page. This book is absolutely fantastic and belongs on every fly fisherman's or fisherwoman's bookshelf.

Except for the last 1/4th, whichis more directly instructional, Lawson writes in a casual conversational style that must be read carefully to pick up many little bits of information and insight. He credits others for all his know-how, but I watched him fish a difficult stretch in front of his shop. He and Will Godfrey were the only ones who caught anything that afternoon. He knows western spring creeks as few others do. One minor criticism--he mentions midwestern spring creeks only in passing. (He also ignores his own advice concerning red shirts.)

This may be the best fly fishing book on spring creeks, but after nearly 5 weeks Amazon have not delivered, so I don't actually know. Ordered on the 16th September, quoted delivery up to 31st October. It had to come from U.S.A to England but a week after, I ordered someting on Amazon Market place which came from U.S.A that arrived on 14th October. Com on Amazon.com pull your socks up