Customer Reviews

Trout Flies: The Tier's Reference

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have many books on fly tying. If I was to choose one book on the subject of trout flies and tying them it is this one. Great commentary, great pictures and a sensible methodology for choosing the right pattern all help Trout Flies to be the only trout fly reference I need in my collection. Thank you David Hughes and Stackpole books.

This book is an absolute must for anyone who has ever tied a fly novice or seasoned veteran .Clear concise instruction fanatastic color photography and proper step by step instruction after having strugled through magazines and books that appeared promising and spending hundreds of dollars in search of the help a self taught tyer desperatly needs this book was all i needed from the start thank-you Mr. Hughs and thank-you Amazon for leading me to this wonderful gift of knowledge!

This is an outstanding book on several counts. The quality of the printing itself is high - 480 full color, glossy pages. Frankly, Amazon's price ... for this book is more than reasonable.

As for the content; Hughes' style is his usual - no fluff, succinct, simple, elegant, no bull, very down to earth. He has a great way of organizing the material for you that clarifies and simplifies rather than obfuscates. He's good at categorizing flies into pattern styles, rather than offering scores of individual recipes that have no obvious similarities. He includes reasons for designing each fly style in a particular way, highlighting the way in which it will be fished and the type of water in which it will be fished. This is immensely helpful for beginner and intermediate tiers and fishermen such as myself. Hughes does not tie flies to put in a frame. He ties flies to catch fish, and he knows we don't have all the time and money in the world to tie up a set of our own flies that will cover most circumstances anywhere we fish. Highly recommended.

By the way, this makes "Essential Trout Flies" obsolete - there's no reason to own both books. On the other hand, if you're on a tight budget, you might consider ETF as a sort of "Cliff's Notes" version of this book. The fundamental content is about the same, although much expanded in this bigger volume.

This is without question Dave Hughes' best book. It is beautifully produced, with -> exact <- tying instructions and the clearest photographs I have seen in a fly tying book.

The title doesn't give a hint about the excellent first chapters of the book. Chapters 1-3 are entitled "Considering Trout Files", "A Unified Theory of Trout Flies", and "Tying Flies for Fishing"; they contain a vast amount of fish-catching wisdom, including why certain flies work and others don't. For example, Hughes describes his change of fly choice method from the standard size-form-color method to choosing by pattern style, which he claims works even if the size and color are somewhat off. Also, he asks the reader to tie flies to fill her/his personal fly boxes by meditation on her/his favorite fishing situation. You get a lot more from this book than the best tying instructions I have ever read.

Do yourself a real favor and buy it, or add it to your wish list. You'll be a better fisher and tier after reading this book; I guarantee it.

Dave Hughes has done a complete crossection of all types of trout flies. The step by step illustrated tying instructions are the most complete I have ever viewed. The color photos emphasize the tying instructions bringing depth to them. Dave shows the balance of presentation and imitation with his fishing techniques. Trout Flies: The Tier's Reference is a must for the beginner to the imtermediate tier/fisherman.

I have been a fly tier and flyfishing book collector for over 30 yrs. I own many books on tying instruction. I rate this one as mediocre at best. I suppose if you do not have any other book to compare, this one appears to be all you need. I felt the author was promoting his patterns and techniques over the tried and true standards of the industry. It has a severe Western US bias. The flies are not well known and have doubtful usefulness outside the Rockies. I also own Ted Leeson's book,"Benchside Reference..." I find it much superior in technique, photos and written instruction as well as using a more familiar base of fly patterns for the tier. It has a format I find more useful. It breaks up the different techniques for each part of the fly and all the variations that can be used. Pay the extra bucks and get Leeson's book. You'll be much happier.

If you have never tied a fly or have been tying for years, this is a great book. You will not be disappointed by the contents, and the photography is as beautiful as it is helpful. A MUST-HAVE book if you're into fly tying! A true pleasure to sit down and read, let alone tie by.

Extremely well done book. The explanations and pictures of the sample flies are the best I've seen to date. Mr. Hughes selections are extremely good choices for western trout waters. I can't put it down and look forward to tying selected flies from the book all winter.

After having known Dave for more then 5 years up to date, I wasshocked when receiving from his hands this unique piece of art. Thereading is as always with Dave... astonishing and breathtaking. Thepictures are fantastic, and the step by step descriptions and details, not only helpful on tying, but also very entertaining, on the contrary of what we usually find in other fly-tying publications. Pictures are of high quality. As best as they can get, and flies are tied for fish... not for your eyes. Dave teaches how to tie them -- and use them too! -- in an easy way, focusing on trout... not on eyes of flyfishermen. The text is poetry! Easy to follow, even for non English native speakers, such as many of my fishing buddies here in Chile and in the Patagonia. Dave's years of knowledge throughout the world's trout streams, rivers, creeks, lakes and lagoons, are in this book. Not only a fly-tying book, but also a comprehensive guide as well as a delightful coffee table book. Oh yes! I bought a second one for tying. The one Dave gifted to me... sits in my coffee table, and it is the envy of all those who haven't bought it yet! Will you miss this great book? Oh no! Don't! Dave's poetry and humility flourishes in it. As always. As with great flyfishermen and writers. Dave's one of them. Thanks for this unique piece of art Dave! A BIG BRAVO FROM CHILE! Your second HOME WATERS.

Dave Hughes has gone beyond the average reference book. Not only does he show you the precise steps involved but also a step by step look at the fly you are tying. Many reference books give you the generic procedures but do not explain how a specific fly is constructed...