Tying the Classic Salmon Fly: A Modern Approach to Traditional Techniques [Hardcover]

Michael D. Radencich (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 1997

Includes step-by-step, fully illustrated instructions on tying a variety of classic salmon patterns by the best salmon fly tiers in North America.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Salmon flies, those colorful yet seemingly impossible creations of fur and feathers on a deadly hook, are within the reach of any fly-tier prepared to study the secrets of several generations of fly-tying pioneers. Editor Michael Radencich goes a long way to present the most up-to-date information on this hallowed art form in the big, beautiful Tying the Classic Salmon Fly: A Modern Approach to Traditional Techniques. With large, crisp color photographs and detailed step-by-step tying instructions, this is a comprehensive guide that instructs while dazzling the eye. You may even want two copies--one for the tying desk and one for the coffee table.

About the Author

Michael D. Radencich has been tying classic salmon flies for twenty years. He currently produces websites and develops interactive DVDs; he is also a professional photographer, videographer, and painter. He lives in Weatherby, Missouri.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (August 18, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811703312
• ISBN-13: 978-0811703314
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,414 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Reference Work, August 22, 2000

By 

Glen Spackman (Wellington, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tying the Classic Salmon Fly: A Modern Approach to Traditional Techniques (Hardcover)

Distinguished by sharp colour photography and clean layout, this book is highly recommended as a reference work for anyone interested in tying and presenting the Classic Salmon fly. I enjoyed the chapter on hook making, (flashbacks to college metal work days), and having previously undertaken some picture framing, found the tips in the fly mounting chapter very useful.The colour photography of the Traherne collection and other patterns presented is excellent. The books contents will be of considerable use to beginner and expert alike.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clearly written, beautifully illustrated great tying instruc, June 7, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Bozeman Montana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tying the Classic Salmon Fly: A Modern Approach to Traditional Techniques (Hardcover)

Radencich's book is nicely written and proved very helpful in thje areas of tying instruction and techniques. Color photography is used extensively throughout and is finely detailed. The chapters on custom hook making and fly mounting are nice additions to the book as it really concentrates on presentation type flies. If I have any complaint at all is that the book does devote a lot of its content to complicated modern patterns and not what I considered true "classic" flies. Though many of these flies are beautiful and, without exception beautifully dressed, I was hoping for a more traditional selection. Also included is a great method for substituting Indian Crow, which I'll be attempting soon. I wished for an expanded section on the substitution of the all but impossible to obtain feathers. This is a major issue for the modern tyer of these patterns and would have been a welcome addition. If the feather in some of the fly patterns that is referred to as "speckled bustard substitute" isn't natural bustard I'd be surprised. It sure isn't turkey! Overall I'd highly recommend this book as a guide to the mechanics of fully dressed salmon flies. My flies have been better proportioned and more neatly tied since I began utilizing some of his tips and I've been tying these patterns for over 15 years. Thanks Mr Radencich

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Superb Photographs and a well done presentation, February 15, 2000

By 

David J. White (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tying the Classic Salmon Fly: A Modern Approach to Traditional Techniques (Hardcover)

Radencich has produced a work of art in this book. The photographs are outstanding, and there are not enough superlatives to do them justice. The steps are so well done as to present a short course in photos alone. Very well done.

As other reviewers have noted, this book is not strong on its historical content or presentation of utilitarian (read: flies for fish...) patterns. It also goes into excruciating detail on wall mounts which while interesting, might have been better spent on other patterns. I found the section on hook making to be very interesting and unique in the literature of salmon flies. This book is hard to put down and sets a new standard of graphics for this genre. Well done, Michael.