Customer Reviews

Tying Emergers: A Complete Guide

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Written by a contributor to "Field & Stream" and "Fly Rod & Reel" magazines, as well as an expert professional photographer with experience in the sports fishing realm, filled cover to cover with over 2,200 step-by-step color photographs, Tying Emergers is a hands on, walk-me-through guide for fishermen of all skill and experience levels. 217 emerger patterns, each with individual fly plate and recipe, ensure that even the most dedicated and practiced emerger fly fisher will see something knew in this amazing and comprehensive resource especially recommended for fly fishing enthusiasts.

This is truly a well made and comprehensive bench side reference for the ambitious fly tier. The first chapter covers in detail different tying techniques that are used for the patterns that follow. The individual patterns themselves are documented in detail with step by step fotos. Therefore, even the novice will be able to tie all patterns that are in this book.
For the pro the book offers a lot of interesting variations on the topic of tying emergers. I can't wait to get my new patterns on the water.

Emergers are great because they are easy to tie; fish like dry flies; catch fish like subsurface flies; take advantage of all the glitzy new materials; and are cheap to tie.

The Dynamic Duo have another wonderfully well produced fly tyer's pattern book here. The fly selection is broad and tips it's hat at some big names, while covering a lot of great patterns. This is not a how to fish emergers or a field guides. It's about the flies, and will mostly interest tyers.

My only complaint as with other books by the dynamic duo is that whoever ties the flies is not a particularly talented tyer. Cross-reference flies tied by, say, Best or Stalcup with the same patterns here, and the ones in Emergers look like badly rolled cigarettes. This is too bad because it leaves a lot of beauty out of the book that should have been here. Some of the patterns covered here look quite alike, but that would not be so if the authors had tied them properly. Also, many new tyer may push through this book tying new pattern in order to build their skills, and will learn many careless habits from these badly tied flies. It does not take a particularly talented tyer to accurately copy the style of a master, and more care should have been taken in providing the flies tied here. In some cases the versions shown here may not be as effective as the originals, or they may work just as well. But the book does not work quite as well without well tied flies.

The strength of the overall book still deserves 5 stars.

This book starts with a graphic table of contents that I think is so sensible that I wish that all tying books were the same, though I suspect that it could drive up costs. There are photos of each pattern along with a graphic representing the insect type (mayfly, caddis, stonefly, midge), and the patterns are arranged according to tying style, e.g. Tuft Emergers, Parachute Emergers etc. This makes it very easy to look up different patterns, especially because individual pattern names may be all but meaningless; a "Perky" doesn't mean anything more to me than an "MP43" unless I can see them.

There are three text chapters following the introduction. The first, on emerger design and materials, is very interesting, and provided me with some information that I did not previously have.

The next, on basic tying techniques, is probably unneccessary for many tyers who already possess the requisite skills for tying most of the patterns in the book, but I suspect that the publisher insists that a chapter like this be included in case a beginner picks it up as his or her first tying book. I would not recommend this book for a beginner, even though many of the patterns are fairly easy to tie. On the other hand, the intermediate tyer (and I put myself in that category) might find the chapter useful at times as a reminder for certain techniques.

The third text chapter, which is about trailing shucks and bubble sheaths, is particularly useful and informative. It provides techniques that tyers like myself may not have mastered or even have been exposed to. I wouldn't be surprised if advanced tyers might find this information useful as well.

The rest of the book is devoted to the individual patterns. Each chapter begins with a brief discussion of the individual pattern style, followed by tying instructions for each individual pattern. As always, Schollmeyer and Leeson's photographs and instructions are clear and well presented. I particularly like that the finished pattern has a green background whereas the photos of the tying steps have blue backgrounds. This is a nice organizational touch.

It is possible that the authors have overlooked some patterns or techniques, but this book provides more than enough information to keep most of us busy for a long time. In fact, my only criticism, and it really isn't one, is that there are so many patterns and techniques that I want to try that I sometimes don't know where to begin.

Though it is not really a good book on basics for the beginner, Tying Emergers is a worthy addition to any tyer's library.

Book is great and is a very good addition to my library. Very disappointed that the advertisement said the book was autographed, and when it was received, there was no autograph. Amazon needs to check their stock against their advertisements.

I definatly was suprised to see how good a book this was. 344 pages. THe first 72 pages show you step by step with instruction and color pictures on how to do's. These include all the proceedures required to tie any and all flies on the remaning 272 pages. All patters have at least 1 page entirely dedicated to the pattern. Each pattern a has step by step instructions and photos.... If your interested in emergers and how to tie them... this is the book I recommend.

Richard Doucette
Member of Northern lights Fly Tiers, Edmonton, Alberta

I have been tying flys for 40 years and I think this is about the best book I have on my tying table. Very easy to follow the pictures are very helpful. very pleased.

the book is everything I expected it to be: well-written and photographed, innovative and concise. I bought the spiral binding here for less than what the hardback would cost in a bookstore. Overall a very positive experience from Amazon.