Western Fly-Fishing Strategies [Hardcover]

Craig Mathews (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998

Valuable Western fly-fishing tips and lessons from a master fishing guide. 

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The wisdom in this exceptionally useful volume begins--where else?--at the beginning: "To know western trout water is to be successful on that water. Nowhere else must anglers use so many strategies on such a wide variety of water during so many weather conditions to be successful." Craig Mathews, besides authoring three books about fishing Yellowstone National Park, is a guide and fly-shop owner based in West Yellowstone, Montana, the hub of fly- fishing's Golden Triangle and perhaps the most famous trout-bumming region in the world. His resume, obviously, qualifies him to talk about fly-fishing in the American West--and if you want to catch fish left of the 100th meridian, you should listen. Mathews discusses all the great new equipment and tackle available to an angler (for a pretty penny), but the real meat on this catch is in the section on reading western waters and adapting to diverse, ever-shifting conditions. While the focus is on the author's home waters--the blue-ribbon rivers of the Northern Rockies where Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming meet--the tactics and insights pertain to the American West in general. The point throughout is that it takes study and practice to learn how to regularly outwit wily trout. After all, "Pure luck and successful angling seldom go hand in hand." --Langdon Cook, Sports & Outdoors editor

From Booklist

The big trout and the breathtaking scenery common to many western rivers intrigue anglers regardless of where they live. This guide offers advice aimed at helping fly fishers of all skill levels fish better on the rivers, lakes, and streams of eastern Idaho, Yellowstone Park, and western Montana. The clearly written, well-organized text, nicely complemented by Rod Walinchus' artwork, capably advises on such matters as choosing tackle, reading the water, casting, and dealing with windy days and autumnal weather. Mathews' proves a good-natured guide, counseling that success is more likely to come from attitude and practice than from fancy gear; he also peppers his advice with endearing anecdotes about angling friends and fishing dogs. Although the word western in the title is a bit of a misnomer--there is no coverage of California, the Pacific Northwest, or Colorado, all prime fishing sites--this timely, friendly, and sensible book is recommended for anglers who are heading for Idaho or Montana, either in person or from their armchairs. John Rowen

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 212 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558216413
• ISBN-13: 978-1558216419
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,272,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conversational, easy-to-understand guide., April 13, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Western Fly-Fishing Strategies (Paperback)

2005 "Angler of the Year" as selected by "Fly Rod & Reel" Craig Mathews presents Western Fly-Fishing Strategies, a no-nonsense how-to guide for fly fishermen of all skill and experience levels. Written especially with Western waters in mind, Western Fly-Fishing Strategies covers fly-tying skills, the effects of weather and wind on Wester fishing, tips, tricks, and techniques, and numerous anecdotes told with the love and passion that only a true fisherman can express. Black-and-white photographs and an inset selection of color plates illustrate this conversational, easy-to-understand guide.