The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference (Hardcover)

by Ted Leeson (Author), Jim Schollmeyer (Author) "While a comprehensive discussion of fly-tying materials is well beyond the scope of this book, the structure and selection of some materials have a direct..." (more)
Key Phrases: Dick Talleur, Preparing Hackle Feathers, Single-hackle Mounts (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Features over 3,000 color photos and over 400,000 words describing and showing, step-by-step, hundreds of fly-tying techniques! Leeson and Schollmeyer have collaborated to produce this masterful volume which will be the standard fly-tying reference book for the entire trout-fishing world. Through enormous effort on their part they bring to all who love flies and fly fishing a wonderful compendium of fly-tying knowledge. 3,000+ Color photos, indexed, dust jacket; 8.5x11 inches, 464 pgs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 444 pages
• Publisher: Frank Amato Publications (November 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571881263
• ISBN-13: 978-1571881267
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,077 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Hunting & Fishing > Fishing > Fly Fishing > Fly Tying
  #41 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Hunting & Fishing > General & Anthologies
  #75 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Fishing

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every dressing technique I've ever heard of is here!, December 11, 1998

By	Former Rater (Nowhere) - See all my reviews

This is not a book that provides patterns and technique; this is a book of techniques that may be applied to patterns.

This wonderful book has very clear illustrations of just about every dressing technique I've ever seen, or heard of, or wondered about. The most obscure technique for winging I know of, the "reverse hackle" or as the Brit's call it, "wonderwing" is clearly shown. I'd never run across anything about this winging style, save for a few photos in European journals. I find the inclusion of this obscure technique amazing.

This book has something for everybody: beginners will have choices for tying that are easier (or, more sophisticated) than the guide they are working from; and, intermediate and advanced tiers will find interesting new methods or new uses for existing materials.

I simply have never seen a survey of technique this extensive anywhere in the (already voluminous) fly tying literature.

Mr. Schollmeyer's photos are sharp, well oriented and highly illustrative. Mr. Leeson's text (which is a substantial departure from his superb prose work) is a model of clarity and concise description.

Overall this is a fine work and one which will, I predict, become a standard in the field.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clear, concise guide to fly tying techniques, August 1, 1999

By	Barry Jacobson ([e-mail]) (Hobart, Australia) - See all my reviews

The book clearly and concisely describes all the techniques required by fly tiers of any skill level (from novice upwards).

Where there are alternative methods to achieve a particular end result, effective use is made of different coloured backgrounds to ensure the reader is in no way confused.

A worthwhile addition to any serious fly tier's library

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars techniques, not patterns, January 22, 2001

By	Mark A. Coleman, PhD (Fort Collins, CO United States) - See all my reviews

Don't expect to learn a lot of new patterns from this book. It doesn't have any patterns, just techniques. Having trouble getting wings to stand up? This book shows you several ways. The techniques you use to accomplish any task in fly tying that I can think of are in this book, as well as variations on many of these techniques.

It's not the only book on fly tying you'll want, because you'll want some patterns, also. That won't stop it from being the most important fly tying book you purchase, however.

This one is a modern classic.