This fascinating and informative book provides a history of the development of wet fly-fishing, particularly the Scottish and North Country schools and their leading protagonists. The Scottish school was led by William C. Stewart, who was the first advocate of fishing and casting upstream. His book, The Art of Trout Fishing More Practically Applied to Clear Water, originally published in 1857, is still one of the most popular and enduring books on the subject. The North Country school was developed principally by Thomas E. Pritt, H.H. Edmonds, and N.N. Lee. North Country spiders are still fished extensively and led to the development of flymphs and other soft-hackle patterns. However, the development of wet fly-fishing was not restricted to the rivers and streams of the north of England and the Scottish border; G.E.M. Skues was one of the few anglers to appreciate the possible application of North Country fishing methods to southern chalk streams and H.C. Cutcliffe wrote about wet fly fishing on the rivers and streams of the West Country. Discover the history of upstream wet fly fishing in this well-researched, accessible book and learn from the masters of this particular art.

61 fly patterns: Partridge and Orange, Iron Blue Dun, and many more historically proven flies Ten new chapters on tiny soft hackles and how to tie them New color photos of 38 tiny soft hackles Sylvester Nemes is singlehandedly responsible for the popularity of the soft-hackled fly in American fly fishing today. "The Soft-Hackled Fly," Nemes's first book, written in 1975, was the catalyst for the resurgence. Now revised with ten new chapters on tiny flies and full-color photos, Nemes shares colorful experiences at home and abroad, the history of the soft-hackled fly, and illustrated step-by-step instructions for tying the flies. He also describes his technique of fishing the flies.

Provides step-by-step instructions on tying five hundred trout flies and offers information on tying techniques, tools, and materials.

Advanced tight line nymphing tactics, including Czech, Polish, French, Spanish, and American techniques.

“His presentation of the what, how, when, where and why of the sport is eloquent in the clarity and precision of his writing. He provides a wealth of practical information, embellished with personal observations, and quotes from past masters.” -Richard Robinson, Master professional golf instructor, author, and fisherman “This book is an excellent resource for beginning anglers, and a very entertaining read even for those with decades of experience on the water.” -Justin Witt, International outfitter, guide, contributor to “The Flyfish Journal” ________________________________________________________________________ With fifty years of fly-fishing experience, Al Simpson has written an engaging book about fly-fishing for trout. It is packed with information helpful to anglers of all skill levels. Insights are frequently presented through a streamside experience. Topics include getting started, equipment, casting, trout feeding behavior, flies, reading the water, presentation, and seasons. He also discusses controversial topics like etiquette, stocking, and restoration of native trout. The work is richly enhanced with over 200 color photos and line drawings. It joins the short list of must-reads for trout anglers. The author began fly-fishing in 1962. He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and has fished the mid-Atlantic’s trout streams extensively. Summers have always included fishing in the northern Rockies. Now retired from the University of Virginia where he practiced and taught cardiology, he and wife Ginny spend their summers in Montana. They frequently travel to trout venues about the globe. A lifetime member of Trout Unlimited, he served as vice president on Virginia’s state council. He works part-time for Orvis as a fly-fishing retail specialist, and teaches fly-fishing. Local sports clubs frequently invite him to speak and conduct fly-fishing clinics. An avid blogger on all things related to fly- fishing for trout, he has an international following.

Streams mentioned in the text include: Bloody Run and Spring Branch in Iowa; Ontonagon River, Escanaba River, Pigeon River, Au Sable River, Pere Marquette River, and Muskegon River in Michigan ; Whitewater River, Root River, and South Branch Root River in Minnesota; Brule River, White River, Namekagon River, Oconto, South Branch, Oconto River, Willow River, Kinnickinnic River, Wolf River, Tomorrow/Waupaca River, Timber Coulee, West Fork, Kicapoo River, Big and Little Green River, Castle Rock, Pine River, Willow River, White River, Mecan River, and Black Earth Creek in Wisconsin.

This second edition contains new chapters on reading the seasons and tenkara and is superbly illustrated with more than 100 new color photos.

A comprehensive, lavishly illustrated guide to tying popular trout flies. This book is aimed at all fly tyers, from those with modest experience to those with more advanced skills. The author’s intention is to focus on certain important elementary techniques, and then share some of his favorite contemporary twists on old, tried-and-true techniques. Many of the flies in this book are based in his own techniques and patterns, ones that he has developed in more than thirty-five years of tying. The book is arranged in sections to give readers the opportunity to easily locate the pattern or technique they are looking for. Patterns are not grouped alphabetically, but by technique. For example, the section on dry flies has categories demonstrating a particular dry fly style or technique such as mastering the use of deer hair, parachute, CDC, and so on. If you are fairly new to fly tying, the opening chapters on materials and special techniques and tricks will familiarize you with some basics and help you get started. Seasoned tyers will similarly find information here to help them raise their tying skills to a new level. Each pattern is listed with a recipe, recommended hook style, size, and materials. They are listed in the order that that author uses them, and illustrated by the book’s step-by-step images. This will help you plan each pattern and assemble materials your beforehand. Included are lushly illustrated photos for such well-known trout flies as: Pheasant tail nymph Klinkhamer Humpy Deer Hair Irresistible CDC Mayfly Spinner And much more. A special feature of this one-of-a-kind books is that its the first tying book to have a video link for all the patterns featured. Watch the author tying online, then turn to the matching chapter in the book to follow the step-by-step instructions so that you can tie your own fly in your own time. Author Barry Ord Clarke will respond online to your questions.