The History Of Fly Fishing In Fifty Flies

The History of Fly Fishing in Fifty Flies recounts the story of a sport that dates back two thousand years, focusing on milestone flies from the first feathered hook to contemporary patterns using cutting edge materials. From the many thousands of fly patterns developed over the centuries (there are more than 1,700 salmon fly patterns alone) these fifty have been chosen to represent the development not only of the flies themselves, but also the fly fishing techniques - and of rods, lines, and reels. These iconic flies also chart the spread of this addictive sport from its modern origins on the chalk streams of southern England and the rivers of Scotland to the US, Europe, South America and the Antipiodes, and now to every country in the world. Once limited to trout and salmon, fly-fishing techniques today are used to catch every fish species from minnows to marlin, in rivers, lakes and oceans from the Amazon to the Arctic. Filled with profiles of the key characters, tying tips, photographs and illustrations of the flies, and detailed explanations of the techniques used to fish them, The History of Fly Fishing in Fifty Flies charts the exponential growth and diversification of this fascinating sport.

A look at the development of the sport over the past six centuries. Once limited to trout and salmon, today fly-fishing techniques are used to catch every fish species from minnows to marlin in rivers, lakes and oceans from the Amazon to the Arctic. From the many thousands of fly patterns developed over the centuries, The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies focuses on fifty iconic flies chosen to represent the evolution not only of fishing flies and fly tying but also the sport itself. Filled with illustrations and photographs of the flies (the fifty are just the starting point—more than 200 flies are mentioned or shown in the book), as well as profiles of key characters, The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies charts the growth and diversification of this fascinating sport from the fifteenth century to the present day and its spread from Britain, Europe and Japan to North and South America, Australia and New Zealand, and now to every country in the world. The evolution of fly-fishing tackle—rods, reels, lines and hooks—is also covered in a series of essays spread throughout the book. Praise for The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies “A delightful ramble along the stream of fishing history.” —Star Tribune “This glorious book of lures will get you itching for a new toy, a new boat, a new rod—anything to experience the relaxation of this old hobby.” —Foreword Reviews

Amateur or expert, every angler dreams of landing the big one, but that's only part of the appeal of fly fishing. Because even when hours pass without a bite, nothing beats the rugged beauty of the surroundings. For both armchair travelers and avid outdoorsmen who may have already started a checklist of their own, Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die maps out the meccas of the fly-fishing world. Through in-depth interviews with the sport's acknowledged gurus, author Chris Santella goes beyond standard guides to convey the very essence of the recommended locations. Readers can vicariously cast mouse pattners to fifty-pound taimen in the wilds of Mongolia, wrangle with wily permit off the Florida Keys, and match the hatch on Montana's Armstrong's Spring Creek. Jardines de la Reina, Cuba (tarpon), the Zhupanova River, Kamchatka (rainbow trout), and the Rio Negro, Brazil (peacock bass) are also included. The essays include a cultural and natural history of each site, along with colorful anecdotes based on the author's and authorities' experiences. With breath-takingly-beautiful photos of the spots, many by celebrated fly-fishing photographer R. Valentine Atkinson, the book also provides adventurous anglers with enough travel-and-tackle information so that they, too, can start planning excursions to go fish around the globe.

43 American fly-tying masters, including Mary Orvis Marbury, Thaddeus Norris, and Theodore Gordon.

Fifty More Places to Fly Fish Before You Die is the latest offering in the bestselling Fifty Places series. Chris Santella’s first book, Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die, has more than 100,000 copies in print, and Santella—now a regular fly-fishing contributor to the New York Times and many angling periodicals—has finally returned to the subject that started it all. Santella profiles 50 more first-class fly-fishing destinations around the world, as shared by top fishing-expedition leaders and journalists. This volume includes many of fly fishing’s “next big things”: fishing in San Diego for mako sharks; sight-casting in Bolivia for golden dorado; flats-style striper fishing in Maine’s Casco Bay; nocturnal sea trout angling in Wales; and fishing for giant mahseer in the Himalayan foothills of India. Gorgeous photography showcases the beauty of these destinations, and the “If You Go” section enables readers to embark on the fishing trips themselves.

Fly fishing has a rich heritage of "founding flies" that revolutionized the sport, yet many of these classic flies have fallen out of use. In this follow-up to The Founding Flies, Mike Valla includes detailed instructions to help anglers tie and fish these historic, effective patterns. • Features 21 classic fly patterns with step-by-step photo tutorials for tying them • Tips on the best way to fish the founding flies today • Includes a broad range of flies, from nymphs and streamers to drys and terrestrials

Cul de Canard (Duck’s Rump), Farefelue (The Crazy One), Plantureuse (Buxom Gal), Peute (The Ugly One)—the names are deliciously French but one would make a terrible mistake to think that only French-born trout like these fishing flies. “Design,” said Datus Proper, “is why this book has as much to do with the Henry’s Fork as with the Risle.” At least one of the flies introduced by French Fishing Flies more than twenty-five years ago, the Cul de Canard, has long since become a true staple in fly boxes around the world. Others will surely follow. This fascinating book is bound to be of great interest to fly fishermen everywhere.

Sometimes the best fly is a simple one. Whether you're a beginner looking to get started with tying or an expert looking to get back to the basics, these simple wet flies, nymphs, dry flies, and streamers will often catch fish as well as--if not better than--more complex patterns. This guide shows you all the techniques, tools, and materials you need to get started. • Techniques for tying quick, durable, and effective flies • Simple flies from history, plus interviews with modern anglers such as Chico Fernández, Bob Wyatt, Daniel Galhardo, and Chris Stewart • Contains flies for and inspired by tenkara fishing