Become a Fly Fisher is the complete guide for anyone new to fly fishing. It takes the novice fly fisher through every step from buying all the essential tackle and equipment, putting it all together and then using it to fish rivers and stillwaters. It contains a wealth of information written in a clear and easy to understand way. All the technical words and phrases are explained in the chapter What does that mean? The book is comprehensively illustrated in colour throughout with clear illustrations of how to tie the essential knots. Become a Fly Fisher is a clear and comprehensive guide to the basics that gives you everything you need to become more than a fish catcher but a fly fisher, enjoying a relaxing day on the water, out in the country and away from your daily stresses.
“Have only just started the book but it is very readable and addresses the issues a new man to the world of fly fishing needs to know.” Amazon review
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, was 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.
In his review in Trout and Salmon, Louis Noble wrote: 'It is an essential read for newcomers to the technique and experienced rods alike. In my opinion, it will become a classic due to its interest, accuracy and thoroughness.'
“A well written treatise on the wet fly, lots of useful information, full of the history and development of the sport and art of flyfishing.” Amazon review
“An historically correct modern approach from a well researched modern author.“ Amazon review
Marryat - Prince of Fly Fishers The Life and Times of George Selwyn Marryat
George Selwyn Marryat was undoubtedly one of the finest fly fishers of all time. He was the man who, according to Halford, father of the dry fly, taught him everything he knew about tying flies. He was friends with Halford, Francis Francis and William Senior - but because he was reluctant to write he has received less attention than he deserves. Here, for the first time, are the results of meticulous research that provide extraordinary insights into his life and times - from his early days fishing in Dorset, to his army life in India, adventures in Australia, his entomological research and fly tying, and the many hours spent trout fishing with the famous 'quadrilateral'.
". . . . Terry Lawton has gathered an extraordinary amount of information about the man. . . . . A great and essential read." Malcolm Greenhalgh, Fly Fishing & Fly Tying, October 2011
“A wonderfully well written biography of probably the best, but yet least known, fly fisherman of his era. G.S. Marryat was to me the 'King' of Fly fishers, not just a Prince. The famous Halford owes a lot to George Marryat, who critically reviewed Halford's 'draft' books. For me, as a North Country fly fisher, the 'Little Marryat' is still one of the best dry flies in the fly box, providing you tie it to exactly as his dressing. This book is a 'must read' for all river fly fishers.“ Amazon review
“Excellent informative book. Fascinating read. Think he is an unsung hero of the dry fly.“ Amazon review
“Very interesting book with info on both Marryat and Halford.“ Amazon review
“It's a well written work that gives more back than it asks of the reader. A definitive work that includes the fly patterns of the period. Could not recommend it more.” Amazon review