In one of the enduring classics of fly-fishing literature, Terry Hellekson addresses everything from the history of fly fishing and fly-tying around the world, to fly-tying material and hooks. This newly revised and updated version offers the original two volumes combined in one hardcover edition to create the definitive book on fly-tying. This is not just another book on popular fly patterns, although it is the authority on those as well. Terry shares the insights and interviews with fly-tying greats of years past, along with the history of some of the popular individual flies and fly-tying vises, making this a great read. He also shares years of wisdom and knowledge on colors, fly-fishing techniques, and tricks of the trade on the best kinds of tools and materials to buy and where to find them.
This new edition is organized into two clear parts: the first section deals with the origins of fly-fishing, the concepts of vision and perception of color, the tools and materials from which flies are created, and looks at species of mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies. The second section of the book progresses on to the other insect orders, terrestrials, and crustaceans, then delves into the specifics of streamers, shad flies, steelhead flies, and more. Even a fly-tying novice will be enthralled, with illustrations that clarify the patterns and a reader-friendly style.