Top Ten Guide to Fly Fishing (Lyons Press)

One of the most accessible guide books on the market, this guide not only provides all the information beginning and intermediate anglers need in order to start catching trout, the information is also presented in a quick and easy, highly-browsable format of top-ten lists.

Curious how to tie and use the ten best knots and rigging techniques? Ever thought about the ten most essential things to look for when selecting a new fly rod? What are the top dry flies for trout? What mistakes do most new anglers make when learning to cast?

A fun conversation starter and a set of streamside tips rolled into one, this lighthearted look at a serious sport will give beginners the value of solid instruction while more seasoned fly-fishers will enjoy quibbling with the author’s rankings and choices.

"I've never seen so much good advice in one place. All how-to fishing books should be written by people who work in fly shops." --John Gierach

Order A Copy Today!

The View From Coal Creek (Reflections on Fly Rods, Canyons and Bamboo)

ABOUT THE BOOK

Noted blogger and fly fishing writer Erin Block just had to make a bamboo fly rod from scratch. As she writes:

Although I couldn't put my finger on just why, exactly. This, unlike most emotions regarding fly rods, wasn't a want, it was a need. To find out for myself why people fish bamboo, and why when they do, it verges on a religious experience. And also, to discover why, in a society that measures worth from profit and efficiency, do people still build bamboo rods. Bamboo rod makers appeared to take the long way around -- putting more miles on the odometer, so to speak...But as I came to find out, they also happen to have very rich eyes, and very full hearts. And as George Black writes.."Once they've put down roots, they tend to become trees."

What resulted is a personal, passionate, and unique journal of not just how a bamboo fly rod is made, from culm to varnish, but the motives of the people who make such works of art. The View from Coal Creek is a reflection on fly rods, fishing, and life seen from the vantage of a canyon in Colorado, but these are props in a larger story about life, love, and tradition. Erin Block is a young, powerful voice carrying the torch and passing on lessons, values, and history of this great, literary and vibrant sport.

If you love fly fishing, bamboo fly rods, and the long way home -- you will love this book.

December 2012, Hardcover, Limited Edition
$44.95 Retail Price -- SPECIAL $39.95

December 2012, Softcover
$21.95 Retail Price -- SPECIAL $17.50

Instinctive Fly Fishing

In fly fishing, as in life, the very simplest things are the most important, and the easiest to overlook. Streit, in this important new book, reveals what he has learned in more than twenty years of guiding fly fishing trips.


Streit has witnessed thousands of clients catch trout over the years, and their successes and failures often boiled down to a few elementary rules: keep the sun at your back, keep your silhouette off the water, keep your fly in productive water, think like a predator, and so on.

With an almost Zen-like scrutiny, Streit discusses his distilled techniques for fishing pressured trout. He looks into what separates the beginner from the expert caster, and dissects the mechanics of the perfect strike.

Other chapters include Streit's novel approaches to: drift-nymphs-dries-swing-bluegills and bobbers-reading water-riffles-eddy fishing-hiring a guide-fighting fish-wading-catch and release--maps

The result is a refreshing take on how simple this complex sport really is.

Buy A Copy Now!

The Backcountry Journal

The Backcountry Journal is a new online periodical created and edited by hunter, fly fisherman, fly designer, and writer, Ben Smith of Arizona Wanderings.

Read it here! The Backcountry Journal.

Fly Tying (With Common Household Materials)

"Jay Fullum is one of Fly Tyer magazine's most beloved authors. His regular column, titled "Creative Tying," is a favorite with our readers."--David Klausmeyer, Editor Fly Tyer

Seriously...this is a great addition to your fly tying book library. It will stand out amongst the more conventional tying how-tos. Jay Fullum goes into detail about some real cool (and cheap!) everyday materials you probably already have laying around down in the basement...you know, "organized" loosely on that unfinished wooden Home Depot shelving you got right after you moved in. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. Jay has chapters on plastic bags, foam packing material, weatherseal, embroidery floss, fake fingernails, paintbrushes and hair brushes. Lots of stuff. I love it. But, the thing I may love the most about this book is what this book can do emotionally to a beginning tyer. It erases this notion that a good fly has to be made with very specific ingredients. These are not tiny magic spells we are creating on a hook shank...they are tools of the sport of fishing. That is all. And you can use whatever works for you at the time. So, yeah...order a copy.

Lyons Press $21.95 Click Here!

Hatches Fly Tying Magazine

Hatches 2011: Geezus Lizard and Texas Ringworm by Jay Zimmerman

The Geezus Lizard and Texas Ringworm are two bass flies that have finally evened the playing field. They have allowed fly fishermen to dabble into the not-so-secret voodoo world of conventional bass anglers worldwide. Their existence was born of a desire to find a viable fly rod application for lessons I’d learned in youth about [...]

Hatches 2011: Emerging Patterns – Tying the Missing Link by Russ Forney

For some, a flurry of mayflies hovering over the water is the initial sign of a hatch. In reality, though, insect activity might have been churning frenetically below the water’s surface for many hours before. Emergence begins well before the first dun pops off the water, and so does some of the most productive fishing. [...]

Hatches 2010: A Midwinter Refection on Flies by Bob White

It was my first season in Alaska, and I was one of several new fishing guides that had gathered around the bonfire to unwind, review the day, and listen to Rusty. The old guide was the consummate bush rat, and had forgotten more about living and working in the North Country than many of us [...]

Hatches 2010: Tying the Devil’s Reject by Brent Drew & Alex Cerveniak

A deceptive calm fills the air. The river gurgles. A light breeze whispers like a witch’s spell, enticing the angler to take a nap at the water’s edge. But even as he dozes off, he senses that something isn’t quite right. A sixth sense has his subconscious on guard. He glances uneasily over his shoulder [...]

Hatches 2010: Covering the Hendrickson Hatch by Nick Pionessa

My mind leafed through the pages of a crumbling paperback to drawings made by a master with whom I was barely familiar. “This must be a Quill Gordon,” I said. “No, I think it’s a Hendrickson.” I remember the day as if it were yesterday because it was my birthday and that Hendrickson was one [...]

Order A Copy! $6.95

Fly Fishing the Seasons in Colorado

"The single most important factor that determines a fly angler’s approach to a stretch of water isn’t the time of day, nor is it a hatch of insects or even the character of the water itself. It’s the season. From spring and summer through fall and winter, changes in weather dictate changes in strategy. This can be intimidating. If fish were biting here a month ago, why are things so different now? Where to go where they might be better? The seasonal variation of fishing strategy is necessary knowledge for any fly angler, and Fly Fishing the Seasons: Colorado is the first-ever guidebook to address this subject."

Focusing on the world-class waters of the Centennial State, and with full-color photos throughout, this book comprises four equal sections—summer, fall, winter, and spring—each with a general locator map and each covering five to ten primary locations. The best waters to fish in this particular month or span of months? What flies and techniques to use? Look no further than Fly Fishing the Seasons: Colorado.


Pre-Order a Copy!

John Gierach Book Signing (May 28th)

No Shortage of Good Days at Rocky Mountain Anglers!

I discovered John Gierach when I was a teenager. I found a beat-up copy of Trout Bum in a cardboard box of fishing books stacked at one end of a sagging yellow couch in a cabin somewhere in Western Pennsylvania. I had been invited out to the cabin for a week of trout fishing with friends from school. I was full of young enthusiasm about the trip, as well as the still fairly new discovery of fly fishing. I had no friends that fly fished, and no local shops to help me acclimate. The friends who invited me to PA were bait fishermen—so I was hungry to enter any fly shop we passed, or peer at other fly fishermen I saw in the river. What were they doing? What kind of flies were they using? But the guy in the fly shop did his best to ignore me. (Didn’t help matters any that I was a kid…and those with me were asking if he sold meal worms.) And the guys on the river had no time for a scruffy kid in soggy gym shoes, even if he did have a fly rod. But, Mr. Gierach had the time. And he spoke the language I wanted to hear. He told wry stories of this place called Colorado and adventure stories on his home stream…the St. Vrain. It all seemed so foreign, mystical and far away. Because of these stories I fell forever in love with this sport. Not the way a conniving businessman “loves” his hot mistress on the other side of town—but a permanent, life-altering love. A passion. I left my hometown because of his stories. I quit lucrative jobs because of his stories. I ended a marriage because of his stories. I moved from state to state in search of something because of his stories. I became a writer because of his stories. I let everything not related to fly fishing in my life wither away on the vine…because of the stories of this grey-bearded man from Colorado.

Fast forward many, many years and miles and heartaches later…I was a working guide, instructor, fly designer and had even published my own book of fly fishing essays. I was having a few cold beers at a bar in Longmont, Colorado (on the bank of the St. Vrain, mind you!). There was an NFL playoff game on the big-screen TV above the bar. I was havin’ a good time…had just got off work at a local fly shop. I spin around on my stool to head for the latrine. And I run smack into John Gierach. I recognized him right off from dozens of inside dust cover photos.
“Hey,” I said. “I’m a big fan.”
“Thanks,” he said.
Then I took a piss. Can’t remember who won the football game.

I am lucky enough to know John better now. He hangs out at our shop from time to time. We talk flies and writing…women and life. But I have never told him how bad he has wrecked my life—because I think he already knows. If you have never had the chance to meet John Gierach, he will be here at Rocky Mountain Anglers in Boulder (303-447-2400) selling, signing and talking about his newest book No Shortage of Good Days. Sat. May 28th. From 11:00am 'till 1:00pm...and yes, there will be food grilling in the back!

The Never-Ending Stream (A Tribute to Fly-Tying Form and Function)

The first line of the introduction to this book is simple and understated. “Fly-tying ideas are like an ever-changing stream, constantly flowing and picking up momentum from various sources.” And the concept for this book is simple. This book is a paper and ink tribute to all the flies and fly tiers who influenced, or somehow contributed to the delinquency of Scott Sanchez. So, truth be told, it is a somewhat egocentric history lesson for those of us nerdy enough to care about who tied what and when the first Humpy dry fly was used on the Snake River. I don’t even know for sure if this is a good book…because I am definitely the target audience. For much the same reason I have no idea if Bad Santa was a great movie, or a complete dud. Deep in every fiber of my being I absolutely believe that on Christmas getting black-out drunk and urinating on an elf is the most awesome thing ever. See? I was the target audience. Same with this book. I have been geeking out about fly catalogs for as long as I can remember. I would leave Victoria’s Secrets untouched in the mailbox and hoard a stack of old Hank Roberts’s under my childhood mattress as though they were culvert-rescued porn. So, yeah…I own a copy.

Scott Sanchez, Pruett Publishing Company $34.95 Buy a Copy on Amazon for $25! Or, read a book review written by some guys who apparently know how to wright proper book reviews ...Click Here!

Colorado Greenback Cutthroat Trout (A Fisherman's Guide)

When this book came out many of my friends (who spend a lot of time fishing the high lakes) were pissed off. They were upset because many of their favorite cutthroat lakes and the hiking routes were mentioned. This told me one thing: I needed a copy! And, now...that I do own a copy, I am a bit nervous about it. My favorite lakes are mentioned, too. But, here is the final analysis...it is a great book. And every fly fisherman who lives in Colorado and hasn't had hip replacement surgery yet... should own this book. It is as close to a "must have" book as you are gonna find. Perfect bound book, only $19.95 new...full of information and notes. All the good, pertinent stuff for those of us who have fallen in love with the Colorado high country. There is something about being above treeline...makes my blood thicken and my heart race! And, to get back to my friends...and their hurt feelings. This book does not "hot spot" anything. It outlines every spot here in the state of Colorado were we can find our only native trout. A magnificently beautiful fish. Stunning. The book does not give any one particular lake more attention than any other. As I sit here indoors in December...staring at the front cover, I already have two or three overnight trips planned for next summer. Damn! Can't wait!


Colorado Greenback Cutthroat Trout (A Fisherman's Guide). Jim Rubingh & Richard Fritz. Frank Amato Publications, Inc. Buy A Copy Amazon.Com Or, better yet, stop into your local fly shop and get yerself a copy!

Secret Flies of the Czech and Slovak Fly-Tiers

Apart from spending half your life behind a vise tying flies and the other half on the water fishing those flies, there are few ways for an experienced, long-time fly tier to add a new flavor to the repertoire. I have always considered myself lucky to have worked closely with some great fly tiers. Each one has had their own flair and specialties. It has always been a fun, yet challenging practice to see what others are working on and dabble a bit yourself. It keeps you fresh and invigorated. But, it is often difficult to surround yourself with that sort of tying inspiration. Hence my endless search for new books. New books, I said. Not just another published collection of 800 slight variations of basically the same midge pupa. I found a good one here, though… Secret Flies features over 350 proven fly designs by twenty-one respected Czech and Slovak fly tiers. Flipping through these pages will get your creative juices flowing…I guarantee it!

Beginner Fly Tying DVD

There is an absolute ton of assistance out there for beginning fly tiers. There are books and online tutorials and free instructional videos on YouTube. But, like fixing sewer pipes, you have to wade through a whole lot of crap. I am not ashamed to admit that I am a bit of a book geek…and that is how, as a kid, I learned to tie my first decent-looking fly. But there are things a beginner always has difficulty learning from photos and illustrations alone. FlyFisherman magazine has recently released a series of fly tying DVDs called the Foundation 40 Fly Patterns. The series is listed like a college class list, 101-Beginning Patterns, 201-Basic Patterns, 301-Intermediate Patterns and 401-Advanced Patterns. In this DVD (first of the series) you will get to take a lesson from the master, Charlie Craven. He will walk you through 13 of the “must know” fly patterns, such as the Pheasant Tail Nymph, RS2, Woolly Bugger, Ant and nine others. (Runtime: 87 min).

Buy a Copy!

The Flyfish Journal

Alright…I have said it before, but tentatively. If you have not heard of The flyfish Journal yet, you will soon. I made this statement tentatively a few months ago because I had just received the first issue. And was blown away. But, by singing such high praise after only seeing the first issue kinda felt like I was predicting Oscar after only the first ten minutes of a newly released movie. Not tentative any more, though. Got the second issue yesterday. For starters…best cover shot I have ever seen on any fly fishing magazine. Ever. No… most awesome shot ever even in a magazine! The angler is Derek Bonn and the photographer is Andy Anderson. Have no clue who these guys are, but I declare them both the fly fishing bad asses of the year. So, that’s just the cover…let me give my honest assessment of this thing. And I’ll keep it simple and direct. This publication is set up in what we avid readers of sporting literature recognize as a true published “journal” format. Very much like we see in Grey’s Sporting Journal. So, yes…if you still have not learned how to read, feel free to pass. And the writing is good. I don’t like token, rehashed how-to articles. I want good writing. This has it. Now photography. Friggin’ awesome. I was already smitten by the cover shot, but I want good human interest stuff mixed up in my prose, thank you very much. Like juicy hunks of hot dog in my beans. This one has it. At the fly shop yesterday morning we all sat around the back table and dug into our individual copies and it takes WAY more than a bunch of sloppy grip & grins to get ooohs and aaahs from a bunch of salty fly fishing cynics. But we all made plenty of the appropriate noises. So, well done, guys! Looks like The Drake finally has a companion on the back of my crapper.

Check out flyfish journal and subscribe!

Craven's New Book!

It can be easily argued that Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying (Headwater Books, 2008) was one of the top instructional fly tying books ever published. And, yes, I am comparing it to all the greats! Also, with the help of Jay Nichols, one of the best looking books of its type ever put together. But I did have one complaint...purely out of my own selfishness, I wanted more of Charlies own, original fly patterns in the book. He is considered a local treasure here in Colorado and his flies are found in every one of our fly boxes. But, the first book had a different scope. It was covering more basic-skills, basic flies (hence the title). Now, his NEW book on the other hand....I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Buy A Copy of This Book Right Now Dammit!

In Neck Deep: Stories from a fisherman.

"Here is an unusual coming-of-age memoir of a young man passionate about fishing. From a northern Ohio boyhood, through four years in the military, to a season on Kodiak Island, Jay Zimmerman's growing through life's awkwardnesses are revealing, and realistic. Most startling are his stories of his time in the service. The best passages call to mind a blue collar, Midwest Norman MacLean,"--Ken Waldman, author of Nome Poems and To Live on this Earth

"There are moments of Zen clarity in these stories of Jay Zimmerman's fishing journey toward selfhood, and thank goodness, for they counterbalance moments of great uncertainty and intemperateness, nearly always refocused by the presence of creeks, rivers, oceans, and lakes. From Panama to Alaska and back to the Heartlands, the author finds in fishing and fish and the art of fly-tying a way to find his path into love and life. Think of Melville's Ishmael, reborn as a culture-shocked ex-paratrooper, struggling for meaning and accommodation in these contemporary chronicles of water, wildness, and meditation. This is a fine first book by a writer who has emerged."--Richard Hague, author of Alive in Hard Country

Buy A Copy!

Book and DVD Reviews

Read Full Review Fly Fishing The Seasons

The single most important factor that determines a fly angler’s approach to a stretch of water isn't the time of day, nor is it a hatch of insects or even the character of the water itself. It’s the season. From spring and summer through fall and winter, changes in weather dictate changes in strategy. This can be intimidating. If fish were biting here a month ago, why are things so different now? Where to go where they might be better?

Read Full Review No Shortage of Good Days I discovered John Gierach when I was a teenager. I found a beat-up copy of Trout Bum in a cardboard boxof fishing books stacked at one end of a sagging yellow couch in a cabin somewhere in Western Pennsylvania. I had been invited out to the cabin for a week of trout fishing with friends from school. I was full of young enthusiasm about the trip, as well as the still fairly new discovery of fly fishing. I had no friends that fly fished, and no local shops to help me acclimate...





Read Full Review The first line of the introduction to this book is simple and understated. And the concept for this book is simple. This book is a paper and ink tribute to all the flies and fly tiers who influenced, or somehow contributed to the delinquency of Scott Sanchez...




Read Full Review He is considered a local treasure here in Colorado and his flies are found in every one of our fly boxes.It can be easily argued that Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying was one of the top instructional fly tying books ever published. And, yes, I am comparing it to all the greats! Also, with the help of Jay Nichols, one of the best looking books of its type ever put together. But I did have one complaint...purely out of my own selfishness, I wanted more of Charlies own, original fly patterns in the book...




Read Full Review Alright…I have said it before, but tentatively. If you have not heard of The flyfish Journal yet, you will soon. I made this statement tentatively a few months ago because I had just received the first issue. And was blown away.







Read Full Book Review Not just another published collection of 800 slight variations of basically the same midge pupa. I found a good one here… Secret Flies features over 350 proven fly designs by twenty-one respected Czech and Slovak fly tiers. Flipping through these pages will get your creative juices flowing…I guarantee it!




















Read Full Book Review From Panama to Alaska and back to the Heartlands, the author finds in fishing and fish and the art of fly-tying a way to find his path into love and life. Think of Melville's Ishmael, reborn as a culture-shocked ex-paratrooper, struggling for meaning and accommodation in these contemporary chronicles of water, wildness, and meditation.







Read Full Book Review When this book came out many of my friends (who spend a lot of time fishing the high lakes) were pissed off. They were upset because many of their favorite cutthroat lakes and the hiking routes were mentioned. This told me one thing: I needed a copy!









Read Full Review on DVD FlyFisherman magazine has recently released a series of fly tying DVDs called the Foundation 40 Fly Patterns. The series is listed like a college class list, 101-Beginning Patterns, 201-Basic Patterns, 301-Intermediate Patterns and 401-Advanced Patterns. In this DVD (first of the series) you will get to take a lesson from the master, Charlie Craven.