Monday, December 14, 2020

You truly can't judge a book, or what's in a fly bin....

"Simple Fly Fishing"....a title but it is far from simple. I ordered this book and thought from what I had heard about it that it would be right up my sidewalk. When I received it I opened it up and scanned a few pages I was less then thrilled. I guess my definition of "simple" is not the same as the folks that put this book together. The book is well done as far as the flies in it, the essays are interesting, one in particular  by Yvon Chouinard called "The Minestrone Hatch"  a wonderful little piece that actually encompasses a simple fly. Now don't get me wrong I'm not bad mouthing the book but it it far from simple.
 

 

 

This little fly is "simple"...as you see nature did not put a lot of bells and whistles on it. But when on the water it will raise hell with the local  fish population. Now is it necessary to embellish  it? The only reason to do that would be to catch a few anglers.
 

 

An Olive-Partridge soft hackle or spider. In the water this comes very close to the fine specimen that nature created a lot longer than "simple fly fishing" has been with man.
 

 

18 comments:

  1. Hi Alan

    The old North County fly tyers knew a thing or two about simple flies, perhaps it maybe best to stick with their works?

    Take care and stay safe

    Alistair

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    1. Alistair
      Thanks
      Alistair there is no question those North Country boy had done their homework when it came to the flies they created. I enjoy digging around for further knowledge on flies, especially the simple ones. There is probably more info online about them but i still like a book in my hand.

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  2. Alan,
    I like the Genesee Jewel. Other than fishing the Genesee for the lake run fish I have never fished it. Shameful situation, since it is so close by. Maybe this year I'll whip up some Jewels and give it a whirl.
    JJ

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    1. Beaverdam
      Thanks
      Joe the Genesee Jewel was created by Mark Libertone who hailed from NY. It's a great pattern whenever the light colored mayflies are about. Success is yours when you fish the Jewel...

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  3. Haven't really found a Tenkara book I'm crazy about yet. The Minestrone Hatch chapter was funny tho.

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    1. billp
      Thanks
      Bill you would think that a Japanese angler/ writer would be able to come up with a good one.
      I loved that Minestrone piece.

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    2. Hope you aren't getting snowed in too badly with the latest storm!

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  4. I love the Genesee Jewel, though in the colors Mark tied it, it isn't a good fit for this far north. I darkened it up, just a bit, and now it works well for me. Interestingly, I take far more salmon on it than brookies. Thanks for the review on Chouinard's book, I value your opinion.

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    1. mike
      Thanks
      Mike tailoring the fly to what works for you is A OK by me. I for one have been doing such for years. I'm sure Mark would not object.
      The book left a lot to be desired for me. I love the history but this book was a bit short on that.

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  5. "Well if you can't get hair from the chin of a male Sasquatch than I guess fur from a Icelandic Nayat will have suffice"... Uh!

    Alan sometimes I feel so inadequate with my tying but then I catch a fish and it all goes away.

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    1. Dean F
      Thanks
      Dean all flies will catch trout. Sometimes the worse looking ones do the best. Certain flies always work, that's because we have faith in them. The way to obtain that faith is to fish them.

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  6. I don't think there is anything "simple" about fly fishing.

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    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark you must enroll in my fly fishing classes.

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    2. Thanks for the offer buddy, but it's a little far to commute.

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  7. Lovely post reminding us to not overdo it, which is easily done with the multiplicity of tying materials, exotic synthetics and patterns that “only work” if you can find a particular color of some shiny artificial UV treated fake fur. Halford started all this “exact imitation” thinking which I think ultimately a waste of time. Go messy and scruffy, think “impressionism” rather than “realism.”

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    1. Ned Zeppelin
      Thanks
      Kevin so right on in your summary.
      This quote should be in a fly fishing magazine...."Go messy and scruffy, think “impressionism” rather than “realism.”

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  8. Alan
    Wonder if this book guarantees a fly pattern that will land trout after trout?? Just saw the forecast for Connecticut---unreal amount of snow you guys are supposes to get. Stay safe ---thanks for sharing

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    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill there's no guarantees...Snow coming down now, 12-15" here in Newington. Soup day tomorrow.

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