Fly Fishing Books

Author: Charles Jardine
Price New: £24.51

Charles Jardine and Peter Gathercole have come together as the perfect partnership for creating this fly fishing book. The photography produced by Peter is absolutely outstanding and is the best I’ve ever seen for this subject matter, absolutely excellent. He uses his great skill to its maximum throughout the book making it a joy to look through and read.

However, the classic guide to fly fishing for trout is not merely a book of pictures, it is also a very valuable source of information, full of comprehensive diagrams and descriptions because sound knowledge is absolutely the most important factor to ensure success along with experience. I would probably say that Charles Jardine and Peter Gathercole have between them, put more trout on my dinner table than any other source.

Indeed this is a brilliant book for anyone interested in trout fishing, no matter the skill level from novice to advanced. The fly fishing book features easy to understand text with beautiful photography and carefully created sections. The classic guide to fly fishing for trout is a truly valuable reference book for life and probably one of the most comprehensive fly fishing books to date!

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Author : Malcolm Greenhalgh & Ed Jaworowski.
Price New: £25.00

This fly fishing book covers both salt and fresh water and reveals the true secrets to successful fly fishing, discussing techniques, flies, food, fishing locations  and of course, fish. The natural ethos of fly fishing is discussed, exploring the link between the fish and their food and how we understand it.

The Complete Book of Fly Fishing is a high quality book. It is written in a clear and concise manner and is easy to understand, therefore suitable for all levels of fly fishers. The book is clearly laid out in sections including Saltwater Fishing, River Tactics, Destinations and Fish Species.

The book is constructed with a series of articles written by a particular expert within each subject. This makes this fly fishing book extremely informative and exiting to read, with some beautiful high quality photography to match.

The Complete Book of Fly Fishing is a must have read for anyone who is interested in the sport of fly fishing, no matter their experience or skill level.

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Author: Simon Gawesworth
Price New: £50.13

This is without a doubt THE fly fishing book to purchase if you are looking to learn how to Spey Cast. Simon is widely regarded throughout the sport of fly fishing as being one of the World’s best fly casting experts. The book includes wonderful huge full colour photos, fantastic informative and easy to understand diagrams and simple yet powerfully effective descriptions. This book is a MUST have!

It is no easy challenge to cast with a two-handed rod in a mid 1800’s Scottish style and it is now popular with all types of fishing especially when there are obstructions that are blocking the backcast.

In Spey Casting by Simon Gawesworth, Champion Spey Caster Simon Gawesworth teaches single spey, switch cast, snake roll, snap T, double spey and devon switch. He discusses the differences between modern and traditional techniques and suggests the correctlines and rods to use.

Simon Gawesworth is the best teacher and his descriptions and explanations regarding the correct techniques and moves are extremely clear, understandable and concise. He has a fantastic way of communicating what techniques and moves should be avoided and why.

This fly fishing book is an absolute must both for novices and experienced experts. Simon breaks down and simplifies a daunting subject and enables all skill levels to progress making Spey Casting by Simon Gawesworth an excellent purchase for anyone wanting to learn spey casting

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Author : Mel Krieger
Price New: £15.99

This excellent fly fishing book explains the different techniques of casting and how to identify and rectify the common casting faults

Mel Krieger is a fly casting expert known throughout the world and has an excellent reputation. There is no better manual for newbies to fly casting or the more advanced looking to improve their technique, The essence of flycasting should be on the shelf of every fly fishing angler.

The illustrative photos within this fly fishing book are printed in black and white. This is a very clever feature that works because Mel uses a white rod on a dark background, illustrating the advice in a beautiful way.

The essence of flycasting can help with the double haul, overheads, roll casts and more, but it also goes much further, with some excellent chapters focusing on choosing the correct equipment, presentation casts and rod actions.

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Author : Peter Owen
Price New: £4.16

This is probably the first book on knots that is worth reading!

It teaches Albright Knot, Blood Knot, Double Uni Knot, Water Knot, Double Loop, Perfection Loop, Dropper Loop, Bimini Twist, Nail Knot, Needle Knot, Needle Knot-Mono Loop, Tube Nail/Needle Knot, Emergency Nail Knot, Tucked Half Blood Knot, Grinner Knot, Palomar Knot, Nonslip Mono Knot, Improved Turle Knot, Double Turle Knot, George Harvey Dry-Fly Knot, Snelling, Spade End Knot.

There are no confusing coloured diagrams, but instead there are some very good, easy to understand and follow line drawings that are backed up with simple, easy to understand text. I have learnt nearly all my knots from this book and I regularly refer to it when teaching others.

This is a great knot book and I recommend it 100%. My advice to those looking to purchase a knot book is, amongst all the rubbish that is currently out there, this is a real gem.

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Author : Paul Morgan
Price New: £18.45

This is not really a handbook with instructional text dedicated to European Saltwater Fly Fishing but more like a collection of ideas. Even so, this book is a very good read and should be part of everyone’s library.

The chapters include fishing for Sea Trout, Coalfish, Garfish, Cod, Pollack, Mullet, Bass and Blue Sharks! There is an inspiring and extremely interesting chapter focusing on fly fishing in the Baltic for Trout.

Saltwater Flyfishing (Britain and Northern Europe) is a "Bible" dispels the myth that saltwater fly fishing is a new thing and cites evidence of activity back in 1851. Paul Morgan has created a book with a traditional feel that opens up many options. The book is written by anglers who are enthusiastic and extremely willing to share their experience and knowledge.

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Author : Chico Fernandez
Price New: £29.71

This book can be a great assistance for anyone who is planning to fish in the Bahamas, Seychelles, Cuba or Florida.

The books has a wealth of information that is written in a simple and easily understandable style and there is something for every type of Angler. The book covers Bonefish tides, habitat, diet, flies and the equipment needed for success.

Coming from someone who has been privelaged enough to cast for these spectacular fish, I can say that the information contained within this book is exceptional.

Chico Fernandez has created a well constructed book that includes a wealth of information about bonefish entomology. He reinforces some extremely important points including the leader setup. Experienced bonefishers probably won’t find a great deal of new material but this book certainly reinforces a number of important points when fishing.

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Author : Barry Reynolds
Price New: £29.71

Pike on the Fly is definitely the most comprehensive pike fishing book that I own. Barry Reynolds has created a book full of tips and techniques that is worth far more than the price of the book itself. This is the pike fishing book to own for all all types of pike anglers.

The pike and school bass have long been a target of fly anglers and Barry Reynolds has created a book that describes fishing for pike and Muskie in USA and Canada.

This book includes a huge amount of excellent and invaluable information regarding fishing for the Northern Pike and covers topics such as equipment, flies and tackle.

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Author : Bob Church
Price New: £7.95

Bob Church provides an extremely comprehensive insight into the fly boxes of some expert fly fishers including Iain Barr, Bob Church, Dave Shipman, Dave Grove, and Brian Peterson.

Arranged into clear and simplistic chapters the book details Wet flies, Lures, Dry Fly, and Nymphs. There is a mind boggling variety and creativity within the patterns and also within the names – Jammy Dodger springs to mind!

Because this book has been created by competition anglers many have decided to snub it, however in my opinion this is a big mistake and you should definitely take a look. This book provides many patterns that can probably help you out on one of those difficult days fishing, after all, competition anglers do fish for fun too.

I would probably say that this is my most favourite fly fishing book. It is crammed full of little gems and advice on how to fish the flies – not just how to tie them.

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Author : Pat O'Reilly
Price New: £9.39

This book is a must for anyone who sometimes struggles to identify or choose the best fly or imitation to use. The book is full of excellent photos of the highest quality and the book as a whole has been cleverly thought out.

Through his series of failsafe patterns and simplified chapters, Pat O’Reilly explains the importance of insect identification in an easy to understand way.

The book is a super guide as to what food the trout may be feeding on at any particular time throughout the year and I have found it invaluable. It is a superb book that is divided into the different seasons making it easy understand what to be looking for throughout the year.

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