Publisher: Frank Amato Publications
ISBN - 1-57188-232-4 (soft cover)
ISBN - 1-57188-233-2 (hard cover)
Pages: 160; 12 chapters; a gallery of dressings; extensive bibliography and index for cross referencing.
This book is a work of art as much as the patterns tied and shown in the many pictures: a must have for those committed to learning or expanding their knowledge of the art of tying steelhead and Atlantic salmon flies. John Shewey presents us with a balance of anecdotes, historical accounts and photography, as well as practical instruction on various techniques for tying these flies. This is not a book about how to fish flies, or what rivers to fish, though certainly it is a product of lifetimes of fishing on countless rivers. It is best placed near to the vise or a comfortable chair.
The introduction features a brief discussion on styles of tying and the rivers and regions that spawned them, and a commentary on modern tiers who often forget the fundamentals of "fishability" (not to be insulting, but rather to admire, address and acknowledge the popularity of patterns, among expert tiers and fishers alike, which are fully dressed and best framed under glass rather than fished), ends with words which perhaps all of us can agree with: "Beach a salmon or steelhead on this fly and I can assure you that your appreciation for the salmon-tier's art will attain new heights"; and "a steelhead is too fine a game fish to be insulted with ugly flies" (Shewey, 9).
From there, we get into the first few chapters on where it all began in Scotland with characters like Major James Grant and Gordon Castle Ghillie, Geordie Shanks. Shewey give us lists of various old spey and dee patterns, humble patterns made of local feathers and wool, and pictures of old salmon rods, stout poles akin to a whole ash tree devoid of limbs and leaves, harkening back to a simpler time on the river.
Several chapters provide invaluable information and advice for those confused by the myriad of materials used back then, like heron, and the materials used these days, like blue eared pheasant, bleach-burned schlappen or tip died marabou. Dying and bleaching techniques are covered, but perhaps the best tip I learned was splitting and soaking hackles. The description of tying with each material is step by step and logically segmented to cover several different techniques such as affixing spey, dee and married wings.
For those more experienced, there are chapters dedicated to design considerations of both new and old patterns for durability, sinkability and overall fishability. Experts like Tod Stoddart and David Burns are often cited for their insight on tying for function rather than display. If you are into getting right back to the roots of older styles of tying, there is even a page of instruction on attaching guy eyes for functional fishing!
If you were looking for instruction on how these flies are to be fished, you will not be let down, but it's humbly not extensive. There are humorous and informative accounts of watching presentations of different styles of flies and hackling techniques from a "fish-eye" view. To think John Shewey donned a wet-suit and a diving mask to watch flies being cast to him as though he were a steelhead- now that's getting in touch with the fish!
The gallery of dressings features more than fifty pictures and with dressing instructions, and within the book, there are dozens more dressings listed. The focus is primarily on classic spey style flies, but does include many dee dressings as well.
This book is a fine example of the humble and collaborative spirit of fly fishers worldwide and features flies and anecdotes from renowned North-West tiers such as Dec Hogan, Syd Glasso, Dick Wentworth, Walt Johnson and Dave McNeese. I refer to this book almost every time I tie for its wealth and balance of tying ideas.
Verdict: If you want to learn more or refine your tying style for old spey and dee patterns as well as contemporary West coast patterns, or just have a good read on the history of the art over a single malt, then get it and have a gander.
By btree
Menu
Advert
vBulletin Message