NEW BOOKS

November/December 2004

Some wonderful selections for Holiday gift giving…

The Greatest Fly Fishing Around the World: Trout, Salmon, and Saltwater Fishing on the World’s Most Beautiful Waters
R. Valentine Atkinson, The Lyons Press (Guilford, CT), (888)249-7568 or (203)458-4500, fax: (800)820-2329 or (203)458-4603, www.globe-pequot.com, 2003, 320 pp., illustrated, $40, hardcover.
Trout of the World, James Prosek
Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die, Chris Santella
Stewart, Tabori & Chang (New York), (212)519-1202, fax: (212)519-1210, 2003/2004, 223/222 pp., illustrated, $32.5/$24.95, hardcover.
American Fish Decoys
Steven Michaan, FishDecoy.Com Ltd. (Pound Ridge, NY), (888)396-3474, www.fishdecoy.com, 2003, 208 pp., illustrated, $95, hardcover.
Flyfishing the Great Western Rivers
Ralph Kylloe, Gibbs Smith, Publishers (Layton, UT), (801)544-9800, fax: (801)544-5582, www.gibbs-smith.com, 2004, 256 pp., illustrated, $60, hardcover.
The Sea/Day By Day
Philip Plisson, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (New York), (212)206-7715, fax: (212)645-8437, www.abramsbooks.com, 2004, 432 pp., illustrated, $35, hardcover.
       The Greatest Fly Fishing in the World sweeps us along on a worldwide journey to experience the beauty and thrill of fishing for trout and salmon, tarpon, permit and bonefish. Twenty-three essays from both contemporary and classic authors bring to life the 500 stunning images of renowned photographer R. Valentine Atkinson. This is an irresistible visual and literary feast of the sport, a unique and essential addition to the library of every fly-fishing enthusiast. Author and painter James Prosek’s passion for trout has led him to the far corners of the globe, and Trout of the World is the magnificent result of those journeys. Featuring 100 striking, never-before-published watercolors that illuminate the beauty and diverseness of this species, the book takes us on a world tour – to Spain, Morocco, Siberia, Japan, Ireland, France, Afghanistan and Britain. The accompanying text provides short historical profiles of each fish along with the author’s personal reflections. Includes a Trout of the World poster. For both armchair travelers and avid outdoorsmen who may have already started a checklist of their own, Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die maps out the meccas of the fly-fishing world. Chris Santella has collected 50 in-depth essays from the sport’s acknowledged experts (people like Larry Dahlberg, Ernest Schwiebert, Sandy Moret, Lani Waller, Billy Pate, Steve Probasco, Cathy Beck, and more). Each includes background information about the destination, how-to hints, anecdotes based on the author’s experiences, and beautiful photographs of the spots (many by R. Valentine Atkinson). American Fish Decoys is beautiful. The book contains some text but it is mostly an exhibition of folk art -- of vintage American fish decoys. Author Steven Michaan spent nearly 20 years building up a museum-quality fish decoy collection. Carved and painted in the 1930s and 1940s by men now recognized as master craftsmen, decoys were designed to resemble bait fish and were used by ice fishermen as lures. Today they are highly prized by collectors. The photography (displayed on black pages) is fabulous, and posters, playing cards and note cards with these same images are also available. With chronicles and exquisite photos of fishing adventures from more than 20 rivers in the Western U.S., Fly Fishing the Great Western Rivers is a photo journey as well as a compilation of travel information, fishing tips, gear collecting and personal insights. Ralph Kylloe features rainbow trout, sockeye and king salmon, but the occasional moose, mosquito and grizzly are also part of the cast of characters in his interpretations of life in and on some of the finest fishing waters and lodges in the West. Marine photographer Philip Plisson explores and uncovers a distinct destination each day on a voyage across the waters of the world in The Sea/Day By Day. The sea’s drama, power and changeability are captured in 365 photographs – one for each day of the year. These glorious images examine mankind’s desire to live near the sea, both for its essential role in sustaining life and for its beauty, as well as the hazards faced by those who live their life by and for the sea. Detailed captions accompany each image.

Amazon Peacock Bass Fishing
Larry Larsen, Larsen’s Outdoor Publishing (Lakeland, FL), (863)644-3381, fax: (863)644-3288, www.larsenoutdoors.com or www.peacockbassassociation.com, 2004, 192 pp., illustrated, $19.95, softcover.
Fishing Guide to Western Australia
Kurt Blanksby and Frank Prokop, Australian Fishing Network (AFN) (South Croydon, Australia), 011-61-3-9761-4469, fax: 011-61-3-9761-4055, www.afn.com.au, 2003, 152 pp., illustrated, AU$34.95, softcover.
Fly Fishing the Yellowstone in the Park
Bob Jacklin and Gary LaFontaine, The Lyons Press (contact information above), 2004, 112 pp., illustrated, $12.95, softcover.
Scotland for Fishing 2004
Pastime Publications Ltd (Perthshire, UK), phone/fax: 011-44-1887-830526, www.flyfishing-and-flytying.co.uk, 2003, 161 pp., illustrated, £8.99, softcover.
Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Fishing: The Complete Troller’s Guide
Dan Keating and Chip Porter, Outdoor Impressions (Lake Zurich, IL), fax: (847)273-0563, www.chipporter.com, 2004, 246 pp., illustrated, $24.95 plus $4 S/H, softcover.
       Amazon Peacock Bass Fishing is Larry Larsen’s fourth book in this series. It focuses on this exciting game fish of the Amazon River and its tributaries and the most successful tactics and strategies for these and all other waters where peacock bass are found. The appendices include helpful listings of all major operators and outfitters of peacock bass trips, product manufacturers, and services that cater to peacock bass enthusiasts. Kurt Blanksby and Frank Prokop cover the vast coastal waters of Australia’s largest state in great detail in Fishing Guide to Western Australia. Regional maps are complemented by information on all forms of fishing – from river and bay to extreme cliff-top action and offshore. Fish species, best baits and times of year, angling tips, boat ramps, service areas and much more are presented in this excellent reference. Bob Jacklin knows the Yellowstone River’s fish, its insects, its flies and its moods, and Gary LaFontaine was one of the best-known and most innovative fly fishermen in the world. In Fly Fishing the Yellowstone in the Park, their combined knowledge takes you through the river’s seasons, its hatches, and the most effective fly patterns and techniques for catching the Yellowstone’s wily native cutthroat trout. Published in association with Fly Fishing and Fly Tying magazine and Orvis, Scotland for Fishing 2004 is a comprehensive directory to the wide range of great angling spots (rivers, lochs, coarse fishing and sea angling venues) around the country. Also included in this handy guide are tips on techniques and what flies to use, fishing-friendly hotels, maps and travel information, and articles on salmon, brown trout and sea trout fishing. Two professional captains who are experts at catching Great Lakes fish share their knowledge in Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Fishing. Stressing that the key to consistent success is more than “where, what, when and how,” Dan Keating and Chip Porter explain the “why” of salmon and trout fishing. Analyzing the species, reading the waters, formulating a plan, locating fish, choosing the proper tools and combination of baits, reacting to the conditions, and many more useful topics are covered.

The Dunkeld Collection - Hardy Reels
Jess Miller (Hargrave, Northants, UK), www.hardy reelbook.com, 2004, 91 pp., illustrated, £25.80 plus S/H, softcover.
Captain John’s Fishing Tackle Price Guide
John A. Kolbeck and Russell E. Lewis, Collector Books (Paducah, KY), (800)626-5420 or (270)898-6211, fax: (270)898-8890, www.collectorbooks.com, 2003, 272 pp., illustrated, $19.95, softcover.
Fiberglass Fly Rods: The Evolution of the Modern Fly Rod from Bamboo to Graphite
Victor R. Johnson and Victor R. Johnson, Jr., Centennial Publications (Grand Junction, CO), (303)243-8780, fax: (303)243-6503, 1996, 176 pp., illustrated, $19.95, softcover.
Fishing Online: 1,000 Best Web Sites
Craig Buddo, Stoeger Publishing Company (Accokeek, MD), (877)486-2665 or (301)283-6300, fax: (301)283-6986, www.stoeg erpublishing.com, 2004, 400 pp., illustrated, $22.95, softcover.
       First published in 1987, this revised edition of The Dunkeld Collection – Hardy Reels remains the definitive reference. Each reel section begins with information on a particular Hardy Reel model, followed by color photographs and detailed descriptions of 172 individual reels (covering rarity, production dates, construction materials, size ranges, etc.). This edition also features a study of Hardy Lures and 2004 price guides. There are many excellent books that can help you identify old tackle. But if you know what you have, Captain John’s Fishing Tackle Price Guide may be the next step. The prices in this guide come from live and electronic auctions as well as private sales, and include the condition of the item and date of the transaction. Categories include boxes, lures (most extensive section), reels, rods, and miscellaneous. When the Johnsons realized very little had been written about the early era of synthetic fly rods, they began researching the subject as a father-son project. The result, Fiberglass Fly Rods, is a thorough and fascinating look at the fiberglass period – at the rods, the companies, and the personalities. Fishing Online: 1,000 Best Web Sites is an interesting treatment of the subject. Author Craig Buddo spent two years weeding through tens of thousands of sites to produce this organized guide, and readers can find updates to the information in a dedicated area of Stoeger’s website. Although Buddo’s description of IGFA’s site isn’t entirely accurate, he does explain in his introduction that “good websites are constantly developing …”

Sport Fish of the Pacific
Vic Dunaway, Florida Sportsman (Stuart, FL), (800)538-7347 or (772)219-7400, fax: (772)219-6900, www.floridasportsman.com, 2004, 272 pp., illustrated, $16.95, softcover.
Snakehead: A Fish Out of Water
Eric Jay Dolin, Smithsonian Book (Washington, DC), (800)233-4830 or (202)275-2300, www.sipress.s i.edu, 2003, 266 pp., illlustrated, $24.95, hardcover.
The Rockfishes of the Northeast Pacific
Milton S. Love, et al., University of California Press (Berkeley, CA), (800)777-4726 or (510)642-4247, fax: (800)999-1958 or (510)642-7127, www.u c pr ess.edu, 2002, 404 pp., illustrated, $60, softcover.
Probably More Than You Want to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast
Milton Love, Really Big Press (P.O. Box 60123, Santa Barbara, CA 93160), (805)967-7704, 1996, 381 pp., illustrated, $19.95 plus $2.50 S/H, softcover.
       Sport Fish of the Pacific is a fully-illustrated guide to more than 250 recreational species in Pacific waters from Alaska through Mexico. Designed as a practical guide for anglers, author Vic Dunaway provides vital information about size, range, distribution and edibility, along with tips on where to fish and the best tackle, baits, flies and lures. And species id is made easy with illustrations by Kevin Brant and Joe Suroviec. Eric Jay Dolin’s Snakehead is the story of a fish that went from obscurity to front-page news. Native to Asia, snakeheads were released into a Maryland pond sometime around the year 2000. They multiplied rapidly and when anglers caught two adults a few years later, government officials responded aggressively. People feared the snakeheads would escape into rivers and the Bay, devouring native species. Making the species scarier still were its reported abilities to walk on land and breathe air. This is a fascinating look at the snakehead phenomenon – and at the larger issue of invasive species in America. From sleek shortbelly rockfish that resemble mackerels to heavy-bodied cowfish, the rockfishes display an array of shapes, sizes and colors. The Rockfishes of the Northeast Pacific is a comprehensive treatment of this diverse group of fishes. Part 1 gives an overview of rockfish biology, ecology and fisheries; Part 2 contains a key to identifying each species; Part 3 contains detailed species accounts. Written with humor as well as expertise and lavishly illustrated. Milton Love is also responsible for Probably More Than You Want to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast. Dr. Love provides accurate scientific information about each species (identifying characteristics, distribution, anatomy, commercial fisheries, etc.). Subtitled A Humorous Guide to Pacific Fishes, Love makes it fun as well as he discusses the intelligence of fish, if fish sleep, if they can harm us emotionally, and so on.

Mastering Pike on the Fly: Strategies and Techniques
Barry Reynolds, Johnson Books (Boulder, CO), (800)258-5830 or (303)443-9766, fax: (303)443-1679, www.johnsonbooks.com, 2004, 254 pp., illustrated, $20, softcover.
The Orvis Pocket Guide to Fly Fishing for Steelhead, John Shewey
The Orvis Pocket Guide to Great Lakes Salmon and Steelhead, Matthew Supinski
Smallmouth Strategies for the Fly Rod, Will Ryan
The Lyons Press (contact information above), 2003/2004/2004, 234/154/212 pp., illustrated, $16.95/$16.95/$19.95, hardcover/hardcover/softcover.
       In every chapter of Mastering Pike on the Fly the author’s intent is clear – to help the angler catch pike, more pike and bigger pike. Combining science with more than 20 years of experience, Barry Reynolds expresses a true appreciation of (and valuable facts about) northerns and their habitat, and he provides a full complement of strategies, flies, and tools needed to locate and catch pike under nearly every circumstance. The last chapter covers trip planning (from choosing a lodge to tipping the guides). John Shewey covers everything the novice and experienced angler will want to know in The Orvis Pocket Guide to Fly Fishing for Steelhead. Beginning with biology, he explains the distinction between steelhead and Pacific salmon, and the differences between summer and winter steelhead. Subsequent chapters provide information about rods, reels and lines; flies; casting techniques, reading steelhead water; wading gear; and the ethics and etiquette of the sport. The Orvis Pocket Guide to Great Lakes Salmon and Steelhead covers the subject completely -- from how these Pacific Ocean game fish got to the Great Lakes in the first place to how to gear up for them, fish for them, and ultimately land them. Matthew Supinski describes their prey, the life cycles of salmon and steelhead, their habits in migration, and what they look for in a fly, plus offers advice on where and when to fish and tips on reading the Great Lakes water. Will Ryan’s Smallmouth Strategies is a complete guide to taking smallmouth bass on the fly rod in all types of habitat, throughout the year, and up and down the water column. At its core is a thorough study of the smallmouth’s life cycle, behavior, forage, and seasonal and daily movements, with a detailed season-by-season analysis of techniques and strategies that truly work. Excellent information here about a fish that may be one of fly fishing’s least-understood species.

New Zealand Fly Tying: The Ten-Thumbed Beginner’s Guide
Hugh McDowell, Reed Publishing (Auckland, New Zealand), 011-649-441-2960, fax: 011-649-480-4999, www.reed.co.nz, 2001, 141 pp., illustrated, NZ$24.95, softcover.
Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies
Sylvester Nemes, Stackpole Books (Mechanicsburg, PA), (800)732-3669 or (717)796-0411, fax: (717)796-0412, www.stackpole.com, 2004, 173 pp., illustrated, $34.95, hardcover.
Tying Emergers
Jim Schollmeyer and Ted Leeson, Frank Amato Publications (Portland, OR), (800)541-9498 or (503)653-8108, fax: (503)653-2766, www.amatobooks.com, 2004, 344 pp., illustrated, $45, softcover.
Flies for Bass & Panfish
Dick Stewart and Farrow Allen, The Lyons Press (contact information above), 2004, 80 pp., illustrated, $19.95, softcover.
America’s Fly Lines
Victor R. Johnson, Jr., EP Press (Vallejo, CA), (707)644-4788, fax: (707)557-2283, www.engineeringpathways.com/press/htm, 2003, 166 pp., illustrated, $21.95 plus S/H, softcover.
       Hugh McDowell insists that if you can tie a fly to your leader you can tie the fly itself, and he has written and illustrated New Zealand Fly Tying to show you how easy it is. He describes the inexpensive tools and materials you’ll need to get started, then demonstrates the techniques necessary to make the big lures unique to New Zealand; wet flies, dry flies and nymphs; and saltwater flies. Handy hints and entertaining yarns are also included in this lively handbook. Sylvester Nemes’ book, Two Centuries of Soft-Hackled Flies, traces the history and lineage of these old, effective, and deceptively simple trout flies. Nemes explores the best of trout-fishing literature from the mid-1700s to the 1970s, sifting through two centuries’ worth of fly-fishing wisdom and lore, most of which is applicable to modern angling. He shares 162 patterns from a range of soft-hackle styles, plus fishing advice and fascinating stories from past notable authors. Jim Schollmeyer and Ted Leeson, two of fly fishing’s most respected writers, give us the first book devoted to tying flies that imitate that difficult-to-match stage in an insect’s life cycle, the emergence. Tying Emergers includes emerger design and materials; basic and specialized tying techniques; 217 emerger patterns, each with an individual fly plate and recipe; over 2,200 step-by-step photos; and more. Flies for Bass & Panfish is a comprehensive guide to the flies currently being used on North American waters. Some of the best fly tyers from all parts of the U.S. have contributed to this collection, assembled by Dick Stewart and Farrow Allen. Each fly -- from realistic nymphs and big plug-type flies to frogs, crayfish, snakes, leeches, mice, insects, and baitfish -- is accompanied by a description of its components and comments on its origin and use. America’s Fly Lines traces the evolution of the fly line from its horsehair and silk beginnings. Victor Johnson, Jr. provides detailed profiles of more than 40 major firms selling fly lines in America from 1816 to date. He also explains the advances that have occurred in fly line technology over the same period, and includes a price guide for antique fly lines. With more than 200 graphics of fly lines, historical advertisements and photos.