Working with tinsels, feathers, silks, furs, wool, and threads. Instructions from a master tier on all materials--traditional and modern--and how to use them.
Ron Alcott is unquestionably one of the best classic fly tiers in the world, and in this book he shares everything he knows. Written for both expert and beginning tiers, this book is full of easy-to-follow tips and techniques for building these beautiful works of art. Alcott shares: their history; materials and substitutes for those components that are now illegal; silk, feather, and fur colors; metallic tinsels; types of wings; proportions; building classic featherwings; metric conversion chart; and more. In 81 step-by-step photos, Alcott builds five representative classic flies, and provides dressings for 32 more. Sixteen color plates illustrate many of the most renowned classic flies, as well as feathers, silk color, and antique tools, This book is a must for all tiers interested in classic-fly building.
The trout fly is both a tool for catching fish and an object of exquisite beauty. Newly reissued in a handsome hardcover edition, The Art of the Trout Fl captures the blending of art and function in these amazing constructions of fur, feather, fiber, and thread. Forty-three international masters of flytying share the secrets of their craft in wise and witty personal essays, each accompanied by a gorgeously rendered photograph of their most distinctive creations, as well as a list of the materials used to bring the flies to life. Also included is an illuminating introduction discussing the contributions of the flytyers to fly design, and exploring why tyers the world over are so fascinated by the craft. A justly celebrated classic, The Art of the Trout Fly is an excellent introduction to flytying for the novice and a valuable source of information and inspiration for the experienced fly-fisher.
The Definitive Book on Spey Flies Within fly tying, and within steelhead and salmon angling, Spey flies occupy a substantial niche. These flies are exceptionally popular in America, not only on the “steelhead coast,” but nationwide among fly tying enthusiasts, and they enjoy a substantial popularity worldwide; their popularity has gained renewed enthusiasm with the latest generation of young tiers and anglers (the private Facebook page “The Spey Tyer” has 3,600 members). The author is the world’s leading authority on the history and tying of Spey flies simply because they caught his fancy in the 1980s and over the years he has conducted more research on the topic by far than anyone else. His vision for this new incarnation of his original Spey Flies (Amato Publications, 2002) includes a tremendous upgrade from the original—an entirely new book, in fact—because he has uncovered so many historical facts, intrigues, people, and flies that have never been compiled in a single volume, or even presented in any form to the interested audience. The original Spey Flies was graphically rich; the new book is far more so.
The first edition of Salmon Flies became an indispensable reference soon after it was published in 1978 and went on to become a classic. This new edition builds on that legacy. With new photographs in full colour, it features more than 180 recipes in nine pattern styles -- from simple strip-wings and fully dressed feather wings to tube flies. Each chapter begins with detailed, step-by-step photographs and captions showing the tying sequence for a featured fly, followed by dozens of recipes for additional patterns in the same style.
Presents the world's best-known flies from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, tied from the original directions using the original materials, including the Balmoral, Black Doctor, Thunder and Lightning, and others
- 2-hour DVD showing key techniques - Appendix with 100 classic patterns - Broad range of patterns and tying techniques from simple to complex Twenty Salmon Flies features in depth and detail the full range of classic salmon fly patterns from the simplest to the most complex. The twenty patterns together build on styles, types, materials, elements, and techniques. Learn to tie these twenty and you'll master the craft and the art of classic salmon fly tying.Each chapter successively presents patterns that are more and more complex. Chapter one introduces very simple Spey and Dee styles, strip wings with a few elements. Move on to simple upright wing flies, working with full feathers and married wing styles. A chapter focuses on flies with multiple body divisions and another is devoted to Traherne's exquisite (and challenging) Victorian classics. Once you've mastered these 20, you'll be able to tie any classic salmon pattern.Michael Radencich covers the classic patterns developed and fished throughout the nineteenth century and new patterns, modern variations developed in the last two decades. To further reinforce skills, Radencich has produced a two-hour DVD and has included an appendix of 100 patterns culled from his collection of sources. Whether you're a beginning classic salmon fly tier or more experienced with the classics, you'll find Radencich's newest book and DVD an inspiring and challenging reference.