annieb123
Written on Dec 22, 2021
Tying Landon Mayer's Signature Flies is a well written and beautifully illustrated guide to tying flies used successfully by fishing guides for groups. Due out 30th Dec 2021 from Rowman & Littlefield on their Stackpole Books imprint, it's 216 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
This is a no-nonsense book. There are 19 tutorials here and they are specific, well illustrated, beautifully photographed and instructional, but what really engaged me and what I most enjoyed reading were the friendly, open, and honest reminiscences and memories related by the author about fish, about fishing, about being outdoors, and about other fishers and sharing experiences guiding and mentoring other sportsmen/women. And the tutorials of course.
Each of the tutorials includes the name, background history, extreme close up macro photograph, tools and supplies in a bullet list color highlighted text box, and detailed step-by-step instructions. The instructions include close-up photographs which are clear, in color, and don't have any fingers or tools blocking the view. Alternatives for different sizes and color variations are shown in their own boxes outside the main instructions. The photography in this volume is super high quality and clear.
The author gives good tips for how to get the best performance out of the ties and where to use them. The book is full of good info and will be right at home with fly tying and fishing enthusiasts. Although I don't fish much, I do enjoy tying the occasional fly for friends and family, and this was a joy to read. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition, makers groups, fishing/sporting boutiques, and gift giving.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.