The Orvis Guide to the Essential American Flies

by Tom Rosenbauer

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Orvis Guide to the Essential American Flies is an information dense primer about fly tying with tutorials by Tom Rosenbauer. Originally published in 2011, this reformat and re-release is due out 20th Sept. 2021 from Rowman & Littlefield on their Lyons Press imprint. It's 208 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats (earlier editions available in other format).

This is a no-nonsense book. There are 20 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 about fish, about fishing, about being outdoors, and about other fishers and sharing experiences. 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 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.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.