tying books

[ikarus47]

I am new to fly tying and would appreciate some suggestions for instructional fly tying books (saltwater mostly).
Thanks,

Andreas.

[doyle007]

your first book should be "Pop Fleyes" by Bob Popovics. It's very informative, and all of the flies in it are easy to tie and effective.

[Brianf27]

Yes Bob's stuff is great. There is also ton's of stuff on the web. As a beginner you may want a book that shows some fundamentals. Read them, try them. Tie simple stuff or something that really looks like fun. Then go to a club, or show and watch. If you watch someone who is good tie a fly you think to yourself "That looks easy" but when you get home... If you try it yourself and struggle somewhat then watch someone who is good, it all hits home. Some guys tie real pretty, some guys tie ugly flies that catch fish. I succeed at both once in awhile.

[ikarus47]

Thanks for the posts so far. Any suggestions for one of the basics- type books?

Andreas.

[AlderBrookFarm]

Universal Fly Tying Guide by Dick Stewart. The first class I took in tying used it and it says on the back it was a winner of a Book of the Year Award by the United Fly Tyers, Inc. I also have Fly Tying Made Clear & Simple by Skip Morris. Between the two books I can usually figure something out. They both are fairly freshwater oriented but the basics are the same.

[David Churbuck]

Here's a list of good saltwater fly tying links to Amazon:

Pop Fleyes: Bob Popovics (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0811712478/reeltimetheint00)

Lefty Kreh's: Saltwater Fly Patterns (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1558213376/reeltimetheint00)

Bob Veverka's Innovative Saltwater Flies (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0811709027/reeltimetheint00)

None of these are instructional -- per se -- except for Pop Fleyes which is very good at teaching one how to work with Epoxy.

For basic, fundamental instruction on how a vise works, how to wrap, palmer, dub, pinch, whip finish, etc., I guess I would recommend:

The Orvis Fly Tying Guide: Tom Rosenbauer (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1585740330/reeltimetheint00)

Any other suggestions from the peanut gallery?

[LandlockedinMI]

Considered a video? If you really wanna get the buzz, nothin' beats multi-media. Lefty (who else) has a series out that I think is called Fly Tying w/ the masters where he and Clouser show you the basics , tips , tricks etc etc. There's 2 or 3 tapes in the set. Couple that with the aforementioned Saltwater PAttern book and say goodbye to the wife and TAter-tots (God, that 122nd viewing of Toy Story really got to me)

More $'s than a book but woulkd return a flatter learning curve......Is it spring yet?

[Sentience]

I started tying trout flies and the first book I bought was a little weird, I thought. after getting more into the whole thing I realized that the book was British. The second book i bought was great, it was Dave Hughes' Essential Trout Flies. I still love this book it has the perfect balance of tying instructions, alternatives, fishing tips etc. That book tought me the basics. Since then I have bought the books listed above and find them amazing, especially pop fleyes. I think I really learned saltwater tying by buying flies and copying them. That and vise time.

[msiler]

Saltwater Fly Tying by Frank Wentink.

Great book to start you off with the basics. Lots of helpful tips and tricks. Info on Bobbins, thread, tools vices etc.

Covers - Clousers, Deceivers, Blondes; Poppers, Seaducers, Glass minnows Crab patterns and a few flies for Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit and Barracuda.

[Jay MacLaughlin]

Surprised no one has mentioned Kenny Abrames' two books, "Striper Moon" and "A Perfect Fish."

If Bob Pop is the essence of "match the hatch," with extraordinarily accurate replicas of baitfish, then Abrames is the impressionist. His attractor patterns combine colors that seemingly never occur in nature. But in fact, when put together underwater, they're startlingly lifelike. Both points of view are helpful as you build your skill.

Another essential (IMO) is George Roberts' "Saltwater Naturals and their Imitation." Thorough set of illustrations of the actual bait--fish, shrimp, squid, crabs, etc.--and the varieties of flies that mimic the originals.

[Quicksilver]

What type of flies do you fish with? If you live in Ma or southern NH there is superb tying instruction with UFT in Burlington, MA. The book that Misler recomends can be delivered to your door for $14.78. I saw it on Half.com by Ebay. It is the paperback version. The same book in hard cover is on auction at Ebay. The auction expires tonight (2/6), at 10:30pm. The seller is also auctioning The Orvis Fly Tying Manual, (auction ends in 4 days).

[flysully]

As stated above, favorite books were my first by Lefty Kreh, Saltwater Fly Patterns. Of course, Popovich's Pop Fleyes and Flies for Saltwater by Dick Stewart. I've also referred many, many times before tying for a trip to Saltwater Flies "Over 700 of the Best" by Deke Meyer. There are many famous productive flies in this book. Also, if bonefishing, the classic Dick Brown "Bonefish Fly Patterns", all you'll need for bonefishing. I purchased Ken Abrames book, A Perfect Fish, but thought the flies all looked the same and to be honest, here on LI, I haven't found the fish very attracted to his flatwing patterns. I'm usually very picky about which fly tying books I purchase because I really only want books I'll refer to for my everyday fishing. I'm not into starting a library of books, just because they are excellent but don't pertain to my area.
I also really, really loved reading Ray Bondorew's Stripers and Streamers! Therein is his "Ray's Fly" pattern along with others which are classics. The books I've mentioned have been of great value to me as a fly tyer here on LI.

[tonal]

"Surprised no one has mentioned Kenny Abrames' two books, "Striper Moon" and "A Perfect Fish."

I would have to agree, particularly siince this board has had so many flatwing patterns on it recently that are right out of those books that I purchased them myself.

[ikarus47]

Thank you so much, everyone. This was really very helpful. I'll be doing some internet shopping soon.
Andreas.