Rating: 
Summary: Every dressing technique I've ever heard of is here!
Review: This is not a book that provides patterns and technique; this is a book of techniques that may be applied to patterns. This wonderful book has very clear illustrations of just about every dressing technique I've ever seen, or heard of, or wondered about. The most obscure technique for winging I know of, the "reverse hackle" or as the Brit's call it, "wonderwing" is clearly shown. I'd never run across anything about this winging style, save for a few photos in European journals. I find the inclusion of this obscure technique amazing. This book has something for everybody: beginners will have choices for tying that are easier (or, more sophisticated) than the guide they are working from; and, intermediate and advanced tiers will find interesting new methods or new uses for existing materials. I simply have never seen a survey of technique this extensive anywhere in the (already voluminous) fly tying literature. Mr. Schollmeyer's photos are sharp, well oriented and highly illustrative. Mr. Leeson's text (which is a substantial departure from his superb prose work) is a model of clarity and concise description. Overall this is a fine work and one which will, I predict, become a standard in the field.
Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone, but...
Review: Well, it's difficult to fault this book, because it does what (I assume) it set out to do exceedingly well - that is, be a reference of *techniques*. The worst you could say about this book is that it's not for everyone. For example, it's not something I'd recommend to a beginner. It doesn't show how to tie even one complete fly. A beginner would be in over his head trying to tie a fly from this book. It's all glossy, and there are thousands of photos, which is good, but this is not really a "coffee table" book either. It's dense and *technical* - looks like a glossy college textbook of some sort! But man, what a reference! It's the only book of its kind as far as I know. There is a LOT in here. They seem to have collected from every significant author and fly design to compile this monster. This book is fantastic for those who like to make up their own flies by tweaking patterns they already know of, or to make completely new patterns. It's also great if you find sketchy or confusing fly recipes - this can provide a new perspective on that technique you're trying to figure out. You want to add wings? 30 ways to tie in wings. Dubbing? A dozen dubbing techniques. Add lead? A couple dozen ways to weight your fly. (Those numbers are off the top of my head, but you get the idea.) The book's not perfect. I'm not an expert so I can't critique all the techniques, but, for example, the thorax hackling technique credited to Marinaro differs from Marinaro's instructions. Quibbles aside, if you tie much, and really want to improve your technique, or even improve on published fly patterns you've been tying, you can't beat this book....
Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone, but...
Review: Well, it's difficult to fault this book, because it does what (I assume) it set out to do exceedingly well - that is, be a reference of *techniques*. The worst you could say about this book is that it's not for everyone. For example, it's not something I'd recommend to a beginner. It doesn't show how to tie even one complete fly. A beginner would be in over his head trying to tie a fly from this book. It's all glossy, and there are thousands of photos, which is good, but this is not really a "coffee table" book either. It's dense and *technical* - looks like a glossy college textbook of some sort! But man, what a reference! It's the only book of its kind as far as I know. There is a LOT in here. They seem to have collected from every significant author and fly design to compile this monster. This book is fantastic for those who like to make up their own flies by tweaking patterns they already know of, or to make completely new patterns. It's also great if you find sketchy or confusing fly recipes - this can provide a new perspective on that technique you're trying to figure out. You want to add wings? 30 ways to tie in wings. Dubbing? A dozen dubbing techniques. Add lead? A couple dozen ways to weight your fly. (Those numbers are off the top of my head, but you get the idea.) The book's not perfect. I'm not an expert so I can't critique all the techniques, but, for example, the thorax hackling technique credited to Marinaro differs from Marinaro's instructions. Quibbles aside, if you tie much, and really want to improve your technique, or even improve on published fly patterns you've been tying, you can't beat this book....
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: What an incredible achievement this book is! It is way beyond my abilities as a tyer. However, the comprehensive and beautifully photographed discussions of far more tying techniques than I ever knew existed is a real inspiration to expand my horizons. This book will be a classic used by generations of fly tyers.
Rating:
Summary: The Fly Tiers Benchside Reference
Review: WOW! Of all the fly tying books I own, and there are many, this is the most useful of them all! Don't look for patterns here, just page after page of technique, clearly defined and photographed. You'll become a better tier just owning this masterpiece. This book will answer every fly tying question you've ever had and many you haven't even thought of yet. This is a must have for any fly tier regardless of skill level.
Rating:
Summary: The Fly Tiers Benchside Reference
Review: WOW! Of all the fly tying books I own, and there are many, this is the most useful of them all! Don't look for patterns here, just page after page of technique, clearly defined and photographed. You'll become a better tier just owning this masterpiece. This book will answer every fly tying question you've ever had and many you haven't even thought of yet. This is a must have for any fly tier regardless of skill level.
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