Wisdom of the Guides: Rocky Mountain Trout Guides Talk Fly Fishing

Rating:
Summary: Must read
Review: One of the best fly fishing book I have read this year. Excellet information and very readable.

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Summary: Read this book to see how passion enlightens one's life.
Review: Paul is a Renaissance man who has spent the past few years learning the intricies of fly fishing with a passion. You will enjoy his photographs of fishing guides and their responses to the questions we often ask of ourselves.

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Summary: Old fashioned, back porch advice
Review: Reading Paul Arnold's book was like sitting on the back porch talking to a good friend. As a beginning fly fisherman, I was looking for honest advice about what kind of tackle to buy and other such stuff. What emerged from the interviews was honest advice and comments that I found very helpful; advice that was not burdened with any ulterior motives. You can't be sure of getting this kind of advice in a store, when the motivation to make a sale can color the advice that is dispensed.

While some of the more advanced topics were somewhat over my head, I suspect experienced anglers would find the homey treatment of this information just as refreshing as I found the topics of interest to me.

By its nature, a "How to" book is colored by the preferences of the author. In the case of "Wisdom," the reader is able to weigh the preferences of many experts, then come to his or her own judgments. I recommend this book for anyone interested in fly fishing.

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Summary: Discover fishing tricks and how to be on your best behaviour
Review: That's Al Troth on the cover, and Wisdom of the Guides is chock full of interviews with some of the best guides plying their trade just east of the Rocky Mountains.

Arnold interviewed many more guides than he was able to include in the book, and to some extent the responces of even those presented repeat themselves. Arnold uses a template of questions, and there is, for instance, a remarkable similarity as to their prefered client. They all seem to prefer someone who is a good listener, doesn't care too much about the number or size of fish caught, wants to learn, and is preferably a beginer. In short someone who will stroke their egos. Who don't they like? Well someone who wants to use the occasion to prove how great they are.

If this book is any indication, however, these guides have a lot to teach. The western trout fishing experience isn't what it once apparently was; lots of big flies, and big fish. The new west has a very broad variety of fishing, in part because of the very specific lessons learned by some of these great guides and others. Even an easterner like me will pick up a lot of tips here.

I don't know how I will feel about it in ten years, a lot of the information is so happening it may date, so grab a copy and be the first to put it to use in your stream.

The only newish, similar book which jumps to mind, and which I have also read, is Neal Streak's Small Fly Adventures in the West.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for all levels !
Review: The great value of this book to the western fly fisherperson is twofold. First is the amazing agreement amongst the 10 guides interviewed on many basic points of importance: less false casting, get closer to the fish, mend the line continually while nymphing and dry fly fishing. Secondly the specific fly recommendations and specific suggestions on how to present them. It goes on and on, but there are many fundamentally important points that will help me be a much better fisherman.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing agreement between the guides on many points.
Review: The great value of this book to the western fly fisherperson is twofold. First is the amazing agreement amongst the 10 guides interviewed on many basic points of importance: less false casting, get closer to the fish, mend the line continually while nymphing and dry fly fishing. Secondly the specific fly recommendations and specific suggestions on how to present them. It goes on and on, but there are many fundamentally important points that will help me be a much better fisherman.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for all levels !
Review: Wisdom of the Guides is a fantastic book for all levels of flyfishers. The book is full of helpful hints to improve your chances at landing great trout. It is also filled with interesting tales from guides who have seen it all. The book was hard to put down. It is a must read book both for the rec fisher and addict. Remember ....its all in the presentation !