Rating: 
Summary: Many better books available
Review: After reading several beginners books on flyfishing, it is
clear that this one misses the mark. Try the Orvis guides.
Any of them. Try the curtis creek manifesto, which in
about 40 pages, does more than this book in hundreds.This book starts out good, and actually has some good
information, but when it gets down to fishing for
certain species, most of the "advice" is really just
regalling how good the author is at fishing. If you want a "feel good" type of book, this might
be the one for you. But if you want to catch fish
on flies, try other sources instead.
Rating: 
Summary: verbose but not informative
Review: After reading several beginners books on flyfishing, it is
clear that this one misses the mark. Try the Orvis guides.
Any of them. Try the curtis creek manifesto, which in
about 40 pages, does more than this book in hundreds. This book starts out good, and actually has some good
information, but when it gets down to fishing for
certain species, most of the "advice" is really just
regalling how good the author is at fishing. If you want a "feel good" type of book, this might
be the one for you. But if you want to catch fish
on flies, try other sources instead.
Rating:
Summary: Many better books available
Review: I am very disapointed with this book. McNally wastes a lot of time pumping himself up by telling us about how he won some distance casting contests back in his prime, how fly line used to be labeled when he first got into fly fishing, and other useless info. His section on fly casting is pitiful and provides no real information to a beginner. The funniest part is his fly casting problems and remedies - I've seen better information on an index card. His section on fly tying is also useless. The final offense is that in several pictures of trout, McNally describes how the trout was handled gently and released carefully. Then in the saltwater fishing section, he catches a small dolphin and shows a picture of himself gaffing the dolphin with a caption that reads "Dolphins are good eating!". McNally might be a great fly fisher but his book as awful. I would recommend the LLBean book over this one for beginners anyday.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Book on Flyfishing
Review: I bought this book as a beginner wanting to get into flyfishing. This book gave the information I needed to be confident in beginning this demanding sport. It has a great overview of all species and techniques. A Great Beginners book.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I'm reading this book right now and I love it! I used to read his articles years ago in Field and Stream and Outdoor Life and Sports Afield and I'd forgotten what a fine writer he was. I like the way he tells good stories while he's taking fishing and even though I can't yet get to some of the places he's writing about, he sure makes me want to be there. This is the sort of book that a book lover will enjoy and a book lover who is also a fly fisher will especially enjoy every bit of it! My husband, Tom, who is a writer himself, also has read it and is every bit as keen on it as I.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I'm reading this book right now and I love it! I used to read his articles years ago in Field and Stream and Outdoor Life and Sports Afield and I'd forgotten what a fine writer he was. I like the way he tells good stories while he's taking fishing and even though I can't yet get to some of the places he's writing about, he sure makes me want to be there. This is the sort of book that a book lover will enjoy and a book lover who is also a fly fisher will especially enjoy every bit of it! My husband, Tom, who is a writer himself, also has read it and is every bit as keen on it as I.
Rating:
Summary: Complete is right!
Review: just a quick word about this wonderful book: within two months of reading it, and having never fly-fished a day in my life, i took 23 creel-size trout in two days from Helton Creek, North Carolina. this book guided me throug the purchase of all my equipment, and instructed me on all the techniques in using it. in the nine months since i first read this book i have caught all three species of trout, countless pan fish, crappies, small- and large-mouth bass, and one baracudda. i highly recomend it to anyone interested in fly-fishing.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book for the Beginner!
Review: My wife and I recently decided to take up fly fishing but had little fishing knowledge specific to fly fishing. Mr. McNally has covered the many aspects of fly fishing in plain, easy-to-understand language. Others with fly fishing experience have praised this book. As a novice, I would certainly recommend it for anyone about to take up the sport.
Rating:
Summary: Great for beginners and intermediate flyfishers.
Review: The explosive growth of flyfishing is due to many things, not the least of which is the depth and breadth of well-conceived instructional material. There are many more good books available today than in years past, and McNally's book is a case in point. "The Complete Book of Flyfishing" does many things well. It gives the first time, fledgling flyfisher a basic overview of the equipment, tactics, and methods by which they can become proficient in the sport. There is also a depth and breadth of information in McNally's book that explains well many of flyfishing's harder techniques and methods. All in an easy to read format that leaves the reader wanting more. Some instructional books effectively transfer information without adequately explaining the reasons why traditions and methods have evolved and are recommended. McNally gives more than just a "how to" treatise. He explains the rationale behind his choice of material, technique and equipment choices. If a friend asked the best method to learn the basics of flyfishing I'd have no hesitation in recommending "The Complete Book of Flyfishing" by McNally as an outstanding guide. Intermediate flyfishers will also find many interesting items in the book. McNally's section on knots is a prime example. Many have fished for years without a good working knowledge of the knots needed to fish properly. McNally provides first class illustrations for all the basic and tertiary knots. Sections on leader design and composition are also outstanding. I've never seen a better exposition on leaders anywhere. If you are looking for a well-written text on all aspects of flyfishing pick up a copy of McNally's book. You will reach for it often.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, great price
Review: This book covered in pages what others could not do in their entire context! An excellent read, through and through. I learned so much about fly fishing that I actually hauled in a full-grown cow from a field by the stream next to where I was fishing. Tom McNally is wonderful! I'd offer to have his children, but I'm a man.
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