The Handbook of Fly Tying

Rating:
Summary: Glad I bought the book
Review: An excellent book for the beginner and I assume for the intermediate. Excellent patterns and instructions. Lots of color pictures to guide you though step by step and excellent detail of the specifics of a particular pattern or tying tips. Well worth the money.

Rating:
Summary: Best fly tying book I've found yet
Review: I was an avid fly tier and fisherman over 5 years ago. Recently, I decided to start up again, and spent quite a bit of time looking for a fly tying book I could use to remind me of the basics. I found Peter Gathercole's book to be, far and away, the best. It isn't a book full of recipies, it's a book full of techniques. Some of the techniques he presents are new and unusual, most are traditional. Great photography and clear language lead you through the methods step by step. I am very impressed with this book, and would suggest it to anyone from a complete novice to a more experienced tier. If you already have some experience under your belt, he will give you the little tips that clean up your flies, give them that little extra bugginess or movement, and especially be more durable and longer-lasting. An excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: A must for beginners serious about fly fishing
Review: The combination of Peter's astounding color photography and easy-to-follow lessons has lead to a beginners fly tying book that not only teaches, but inspires further study. Lessons are uniquely organized to lead the student through all necessary aspects of the art while providing a sound basis for some of the most important insect imitations still proving their usefulness today. As the student learns more about the art and applies the teachings of others, he/she will return to Peter's book time and time again for basic understanding and interpretation.

Rating:
Summary: Great for beginners
Review: This is a particularly good book for beginners. I've had mine for a while and refer to it often. Mr. Gathercole breaks the book up in chapters on how to tie the various parts of the fly, body, tails, hackle etc. which I think makes it easier for the beginner to learn rather than simply showing the steps to tying a number of different patterns. This book is the best I've seen for getting started. It shows you how to tie as opposed to just recipies for known patterns.

Rating:
Summary: Great for beginners
Review: This is a particularly good book for beginners. I've had mine for a while and refer to it often. Mr. Gathercole breaks the book up in chapters on how to tie the various parts of the fly, body, tails, hackle etc. which I think makes it easier for the beginner to learn rather than simply showing the steps to tying a number of different patterns. This book is the best I've seen for getting started. It shows you how to tie as opposed to just recipies for known patterns.