The Complete Book of Fly Fishing

Amazon.com

In the wise words of Dame Juliana Berners, spoken five centuries ago yet just as immediate now, "there is more to fishing than catching fish." So begins The Complete Book of Fly Fishing, a combination primer-encyclopedia that is indeed a fairly complete book--and without sacrificing depth for breadth. Early chapters include the basics, such as history, equipment, and technique. McNally explains the differences between dry flies, nymphs, and wet flies, and how to approach these very different forms of fly-fishing. Insect hatches, stream tactics, and more advanced strategies are also detailed with illustrations and color photographs. Final chapters cover less traditional quarry like bass, pike, and saltwater species.

Book Description

There's an old saying among fly fishers that equipment isn't the only thing, it's everything. But the best equipment in the world will catch few fish if you don't know how to use it. Experienced anglers with dimestore equipment can outfish the superbly equipped tyro every time--because they know how it's done.

With nearly fifty years of fly fishing to look back on, Tom McNally knows how it's done, from angling for tiny brook trout in mountain streams to fly casting for giant marlin in the open ocean--and everything in between. This book is the culmination of a long and respected career as one of the world's best-known outdoor writers--the collected knowledge of almost half a century of fly fishing condensed to fit between two covers. Here, in plain language, is a complete book of fly fishing from a complete fly fisherman.

Customer Reviews:

Complete is right!.......2001-09-05

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.

Great Book!.......2001-03-26

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.

Disappointed Southern Fisherman.......2000-10-15

This book is listed as 368 pages. Thankfully there were only 349. I thought I was reading a novel. Each chapter began with a verbose, and usually self backpatting, 4-5 page introduction of the authors personal conquest while fly fishing. It took me so long to read, that I was out of time to return it. I sincerely believe the "meat" of this book could have been communicated in less than 200 pages, and probably less than 100 if color photos(other than the 10 pages in the center of the book that were of no benefit) were used. Actually, few photos of the "how to" were shown,the sketches carried most of the weight. Most of the black-and-white photos were of an already caught fish that bolstered the authors standing with his audience. L.L.Beans books are done and offer more info. Let's cut to the chase so that we can get back on the water. I would not recommend to beginner of advanced fishermen. I think that any book that includes fly tying or pictures of fishing flies commands color photos. How many fishing lures have you ever bought from a black-and-white catalog?

Many better books available.......2000-06-19

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.

Many better books available.......2000-06-19

McNally might be a great fly fisher but his book as awful. I would recommend the LLBean book over this one for beginners anyday.

Basic Freshwater Fishing: Step-By-Step Guide to Tackle and Know-How That Catch the Favorite Fish in Your Area
Average customer rating:

Nice Primer to get started

Great book

Still in print means something

Basic Freshwater Fishing

A must have for every begginer!

Basic Freshwater Fishing: Step-By-Step Guide to Tackle and Know-How That Catch the Favorite Fish in Your Area
Cliff Hauptman
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fishing | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
General | Water Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Fishing for Dummies

What Fish Don't Want You to Know: An Insider's Guide to Freshwater Fishing

Fishing Basics

Freshwater Fishing Tips and Techniques

Fisherman's Ultimate Knot Guide

Accessories:

Field & Stream Trophy Bass 3-D

ASIN: 0811722260

Customer Reviews:

Nice Primer to get started.......2007-02-26

I have started fishing more with my sons, so I thought it would be useful to buy a few books to make sure that I know the lingo, and do not make a fool of myself. Cliff Hauptman's books is a nice primer with lots of useful information. In it, he discusses the basic equipment and tackle needed, and various types of fish that are commonly sought. I found the information quite useful, and well worth the read. Some of the pictures and diagrams are not the best, but I felt more confident the next time I went out on the lake with my boys. Plus, we caught more fish, which is always nice.

If you are new to fishing, and looking for a quick read to get started, then I recommend this book. If you are more seasoned, this is probably not a great choice. Good luck, and see you at the lake.

Great book.......2006-07-06

I fished quite a bit growing up, but got away from it while in college. Recently I wanted to get back into it, so I needed some more grown-up gear. This book was quite valuable in helping me figure out what equipment I needed and what I didn't. The author's reccomendations of what lures to buy were especially helpful.

Still in print means something.......2006-03-20

I was searching for another fishing book when I saw that Cliff Hauptman was still in print. Even though I was not a total novice, I learned a lot from this book. And panfishermen should note that this is practically the only book that addresses crappies, bluegills and like that.

I'm now an occasional fisherman, doing my best on extended backpacking trips to extend my diet with trout. Lightweight tackle is not a topic Hauptmann gives any ink to, and if you want to actually clean that fish you just caught, Hauptman is silent (but check out Mark Bittman's _Fish_ for good graphics and how-to).

Others have citicised the "cheesy" photos in this book. I don't get it. All the photos seem to be of Chris Hauptman and his wife demonstrating pole-handling techniques described in immediately related text--what more could you ask? Even though I'm a side-arm caster, Hauptman knows his stuff and makes it clear.

Negatives: Another reviewer liked the drawings of various fish species mentioned in the text, but the one on the cover is all anyone needs.

Basic Freshwater Fishing.......2006-03-15

A good book for the beginning fisherman. I was disappointed that there was not more information on the presentation of the various artificial lures.

A must have for every begginer!.......2005-09-14

The book is written in a style that is friendly to a begginer. There are a couple of chapters which actually narrate the experience of a fishing expedition. Way helpful. The book is not in depth, but the title does say "BASIC". A great How-to book.

Fish Carving Basics: How to Paint (Fish Carving Basics)

Average customer rating:

Fish Carving Basics: How to Paint (Fish Carving Basics)
Curtis J. Badger
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Fun with Paper & Wood, Stones & Knives | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

How to Paint Trout (Fish Carving Basics Series, No 3)
How to Paint Tropicals (Fish Carving Basics, Vol 4)
Fish Carving: An Introduction
Carving Traditional Fish Decoys: With Patterns and Instructions for 17 Projects
The Breakthrough Fish Carving Manual

ASIN: 0811724409

Average customer rating:

Just when you thought you knew everything about crappie...

The Crappie Book: Basics and Beyond
Keith Sutton
Manufacturer: Stoeger Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Miscellaneous | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Critical Concepts: Crappie: Foundations for Sustained Fishing Success (Critical Concepts (In-Fisherman))
Catching Bluegill
Crappie Wisdom: An In-Fisherman Handbook of Strategies
IGFA's 101 Freshwater Fishing Tips & Tricks
Catching Panfish: Tactics for Sunfish, Crappies, Yellow Perch and White Bass (The Freshwater Angler)

ASIN: 0883172917

Book Description

The crappie is a large and feisty member of the sunfish family and an extremely popular game fish throughout much of the United States and Canada. Now, renowned author Keith Sutton reveals the secrets of successful crappie fishing in Stoeger's new fishing guide - The Crappie Book.

Customer Reviews:

Just when you thought you knew everything about crappie..........2007-02-02

An excellent book even for the experienced fisherman or woman!

How to Paint Trout (Fish Carving Basics Series, No 3)

Average customer rating:

Excellent Book But it's Airbrush Only
Excellent Book But it's Airbrush Only

How to Paint Trout (Fish Carving Basics Series, No 3)
Curtis J. Badger
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Fun with Paper & Wood, Stones & Knives | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Painting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Fish Carving: An Introduction
Fish Carving Basics: How to Paint (Fish Carving Basics)
Carving Traditional Fish Decoys: With Patterns and Instructions for 17 Projects
The Breakthrough Fish Carving Manual
How to Paint Tropicals (Fish Carving Basics, Vol 4)

ASIN: 0811724581

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Book But it's Airbrush Only.......2002-12-18

Another great book with step-by-step instructions. Be prepared to learn to airbrush though, because that's how he paints these fish!

Excellent Book But it's Airbrush Only.......2002-12-18

Another great book with step-by-step instructions. Be prepared to learn to airbrush though, because that's how he paints these fish!

Freshwater Aquariums: Basic Aquariums Setup and Maintenance (Fish Keeping Made Easy)

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Freshwater Aquariums: Basic Aquariums Setup and Maintenance (Fish Keeping Made Easy)
David Alderton
Manufacturer: BowTie Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fish & Aquariums | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Book Description

With a focus on recreating natural habitats and providing the ideal environment for successful keeping, this book contains troubleshooting advice and remain useful long after the aquarium is set up, so readers will enjoy them for years to come.

How to Paint Tropicals (Fish Carving Basics, Vol 4)

Average customer rating:

How to Paint Tropicals (Fish Carving Basics, Vol 4)
Curtis J. Badger
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Fun with Paper & Wood, Stones & Knives | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Painting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Fish Carving Basics: How to Paint (Fish Carving Basics)
How to Paint Trout (Fish Carving Basics Series, No 3)
Fish Carving: An Introduction

ASIN: 0811727602

Garden Ponds: Basic Pond Setup And Maintenance (Garden Ponds Made Easy Series)

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Garden Ponds: Basic Pond Setup And Maintenance (Garden Ponds Made Easy Series)
Dennis Kelsey-Wood , and Tom Barthel
Manufacturer: BowTie Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fish & Aquariums | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Book Description

From the Publisher of Aquarium Fish Magazine:

Transform your backyard into an oasis of beauty and tranquility. This latest volume in the Made EasyTM series will help you create the garden pond you've always dreamed of. The authors explain how to choose a pond location, determine which style of pond complements your home, draw up a blueprint, and pick out the right equipment. They offer an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to digging out and shaping the pond itself. Finally, they discuss which fish and water plants will make the best residents for your newly created garden pond.

· Up-to-Date Information on Pond Equipment · Helpful Tips about Water Cycles · How to Choose the Right Pond Styles · Guidance on Selecting Fish and Plants · A to Z Instructions on Creating a Vibrant Pond · Hints on Preventing and Treating Water Problems · Facts about Proper Maintenance · More than 100 Full-Color Photos and Illustrations · And Much More . . .

Look for other essential Made EasyTM titles, such as Cichlids, Freshwater Aquariums, Bettas and Gouramis, Livebearers, and Marine Aquariums, and many more to come!

Fish: The Basics
Average customer rating:

Fish, The basics. An illustrated guide to selecting and cook

Good content, difficult to get at

Fish: The Basics
Shirley King
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Seafood | Meat, Poultry & Seafood | Cooking by Ingredient | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0618002030

Amazon.com

Shirley King wrote Fish: The Basics in 1990. In 1997, Chapters Publishing reissued it in this updated paperback edition. King still divides the book into three parts. First, "The Basics" offers guidance on buying and storing seafoods, nutritional information, and other useful tips, all presented with authority and charm. Next, "Basic Cooking" explains all about cooking techniques, including how to prepare seviche and escabèche, using the microwave, and smoking. King emphasizes learning principles over following hard-and-fast rules. The recipes in this section, such as Filets Baked with Tomatoes and Squash, provide many variations on presenting simple dishes with a bit of flair. The final section, "Profiles," describes all varieties of seafood in detail, including 23 kinds of sole and flounder, gooseneck barnacles, and skate. Various charts and tables help you assess nutritional values and amounts of fish to buy. Glenn Wolff's appealing drawings amplify King's instruction.

Book Description

Fish:The Basics has received praise from all quarters for its breadth, clarity, and for the flexibility it gives the seafood cook. Every one of the more than 100 recipes suggests as many as a dozen choices of fish and shellfish that work equally well, with precise cooking times for each. The second part of the book contains more than 200 illustrated profiles of fish and shellfish, including many of the lesser-known varieties that are increasingly common in the marketplace, with a list of recipes that are appropriate for each one. Dozens of step-by-step illustrations of technique in Fish:The Basics ensure that the seafood cook, whether beginner or expert, will never be caught short and forced to choose something less than fresh.

Customer Reviews:

Fish, The basics. An illustrated guide to selecting and cook.......2004-01-17

On retirement to BC and facing a wonderful selection of fish for our table, I have found this book to be the best source of information on cooking and preparing fresh seafood I have ever used in 45 years plus of cooking. I like the "principles" approach; it leaves me free to adapt and adjust according to our preferences. Yet the book has given me some great new ideas which we have welcomed and enjoyed. l

Good content, difficult to get at.......2003-11-09

I have used this book for several years, having purchased it in 1992, and I have always found it annoying to find the kind of recipe I was looking for. The book is laid out by more by method and type of fish than by fish species, and this is not how the casual cook thinks of looking for recipes. After struggling with it for 10 years, I found several superior fish cookbooks by some really stellar talents, including no less than James Beard and Alan Davidson, plus Mark Bittman and James Peterson. All of these books are worthy. Beard's book in particular, is well suited to the occasional cook. Recipes are clear, simple, and economical with ingredients.

Guppies Today: A Complete and Up-To-Date Guide (Basic Domestic Pet Library)

Average customer rating:

guppies today
Excellent
a good guide about guppies
Beautiful pictures of show quality guppies

Guppies Today: A Complete and Up-To-Date Guide (Basic Domestic Pet Library)
Spencer Glass
Manufacturer: Chelsea House Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

The Guide to Owning Guppies
Sex, Color, and Mate Choice in Guppies
Aquarium Care of Fancy Guppies (Animal Planet)
Livebearers: Understanding Guppies, Mollies, Swordtails and Others (Fishkeeping Made Easy)
Guppies, Mollies, and Platys (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)

ASIN: 0791046087

Customer Reviews:

guppies today.......2007-01-04

I bought this as a Christmas gift. My sister thought it had useful, practical information as well as very nice illustrations.

Excellent.......2006-03-01

High quality book, filled w/ thick glossy beautiful pictures as well as a lot of information on keeping and breeding guppies. Well worth your money in the end!

a good guide about guppies.......2003-04-18

I found this book to be most helpful in learning about the how and what to do for the proper care of guppies. It explains things in easy to understand terms. I have found that I constantly refer back to this book when I have questions.

Beautiful pictures of show quality guppies.......1998-12-05

Though the information is on a novice or intermediate level, the pictures reflect the highest level of beautiful photography of some of the finest guppies I have seen.

I was not disappointed! Definitely a keeper!

Book Description

For the first time in 10 years, collectors of antique bird decoys and duck calls are able to enjoy a totally updated, revised, and expanded edition of the late Carl F. Luckey's, COLLECTING ANTIQUE BIRD DECOYS AND DUCK CALLS. Hundreds of pages with new information and new photos have been added to this legendary must-have collectible reference guide which offers tps on identifying antique decoys and forgeries and fakes, techniques for restoration and repairs, a guide to "The Schools of Carvers," and much more.

This updated edition provides history and current pricing of the prominent duck and goose hunting decoys used over the past century-plus, including both hand-carved and factory models. Coverage of "modern" decoys-made in the past 50 years, has been added, plus information about duck and goose calls. Also new is a chapter on advertising of decoys and hunting memorabilia from the 1920s through 1950s and an interview with one of the most prominent decoy collectors.

Customer Reviews:

Never Received it!!!!.......2007-05-09

This is one book that I never received, even after they charged my credit card, they would not respond to my emails, offer a refund, or even send me a replacement for the "one lost in the mail."

A wealth of information.......2006-11-27

A very well-researched book, this is definately one for the collector. This book's true value lies in its value guides and background information, making for facinating reading. Unfortunately, the photography is only average, and mostly black and white (there is a middle section of 63 colored pages).

Well worth the wait.......2003-11-21

This is a great book. I've collected decoys for several years and I own the previous edition of Collecting Antique Bird Decoys and Duck Calls which is now some 10 years old. No disrespect, but the new edition by Russ Lewis far surpasses the old book. Not only will you find thousands of photos but Lewis, an avid collector himself, provides loads of information on traditonal carvers, factory birds, regional influences throughout North America and much more. The depth and breadth of the work is impressive. Lewis is a university professor, and you can tell that he is an educator at heart. It also helps that he has a soul of a collector. If you collect decoys, bird calls, or simply enjoy the outdoors you'll love this book. I'll bet my Red-breasted Merganser decoy on it.

Average customer rating:

The Collector's Guide to Decoys
Bob Huxford , and Sharon Huxford
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 089145389X

Collector's Guide to Decoys (Wallace-Homestead Collector's Guide Series)

Average customer rating:

A must read for the decoy collector!

Collector's Guide to Decoys (Wallace-Homestead Collector's Guide Series)
Gene Kangas , and Linda Kangas
Manufacturer: Wallace-Homestead Book Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

A must read for the decoy collector!.......2001-07-09

This book is a must read for the beginning and intermediate duck decoy collector. The book includes a wealth of information on collecting old decoys, where to find them, different types and styles of decoys, how to value decoys, how decoys are constructed and what to do once you have started your collection (insurance concerns and displaying/care concerns). One of the most useful chapters in this book deals with the topic of identifying fakes and decoys that may have undergone alterations. This book should not be confused with a decoy reference book...there are carvers mentioned by region in the book and the book does have a substantial number of color and black and white photos of decoys but on a much more limited scale then true decoy reference books. The Appendix is loaded with information on professional decoy restorers, decoy book dealers, books and magazines for decoy collectors, decoy auction houses, decoy collecting clubs and museums that contain decoy collections (please note though that this book does have a 1992 copywrite so that some of the information provided in the Appendix may not be current).

Average customer rating:

DECOY COLLECTOR'S GUIDE 1966-67 ANNUAL
Harold D. ed Sorenson
Manufacturer: DeCOY COLLECTOR'S GUIDE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
ASIN: B000GTE538

Decoy Collector's Guide. 1968 Annual. Illustrated by Louis Schifferl.

Average customer rating:

Decoy Collector's Guide. 1968 Annual. Illustrated by Louis Schifferl.
Harold D., ed. Sorenson
Manufacturer: Burlington (Iowa):
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IUX5WM

The Collector's Guide to Decoys, Book II (Collector's Guide to Decoys)

Average customer rating:

The Collector's Guide to Decoys, Book II (Collector's Guide to Decoys)
Bob Huxford , and Sharon Huxford
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Collector Magazine & Price Guide August 2004 - Inkwells, Lowboys, GI Joe, Barbie Dolls, Decoys, Movie Lobby Cards & Posters

Average customer rating:

Collector Magazine & Price Guide August 2004 - Inkwells, Lowboys, GI Joe, Barbie Dolls, Decoys, Movie Lobby Cards & Posters

Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GU6BPC

Decoy Collector's Guide 1963 - 1964 - 1965

Average customer rating:

Decoy Collector's Guide 1963 - 1964 - 1965
Harold (editor) Sorenson
Manufacturer: Hal Sorenson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OS5FHQ

Average customer rating:

Decoy Collector's Guide 1963-1964-1965
Sorenson Hal
Manufacturer: No Publisher Stated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDAN0Y

Average customer rating:

Decoy Collector's Guide: 1963, 1964, 1965

Manufacturer: Harold D. Sorenson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GLZEX6

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