Trout Flies, Proven Patterns

Rating:
Summary: One of Gary's best!
Review: The 62 patterns in this bookk were included because they work! My favorite fly is the "Roll-Over" Scud, it just seems to work for me no matter where I try it. Gary and his team were some of the first folks to take seriously not only the size, shape and color of the fly; but it's action as well. For years the action of a fly has been ignored. Gary and his team looked at what triggers trout to strike and designed their flies and tested them accordingly. The flies are unconvential, but as I said, THEY WORK!

Rating:
Summary: One of Gary's best!
Review: The 62 patterns in this bookk were included because they work! My favorite fly is the "Roll-Over" Scud, it just seems to work for me no matter where I try it. Gary and his team were some of the first folks to take seriously not only the size, shape and color of the fly; but it's action as well. For years the action of a fly has been ignored. Gary and his team looked at what triggers trout to strike and designed their flies and tested them accordingly. The flies are unconvential, but as I said, THEY WORK!

Rating:
Summary: Must reading for LaFontaine fans
Review: This is the first fly pattern book that I've ever read from cover to cover. LaFontaine's insights into trout behavior, and his off-the wall sense of humor kept me turning the pages. In all honesty, LaFontaine's flies are weird. I have no idea what the "Air Head" is supposed to be (it looks like something from our office's packing department trash can). The "Creature" looks like it was tied by a 5 year old. And Gary must have been in a different reality when he came up with "Bread." But every time I tie one of these bugs, it works. Usually amazingly well. I think LaFontaine is currently America's most innovative and creative fly tier. This book is a great source for his most effective patterns.

Rating:
Summary: Must reading for LaFontaine fans
Review: This is the first fly pattern book that I've ever read from cover to cover. LaFontaine's insights into trout behavior, and his off-the wall sense of humor kept me turning the pages. In all honesty, LaFontaine's flies are weird. I have no idea what the "Air Head" is supposed to be (it looks like something from our office's packing department trash can). The "Creature" looks like it was tied by a 5 year old. And Gary must have been in a different reality when he came up with "Bread." But every time I tie one of these bugs, it works. Usually amazingly well. I think LaFontaine is currently America's most innovative and creative fly tier. This book is a great source for his most effective patterns.

Rating:
Summary: Fun book but limited in scope
Review: This was a fun book to read. It is limited to a few patterns. If you're looking for a listing of what's hot in the west, this is not your book If you are looking for some unusual patterns to try, give it a whirl. I tied a handful of these patterns and took them to Montana this summer. They weren't knockouts for me in a half dozen high country lakes. But Gary is a very creative fly tyer and a careful researcher; I don't doubt they work in the right time and place. A well done book.

Rating:
Summary: Fun book but limited in scope
Review: This was a fun book to read. It is limited to a few patterns. If you're looking for a listing of what's hot in the west, this is not your book If you are looking for some unusual patterns to try, give it a whirl. I tied a handful of these patterns and took them to Montana this summer. They weren't knockouts for me in a half dozen high country lakes. But Gary is a very creative fly tyer and a careful researcher; I don't doubt they work in the right time and place. A well done book.