The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies

I like this book a lot. I've tied every fly in here, most of the early ones just for historical reference, and it was an enjoyable way to unwind in the evening.

Very useful for my grandson's fly tying.

I got this for my dad and he loves it! This book has so much information in it and is so cool to look at.

If you're a fly-fisher, this book is a must. It tells the story behind the flies we use, their origins, and development. A great read and will make you want to go out and fish every fly they talk about!

A really interesting idea that generally succeeds. Heck of an undertaking. Really more of a history of fly tying than of fly fishing - though it does a pretty good job at that as well. The early European history is pretty good - but there are more complete histories. Of particular interest was the 1900's and the intermixing of European and North American ideas. Very much an English-speaking and trout-centric history. With the exception of a Polish woven nymph and the last fly, a Kebari fly from Japan, I think all the flies were English or North American in origin.I'd quibble at the some of the choices - but who wouldn't? No CDC flies. That seemed like an opportunity to include a French or Eastern European fly (like the F Fly). Parachutes - which I'd love to know more about the origin of - get a brief mention under the Adams.I've read a bit but am no expert on the history of fly fishing but I have to think there are many flies and much history from non-English speaking places that deserve more coverage.

Great read, easy to follow and to pick up and put down, each fly is a short, 1-4 page chapter. Very informative and interesting, super easy flow

As a lifelong, dedicated fly fisherman, I enjoyed this informative book immensely. In 217 brisk, beautifully illustrated pages Ian Whitelaw covers 500 years of fly fishing history from the English chalk streams where it originated to the freestone rivers and creeks of Pennsylvania and the Catskills and on to the coasts of Florida, the Pacific Northwest and beyond. In these essays Whitelaw includes not only the seminal fly patterns on which this book is based, but also the innovations in tackle and methods that advanced this sport to its current level of sophistication. The author gives credit to many of the sport's innovators, though a few important names are missing or barely acknowledged. For example, Ernest Schweibert ("Nymphs") is not mentioned in the book at all and Joe Brooks, the father of saltwater fly fishing, is noted only in passing. No matter. On the whole this fly fishing history is masterfully written and falls on the reader like a long, effortless cast by Lefty Kreh with the fly barely dimpling the surface of the water when it lands.

Gave this as a gift to a fly fisherman and he absolutely loved it.