Reviews

A Fly Rod Review: The Orvis Helios
Orvis foolishly sent me a prototype of their newest fly rod for testing. Here’s the scoop.

Last Stand by Michael Punke
A highly readable (even gripping) historical account of the near-extinction of the buffalo and the battle to save the last remaining wild herd in Yellowstone National Park. Highly recommended — two fins up.

Trout Bum Diaries, Part II
Set in New Zealand, this is fish porn at its best. Many love it, but if you’re looking for context or some insight into the mind of the group of fly fishers, you’ll find little to chew on.

So Many Fish, So Little Time by Mark D. Williams
A sizable volume that’s part guide and part story book, Williams’ efforts sadly fall a little short. He tries to cover the entire world’s fisheries in one book, a difficult undertaking. The high point of the book are his many stories and anecdotes, which could have easily become a separate — and far more interesting — book.

A Fly Rod Review: Orvis Zero Gravity
How light is a 9′ 6wt Zero Gravity? And does weight even matter? My review of the rod.

The Best, Least Known Bamboo Rod Builder? A Jim Reams Rod Review
Jim Reams enjoys a cult following for his hollowbuilt bamboo fly rods. We take a look at one.

Many Rivers to Cross by M.R. Montgomery
An excellent collection of essays about one writer’s search for rare trout — and the remains of the American West. Well written and insightful, it’s clearly one of the less-discovered gems in fly fishing literature.

Upstream by McGuane & Lindsay
A beautiful essay and photo book by two artists willing to see fly fishing in ways the rest of the world won’t. McGuane supplies his usual cutting insight, while the black and white photographs by Lindsay escape pretty much every fly fishing photographic cliche. Great stuff.

Rubber Sole: We Look at Rubber-Soled Wading Boots
Studded felt soles have been my standard on the Upper Sacramento for some time. Is it time for a change?

The Offbeat Angler by Christopher Arelt and Sebastian O’Kelly
With big, rubbery carp lips poking out of magazines and fly fishing exploding in every direction, a book about “offbeat” fishing situations is probably just in time…

Rise Rings & Rhododendron by Ian Rutter
An Underground review of Ian Rutter’s latest photo-and-essay book about fly fishing Southern Appalachia. It’s as much a love letter to a region as it is a fly fishing book. Click here to read all about Rise Rings & Rhododendron.

Fishing Small Flies by Ed Engle
Review of Ed Engle’s Fishing Small Flies – a well-written effort that’s destined to become a classic. Packed with hard-won knowledge (gained through extensive practice on picky South Platte trout), this excellent book is filled with tips, illustrations and good advice. Engle happily avoids passing on the small fly cliches that lesser writers thrive on. You can read about it here or buy it on Amazon.com: Fishing Small Flies by Ed Engle

Tying Bob Quigley’s Signature Flies
A review of Bob Quigley’s excellent DVD/video. Nicely shot, cleanly lit, and well mic’ed, it’s a worthwhile glimpse into the techniques of one of the most innovative (and most copied) Western tiers. Plus you learn to tie flies that fish like to eat. Includes a few nice extras – including footage of big Fall River trout rising during a heavy PMD hatch. Two thumbs up. (Skip the VHS tape and buy the DVD – it allows you to view the patterns individually.)