best book for a beginner

[redcrbbr]

new to fly fishing, seen it done, never tried it. What do you consider to be one of the best books to be a must read for a beginner????

thanks in advance...

[hooked]

My local library had Fly Rodding the Coast by Ed Mitchell.

It covered a broad amount of information and was a good read. Price was right too.

[Young Salt]

I think the title is Saltwater Fly Fishing, by Lefty Kreh, it's a pretty think book, but it covers all the bases and the info is organized well....another, much thinner book he wrote, 101 fly fishing tips is also good.

[Fly Rod]

Hello!!!!

To me books are to confusing. If you are thinking of buying a fly rod the dealer that you buy it from would probably give you a free hour of the basic fly casting. That is if he wants to sell a rod.
That is what the dealer did at North Country Anglers did for me. And then it is practice! practice! practice!


The Unorthodox Flyfisher

[alr]

RC, the Westport Library belongs to to the SEALS system which allows you to borrow books from several other libraries(sp) including Boston. TONS!! of books available and you can order them via the net if you have a card. Clerks there will happily help you.

[Jaiem]

Lefty's book is a classic in saltwater flyfishing and should be in any flyrodder's library.

Ed Mitchell's book is good so is Lou Tabory's "Inshore Flyfishing".

[fishsmith]

I agree with Flyrod, get a setup and start practicing.

The book I got was "flyfishing for dummies", it covered all the basics, what knot to use for tying backing to the fly line (they call it "attaching the fat line to the skinny line"). That's my speed so I liked the book.

I would recommend a stripping basket(any small rubbermaid tub will do), and using a sinking line I found easier to cast and give better distance than an itermediate line.

Oh yeah, always wear sunglasses, I havent hit myself in the eye yet, but I've gotten some good welts from a clouser wacking me in the head on a bad casts.

Good luck, flyfishing requires a lot of space and patience, but the fight on the long rod is hard to beat.

[jeffsod]

Let me put in two plugs for local authors books I read when I first started:

1st- Striper Moon by Ken Abrames-

He writes about a lot of spots near where you live in this book. Also, very effective techniques on how to fish those spots. He is very passionate about flyfishing for stripers and I have re-read this book a number of times. Well worth seeking out!

2nd- Stripers & Streamers by Ray Bondorew-

Again local author who writes about fishing in RI mostly. Buy this book if nothing else but to honor and learn the background of the simple to tie but VERY effective Ray's Fly.

I have been fly fishing for a number of years (don't ask me to try and remember how many it's been enough to have to think about it) and I still re-read and refer to these books regularly.

Both authors cover fly patterns that will work for you locally and that which are not that hard to learn to tie.

Lefty Kreh and Lou Taboury's books are also tremendous resources but you will find Striper Moon a real easy book to start with and all the local references are great.

The Bear's Den Fly Shop in Taunton usually stocks both or all of these books and Scott and his dad Bob run a top notch fly shop. I think I saw a used rod there the other day for 99 bucks too.

They have a website too so you can try a google search to find that.

Tight loops and tight lines...

[saltydog]

Redcrbbr, lets take this in another direction------> some one must have perked your interest, do you know anyone who OWNES a saltwater set up. if so. ask them to let you try it. could LEAD to some GREAT infomation, an hands on casting. if you looking to tie some flies do the same find some guys that tie an ask if you can sit in an get some help tyin.
better get started, the fish WILL be here in about 21 days
"GOOD LUCK GOOD TYIN"

[redcrbbr]

thank you for all the responses. i recently won a very nice fly fishing set up from the raffle at the mass bass show last weekend. to be honest with you i'm a little hesitant to use this stuff. if any of you folks know me.. i am just a bit bruttle on my fishing gear. later today i will be going over to a friends place and he is a full blown fly fishing addict, he is going to help me out with a few pointers. I am looking forward to this. I'll let you know how i make out. thanks again...

[redcrbbr]

yep.... this is a whole nother world. too lousy out to cast, learned about knots, line. even had a crash course in some fly tying.

[alr]

Just another part of the big game Relax and enjoy! Once you get a fish on the other end it'll be all over.