Bluewater Fly Fishing Destined To Be Must-Read

Bluewater Fly Fishing, by the author of the most authoritative book on steelhead fly fishing, almost certainly will become the bible for fly fishers who cast for such exotic ocean fish as marlin, sailfish, dorado, tuna and wahoo.

Published by Lyons & Burford, the $50 book is Trey Combs’ fourth book on fly fishing for big-game fish. The other three are about fishing for steelhead. Combs’ “Steelhead Fly Fishing,” published in 1991, already is considered a classic.

Widely known throughout the Northwest, Combs traces the development of special techniques for hooking giant blue water fish, discusses fly patterns, tackle and hot spots for catching the big fish.

For all but a small percentage of fly fishers, fishing for blue water fish will always be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Costs are high and surely will rise. However, there are enough well-heeled fly fishers to make publishing the book economically feasible.

“Blue Water Fly Fishing” is one of several informative books on fly fishing published in recent months. Books on fly fishing, it seems, are in vogue now, and, as usual, Frank Amato Publications of Portland leads all other publishers in the number of books on fishing. Interesting and informative books published recently follow:

Drift Boat Fly Fishing, by Neale Streeks, published by Frank Amato Publications, $34.95. This is more than a book about drift-boat fly fishing. Streeks, a veteran guide of the Missouri, Big Hole and other Montana rivers, has produced a much-needed book for fly fishers who fish with guides and those who drift rivers in their own boats. He has filled his 112-page book with hundreds of tips on how fly fishers can set up two-fly rigs, cover water, avoid hooking their partners and guides with flies, pick the best water to fish and rig tackle for nymphing and dry fly fishing. The soft-cover book is illustrated with scores of helpful line drawings and pictures.

Hatch Guide for Lakes, by Jim Schollmeyer, published by Frank Amato Publications, $21.95. This excellent 4-1/2-by-6-1/2-inch hardbound book contains valuable information on many of the insects that make up the diet of still water trout. It’s a good reference book for fly fishers who spend a lot of time fishing lakes. Schollmeyer discusses in considerable detail such insects as mayflies, caddisflies, dragonflies, damselflies and some terrestrials.

North Umpqua, Steelhead River Journal, by John Shewey, published by Frank Amato Publications, $15.95. If you plan to fish Oregon’s legendary North Umpqua, you should invest in this helpful guide. Shewey, a veteran steelheader, provides detailed information about the river, how and when to fish it and fly patterns to use. Excellent color maps and pictures of the river are included. The book is one of a series on steelhead rivers.

Tying Bass Flies, 12 of the Best, by Deke Meyer, published by Frank Amato Publications, $9.95. This 32-page books is one of a series by Meyer on tying various patterns. Previous books are “Tying Trout Flies, 12 of the Best” and “Tying Trout Nymphs, 12 of the Best,” Outstanding color pictures depict steps in tying the bass flies.

Tube Flies, by Mark Mandell and Les Johnson, published by Frank Amato Publications, $29.95. Expect tube flies to become popular in America as the result of publication of this 96-page book by Washington state fly fishers and tiers. Long popular in Europe, tube flies haven’t been successful in America primarily because Americans have known little about how to tie them and how effective they can be. The authors tell where materials for tube flies can be purchased, how to tie patterns and how to use them. Their book is illustrated with scores of excellent color photos.

Steelhead and the Floating Line, by Bob Arnold, published by Frank Amato Publications, $15.95. One of the most blood-stirring moments a fly fisher can experience is the instant a steelhead takes a fly on or near the surface. The adrenalin surges though one’s body as the powerful fish turns and runs. This is what Arnold’s absorbing book is all about. Read it and, if you’re a steelheader, you’ll leave your sinking and sink tip lines home when you fish Inland Northwest streams next fall.

, DataTimes MEMO: You can contact Fenton Roskelley by voice mail at 459-5577, extension 3814.