Getting A Read On New Books
Because somewhat complex subjects are discussed at length by Dave Hughes in his latest hardcover book, “Wet Flies,” you’d think the book would be a little boring and formidable.
Wrong. Hughes, who has written several books and hundreds of articles on fly fishing and tying, writes simply and clearly on a subject that all serious fly fishers are interested in, that is, soft hackle and other wet flies. His excellent $32.95 book, published by Stackpole Books, fills another niche in the growing literature of fly fishing and tying.
His observations on behavior of stream trout and his recommendations for tying flies are so convincing that readers are apt to buy hooks, furs and feathers and tie the patterns he recommends.
Other interesting and useful outdoor books published recently:
Amazing Whitetails, by Mike Biggs, published by T.P.W., Inc., $39.95. If you love whitetailed deer as much as thousands of Americans, you’ll want this remarkable book by a man who can say, with few, if any challenges, that he has photographed more different whitetail bucks than any other person. His hundreds of photos are superb. He learned a lot about whitetails during long hours in blinds and his insightful observations on their habits are enlightening. To order the book, call Mike Biggs Photography, 1-800-433-2102.
Washington State Fishing Guide, by Stan Jones, $14.95. It’s taken Jones, retiring executive director of the Northwest Outdoor Writers Association, two years to revise and update his popular guide. The seventh edition of the 320-page softcover book has information on thousands of lakes and streams, resorts and fish species, as well as how-to articles on fishing. Lakes are listed by county.
Jones dedicated the edition to the late Fred Peterson of Spokane, publisher of the Outdoor Press. Peterson died last February.
Fish Flies, Volume One, by Terry Hellekson, published by Frank Amato Publications, $59.95. This outstanding 358-page book containing information on more than 1,000 fly patterns is more than just another fly pattern book.
Hellekson, a Californian, has included chapters on fly tying materials, hooks and fly tying methods. The chapter on hooks, a subject that’s rarely covered by writers, is especially informative. The book is illustrated with hundreds of color pictures and line drawings. It’s an excellent reference book.
Chalkstream Chronicle, by Neil Patterson, published by Lyons & Burford, $35. The author of this delightful, insightful book did what some other harried big city working stiffs have done the last few years. He gave up a hectic life in London for a rustic home near a chalk stream. The river, the fish, the people who live near the river, insect hatches and fly patterns are the subjects of a witty, reflective, man who knows he made the right move.
Fly Patterns of Umpqua Father Merchants, by Randall Kaufmann, published by Western Fisherman’s Press, $34.95, softcover. One of the best features about this pattern book are the color plates of dubbing, feathers and other fly tying materials. For the first time in any book, an amateur tier who doesn’t have an extensive knowledge of materials can see exactly what certain dubbing and exotic materials look like.
Kaufmann, co-owner of Kaufmann’s Streamborn, operator of nationally known fly fishing and tying materials stores, recruited some of the top tiers in the country to contrib ute to this outstanding book.
Lee Wulff, by Jack Samson, published by Frank Amato Publications, $34.95. Lee Wulff, killed in a plane crash, was an artist, lecturer, author, fly fishing innovator, creator of many fly patterns and a superb fly fisher. This new biography, authorized by his wife, Joan Wulff, is fascinating to read, thanks to Samson’s talents and, most of all, because it’s about a tall, craggy-faced fascinating man who became a legend during his own life. Wulff fished all over the world, even such northwest rivers as the Snake, Clearwater and Grande Ronde.
American Nature Writing, 1995, published by Sierra Club Books, $12. The 27 articles and poems in this latest compilation of all types of nature stores are short enough for a person to read one or two, lay the book down and then resume reading sometime later. Each of the stories is different. Subjects range from a sea journey to fly fishing for Atlantic salmon in Scotland.
Notes from the Century Before, by Edward Hoagland, published by Sierra Club Books, paperback, $12. First published 26 years ago, this classic book on one man’s three-month journey through British Columbia’s wild back country is a portrait on a way of life that has vanished.
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The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Fenton Roskelley The Spokesman-Review