Tying Catskill-Style Dry Flies Hardcover – July 8, 2009

For me there is nothing about this book to dislike. It offers a great snapshot of the Catskill region and fly tiers associated with this region. As a bonus it offers insight into materials and techniques . It also is blessed with great pictures.

When I first saw this book title I thought to myself we don't need another book about the catskills that is untill I took a closer look at it. This book is a great tribute to the catskill fly tyers of yesterday and the flys they made so famous. I got to meet Walt, Winnie, and Mary Dette many years ago and watch all three tying flys together and it was great. The Dettes where always ready and welling to share their patterns and knowledge about flys, fly tying, and fly fishing. I even fly fished the beautiful Beaver Kill River with their flys even though I'm also a fly tyer. I didn't get to meet Art Flick even though he was alive at the time. Some of the other fly tyers and fly fisherman where a little before my time. The book is layed out great and the chapters give good detail to an important past all fly fisherman should learn about. Over the years it's been hard for authers to write about the catskill flys and get it right but, the auther was very succesful here. I believe that if Walt and Winne where alive today they would be very please. As far as I know Mary's still tying and doing well so someday I'll have to talk to her. In the mean time please buy this book and be ready to enjoy fly fishing history and some super great photos. One last foot note about the photos of the Beaverkill River and the Willowemoc. The fly fishing in those pools pictured is great.

Not only does this book have superb photographs it has very interesting history information regarding the famous tyers as well as information on the historic rivees in the area. It has as much information for non tyers as tyers so I highly recommend this book for anyone curious about classic Catskill dries and the history around them.

This is one of the most readable and interesting books on Catskill fly fishing in years, maybe decades, possibly ever. An exploration of the storied history of Catskill fishing, wonderfully illustrated with the most notable collection of photographs I've ever seen in a fly fishing book, the book is equally interesting for its discussion, illustration, and analysis of the most famous Catskill dry flies. It is always fascinating in its relation of facts and little known aspects of the lives of the famous rivers and fly tyers. It simply is never dull, a book that anyone who has ever fished the famous rivers of the catskills will enjoy and it will make those who haven't experienced the magic of the region's fishing feel incomplete until they have done so. It will bring back memories, amuse, inform and instruct both would-be fly fishermen and those who are already confirmed addicts. It is an amazingly readable combination of history, instruction, and the evocation of the joy of fly fishing--an instant classic.

If you're a fly tier, this is one of the essential books for your library on tying Catskill-style flies. It's author, Mike Valla, has been around the block once or twice and knows from whence he speaks on this topic. The first third or so of the book deals with the history of the principal Catskill-style fly tiers and how they came to be in this field. The history is well researched and presented in a clear, logical manner. The latter part of this fine book deals with tying specific examples of Catskill-style flies, noting the materials, proceedures and who originated them. The printing of the book, while done overseas (as many are now done) is first rate with excellent color reproduction. Of course, the photos supplied by the author (whether his or from some other source) are first quality. If you only have one book on this particular subject in your library, THIS would be the one to purchase.

I began reading this book “on one of those cold winter nights” -I wish I could have read it when I first began tying seven years ago. It has cleared up so many misconceptions and answered so much of the guess work I have dealt with over the years.This book is clearly a labor of love.Do yourself a big favor and just buy it.

like it for the dry flies

Received this book a couple of weeks ago and have read it once and am half way through it again. The book covers the history of the Catskill- rivers, fly tiers, materials, tying techniques and flies. An easy book to read, full of wonderful stories and fly tying techniques. I highly recommend this book for all interested in fly fishing.

I have found this book across between a history book & a tutorial book it gives a history of the Catskills fly tyers & it gives the readers a hint how to tye Catskills flies a good book for any fly tyer

Very nice book well documented and well illustrated.

Thank you

この手の洋書は、比較的画像を用いることが少ない物が多いですが、全編オール・カラーの画像でキャッツキルのフライフィッシングを読み解くには最高の内容です。また歴史ごとに当時のタイヤーも紹介されて、代表的なパターンも紹介、最後にはそのマテリアル、タイイング手順までカラー画像で掲載されおりました。久々に素晴らしい洋書に出会ったと思っています。キャッキル・マニアは必見です。買って損はありません！