Hook up with fly patterns

This book has it all for those who are wont to cast warm-water flies -- and those folks are legion these days. There are sharp, well-lit photos, pithy and accurate histories of each fly (though crediting patterns can be arguable), the best contemporary innovations, and all flies are the experts’ favorite designs. It’s a must-have pattern guide for the moderate to experienced fly-tier.

Pros contributing their handiwork include Clouser, Dahlberg, Betts, Murray, Leiser, Kreh and Popovics, among others. Fly whiz Dave Whitlock is represented by more than 30 of his best. But authors Stewart and Allen, experts in their own right, touch the piscatorial heart by including classics such as Don Gapen’s Muddler Minnow, Messinger’s Bucktail Frog and one of the first successful bass flies from the late 19th century, Henshall Bug.

Look at the patterns, tie these flies, add water. And hold on.

-- Darrell Kunitomi