Good Flies: Favorite Trout Patterns and How They Got That Way

I love all of John Gierach's books. Who wouldn't want to know the go to fly patterns the author uses after a lifetime of fishing and refining flies? This book is informative and will change the dry flies I carry and tie. The book cries out for photos of the flies though. I know this is not author's style which is focused on the narrative, not the object; yet the flies themselves are the focus of this book. There are nuanced descriptions of color or variations in material which can only be fully understood by seeing it. This could be remedied with something as simple as a web link to photos.

Good read but not much new. Gierach presents logical and reasonable explanations for why certain flies worked in the paast and why they will probably always work. It is easy to forget that fish aren't reasonable, or logical. They may or may not think like humans. I have caught them on pop off tabs from soda cans, pieces of rubber, and bare hook. My best flies/lures alll have one or more hooks plainly visible and they still eat them. Read John Wyatt for world changing perspective.

I enjoyed the book and learned much from it even though I don't tie my own flies. Although I did skip through the recipes he gave I read the insights he gave on how and when the various flies can be used.

I am 2/3 through this book. Its a good read, but focuses primarily on small flies from Western streams. I haven seen the Wooly Bugger or Clouser yet.... in the book. Lots of variants on nearly the same fly - as the author admits. This is the 3 or 4th book I have read by Gierach. Its more similar to his book on Bamboo rods, rather than the others like Trout Bum etc. It details this topic more than it reflects on experiences and life as his regular books seem to.

Given as a gift to a fly tying friend. He appreciated the info.

John Gierach is always a good read. This book in particular is not only enjoyable but it is informative.

I like everything JG writes. This one leans toward the technical, not as philosophical as his other work. Still good!

As it is said, John Wayne never made a bad movie. Similarly, John Gierach never wrote a bad book.

This book arrived very quickly. My husband is very pleased as he is an avid fisherman and collects this author.

Brilliant

Interesting but not worth the money paid ... Not what I thought the book may contain....

John is always a good read

Tres bon recueil de mouches,écrit à la façon vivante et faussement superficielle de j.gierach. À recommander (principalement à ceux qui savent déjà un peu monter les mouches)