Trout and the Fly: A New Approach by Brian Clarke

by Brian Clarke

Shows the animals that are active at night, including deer, rabbits, owls, foxes, skunks, badgers, shrews, and hedgehogs

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you wish to get inside the small, primitive brain of a trout, then read The Trout and The Fly. Most theories passed around in angling circles for how these critters behave is commonly hearsay. The authors, Brian Clarke and John Goddard - both avid fly fishermen, reveal trained and measured observations. More than any sport, fishing lends itself to word-of-mouth and story telling. Clarke and Goddard take a more analytical tact - providing the angler fundamental knowledge of trout behavior.

The book covers a lot of ground - from how to locate fish to how the trout locates the angler. The material is broken into 4 parts: (1) Observation - Man and trout, (2) Vision - Trout and man, (3) Technique - Man versus trout, and (4) Imitation - Man, trout and fly. These authors excel at transporting the reader to the cold, clear underwater world of the trout. And it's in the second part of the book where I found myself absorbed by their words and photos.

Their presentations on how a trout sees (revealed in drawings and photos) I found to be unique and awarding. Fascinating details about their depth/range of vision, their ability to discern color, the visual depiction of dry flies, the appearance of fly lines and leaders are revealed in the book's pages. To support their work, Clarke and Goddard position a camera underwater and set it to model the visual capabilities of a trout (e.g., changing the aperture setting). In ten plus pages containing color photo plates, you are treated to images of what a trout is likely to see. Ranging from how obvious an angler can appear holding a fly rod vertical in the air near the bank of a stream to the importance of wing patterns in imitating aquatic insects... it's all shown in vivid detail. The color photos alone can justify the purchase of The Trout and the Fly!

Each page contains keen observations, useful tips and above all an implicit philosophy embodied by the authors. As I see it, the philosophy throughout is one of looking, patient waiting, looking some more, and finally learning how these animals interact with their surroundings. The fruit of this philosophy is ultimately the knowledge they share.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard this book referred to as "old hat" and sure I read it and re-read it years ago but it opened my eyes. Not only to becoming a better fisherman but to truly recognise the value of fitting in with nature and not trying to push your own agenda.

That was years back and having read the book my fishing success on stillwaters ,which in those days I fished exclusively from the bank, sky rocketed. I had entire seasons without blanking and threw away all my lines except the floater.

That I have since expanded my horizons and fished in World Championship events in several countries matters not. I always feel that this book really started my understanding of fishing. Understanding that combined with an innate passion for the subject has grown both my enjoyment and success.

It took the guesswork out of the "lucky dip" approach to fly selection and to fishing in general and added a touch of logic to the process. Although now I have a lot more strings to my piscatorial bow than I did in those days it was a tremendous starting point and I would recommend this book to anyone interested in fly fishing and particularly those who feel that they are lost at the waterside without a plan. If nothing else this book will give you some idea of a plan and more so a recognition of the importance of having one, no matter the circumstances.