Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying

by Charlie Craven

Learn to tie 17 popular nymphs, dry flies, and streamersMaster fundamental tying techniques in a series of practical lessons Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying is a modern course in fly-tying fundamentals covering the essential tools, materials, and techniques needed to tie a wide range of popular flies. With 1,000 photos, Craven covers cutting-edge techniques for the more tried-and-true classics, such as the Royal Wulff, Adams, and Hare's Ear, and shares innovative approaches to current patterns such as the Brassie, RS2, and Copper John.With clear, concise text, Craven provides tips and techniques from his over thirty years of tying flies for fly shops on Colorado's Front Range. This book is built on Craven's successful fly-tying classes, which start out with simple flies and work toward more complex patterns, all the while teaching techniques and introducing materials by tying popular patterns that catch fish in Eastern and Western streams. This series of lessons show how flies build on one another, enabling readers to tie a wide range of patterns simply by breaking them down into parts. Craven illustrates the progression with his meticulous directions to fingerbusters like Copper Johns, Stimulators, and Humpies.This book, which is sure to become a standard text for basic fly tying, covers 17 flies (including recipes for popular variations), including the Brassie, Black Beauty, RS2, Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph, Copper John, Woolly Bugger, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Adams, Rusty Spinner, Parachute Blue-Winged Olive, X Comparadun, Royal Wulff, Humpy, and Goddard Caddis.

Genres: Nonfiction

280 pages, Hardcover

First published July 15, 2008

Reviews

[Karen Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to use if you want to learn how to tie flies.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually discovered Charlie Cravin on YouTube after surfing random tying videos. I was absolutely floored with his prodigious skills at the vice. As it turned out, he just published his first book last year. Quite simply, it's the best beginner's reference course I've seen.

From a pedagogical perspective, this text is rock solid. Charlie organized the book around notes he developed for his live tying classes. There are indepth discussions about tools, techniques and materials before one even begins tying. Every fly, there are 17 in all, is progressive in nature, with each focusing on a certain technique with different materials. High quality photos and clear tying directions complement each fly. If one proceeds through the book as Charlie intends, one will have a solid foundation to pursue more advanced skills related to this wonderful art.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for those getting into tying. Follow it through in order from front to back, and you'll come away with the best knowledge base. Each new pattern introduces a new concept and fundamental technique to learn, and by the end you'll have all of the foundation needed to be able to tie almost any pattern you come across. All that's left once you get through this book is to branch out and practice practice practice!

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a beautiful, instructional, and enlightening fly tying reference. I am a better tyer today because of this book. A definite must read for those looking to create neater, more professional-looking trout flies. I refer to this book whenever I tie one of the patterns included in this book as well as when tying flies In the same family of flies.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must have textbook for the beginning fly tyer. The book is presented in a logical order. If followed from beginning to end - you will be able to call yourself an expert fly tyer.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to start in tying flies.

[William Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful introduction into fly tying. Great pictures, great patterns to tie. Highly recommend.