The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies

New York Times bestseller!
“A delightful ramble along the stream of fishing history.” ―Star Tribune
“Angler Ian Whitelaw charts the development of the sport over the past six centuries.” —Wall Street Journal

The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies recounts the history of a sport that dates back 2,000 years, focusing on milestone flies from the first feathered hook to contemporary patterns using cutting-edge materials. Featured here are:

• Stewart’s Black Spider, Lady Caroline, Royal Coachman
• Bass Popper, Adams, Gray Wulff, Muddler Minnow, Tom Thumb
• Lefty’s Deceiver, Dave’s Hopper, Syl’s Midge, Ice Cream Cone
• Deer Hair Emerger, Bionic Bug, Takayama Sakasa Kebari
• And dozens more!

Among the countless fly patterns created over the centuries, these 50 have been carefully chosen to represent the development not only of the flies themselves but also of fly-fishing techniques—and of rods, lines, and reels. These iconic flies also chart the spread of this addictive sport from its modern origins on the chalk streams of southern England and the rivers of Scotland to the US, Europe, South America, Australia, and now to nearly every country in the world.

From the Catskills, the birthplace of American fly-fishing, to the wide rivers of the American West to overseas fishing hot spots like New Zealand and Iceland, these pages are filled with profiles of the key characters involved, tying tips, photographs and illustrations of the flies, and detailed explanations of the techniques used to fish them.

The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies is a fascinating companion to the evolution of this captivating sport.