(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best fishing books

I focus on simplicity and affordability.

I've tried different rigs for Euro nymphing and have converged on a 12' leader for my 11' 3 wt:

• Rio Euro nymphing fly line
  
• 6' 20 lb mono (stiff enough to cause the rig to turn over)
  
• Umpqua coil strike indicator (lets me spot soft takes)
  
• 3' 4 lb. test (I bought a huge spool for $3 on eBay)
  
• 3' 6x
  
• Two nymphs. If fishing deep runs, anchor nymph on the bottom and a 5" dropper 20" above the anchor fly; if shallow, anchor nymph with a 12" trailer (with 7x/8x for #32 midges, the go-to flies on my home river)
  
  I've found this rig also lets me cast dries and streamers. I can grease the coil indicator and tippet for dries. And, the softness of the 3 wt. rod lets me land big trout on a streamer on light tippet without breaking off.
  
  I've striven for simplicity as I age and for me, this rig lets me fish 90% of the water I encounter on a given day. I don't enjoy changing rigs, and so, now, just change tippet at the end of my rig (tippet length and/or tippet diameter) to customize if I encounter unusual water situations. For me, amending tippet is a lot faster than changing rigs.
  
  Just in case, I do have in my bag two other specialty rigs (shorter 7' Czech one and super-long 20' French one), but I've never been forced to go to those. I fish for wary trout and I've found that Czech rigs are too short and I spook fish. Super-long leaders are a pain to cast, at least for me.
  
  So, my go-to rig is something in the middle.
  
  Last, I am not a pro by any means, but I find that a drag-free drift trumps all. The "right" fly on the "right" leader certainly help, but trout are opportunistic feeders if a drift is drag free. Jason Randall has a great book (here) on sub-surface currents and how they can kill your drifts; a long book but worth a read.
  
  Have fun experimenting! That has been part of the fun for me. Have never fished the spring creeks of PA, but I hear the trout are super-picky. I fish similar waters in MA and the above rig has been great in gin-clear and super-shallow tailwaters filled with wary trout. Perhaps, it might work for you....

The sadly out of print book series InFisherman Largemouth Bass Fundamentals are summary and used to be priced far more reasonably. I think the price on amazon fluctuates wildly, I got all three for like $10 each maybe 2-3 years ago and the last time I looked (maybe 4 months ago) they were still around that price. Otherwise, the InFisherman website has a lot of good articles with good illustrations so stuff like the difference between inside and outside weedlines are made clear. "In Pursuit of Giant Bass" is another great one and looks to be more available. I have also heard good things about "High Percentage Fishing" but have yet to pick it up.

I have yet to find any really good videos going over habitat/behaviour other then this great one about spawning, but I have not looked in a while. Otherwise I just did a lot of reading random bass forums. It's slow and there are many idiots out there but once you figure out who to listen too there is a ton of info out there.

Yeah it's fascinating- way over my head as a kid when I got it, but as an adult I really enjoyed it so it took several years for me to appreciate it. Also it looks great on a coffee table or tying desk. http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Flies-Their-Histories-Marbury/dp/1585743151

Depends what you are fishing for. NEVER GO IN THE WATER if you are fishing for Snook. When you go to Norm's Shop, the first thing he will tell you is to stay 10ft or so back from the surf on the beach. Walk the beach and sight fish. Snook are a plenty down there, but March is a little early for them. They like warm water. When you get a snook on the fly, get ready, it's a real treat. Also, Norm has a book he wrote called "Snook on the fly", i highly recommend reading it before you go. http://www.amazon.com/Snook-Fly-Catching-Saltwater-Fly-Fishing/dp/0811704475/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452869327&sr=8-1&keywords=snook+on+the+fly

Here is a quick list of can't miss books in my opinion:

Michael Radencich as several books out, but this one should be a first if you want to head down this road. He outlines 20 classics and walks you through step by step. If you order from his site directly, he will autograph the book. These books are not cheap but worth their weight in gold:

http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Salmon-Flies-Techniques-Mastering/dp/0811705234/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409050251&sr=8-2&keywords=classic+salmon+fly+tying

Mikal Frodin put together an excellent book of classic patterns that include recipes. The really nice thing about this book is that he provides the history of the fly as well. The pictures are not the best and the dressings are not either (at least for display quality as we know it now), but for $10 used hardcover, it's a no brainer.

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Salmon-Flies-History-Patterns/dp/0883171635/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409050359&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=mikal+frodin

TE Pryce-Tannatt is one of the last "masters" and depending on the volume you get this book is collectible and gets pricey. This version is not and has a ton of excellent information:

http://www.amazon.com/Dress-Salmon-Flies-T-E-Pryce--Tannatt/dp/0713616180/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409050461&sr=8-1&keywords=te+pryce-tannatt

I know it's short notice but the book Fly Fishing the Rocky Mountain Backcountry is the bible for what you're about to do. I'd highly recommend it. In addition to all the useful information about back packing and fly fishing, its a great read.

Croton system, already mentioned, is great if you don’t have a car. If you do have a car, the Catskills are full of trout streams. If you want largemouth bass or panfish, you can fish Harlem Meer and the pond in Prospect Park without leaving the city. There’s striped bass in the harbour too if you have salt water gear.

I’ve got a copy of Tom Gilmore’s Flyfisher’s Guide to the Big Apple and though I haven’t used it much (no car), it seems pretty good. Might be worth it for you, especially if you have wheels. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1932098836/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XxAFDbP80F5SM

Not really a guide book per se but I love Ralph Cutter's Sierra Trout Guide (https://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Trout-Guide-Ralph-Cutter/dp/1878175025). If your dad plans to fish the Sierras I'm sure he will find it informative and useful.

If you really want to dive into tenkara, head over to https://www.discovertenkara.com/ They are by far the best English language source of tenkara information. They have a ridiculous amount of free information including history, flies, techniques, and more. They also have a YouTube series called Tenkara in Focus with a ton of free info.


If you are of the mind of paying for some content I HIGHLY recommend:
How to fool fish with simple flies (either print or e-book, the e-book is cheaper)
Manipulations Volume 1


Seriously, if you are new to tenkara, those two purchases will have you well on your way. If you could only buy one, buy the book (the e-book is like $7).

Tight loops are great for punching through a strong wind or making a lengthy cast, but aren't always the answer. Heavy nymph rigs, dropper setups, bass flies, big streamers, etc. all require more open loops to avoid tangling. So for me, the ideal would be the ability to easily change loop size as dictated by what you're fishing.

http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Fly-Casting-Methods-Decades-Americas/dp/1585747890/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410195187&sr=1-12

http://www.amazon.com/Casting-Lefty-Kreh/dp/081170369X/ref=sr_1_17?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410194862&sr=1-17

Yep - we've all been there! For the record, I quit chasing my dog around after a few flies. They didn't work all that well, and then I realized, probably why there aren't many in fly shops.

Dave Hughes American Fly Tying Manual should be the first book you buy. Read it cover to cover, and start with the basics.

Second book (and my autographed copy is most certainly not for sale) is Dave's book 'Essential Trout Flies.' I don't know too many folks that don't want to match his boxes from the cover - a great winter project for sure.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Tying-Manual-Dave-Hughes/dp/157188212X
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Trout-Flies-Step-step/dp/0811727483/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b

If you like to fish alpine lakes there are some lakes just outside Salt Lake and Provo that are alot of fun to hike to. About 2 months ago, I posted about my new book "Fishing the Wasatch" it will give you good information on these lakes. In fact, you can save $5.00 until August 23, 2014. This price is only good for the Kindle edition. The Kindle edition is the same as the paperback edition except the pictures are in color if you have the Kindle Fire.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LUX9P4S

Fair point. I mean I've read a handful of tying books and certainly improved at the vice because of it. Specifically I'd recommend John Geirach's "Good Flies"

It is important to know proportions, but that info isn't hard to find online either I imagine. I just feel like money is better spent on materials or good scissors than on new books. That being said, 80 tying books and a float tube for $80 is an absolute steal.

I would also recommend this book. Matt is a great tyer and writer. This book has some general info and maps. Great if you want a general 'lay of the land' to get you started.

Great report. I hiked the JMT back in 2003 and used this book to plan (back when it was like $8).

Aside from the places you mention, I also caught fish in a small creek on the way down to Devil's Post Pile (can't recall the name), the MF of the San Joaquin, Deer Creek, and Bubb's Creek on the south end of the trail for small but very colorful Goldens.

Evolution Valley / McClure Meadow was among my favorite spots for the scenery as much as for the fishing.

I had a far less serious kit than you, but agree on the fly selection. I caught most of my fish on dries, primarily x-caddis, Royal Wullfs and ants, all in the 16-18 range.

This book is a wealth of info along with very effective and easy to tie flies. As far as tools and vise are concerned, I'd do it the same way I did it, on the cheap. Tying isn't for everyone, and it doesn't hurt as much if you quit with minimal investment. I got everything I needed to start tying for $60 on ebay. I have since upgraded only the vise and scissors.