L.L. Bean Fly-Fishing Handbook

This book is a really great purchase for everyone who wants to know about fly fishing, even for people who already know how to cast it always going to show you a new thing!!

This book has been in my family for over twenty years now, and it has yet to fail. It has helped my father and I to teach ourselves to fly fish any water, from still ponds to fast rocky streams. It covers how to read the water, how to try the necessary knots, fish explainations, how and where to cast, and even how to make flys. It is quite the guide for any fly fisherman. You may also want to purchase a guide book that focuses on the specific area you are fishing that includes what water has the most catchable fish.

This is a great book for a beginner (like me). I learned to cast using it. It has a great section on how to diagnose a bad cast and fix it. Plus, there is a short section on how to tie a fly.

This is Prime Whitlock - and he is good. If you bought only one "How to git 'er done" flyfishing book, ever, you couldn't go wrong with the L.L. Bean Flyfishing Handbook.

After reviewing dozen of books, I decided to purchase and use this as my primary self-teaching tool. Surprisingly, I was able to learn the basics of casting from this book. I did get some instruction but was too eager to wait for that route. Once I showed up for a lesson, I was told my cast was quite impressive for a beginner; that was the result of this book. I also initially had qualms with the what-I-thought were overly complicated knots given as examples for connecting flies, leaders, tippets, etc. However, after losing several flies, leaders, and tippets from using other knots, I have followed the advice in the book with significantly more success. Overall, I would say there is no better introduction to this wonderful and satisfying hobby. After reading it, you can safely walk in to your local fly shop without feeling like an idiot. Highly reccomended.After reviewing dozen of books, I decided to purchase and use this as my primary self-teaching tool. Surprisingly, I was able to learn the basics of casting from this book. I did get some instruction but was too eager to wait for that route. Once I showed up for a lesson, I was told my cast was quite impressive for a beginner; that was the result of this book. I also initially had qualms with the what-I-thought were overly complicated knots given as examples for connecting flies, leaders, tippets, etc. However, after losing several flies, leaders, and tippets from using other knots, I have followed the advice in the book with significantly more success. Overall, I would say there is no better introduction to this wonderful and satisfying hobby. After reading it, you can safely walk in to your local fly shop without feeling like an idiot. Highly recommended.