The Complete Book of Fly Fishing

My health has taken a turn down a rocky road, although I have been an avid fisherman, it has always been jigging or casting iron and in 60+ yrs never touched a fly rod so on trusted advice started work on the bucket list, and fly fishing kept showing up on top. Where to start?what to do?well first off I quickly became addicted and I have great access to both fresh and salt water fisheries but felt like I was immersed in a foreign land and could not speak the language! I bought and read volumes of books on hundreds of fly fishing knowledge learning felt painfully slow all the hatches all the flies and then add salt! Well I stumbled upon an old dried out copy of Fly Fishing by Tom Mcnalley with his mater of fact writting style, reminds me of the days of my trade apprenticeship learning is taken seriously and where hard work can bring you to you goals and success. Excellent read no punches held back but you will learn a lot and become a better fly fisher

just a quick word about this wonderful book: within two months of reading it, and having never fly-fished a day in my life, i took 23 creel-size trout in two days from Helton Creek, North Carolina. this book guided me throug the purchase of all my equipment, and instructed me on all the techniques in using it. in the nine months since i first read this book i have caught all three species of trout, countless pan fish, crappies, small- and large-mouth bass, and one baracudda. i highly recomend it to anyone interested in fly-fishing.

I bought this book as a beginner wanting to get into flyfishing. This book gave the information I needed to be confident in beginning this demanding sport. It has a great overview of all species and techniques. A Great Beginners book.

My wife and I recently decided to take up fly fishing but had little fishing knowledge specific to fly fishing. Mr. McNally has covered the many aspects of fly fishing in plain, easy-to-understand language. Others with fly fishing experience have praised this book. As a novice, I would certainly recommend it for anyone about to take up the sport.

The explosive growth of flyfishing is due to many things, not the least of which is the depth and breadth of well-conceived instructional material. There are many more good books available today than in years past, and McNally's book is a case in point. "The Complete Book of Flyfishing" does many things well. It gives the first time, fledgling flyfisher a basic overview of the equipment, tactics, and methods by which they can become proficient in the sport. There is also a depth and breadth of information in McNally's book that explains well many of flyfishing's harder techniques and methods. All in an easy to read format that leaves the reader wanting more. Some instructional books effectively transfer information without adequately explaining the reasons why traditions and methods have evolved and are recommended. McNally gives more than just a "how to" treatise. He explains the rationale behind his choice of material, technique and equipment choices. If a friend asked the best method to learn the basics of flyfishing I'd have no hesitation in recommending "The Complete Book of Flyfishing" by McNally as an outstanding guide. Intermediate flyfishers will also find many interesting items in the book. McNally's section on knots is a prime example. Many have fished for years without a good working knowledge of the knots needed to fish properly. McNally provides first class illustrations for all the basic and tertiary knots. Sections on leader design and composition are also outstanding. I've never seen a better exposition on leaders anywhere. If you are looking for a well-written text on all aspects of flyfishing pick up a copy of McNally's book. You will reach for it often.

This is a very good book for the novice fly fisherman.I have read many fly fishing books ,but this one I feel is the best one. Everything is put down in simple form to make it very easy for the beginner to understand.There are many pictures also to show step by step procedures that are explained.The section on leaders I found very helpfull,showing with pictures and words the proper way to make your own tappered leaders.This book helped me learn the right way to tie tappered leaders.choose the right rod and reel and line.and learn how to cast the proper way etc. choosing the right flys to use and learn how to read the water....