This is from the same team that assembled The Fly Tyers Benchside Reference. The Introduction is for beginners onwards and is exceptionally well illustrated with colour photographs. It is brimming with information.

Where the Reference is a conventional book, the Introduction is spiral bound. Any conventionally bound book that’s laid open on a tying bench while a tyer follows step-by-steps is being abused. Eventually, the spine and binding will crack and fray (hence the state of my copy). Spiral binding solves that problem.

Tying from a book that has tying techniques in one section and tying instructions in another means hopping backwards and forwards – not good. Leeson and Schollmeyer – and their designer – solve that problem by splitting (ie cutting) large pages horizontally into two smaller pages so that this works like two books; methods on the bottom, photographs against blue background, patterns above, photographs against green background. It’s quite brilliant!

The book covers basic methods and techniques in detail, and explanations are well written and thorough. Patterns are for trout fishing, grouped by fishing types: Nymphs, Wets, Streamers, Dries. Mostly US patterns, mostly modern – so expect Madam X, Humpy, Wooly Bugger and one or two European imports, eg Klinkhåmer, Petitjean Emerger, Wyatt’s Deer Hair Emerger.

The amount of written explanation makes me think its aimed more at adults than youngsters. This book is a superb place to start tying and great for those of us who’s tying needs a refresher course.