My affinity for coffee table type books has been obvious for some time so I figured I'd post another review of another one of these books. I think, in the last few years, I've probably blown more money on glossy FFing picture books than I have on any type of fishing equipment. Anyway - Rick Hafele's book on nymph fishing is excellent. At about 180 pp with fabulous photographs of many of the nymphs found around the country. A recent thread regarding the color of sulpher nymphs had me referring to Rick's book again. Each group of nymphs has a bar graph covering distribution, abundance etc - although awkward at first, these graphs are really pretty handy for someone tying nymphs for an upcoming trip to a different region of the country. The book has a good overview on nymph fishing techniques as well. A possible criticism, perhaps, is the coverage of "reading the water" type material early in the book that has really been treated in enough other works. Nevertheless, the beginning nympher will find this useful and the attending photos are well executed and refer to the adjoining script. The arrows and markings superimposed on the photos would make John Madden proud. Clearly, however, the best material in this book are the photos of nymphs, the information about those nymphs, and the fly patterns meant to imitate them. This book also includes something I've come to associate more with textbooks published to rip-off college students: the dreaded back-flap CD/DVD (being old enough to remember the pre-information age, I've always been more comfortable with books and can't relate to the younger generation's preferance for reading off computers). This little DVD actually isn't too bad though. Although Hafele holds a graduate degree in biology, he clearly doesn't take himself too seriously as he's in the video as a clueless fisherman with fake beard and beer. It's worth a few laughs and demonstrates the fishing methods well.
Review: "Nymph Fishing Rivers and Streams" by Hafele
- Thread starter Fishidiot
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I have to second this book as being a good one, and say that it's one of my favorites. I also just got Hafele's (and Smeraglio's) new DVD, "Advanced Nymph Fishing." They go into more detail on various techniques that the first DVD, but still with the same great sense of humor. They do a great job of reminding me to "Smile - Fishing is Fun."
Back to the book -- Rick's attention to the important details and great photos really set this book apart from others that I've read. This would be the first book (and DVD) that I'd recommend to any new flyfisher. The book is for the beginner as well as any advanced flyfisher.
I liked it so much, that I've bought Hafele's "An Angler's Guide to Aquatic Insects & Their Imitations," which is out of print. I found a used copy, and find it very useful.
If you buy it, and I'd recommend The Angling Bookstore for the book/DVD (as well as other books and DVDs -- yes, a shameless plug for a good friend). Ben had a storefront at the Somerset, NJ show.
Back to the book -- Rick's attention to the important details and great photos really set this book apart from others that I've read. This would be the first book (and DVD) that I'd recommend to any new flyfisher. The book is for the beginner as well as any advanced flyfisher.
I liked it so much, that I've bought Hafele's "An Angler's Guide to Aquatic Insects & Their Imitations," which is out of print. I found a used copy, and find it very useful.
If you buy it, and I'd recommend The Angling Bookstore for the book/DVD (as well as other books and DVDs -- yes, a shameless plug for a good friend). Ben had a storefront at the Somerset, NJ show.
