The Complete Book of Fly Tying

Here is a book for fly tiers, beginners and experts alike, that provides foolproof directions for tying all types of flies. Unlike specialized books on tying that describe particular types or styles of flies, this book covers them all—both freshwater and saltwater. Dry flies for trout, streamers for tarpon, hair bugs for bass—you will find them all here. In this comprehensive classic, Eric Leiser teaches the basic methods for tying standard dries, hair dries, parachute dries, hackleless flies, wets, nymphs, streamers, Jassids and other terrestrials, bucktails and Muddlers, Spuddlers and Matukas, and many more.

Included are basic instructions for tying the various types and styles of flies as well as patterns for the most important flies in each category. Step-by-step illustrations by master tier Dave Whitlock and photographs by Gus Nevros give visual reinforcement to Leiser’s immensely helpful discussion of tools, materials, and their characteristic behaviors during the process of tying. Whether you’re a seasoned tier looking for specific advice on how to master the complexities of tying with deer hair, or you’re brand-new to the craft and just want the fundamentals, this book is a complete education.

Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a broad range of books for fishermen. Our books for anglers include titles that focus on fly fishing, bait fishing, fly-casting, spin casting, deep sea fishing, and surf fishing. Our books offer both practical advice on tackle, techniques, knots, and more, as well as lyrical prose on fishing for bass, trout, salmon, crappie, baitfish, catfish, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Eric Leiser is a master fly tyer, teacher, and expert on the materials of the craft. He is the author of Fly Tying Materials, The Complete Book of Fly Tying, 2nd edition, as well as coauthor with Larry Solomon of The Caddis and the Angler.
C. Boyd Pfeiffer is an award-winning outdoor journalist widely known for his expertise in fresh- and saltwater fishing, tackle, fly tying, fly fishing, and outdoor photography. He is the author of The Complete Book of Tackle Making, Tying Warmwater Flies, and Complete Photo Guide to Fly Tying: 300 Tips, Techniques, and Methods (The Freshwater Angler).
Jack Gartside is considered one of the most innovative and prolifically inventive fly tiers of the modern era. He is the author of Fly Patterns for the Adventurous Tyer, Secret Flies, The Fly Fisherman’s Guide to Boston Harbor, and Original Salt Water Fly Patterns. He died in 2009.