Today will be our last installment on reading the water. If you haven’t already, be sure to read How To Read A River Part I and Part II.
This article is not so much about teaching, but more about providing additional resources that will be helpful to you. My first two articles laid down the foundation, but reading a trout stream is something you never truly master.
It takes constant learning, experience, and more experience to become truly great at it. First, I want to suggest two books to you that were very helpful to me when I first started fly fishing. I didn’t do the smart thing, and start out by reading these books.
Instead, I just jumped out onto a river with no idea how to read it, no idea how to cast, and no idea what type of flies to use, and started fishing. If you are just starting out, this can be ok, but it is also very frustrating. Like the saying goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know.”
When I finally took the time to learn, fly fishing became so much more fun. I wish I had done it sooner. So, lets take a quick look at the two books, then I will provide two very good videos for you to help you along.
The Orvis Guide To Reading Trout Streams
Orvis has done some amazing things for the fly fishing community. Their equipment is very good, but their books and training tools are excellent.
This book is no exception.
I highly recommend this book as a must have for any library belonging to a fisherman. It goes in depth, and takes you beyond the 12 most common areas I’ve written about in this series. Without a doubt, you need this book!
Click Here to purchase from Amazon(aff).
Reading The Water
This book by Dave Hughes is a classic among fly fisherman. Just like the Orvis guide above, it really takes you in depth on the river.
You might think that having two books on the same subject is a little redundant, but I have both of these books, and refer to them on occasion when I need to brush up. You will find that you get tips from each, and having both will make you all that much better.
Click Here to order Reading The Water from Amazon(aff).
Helpful Videos
Tom Rosenbauer, the man who wrote the Orvis guide mentioned above, also has several helpful videos out there on the subject of fly fishing. Orvis offers several how-to videos, but some of the classics can be difficult to find in any format other than VHS.
Some of Tom’s videos are available on YouTube, and I have included them here for you. Take a look, and see what you can learn.
Part I
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9hg0DoSdt0]
Part II
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1gIB9rzwiM]
I hope these resources will be helpful to you in the future. Stay tuned as we work our way through the Fly Fishing For Beginners series.
See ya on the water…