Positive Fly Fishing
By Marla Blair
Description: 6"x 9.25"Hardbound, 193 pages with index , 92 B&W photos, 16 illustrations, foreword by Dick Talleur, published by Lyons Press, 2005, ISBN: 1-59228-725-5. Retail price $24.95
Review: Marla Blair is a professional guide on several New England streams including Connecticut's Farmington River- arguably the finest trout waters in the northeast. So it should come as no surprise that her first book is focused on learning how-to serve trout a feathered hook.
In his foreword, fly tying guru Dick Talleur mentions that when he first met Blair she immediately reminded him of Bette Midler, so much so he eventually named a fly for Marla, called the Bette Muddler. Well if you have ever met Marla you know exactly what Talleur means; like Bette Midler, Marla has a no nonsense attitude, mixed with a healthy dose of raw enthusiasm. And the reader can literally feel it on the page. For instance in the introduction, Marla describes herself as a dyslexic "valley girl". Now after that you know the book is going to be a "down-to-earth" text with few airs. And that how exactly how it remains throughout.
After the introduction, Blair offers the reader 11 chapters. The first is entitled, appropriately enough, A Positive Philosophy. Here Blair encourages students of the sport to avoid being pessimistic about their fly-fishing potential and instead to employ the power of positive thinking. Having taught a few folks to fly fish myself, I hearty agree. Some people approach fly-fishing with a deep seated conviction that the sport may prove too difficult for them. Its a sad fact, but true. So Blair has wisely begun by nipping this issue right in the bud.
With the pep rally behind us, Blair launches into four chapters of equipment "dos and don'ts", helping the neophyte with everything from picking a fly rod and reel, to understanding fly lines, leaders, knots, waders, and vests. No surprises in any of the suggestions, just solid, time-tested advice.
Flies arrive in Chapter 6. Marla kicks things off by explaining the basic trout fly types and then goes through the life cycle of mayflies, caddis flies, stoneflies, and midges. Next she adds terrestrials and baitfish. There is quite a bit of good information here for the beginner, and yes there's even a bonus. Ever wonder what a professional guide carries for flies? Well now you can find out. Marla offers the reader ten of her favorite freshwater patterns ranging from dries, to nymphs, and hoppers. Once she has armed us with an understanding of fly selection, Marla takes us out to the stream in chapter 7. Now we learn how to read trout water, with plenty of insight into the effects of water temperature and season. And chapter 7 ends with thoughts on stream etiquette.
Fly casting is covered in Chapter 8. Frankly I would have preferred to see this chapter earlier in the book, it feels a little late in the sequence of things. But that said, the author handles the subject well, addressing everything from the basic casting motion, to shooting line, roll casts, wiggle cast, and making a good presentation. Chapter 9 is entitled What to do Once you hook Up. As you might expect, the topics here include hook set, line control, fighting the fish, landing the fish and taking that all important picture.
In chapter 10, Marla helps anglers understand how to get the most out of hiring a guide. This is a needed chapter which any novice anglers will do well to read. Unless you properly research and prepare, a day on the water with a guide may not turn out how you expected. The final chapter closes the book in much the same way it started, with the author's thoughts on the importance of mental attitude. This time around Blair focuses on the need to relax on the stream and not take ourselves too seriously while enjoying the fun of fly-fishing.
Closing Thoughts
If you're itching to take up fly-fishing for trout, or know someone who is - especially if that someone is a women - this book will get you off to an excellent start. I recommend it. Those wishing to learn more about the book or the author can reach her at www. marlablair.com.