Getting Started in Fly Fishing

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A good primer - Rated
When starting fly-fishing I bought a few magazines and used the internet to try and get an idea of what I needed to do, but that approach is far too 'bitty' and a good book setting everything out in a clear and logical order was required.

It proved very difficult to find a decent book written specifically for a UK beginner, and so I bought this one. It's rather good, particularly in the opening chapters on what gear you really need and how to put everything together, and in the way that it aims to get you on the water as soon as possible with subsequent chapters infilling with detail to start the long and continual process of improvement. Fortunately US and UK fishing lingo seems to be the same, so there's no problem interpreting terminology, and Fuller's writing style is pleasantly understated - it doesn't grate on a UK reader. As the previous reviewer has noted, the biggest problem is that it's assuming you'll be fishing the vast rivers of the great US outdoors, whereas the bulk of UK fishing is on stillwaters. The fact that I'd still rate the book as a '4' shows how good it is otherwise despite this handicap. But British publishers take note: what's really needed is a book written in a similar way for a UK readership, concentrating on lake and reservoir fishing.

The section on casting is brief but covers what you need to know. Most UK venues will have tuition available, which for beginners is often at a discounted rate (I paid £10/hour). There's no point spending a load of money on gear, magazines and books as a beginner and then not paying for an hour or two to learn to cast - it will be about the best money you spend during the early days of learning to fly-fish!

Fly Fishing - Rated
Given that so much great writing surrounds fly fishing it's surprising that there isn't a standard work for the beginner. This American book comes closest to filling that role.

It's clear, concise, and comprehensive. In fact it will take you from absolute tyro to your first trout with the minimum of frustration and wasted money or time.

Where it falls down is that it's focused on river and stream fishing, the majority of UK fly fishers begin their careers in "put and take" stillwaters, of which there's only minimal coverage. It would also benefit from a few extra pages devoted to casting, and a little more information on the fast growing area of fly fishing in salt water. Still, I strongly recommend this book to any beginner, it's well written and it'll set you off on the right path.