Simple Fly Fishing: Techniques for Tenkara and Rod and Reel

by Yvon Chouinard, Craig Mathews, Mauro Mazzo

Modern-day fly fishing, like much in life, has become exceedingly complex, with high-tech gear, a confusing array of flies and terminal tackle, accompanied by high-priced fishing guides. This book reveals that the best way to catch trout is simply, with a rod and a fly and not much else. The wisdom in this book comes from a simpler time, when the premise was: the more you know, the less you need. It teaches the reader how to discover where the fish are, at what depth, and what they are feeding on. Then it describes the techniques needed to present a fly at that depth, make it look lifelike, and hook the fish. With chapters on wet flies, nymphs, and dry flies, its authors employ both the tenkara rod as well as regular fly fishing gear to cover all the bases. Illustrated by renowned fish artist James Prosek, with inspiring photographs and stories throughout, Simple Fly Fishing reveals the secrets and the soul of this captivating sport. Winner, Guidebooks, Banff Mountain Book Competition 2014

Genres: Outdoors, Nature

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2014

Reviews

[Rocky Manzer · Rating 1 out of 5]

The more I read fly fishing books the more I convinced you cannot learn to fly fish through books. A tip here or there maybe useful but you really need someone to show you the basics in person and you need to spend time on the water. This book I assume is geared to someone trying to get started fly fishing simply and if it is it fails. Firstly, the book is confusing because it really isn't a tenkara book or straight rod and reel book they keep switching between the two methods. The authors, of which there are three, should have just picked horse and rode it as they say. Secondly, if you want to write a book about how to start fly fishing it shouldn't be intimidating-- you may want to tamp down the Italian mountain stream fly fishing stories or the time you fished with the captain of Czech national fly fishing team or the time you fished the rivers in Bhutan stories. Eye roll. Third as beginner fly fisher there is a lot of not so helpful information that fills up the book for example there are roughly 15 pages of examples of flies with recipes. Look when you start fly fishing you aren't tying flies--you could give people a nice list of flies with a few nice pictures so you can go down to your local fly shop and tell them what you want.

So my advice is if you are learning to fly fish you probably shouldn't buy this book. I suggest if you are going to learn Western Fly Fishing you should buy the Curtis Creek Manifesto by Sheridan Anderson take a lesson or go out with somebody the knows what they are doing. Also you should find a local spot where the fish are abundant and easy to catch--blue gill pond or small mountain streams with brook trout--and learn there. Trust me not all fly fishing happens in exotic locations. It really helps to be successful at first. I don't know much about tenkara but I am sure there are better beginners books out there than this.

[Jared Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would not approach this as a comprehensive how to book. More like a book to become inspired to go fish more and to be more efficient and minimalist about it, and pick up a few techniques that could be useful. It's a decent introduction to the basics of Tenkara fishing, and there's some info on regular fly rod fishing, but the best parts are the interspersed little days and stories that are more about why we fish than how. Stories that would be at home in an outdoor or travel magazine. The pictures are also beautiful.

[Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book with a lot of great photos and wonderful fishing stories. It indeed gives simple techniques but if you want to employ them you’ll need to know a lot more about fly fishing than is in this book. The book promotes Tenkara fishing, which I have done in Utah and think is excellent. If you are an avid fly fisher you’d probably really enjoy getting this book as a gift.

However, I was hoping to learn how to START fly fishing in my own in a simple way, which this book doesn’t really do. It also focuses solely on trout (but in all kinds of water) and I live where I can fish for many things but not trout. So I had hoped it would cover more.

[Tony Plante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple(r) Fly Fishing

Writing is accessible, and communicates the authors’ love of fishing and Tenkara as a simpler form of fly fishing. Book seems a bit choppy, where is shifts from voice to voice, but I liked the stories and description of the technique, even though it still got way more detailed and occasionally too technical for a newbie like me. Still, it made me want to learn more, so it was worth it. I’d recommend reading this after a more beginner-oriented book and a little time on the water.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book contains tons of great information, especially if you’re learning Tenkara fly fishing, it’s definitely geared towards the seasoned angler. Never having fly fished in my life, there was a lot of things in here that seemed like jargon and required reading and rereading followed by a quick google search followed by a rerereading. As I get to spend more time fishing, I’ll definitely reference this book as it contains a wealth of knowledge.

[Corey Schenck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty basic, but well written and illustrated. I read the reviews here and they all have good points. It isn't much of an instructional manual and I don't think it is possible for all anglers to fish the mountains of Italy or Idaho, but part of the appeal is justing imagining yourself in such places. The thesis of the book, that a person will catch more fish if they approach the whole endeavor more deliberately, is well communicated. That's a message that I would benefit by remembering.

[Bodhi47 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Primer on tenkara style fishing. Along with fish tales from the founder of Patagonia. It was a quick and fun read. Will implement its suggestions this spring.

[Dwayne Mchottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the concept

I love the concept this book presents, making fly fishing what it should be, a simple and fun adventure. Glad I gave this book a try.

[Teemu Nordlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raised thoughts.

It was better than average in storytelling. I enjoyed to read it. Not too long. Fishing techniques for many different occasions explained on a high level.

[Jon Kenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable read. As someone who's just started getting to grips with Tenkara fishing it's a great affirmation of the fun and success I've already enjoyed.

[Brian Glenn]

Winner of the 2014 Guidebooks category of the Banff Book Awards.

[James Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really useful starting point if you're getting into fly fishing.

[Joe Stinnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hadn’t fly fished for many years. Excellent refresher. Much has changed. Wonderful photos.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that articulates some of my views about the spirit of fly fishing. The book is not so much about how to catch fish -- though it does address that -- but more about why we fish, or at least, why we should. A good read for those who have been overcome by all the gear, expenses, and techno minutiae that have stuck to simple fly fishing like parasites to the felt soles of wading boots!

[Bill Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, but convoluted things in places

The reader might have been better served if the book stuck to fewer themes, maybe just tenkara for instance rather than jumping back and forth between tenkara and western fly fishing

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful gem of a book, filled with useful information on fly fishing and wonderful anecdotes from the authors. I've read this book several times, and continue to find nuggets that bring me closer to understanding fishing, rivers and life. Essential reading.

[Paul Batcheller · Rating 5 out of 5]

True to its title, this books seeks to explain fly fishing in a simple, accessible manner. A good place to start for anyone who has ever been interested in fly fishing but didn't know where to start.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you've never fished before and someone handed you a Tenkara rod, this book would be useful. If you have any fishing experience at all you won't learn anything new from this book and your time and money would be better spent with a more advanced book or time on the water.

[Bob Peru · Rating 4 out of 5]

there's not much in english on tenkara. this is fine. reads like the copy editor of the patagonia catalogs wrote it. probably did. nice read though if you're so inclined to this type of fishing.