A Modern Dry-Fly Code

by Vincent C. Marinaro

Merging a poetic reverence for the art of fly fishing with a wealth of practical information and technical advice, Vincent Marinaro's, A Modern Dry-Fly Code is the classic guide to dry-fly fishing. Originally written in 1950 as the sport was languishing for lack of innovation, this book helped bring about a fly-fishing renaissance on riverbanks across America. An ideal book for readers who share Marinaro's deep reverence for the fisherman's connection to the unspoiled natural world, A Modern Dry-Fly Code will have you yearning for the sound of running brook water, eager to try some of the author's legendary fly patterns, casting techniques, and scouting tips. The product of a lifetime of experience wading in the waters of the Letort, Big Spring, and other south Pennsylvania streams, A Modern Dry-Fly Code significantly changed the way American anglers think about dry-fly fishing. In addition to detailed information on matching hatches, trout behavior and biology, and where and when to cast which types of flies, Marinaro introduces several ideas of his own invention based on the results of his many experimental outings. Among the revolutionary ideas set forth in this book are Marinaro's 'minutiae', miniscule flies designed to imitate the dozens of tiny insects that swarm over the surface of the water as well as his thorax-style technique for crafting superb dry-flies. For beginners and expert fishermen alike, there is much wisdom to be gleaned from Marinaro's inventive and curious inquiry into the nature and practice of fly-fishing.

Genres: Nonfiction

278 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Chris Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the more important books - by reputation at least - in fly fishing. It was a critical step in the development of fly fishing, particularly with dry flies during the period right after WWII. At its best, Marinaro presents a fresh take on trout, their etymology, their feeding behavior, and the imitations most likely to 'take fish'. It also provides a nice sense of the middle part of Pennsylvania limestone streams that so much consumed his life. The writing is formal - lawyerly (Marinaro was a tax attorney) and at time quite turgid, unlike the waters he describes.

One welcome reaction: this was not a story of capturing the 'big one' in Patagonia or fishing in the far west up in the Winds, helicopter fishing, if you will. It was about close to home waters, about learning the local streams well and completely, caring for them and living in their presence and the life they maintain. Not a bad thing and all too often lost today.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, a classic in Dry Fly (and all Fly) Fishing literature! Any words I would say would pale in comparison to the magnitude and simply the wonderful nature of this book! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reading this book, and gleaned several novel pieces of information from this book that, while written in a prior era, are very much applicable to fly fishing in today's age; these principles have stood the test of time.