Soft Hackles

On Dec 11, 11:47 am, "Larry L" wrote:
"Scott Seidman" wrote

way to a quartering swing. It makes you less afraid to try different
things.

It IS a good book and I don't really know why I'm going to tap this out

except that "the power of published" sometimes amazes me, including it's
"power to reduce fear"

In my own little field, I've known and worked with several people with
published books, or multiple articles, on training retrievers. Most were
mediocre dog trainers, at best. In several cases they paid me to train
their dogs because their own efforts didn't succeed.

Anyway it always astounds me how we all hang on the words of an "expert"
that has a book. My personal experience simply doesn't support the idea
that "published" and "knows a damn thing" always go together.

In fly fishing, almost all books are little more than a re-do of previous
books. The approach seems to be ... read five books ... pick a thing or
two you like from each .... rewrite those things ... and organize them into
a new volume. In Hughes' case, his co-authored "Western Hatches" series
really adds new knowledge to the angler's bookshelf ... new to angling,
moved over from the too damn boring entomology literature. IMHO, "Wet
Flies" is almost all re-hash and reading Lidy, Leisering, Polly, Nemes etc
in the originals might lead to more pleasure ( did for me ).

I sometimes wish I had less fear to try different things that MY thoughts
suggest, even if they aren't supported by the "experts." Indeed, I often
wish that I could wipe my mind clean, for short periods, of what I've read
about fishing, so that I'd be forced to be more observant and creative, not
just do what it says on page 39.

DISCLAIMER::: I own Hughes' book(s) and find them worth reading, this is
not about him or his work but about the whole idea that published = expert

In my case, I'm just beginning my journey into fly fishing. My entire
book experience is limited to 6 or 7 books at this point so I don't
have anything to compare with - good or bad.

I do like the way Hugh's books are simple for a guy like me to
understand (especially the "Trout Flies" book). I live in an area
almost totally devoid of fly fishermen (Central Illinois) so books
that I can understand have been really helpful. I think I've also
learned a lot from just "doing" the fishing and learning hit-and-miss
that way. It's probably not a very good way, but it's what I have
right now.

Other books that have helped me a lot a

"Fly Fishing for Beginners" (The Freshwater Angler)
by Chris Hansen

"The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide"
by Tom Rosenbauer

"The Fly-Tying Bible: 100 Deadly Trout and Salmon Flies in Step-by-
Step Photographs"
by Peter Gathercole

"The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference"
by Ted Leeson (Author), Jim Schollmeyer

"Midge Magic"
by Don Holbrook

"Fishing Small Flies"
by Ed Engle

These books sure helped me this year. I envy you folks who have been
fishing for many years & who already know all of this stuff.

- Dave