Description
Book SynopsisIn his previous books, Tom Rosenbauer (himself, the father of a five-year-old son and a twenty-three-year-old daughter) has already taught us almost everything we need to know about fly-fishing. And now he'll bring his expertise to bear on perhaps the most essential skill set of all—introducing the people closest to you to your beloved sport.
Trade Review"Lively, comprehensive, and well-written, packed with fly-fishing tips and essential fundamentals that go well beyond the "family" scope and purpose of this book. I wish I'd seen it years ago and highly recommend it."--Peter Matthiessen, National Book Award Winner and author The Snow Leopard and Shadow Country "Tom Rosenbauer has produced a remarkably clear and concise book... . First, Rosenbauer explains that a first-time angler should start with a push-button rod. No need to make things too complicated, too quickly. Second, he focuses the subject matter on many species of fish. There might be more bluegills in this fly-fishing book than any other 'general instruction' book I have seen. Third, Rosenbauer hits the obvious topics--what gear, what flies, where to find fish, and how to make them eat--but he also hits the topics mom is wondering about--like how to plan a family vacation, and how to stay safe. "More importantly, Rosenbauer dedicates an entire chapter to conservation. In the context of creating a generation of anglers, it's important to understand that being a 'complete' angler involves having a conscience when it comes to resources, as well as an ability to catch fish. "We get that. Yet there are many other nuances in this book that make it worthwhile for even the most seasoned mentors. Add this one to your library, but be sure to take it off the shelf and put it to use regularly." --Kirk Dieter, review in Trout, the quarterly publication of Trout Unlimited "The book has plenty of solid tips on how to get a family interested in fly fishing, and the topic needs plenty of thought and understanding to do it right. With the wrong approach, a fly-fishing parent can get a child or spouse solidly hooked into the sport or turn someone off cold... . "...just let me say that The Orvis Guide to Family Friendly Fly Fishing makes me jealous. I wish I came up with the idea for the book first. What better endorsemebt can a reviewer give than that?" --Ken Allen, Maine Sportsman
Table of ContentsTable of Contents Chapter 1: What's so great about fly fishing? How it brings people closer to nature because you imitate natural prey, and you learn a lot about nature when out there immersed in it.. Can be enjoyed by people of any age, from 5 to 95. It's not an elitist sport that requires expensive gear and lots of gadgets. It is more difficult to learn that other kinds of fishing but nothing that anyone with even modest hand-eye coordination can master. Interviews with psychologists on the value of fly fishing as stress relief. Mention of Last Child in the Woods movement and why fly fishing is the perfect application. Chapter 2: Let's go fishing and see what it's like. Find a bluegill pond. Catch a fish on a worm and bobber. Replace the worm with a sponge rubber spider and catch another fish. Then take a fly rod and see how much easier it is to get the sponge rubber bug out there. Chapter 3: How do I find a place to fish? Don't start out with a trout stream or the bonefish flats. Sunfish ponds, small bass, smaller inshore saltwater fish, stocked trout ponds. How to find just the right place at the right time of year to learn. Urban fly fishing. Chapter 4: Kids and fly fishing. How to teach kids easily. What age should they start? Why fishing trips with younger kids should be different than adult trips. Find them some action and explain what's happening. Don't make fishing expeditions long unless they beg you. Fly fishing and the single parent. Interviews and case studies of kids who have become passionate fly fishers and kids who turned out to hate it and why. Chapter 5: How do I get my spouse interested in fly fishing? Not everyone will enjoy it. Keep sessions short, explain what is happening, set expectations beforehand. Men and women seem to have different desires on a day of fly fishing. Interviews with people who have successfully (and unsuccessfully) introduced their spouses to fly fishing. Chapter 6: Casting, knots, gear, and flies. Teach the basic overhead cast and the roll cast. How to just get the line out there. How to retrieve line. The two basic knots you need (clinch and surgeon's). How to play, land, and release a fish. At this point still concentrating on small bass or sunfish. Chapter 7: Where to find help. Is it worth it to go to a school or take a lesson? What about books and videos? How and where to practice. Should I hire a guide? Is it worth it? Chapter 8: Different kinds of flies and what they do. Especially with kids, get some wild and colorful flies in lots of different shapes. How to fish the different kinds of flies. Chapter 9: Dealing with current, wind, and other complexities. Your first trip to a trout stream smallmouth river, or the ocean. What additional gear you will need and what other skills you'll need to master. Chapter 10: Fishing from a boat. Choose the right craft. Kayaks are not as good as canoes for beginners and rowboats or small power boats are best. How to cast from a boat and how to land fish safely. Etiquette and tips on fishing on a guide boat. Chapter 11: Fly fishing safety. Water safety, eye protection, removing a hook and other minor emergencies. Chapter 12: The family fly-fishing vacation. How to pick the right place so that all members of the family will enjoy it. Chapter 13: Teaching conservation. What families can learn about conservation together. Projects families can take on to make fish habitat better
