It might seem mere coincidence that two men from Colorado’s Front Range should release important books on fly-tying just days apart.
The concurrence continues when we discover that the two are well-acquainted, even friends. Now get this: As Todd Hosman ponders the selection of featured tyers for his book, “Colorado Trout Flies: Great Patterns and the Remarkable People Who Tie Them,” one of his first calls goes to noted fly-tyer Charlie Craven. Even puts his picture on the back of the dust cover.
So when Craven comes up with his own publication, “Charlie Craven’s Basic Fly Tying: Modern Techniques for Flies That Catch Fish,” the circle is complete. Two books, each with a distinctive approach, each splendid in its separate way.
Craven’s book, surely the most dramatically illustrated tying book in history, with 1,000 color plates, takes a guileful approach that might be overlooked at first glance. The 17 featured flies include many old favorites, giving it an elementary appearance. Closer examination casts a completely different light.
“If you tie everything in the book in the order it’s presented, you’ll have the skills to tie 99 percent of all flies,” Craven said. “After just three chapters, you’ll know how to tie 100 flies.”
The book has another expansive element. After detailing a certain pattern, Craven offers several variations. Thus the basic Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymph magically sprouts 10 mutations; the Adams becomes not one dry fly, but six.
Hosman’s notion is to present 68 flies applicable to Colorado waters in a modified album format that highlights the 34 people who tie them. While learning to mimic these useful flies, we discover even more about the background and personality behind names that have become household in local angling circles, along with the origins of cutting-edge materials we use in our favorite patterns.
Many are known for books of their own: Marty Bartholomew, Brad Befus, A.K. Best, Pat Dorsey, Ed Engle, John Gierach, Ken Iwamasa, Shane Stalcup, Gordon Wickstrom and now, of course, Craven himself.
You get the idea. Hosman’s work is loaded with practicality and celebrity. Clearly, this is no downstream book.
As for the author, we remember the Longmont resident for two earlier guidebooks, “Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National Park” and “Fly Fishing Colorado’s Front Range.”
Hosman’s book, from Streamside Press, is $69.95. Craven’s, from Headwater Books, is $39.95. So how does one choose? Every serious fly-tyer will want both, available at local trout shops.
Editor’s note
The Wednesday outdoors section will not appear for the next two weeks to accommodate expanded coverage of the Summer Olympic Games. You’ll find the usual outdoor offering in Sunday’s Denver Post.
