reviews

The Book of Practical Fishing Knots

Reviewed by Scott Richmond

The Book of Practical Fishing Knots, by Geoffrey Budworth. Published by Stackpole Books. 160 pages in a 7.25 x 9 inch format. Softbound, all color. $19.95. Available in some fly shops and online (google the title).

nots are the weakest link between angler and fish. Know the right knots, tie them correctly, and test them before you put the fly in front of the fish. Know, tie, test: that should be the mantra of every fly fisher.

But which knots? A survey of my personal knot knowledge reveals that I rely on nine knots when fly fishing for trout and steelhead in fresh water: blood, double turle, improved clinch, surgeons, perfection loop, no-slip loop, nail, albright, and arbor.

There are many more knots, however. Some of them are for special purposes that I'll probably never encounter. Some should become part of my repertory. And some I have no idea why anyone would bother to learn.

For most fly anglers, the standard knot book is Practical Fishing Knots by Mark Sosin and Left Kreh. That venerable volume has been around since 1991 and is a standard offering in many tackle shops.

A new book is now available: The Book of Practical Fishing Knots, by Geoffrey Budworth.

Nearly all the knots in the Sosin/Kreh book are also in This book too, but Budworth's book has about three dozen knots that aren't in the Sosin/Kreh book.

Another major difference between the two books is in the presentation. Budworth's book is in color, whereas Sosin/Kreh is in black-and-white. Color is definitely an aid in understanding how to tie knots. In addition to the color drawings, the Budworth book has photos showing the finished knots. For the photos, the author used colored marine cordage. These photos gives a more accurate picture of the finished knot's appearance than you'd get with clear fishing line.

Budworth's descriptions of the knots are clear and understandable, although I noticed an error in one of the drawings (the first step in the no-slip loop). Other knots may also have errors; I didn't check every one.

Should you buy this book instead of the less expensive, not as glitzy Sosin/Kreh book? I admit I discovered at least two new knots or variations that I'll add to my repertoire; that's worth the price of a new book, at least to me.

Bottom Line: Color illustrations make it easier to understand how knots are to be tied. Reviewer Rating: 4

Scott Richmond is Westfly's creator and Executive Director. He is the author of eight books on Oregon fly fishing, including Fishing Oregon's Deschutes River (second edition).

Uploaded 08/13/2003.

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