reviews

Nymph-Fishing Rivers and Streams

Reviewed by Scott Richmond

Nymph-Fishing Rivers and Streams: A Biologist's View of Taking Trout Below the Surface, by Rick Hafele. Published by Stackpole Books. 180 pages in an 8.5 by 11 inch all color, hardbound format. Includes 72-minute DVD produced by Laughing River Productions. $49.95. Available in fly shops and online (google title and author).

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book's title should tell you what it's about. So parse this title: "Nymph-Fishing Rivers and Streams" tells you it's NOT about fishing dry flies or on stillwaters.

The subtitle is "A Biologist's View of Taking Trout below the Surface." Thus the views are those of a professional biologist, rather than a well-read layman. Further, the book is about trout, not steelhead or bass, and the book considers a "nymph" to be anything below the surface film.

The content bears out the title; you don't know how rarely that occurs. The biologist/author in question is Rick Hafele, a long-time fly fishing writer and professional entomologist. Rick knows his bugs, but more importantly he fishes a lot and knows how to translate his scientific acumen into practical fly fishing wisdom.

From Basics to Meat

Hafele starts with the basics: trout habitat, tackle, pattern selection. If you have much on-water experience, you'll find these chapters old-hat. Stay with it, though, because in Chapter Five, Hafele delves into eleven different nymphing tactics. For each tactic you'll find photos, step-by-step instructions, equipment, approach, and tips for success. Hafele also explains the advantages and disadvantages for each tactic. It's a meaty and practical chapter.

The remainder of the book is about naturals and their imitations. Mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, midges and true flies, scuds and sowbugs are covered. Hafele looks at the major genera within each category, ranking each one's importance and describing its habitat, behavior, imitation, and tactics. He shows fly patterns, but does not include recipes.

The level of detail is perfect for someone just getting into entomology, someone who wants to know more but doesn't want to be overwhelmed with Latin and technical jargon. You realize the author knows way more than he's telling you, but he has the good sense to know when to quit.

But, as they say in those steak knife ads on TV, "There's more!" Nymph-Fishing Rivers and Streams includes a DVD. Here, Hafele and John Smeraglio demonstrate basic nymphing skills. John and Rick previously teamed up for the excellent series Fishing Large Western Rivers (see the reviews on Westfly). This time the approach is similar: practical, yet light-hearted. The infamous Bugwan (Rick in turban, fake beard, and high-pitched voice) makes a brief appearance from Bugwan University, aka as "Bug U." Rick and John discuss when to fish nymphs, show how to sample the water and choose a fly, talk about using indicators, and demonstrate different presentations. There is also a visit from the S&M Guide Service, which hits clients with a baseball bat if they don't do it right.

Who Should Buy It

The book is well-written and generously illustrated with color photos of the nymphs, fly patterns, and tactics. The level of detail makes this a good book for any advanced-beginner or intermediate fly angler who is wants to improve his or her understanding of nymphing tactics and basic entomology. That's a lot of people, and the book should sell well.

Lighting, contrast, and sound quality are all excellent on the video, which was filmed in Oregon on the McKenzie, Crooked, and Deschutes rivers.

The combo of DVD and book is both entertaining and practical. An angler who fits the target market should be pleased with the result.

Bottom Line: Good book/dvd combo for advanced beginner to intermediate fly anglers looking to improve their nymph 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 11/13/2006.

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