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"Where the trout have shoulders and the |
Gordon Honey's #16 - 763 Front Street |
Flyfishing Small Lakes for Trout - Book ReviewsReview by BC Outdoors BC Outdoors - by Phil RowleyStillwaters are difficult places to fish. They tend to be daunting, large featureless bodies of water, intimidating many. When fly fishing lakes we have all scratched our heads, stumped by the myiad of challenges or situations, secretly wishing for someone or someplace to direct our questions. Fly Fishing Small Lakes for Trout by Gordon Honey and Kenneth Strand is an oracle for the inquiring and curious stillwater fly fisher. With over 70 years of experience between them Gord and Ken speak from a vault of experience, mostly from the school of hard knocks. The same school we all attend. Laid out in a logical fashion Ken and Gord take us from what their book has to offer through basic trout feeding behavior, basic equipment and skills, planning your day and how to fish imitative fly patterns through a variety of situations, such as the dreaded summer doldrums. This situational analysis is invaluable as rarely do we get to be on the lake in ideal circumstances. Gord and Ken's approach enables the fly fisher to make the best of each situation. What impressed me was the particular attention paid towards the importance of fishing chironomids. This is the number one hatch of the season and it is critical for the aspiring lake angler to come to grips with this key food source. The glossary is particularly helpful as like any sport fly fishers develop their own unique slang that often needs translation. Their book makes for easy reference following an almost point form approach. Sprinkled throughout the text are important tips and anecdotes. The drawings are simple and easy to follow. The insect diagrams aren't too complicated, including the key features anglers need to properly identify each menu item. Although originally intended for beginners this book offers something for fly fishers of all experiences levels as this is a sport that we never cease to learn. Mother Nature reminds us all to often of this fact. I found myself smirking and learning all at the same time. Flyfishing Small Lakes for Trout would be a welcome addition to any fly fisher's library. Its universal appeal will serve as a valuable reference for years to come. Canadian Fly Fisher - by Chris Marshall editor/publisherHere's another regionally focused book which has a much wider application than for the location which engendered it. There's no doubt that, in Canada, the widest experience and most innovative and comprehensive expertise in still water fly fishing for trout is found in the B.C. interior. Gordon Honey and Kenneth Strand have brought it all together in this timely book. Flyfishing Small Lakes for Trout is compact, yet thorough and information-rich. It's sub-title is "A Guide for Beginners". This is a misnomer. While it undoubtedly provides beginners with all they need to know to get started in still water trout fishing, it also has a great deal to offer the experienced still water fly fisher, for not only have they drawn upon their own considerable experience and expertise, but they've also involved other first class B.C. fly fishers, including Kathy Ruddick and Brian Chan. The book is divided into eight Chapters, which cover everyhing from equipment, techniques, reading the water and selecting flies. One of the things I particularly enjoy are the illustrative anecdotes
sandwiched between the chunks of information. All too often instructive,
informational writing is dry and soporific. Flyfishing Small Lakes for
Trout avoids this pitfall.
Kamloops Flyfishers News Bulletin - by Gary Cutler"I must say that this is the most complete written instruction available fo the beginning fly fisher. They have simplified a difficult subject and this well planned book hits on all the issues that are important to the novice. This edition would be an excellent primer of all fly fishing classes. Their choice of flies, beautifully illustrated in colour, would serve any fly fisher well simply by increasing selection of fly size and colour. Fly fishing techniques including choice of lines, retrieval modes, where to, how to, when to all provide great instruction for anyone new to the sport. I took my brother fishing in June of this year, his first experience on still waters. If he had read this book beforehand, I would not have had to keep saying "Keep your rod tip close to the water". Ken and Gord's interesting and humorous anecdotes, noted in italics, provide proof positive of the written instruction. I would recommend this book to all our members and an entertaining read, a most informative primer and a great gift idea."
Kamloops Daily News - By Robert Koopmans"Kamloops anglers are truly blessed. There are countless lakes, streams and rivers within an easy drive, filled with trout willing to come fast to properly presented flies. As well, there is an abundance of local experts more than willing to share their knowledge to help others figures it all out. That willingness is evident in two books authored by two local fly fisherman. Brian Chan, a Kamloops fisheries biologist, teams up with American fly tier and writer Skip Morris to provide an authoritative guide, Fly Fishing Trout Lakes. Kamloops fishing guide and columnist Gordon Honey and his partner Kenneth Strand wrote "Flyfishing Small Lakes for Trout - A guide for Beginners", a book aimed squarely at those with no flyfishing experience. Both books are available on local bookshelves. Honey's book starts out by dealing with the prey - the rainbow trout, what they eat and when they are most likely to be found feeding on specific insects. Successive chapters discuss flyfishing gear, the needed skills, a typical day on the water and the difference between types of flies and when to use them. One chapter is dedicated to fishing chironomids, a mainstay of local lakes. The last chapter talks about ways to improve angling skills. Without question, the book will help neophyte lake anglers catch fish. There is sufficient explanation of entomology to give at least an introductory grasp of the subject. Advanced anglers will likely find a tip to two worth noting, like the one saying it's better to change locations more often than flies when searching for fish activity."
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