Autumn flyfishing shows

Today Paul is off to the first in a series of flyfishing shows over the next three weekends. First is Flyfest in Penrith this weekend, then the Grayling Society AGM in Lockerbie, then the Burton Flyfishing Show at Uttoxeter Racecourse. He'll have a lot of great bargains at each show, particularly for fly-tyers. Here are just a few:

The Fly Tyier's Benchside Reference to Techniques and Dressing Styles by Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer

"There is no other work in the history of fly-tying or fly-tying literature that is as comprehensive." An encyclopaedic presentation of fly tying techniques, arranged according to a fly's body parts. Each section contains many different techniques for constructing the body part in question, with excellent step by step photographs in colour. The 444 large format pages have five to ten photographs per page, punctuating three columns of text. Selection of materials; hook preparation; thread handling; mounting and trimming materials; weighting hooks; underbodies, wiggle bodies, tandem hooks and weed guards; tails and trailing shucks; ribbing and gills; 150 pages on bodies; 100 pages on wings; 90 pages on hackles; heads, collars and eyes. The selection of materials covered is too long to list. "The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference is an incredibly detailed book that will no doubt be recognized for many decades as the definitive guide to tying anything on a hook to create any kind of trout fly. With in-depth discussions of over 400 tying techniques dealing with both natural and synthetic materials, and demonstrated with more than 3,000 color photos, there is hardly a question concerning tying trout flies that goes unanswered." A.K. Best. Published price £65.00 Special Coch-y-Bonddu Books price just £45.00  

The Benchside Introduction to Fly Tying by Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer

An excellent beginner's guide, much in the manner of the authors' monumental Benchside Reference, which this work compliments. Detailed introduction to a variety of patterns and techniques with many excellent step-by-step photographs. 24 page intoductory section on the basics. 165 pages are cut horizontally into two, the top half showing fly patterns and the bottom half techniques. This allows a single pattern to be consulted uninterruptedly whilst referring to different techniques as required. Published price £29.95 Special Coch-y-Bonddu Books price just £19.95  

Flyfishing Knots & Leader Systems by Dave Chermanski

This is an extremely detailed compendium of practical information on knots, lines and the materials from which they are made. Dave Chermanski is a scientist and engineer who has made his career in the American space program. It seems unlikely that a more thorough treatment of the subject has yet been written. Well worth a read. Chapters include: Knots and connections; Tying the essential knots; Fly lines; Fly line backing; Rigging fly lines and backing; Leader system theory and general design; Nylon monofilament as a leader and tippet material; Advantages of fluorocarbon line; General freshwater and saltwater leader systems; Speciality leader system configurations; Tables and charts; Manufacturers and suppliers. Published price £19.95 Special Coch-y-Bonddu Books price just £7.95  

Oliver Edwards' Flytyer's Masterclass by Oliver Edwards

First published in 1994, Flytyer's Masterclass showcases the talents of British fly-tyer Oliver Edwards. Using his excellent knowledge of entomology and recognising specific characteristics of each species of fly he is creating, Edwards has developed his trademark of ultra realistic flies which are highly regarded for their near perfect imitation to the natural. Featuring patterns for the baetis nymph, ephemerella nymph, rhyacophila larva, and Klinkhamer special. For this new edition The Flyfisher's Library has commissioned new photographs by Terry Griffiths which depict each fly in stunning detail. "It is a really seminal book by probably the greatest fly-tyer of our generation." Magnus Angus. Published price £29.95 Special Coch-y-Bonddu Books price just £9.95