WHAT THE TROUT SAID: ABOUT THE DESIGN OF TROUT FLIES AND OTHER MYSTERIES. REVISED AND AUGMENTED EDITION. By Datus C. Proper.

(1982) 1993 1st UK edition. 8vo (148 x 218mm). Ppxviii,286. Colour plates of flies, b/w illustrations by Bill Elliott, bibliography. Green boards, spine titled in gilt.

"This is a book for all serious fly fishermen - a penetrating look at the design of trout flies, a challenging series of thoughtful concepts for imitating trout foods, and penetrating discussions of insect behaviour, fly types, colour, hooks, and much more." Chapters include: Imitations, fancy flies, lures, and how to tell the difference; Priorities of trout, behaviour, size, shape, colour; How insects behave (almost as strangely as people); Making an artificial behave like the real thing; Imitating size shape and colour; The hook problem; Fly size, including weight and buoyancy; Shape, with a discussion of wing materials; Colour in folklore and and fishing, translucency, sheen, light patterns; What makes a 'design', when to change designs instead of patterns; Mayfly designs; Designs for caddis-flies, stoneflies, midges, terrestrials, and black gnats; Notes on fly-tying, or, how to talk to trout without an interpreter.