Wulff, Lee (1986). Trout on a Fly. New York: Nick Lyons Books. 174pgs. ISBN 0-941130-17-7
Book Summary
I’m starting with a classic that I hadn’t read until a friend recommended it several weeks ago. Trout on a Fly is a different kind of read compared to today’s publications. Lee Wulff takes a hunter’s perspective that focuses much more on efficiency and effectiveness. It is a book about how to stalk fish by learning their behaviors and knowing through experience where and when to find them. A true master’s class in piscis hunting science that uses refined nuance to convey what Wulff call’s “…thinking like a fish…”. Wulff encourages unlearning what biology and evolution have instilled within us as social animals of culture and re-learning what it means to be a predator with only survival in mind. It is only then we can understand how the fish thinks as we put ourselves in their position as both hunter and prey.
Wulff discusses the various equipment as most fly-fishing books do, but his insights and reasoning for making decisions seemed uniquely helpful to me. His approach to reading water and choosing flies reflects the early years of modern north American fly fishing when much of the technology we use today was being invented and introduced and yet remains.
Book Strengths
Lee’s perspective on hunting and stalking fish is what makes this a truly standout book. It reminds me a lot of insight from archery hunters I know. This is a book that instructs the reader to get close and personal with its prey.
It is well written, reads quickly, and provides context and historical references for so much that gets taken for granted today. One of the best parts of this book is a four-and-a-half-page section on fly lines. This is mandatory reading for any fly fisher and if you didn’t already truly understand the importance and role your fly line plays, you will after having read it. The rather lengthy section on casting is the best written explanation I have ever seen on the subject.
Another unique and highly useful perspective is shared as Wulff explains the vision of trout and how it works. Having read it I can now reflect on the times I frightened a trout from its resting spot and I now know how to better approach them in the future.
Book Weaknesses
Many of today’s 30-ish and younger fly-fishing enthusiasts will undoubtedly dislike the very forward and confident attitude of Wulff. There are also no easy answers, or specific recommendations to improve your fly fishing immediately. Nowists need not bother. The black and white photos are hard to see the intended action in clearly (at least in my copy). These are the only dark spots on an otherwise amazingly bright text.
Personal Assessment
If you were to simply look at the table of contents in this book it would appear to be the same as most others on the topic and you would likely put it down and move on unless it were your first. That would be a mistake. Wulff is a pioneer in the art of fly fishing with many flies, rods, reels, and other equipment attributable to him and he is rather blunt about making sure you know it in this book. He also established the concept of catch & release and encourages it within these pages while explaining how it came to be (not what you might think). This book teaches you how and why to educate yourself on the nuances of fly fishing, it doesn’t give you the answers. It is not a ‘fish here’ to catch a monster kind of book that never delivers. Wulff is of the earn it yourself methodology and seems to truly believe that the process of gaining wisdom is the core activity of fly fishing, and I tend to agree. This is a quick read, and I would consider it must read material for any fly fisher. Nothing in this book is wasted on today’s reader.
This book appears to be out of print but can be found online (Amazon) in used condition. That is where I found mine and it came with a bookmark that is the expired fishing license of a Maryland fisherman from 1990 (initials RCJ). At the time of this review I saw at least three more copies available. Put one on your shelf.
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