FLY DRESSERS' GUIDE. By John Veniard.

(1952) 1970 4th edition, 1977 reprint. 4to (187 x 252mm). Pp256. Colour plates of flies, b/w photographs plates, b/w line illustrations. Red cloth, spine titled in gilt.

The first, and still probably the best, of the great fly-tying compendiums. John Veniard drew on the resources of his previously published booklets, and his vast experience of fly-tying, to produce a work that would remain the standard for many years. It is worth noting that besides flies for salmon, trout and grayling, this book includes many patterns for coarse species; pike, perch, chub, dace, roach and rudd, as well as a section on flies for saltwater angling. Contents include: Tools; Hooks; Silks; Tinsels; Dyeing; Materials for trout flies; Dressing flies for trout fishing; Trout fly dressing - dry flies; Trout fly patterns - dry flies; Trout fly dressing - wet flies; Trout fly patterns - wet flies; Hair wing flies; Streamer flies; Flies for sea fishing; Flies for pike and perch; Flies for grayling; Flies for chub, dace, roach and rudd; Fly dressing materials - salmon flies; Dressing flies for salmon fishing; Salmon flies - standard patterns; Salmon flies - low water small summer patterns; Salmon flies - Dee strip wing patterns; Salmon flies - Spey patterns; Salmon flies - Irish patterns; Salmon flies - hair wing patterns; Salmon flies - grubs and dry fly patterns; Salmon flies - shrimps; Salmon flies - lures; Salmon flies - tube flies; Two indices - one to fly tying and materials, and one to fly patterns.