THE HISTORY OF FLY FISHING IN FIFTY FLIES. By Ian Whitelaw. Illustration by Julie Spyropoulos.

2015 1st edition. 8vo (178 x 235mm). Pp223,i. Colour photographs and illustrations throughout, bibliography. Matt pictorial boards.

"Once limited to trout and salmon, today fly-fishing techniques are used to catch every species from minnows to marlin in rivers, lakes and oceans from the Amazon to the Arctic. From the many thousands of fly patterns developed over the centuries, The History of Fly Fishing in Fifty Flies focuses on 50 iconic flies chosen to represent the development not only of fishing flies and fly tying but also of the sport itself. Filled with illustrations and photographs of the flies (the 50 are just the starting point - more than 200 flies are mentioned or shown in this book), as well as profiles of key characters, The History of Fly Fishing in Fifty Flies charts the growth and diversification of this fascinating sport from the 15th century to the present day and its spread from Britain, Europe and Japan to North and South America and the Antipodes, and now to every country in the world. The evolution of fly fishing tackle - rods, reels, lines and hooks - is also covered in a series of essays."