TIED IN THE HAND: ODYSSEY OF A SALMON FLY-TYER. By Sven-Olov Hard.

2012 1st edition. Large landscape format (262 x 246mm). Pp200. Colour photographs and watercolour illustrations, pictorial end-papers. Green cloth with gilt fly vignette to upper board, spine titled in gilt.

"Sven-Olov Haard first came to my notice some years ago, as a salmon fly-tyer of considerable note, not least because he ties flies 'in the hand' - that is without using a vice. I soon learnt that Sven-Olov was one of the finest tyers of the present (or, indeed, of any period). His work covers the era of the classic salmon fly as perfected by Kelson, Traherne and the famed commercial tyers of Hardy Bros; flies from an age of plenty when materials were not the issue, only perfection. There are many who claim to have what it takes in terms of skills to tie the classic salmon fly, but I doubt whether a handful can come up to the consistent and meticulous standards set by this man. I say this without reservation, knowing that it has always been Sven-Olov's overwhelming need to tie flies as they were intended by their originators - anything else to him is heresy. It is a wonder to me that Sven-Olov has not been published earlier". From the Foreword by Terry Griffiths, compiler of The Essential Kelson (2011). Beautifully illustrated with watercolour paintings by Lars Sundstrom, and with superb colour photographs of Sven-Olov's fully dressed salmon flies.