Barr flies

[robast]

Does anyone have/use/recommend the new "Barr flies" book? I happen to be in Denver this week and there is a lecture/signing on Saturday. If it's worth it I might attend.

[troutpocket]

I'm not familiar with the book but it sounds like a very cool opportunity to see him talk. Probably worth your time just to get some tying tips. And I bet the book will be a good one.

[tkww]

I have the book. There aren't a ton of patterns in it, but they are the ones he's known for. The flip side to the fewer patterns is that he spends some time on each one. Talk of the pattern, how he fishes it, what sizes and colors he uses the most, etc. I find that kind of info very valuable--a fly is only going to be as effective as how well you fish it....

Further, the instructions are very detailed: you won't have _any_ questions how to tie them. In fact I'd say he sometimes takes too long in the pictures/instructions sections, explaining one step in multiple pictures. It's a little bit of "I get it, what do I do next?" But that's better than "how did he do that?"! If you've ever wondered how to tie the his hopper, this'll make it pretty clear.

I have Stalcup's Mayflies top-to-bottom book too, and I'll contrast it to that. Stalcup's book has a lot of very similar patterns--three or four or five might be just slight variations on the same basic idea. And, he expects you to have gone through the book, as one picture might be a bare hook and the next has tail and body tied in, using a technique he mentioned in a previous fly. IOW, it's helpful to go through the book in longer, extended sittings where you can bring info from the previous chapters with you. And helpful to have some tying experience. In contrast, you could pick up Barr's book and tie any pattern in it w/o a doubt as to how it's done. Of course, execution will be up to you. ;) (But let me add that I like stalcup's book--I think there's some good patterns in there and I think his great idea how to shape his nymphs and other flies. But I wouldn't pick it up with only an hour to tie tomorrow's fishing trip patterns.)

I'm glad I got Barr's book. I might not place it as the most important flytying book I own, but it's well-done and has some good info, IMO.