06 February 2013

Book Review - Fly Fishing for Sea-Run Cutthroat

Fly Fishing for Sea-Run Cutthroat
by Chester Allen

Published December, 2011
Stackpole Books

Amazon price: $17.50 (Hardcover)
Kindle price: $13.72
Kobo price: $15.49

Pros:
  • Well-written and entertaining, matching good storytelling with solid how-to.
  • In-depth tips on equipment, flies, how to recognize favourable environments to locate fish.
  • Available in e-book editions.
Cons:
  • Dealt almost exclusively with the Puget Sound. I'm left wondering if the tips & techniques are applicable elsewhere. EDIT: The author clarified the techniques ARE applicable for sea-run cutthroat throughout their range. See comments for more info.
Overall Rating: 3.75 / 5


*          *          *

This book showed up in my Kobo Reader app's 'recommended for you' and I bit on it. I don't regret it; the book was an enjoyable read as well as informative.

The main reason I purchased it was to gain a base of knowledge for cutthroat fishing once I arrive on Vancouver Island (and I wanted something 'fishy' to read here in Africa). Though I'm slightly disappointed Mr. Allen did not discuss any locations other than Puget Sound in Washington, his storytelling made the purchase and time commitment worthwhile.

If the author had titled the book Fly Fishing for Sea-Run Cutthroat in Puget Sound, I'd probably have given him 4.5 / 5...but then I might not have bought the book in the first place.

I will be returning to the chapter containing fly recipes in the future, however. And I do feel pretty good about myself if I ever find myself in the vicinity of Puget Sound.

Kudos to Stackpole Books for making the book available for e-readers.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mat,
Thanks for your generous review of my book. The information does indeed apply to other waters, particularly anywhere anglers fish saltwater beaches for sea-run cutts. In British Columbia, that would include the Gulf Islands, around Vancouver Island and up the British Columbia coast, especially where rivers flow into salt water.
My chapters on fishing cutts in rivers with egg and flesh flies also apply well to other areas -- from Northern California up to Alaska -- anywhere cutts and salmon mix.
Again, thanks for the nice review!
Chester Allen

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by & weighing in, Chester! I appreciate the clarification; we'll have to wet a line together sometime in the future.

Anonymous said...

Mat,
That sounds like a great idea! I get up to Vancouver Island at least once or twice a year, or we could meet in Puget Sound. Your flies look really good, but you should have a chum fry imitation ready for March through late May.

I like your blog a lot.

Best,

Chester