Tube Flies Two: Evolution

I have been waiting for this book for a long time. Tube fly books are few and far apart and the moment I learned that this one was coming, I knew it was a must for me. Secondly one of the authors, Bob Kenly, is a GFF contributor, with whom I have corresponded during the last 10 years, and his involvement in the book guaranteed the quality and creative level of the content. Last but not least, the authors contacted me in the very infancy of the book project, and following the progress on the sideline - even contributing to the book - gave me an insight, which just wet my appetite even further.
The book was released this spring, and it was with a smirk and a happy feeling that I ran my eyes over its pages. This is tube fly inspiration beyond anything I had imagined and so many aspects of tube fly tying and fishing is covered that I'm not really sure that I have grasped it all yet.

The book is not an instructional book with details on tools, material choices and tying techniques, but rather a venture through a community of tyers and anglers and their innovative as well as traditional tying styles, target species and fishing techniques.
The authors have managed to gather a group of very influential and inventive fly tyers and I must admit that I personally feel humbled (and proud) to appear in this company. The lineup covers the whole globe and all aspects of tube flies, and has made a point of getting a hold of originators of some classical ideas as well as tyers with really new and original styles. Personally I felt pretty well versed in the Scandinavian tradition of tube flies, but this book has already expanded my horizon in that area. When it comes to saltwater flies, I knew I was less surefooted, but Tube Flies Two has knocked me over! It contains so many new ideas for saltwater flies that I will spend a year or two t(r)ying my way through them.

The text has been written by each individual tyer, which gives a variation in style and scope that I find a great asset for the book. Some readers might have preferred a more uniform style and coverage of the participants, but I like the variation. Some chapters include details about the tying and some about fishing. Some tell anecdotes and some stay on the more factual path, but all manage to represent themselves in an interesting way. There are materials lists for all flies in the plates, and some have more detailed tying descriptions, while others are more briefly described.

The fly plates by Craig Wester is on par with the best fly photography out there, and these plates alone are well worth the price of the book - which by the way is very fair. The softbound edition is $US 35.- and the hardback version is US$ 50.-. The book can be found as low as half these prices in some bookstores, which makes it an absolute bargain.

Definitely a Global Class book in my perspective.