This is a review by Ben Spinks, our flytying guru! We've chosen to use Ben for our flycasting book reviews because Ben's *not* a flycasting instructor.

My Expectations of fly-casting books have somewhat dwindled over recent months. Not least of all because I've finally realised that reading about casting 40yrds does not necessarily impart the skill to actually do so. This doesn't have to be a bad thing, in fact it's a great thing, the enthusiasm and self belief gained by this initially crap feeling is invaluable.

This is my one and only criteria for assessment, if it doesn't get me believing that I can do anything, anywhere, at any time, whilst standing on one leg eating pineapple chunks with a whip finish tool it doesn't pass. That is it!

Which brings us neatly along to Joan Wulff's fly casting techniques.

At the time of publication this book was considered to be one of the most comprehensive fly-casting texts around (sound familiar). Although On first impressions it seems a little more sedate that my last foray into the bizarre world of castoholics (now banned in 18 countries).

First glances show a chunky, full fat and very tasty looking article that seems to have a friendly "oh come and give me a hug" air about it. It isn't scary or daunting, it doesn't have a slick, shiny black cover that says look at me, I can make you cry, no! Instead it welcomes you with a nice little photo of what could easily be anybody's grandma and a few nice comments on how wonderful she is. How sweet!! The grandma of fly-casting.

The principle of this book is fairly straightforward, each chapter simply builds on the previous until, in theory, you become a demigod of fly-casting. Chapter one talks you through fly line types, setting up tackle, a few knots, the grip, a basic roll cast to get you started and various refinements such as focus, arm, body movement and the faults associated with them. The usual I suppose.

Continuing on from part one 'a basic discipline' pushes on through the basics of the casting stoke looking at both forward and back casts, before putting it all together with a garnish of drift and a flourish of false casting.

Next come refinements such as line speed (without hauling), accuracy, loop control, angle of the cast etc etc, and a nice little practice manoeuvre called picking leaves (how to ruin a garden in 3 easy steps)

There isn't really much more to say about the books layout, it's premise is very good. Tension, shooting, hauling, long casting are all covered, as are fishing adaptations such as, changing direction, techniques for limited backspace, pick ups (that's nothing to do with pulling), presentation casts, mending, wind, getting out of trouble and much more. Everything is present and accounted for.

To finish there are the customary sections on species, something about saltwater flats fishing (skipped that bit, seemed kind of pointless), Spey casting, practice and yet more special situations. I especially like the fly-O section, that wonderful photo of domestic bliss on page 222 is the finest representation of a Sunday afternoon at nan's I have ever seen. Just perfect, I love it!

A false Sense of Security

As usual this simple overview is not the full story, that would be way to quick and painless. This book tries to appeal to all levels of experience, which is fine in theory, however, theory and practice are two completely different animals. This shines through in the text as the basics are written in the same regimented, exhaustively boring style as the more intermediate aspects.

Ok, maybe I'm being a bit brutal here, but I'm just not inspired. Granted, there are many different kinds of reader, some of which may appreciate this approach, but for the less engineer like it can become a little stale.

So, as far as the "crystal clear, beautifully worded, and very easy to follow" description on the back cover goes, I think not. This just isn't a wonderfully readable book, and the premature references to terminology dealt with later in the book really bugs me.

Don't Panic

Look, I know you disagree, I've seen too many good reviews of this book to think other wise, but if you've never cast a fly before, or have only just started then this book will not prompt you to jump in your car and speed off up the river. Indeed, you'll have forgotten most of it by the time you get there anyway.

If you really want to feel happy in your new quest buy the essence of fly-casting, read this site and get a lesson from Paul to go with it.

Getting Mellow

(Paul, you can stop sweating now!)

Yes! This book has its faults. At times it feels strangely written and long-winded, which results in a style that is most definitely an acquired taste. Lets face it one man's meat is another man's poison.

If however you're past the initial stumbling blocks of fly-casting and want to progress, fine-tune and delve into something of a slightly different tone then this book may well provide you with the help and information you need. In short, it is a good, adequately illustrated, functional reference tool, that whilst being extremely detailed takes the reader forward using a building block style that is logically put together and *fairly* easy to follow.

The content covers practically everything a fluff chucker would ever want to know about chucking fluff. Its only major fault is that it tries to be everything to everybody, which simply isn't possible, but it does succeed in many other ways and is therefore well worth consideration.

Three stars ***

Ben