I can count on one hand the number of people I know who are truly great anglers and fly tiers, and I have always counted Landon Mayer in this elite group. He has the consistent and uncanny ability not only to find and catch ridiculously big fish, but also to design well-thought-out patterns that solve problems and make the job easier. He has a gift for teaching, and this book promises to be an invaluable resource into the mind of a true expert.
Description
When you spend as much time on the water as guide Landon Mayer, you need simple, easy-to-tie patterns that get the job done, day in and day out. In this fly-tying book, Mayer shares 20 of his top patterns for trophy trout that have been perfected on rivers and still waters in the Rockies and across the globe. These flies include twelve of Mayer’s own designs as well as eight of his favorite flies by, Arlo Townsend, Angus Drummond, Phil Tereyla, Walt Mueller, Jr., Michael Burgess, Dave Hoover, Kevan Davidson, and Ken Walwrath. Instructions for each fly are covered in over 200 detailed step-by-step photos, each chapter includes fishing and rigging tips, and the book includes seven rigging illustrations by Dave Hall. Patterns in this book include the Tails Up Trico, Mayer’s Mini Leech, Titan Tube Midge, Mini Leech Jig Damsel, and many more.
Reviews
Landon Mayer is one of the most accomplished fly fishers and guides in the industry. He has an uncanny combination of skills and instincts to find and catch monster fish, and many of his clients have caught the fish of their lives while fishing with Landon’s flies.
Landon Mayer, really knows how to catch trout—often, huge trout—and applies that knowledge to the flies he ties and designs.
Time on the water with open eyes is the only way to truly understand fish and prey relationships. When I say prey, it includes everything from micro-invertebrates to other fish species and everything in between. I’ve spent over thirty years as a guide and fly designer, and I can say without question that being open minded and being a student of your waters is key to designing effective and deadly fly patterns. Landon Mayer is a student of the game and it shows in not only his body of work, but in his tireless work ethic on and off the water. I’ve witnessed him not sleeping on fishing trips staying up all night at the vise. I have nothing but respect for his angling skills and professionalism on and off the water. Landon Mayer’s Guide Flies will shed more light on who he is as an angler, professional, and fly designer.