I'm hoping to get a few opinions on instructional books to start with for tying spey flys.

What with the extensive amount of literature out there on fly tying, I thought I'd ask here and see what people had to say.

A quick search of Amazon revealed several titles that might interest you. I own two that are very nicely illustrated and easy to follow that I can highly recommend.

They are Spey Flies and Dee Flies: Their History and Construction by John Shewey and Steelhead Fly Tying Guide by H. Kent Helvie.

Shewey's book in particular is excellent. It has several chapters on materials and construction, lots of step by step instruction, and a large gallery of finished flies. What I like best about the book, though, is its extensive treatment of the history and evolution of the Spey and Dee styles from their early origins in Scotland. These days where all kinds of crazy flies that have essentially no characteristics of the original/true Speys are given the moniker, it's nice to be able to see what a true Spey was.

Have fun, and happy tying!

I learned a ton watching Bob Blumriech's DVD.

I bought it from Poppy.


Slint

Bob Veverka's "Spey Flies - How to Tie Them" is a pretty darn good book on the subject, too. History, step by steps, beautiful photography all in it.
Gary

Do yourself a favor and get both the Shewey book SPEY FLIES AND DEE FLIES; THEIR HISTORY AND CONSTUCTION, and the Veverka book SPEY FLIES - HOW TO TIE THEM. The two of these books together comprise a complete education in tying spey and dee flies along with some fo their history and the materials used to tie them. Each book by itself is very good, but together, they provide the best spey tying education in print.

One book that really helped my out when I started down this path was 'Tying the Classic Salmon Fly' by Michael Radencich. Although the book is written for an audience of classic atlantic fly tyers, I was able to glean tons of useful info on proportion, tags/tinsel, wing materials and their preparation, and a myriad of practical techniques that can apply to all the flies I tie.

MR has three published books and a dvd. My library carries two of his books. If your library doesn't carry the books, perhaps you could ask for an inter-library loan (I always to this before I add a book to my own personal library).

I would also just buy Shewey's 'Spey Flies & Dee Flies' as it is probably the go-to reference for modern spey and dee flies.

Kindest regards,

Robin

PS - I see you are from Van. I'm in PG. Now I know you can get the books at the library! rmm

I own most of the books mentioned above, and have learned quite a bit from Shewey's and Veverka's books. I own one DVD set on the subject, made by forum members Marty Howard and Dec Hogan; it has helped me tremendously with certain finer points of technique (particularly with regards to setting feather wings). You can cross reference most of what is presented on the DVDs with Marty's step-by-step posts; I have book marked many of them. The last book I will mention is Chris Mann's lexicon (The Complete Illustrated Directory of Salmon & Steelhead Flies) on Spey flies, which essentially presents all of the patterns published in his preceding volumes. The "complete" history behind each pattern is not present in the lexicon (as it is in the preceding volumes, though the reader is informed where the pattern originated, who the creator was if known, and sometimes the conditions and rivers that it has had the most effectiveness in), nor are steps for tying the patterns, mind you. It's simply a way to expand your "to do list" of patterns to tie and enjoy fishing.

Enjoy!

Thanks everyone,

Great response.

Robin, I'll definately check the library this week, see what they can do for me before I run out and make a purchase.

Cheers!

It's also £95 ($152) in the UK

Good things come in expensive packages?
Gary