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The Adaptable Flyfisher, Wild Trout and Coarse Fish on Fly - Lou Stevens

Reviewed by Terry Lawton

There cannot be many trout fishermen who have not been dangling a fly in front of a trout and had that fly whipped away from the trout at the last minute by an opportunist coarse fish. There's nothing more annoying. The premise behind Lou Stevens's book is instead of being annoyed when a coarse fish gets there first, go after the coarse fish in the first place.

his book was first published in 1990 and I think that is why wild trout are lumped in with coarse fish. For the weekend angler, coarse anglers who fancy having a go at a trout in a local stream and anyone who wants to extend the trout season and have a go at other fish, the book has much to commend it. The Adaptable Flyfisher aims to present a challenge to both stillwater trout fishermen and coarse fishermen: the challenge of learning to develop new and versatile skills which will increase both the enjoyment and quality of their sport. This is particularly true for those who do not live near any trout fishing, let alone good trout fishing, or who want to keep fly fishing during the winter. It is strange that the book makes no mention of grayling, one of winter's greatest pleasures for those with access to suitable rivers.

There are two chapters covering some of the fish that can be caught on the fly. The first is on what are described as free risers which include dace, rudd and chub. I must admit that I have never caught a chub that I would describe as a heavy fighter as Stevens does - usually there is one great rush and that's it. Stevens also write about catching carp and bream on a fly. The second chapter is on two predators: pike and perch. The section on pike is useful but limited. It warns the angler new to them, to keep away from their teeth, and has quite a good method of making a suitable pike fly trace. There are now books devoted to fly fishing for pike and anyone who is serious about this branch of the sport will no doubt go out and buy one.

I am afraid that there is something about Lou Stevens's writing that annoys me. And I also find it annoying when weights and measures are converted into metric with the Imperial equivalent in brackets. What annoys me is that the Imperial measurements when converted produce a stupid metric equivalent: the metric figure should be rounded up or down.

There are chapters covering choice of tackle, a basic guide to casting, locating wild trout in a stream, wet flies, dry flies, terrestrials, hooking, playing and landing fish and even a chapter of fly dressing techniques. Something for everyone and anyone who is thinking of having a go at fly fishing for anything that might be about, this book will provide much help and plenty of encouragement.

The Adaptable Flyfisher, Wild Trout and Coarse Fish on Fly - Lou Stevens. Second edition published by Swan Hill Press at 12.95. Paperback 156 pages.