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A. K.'s Fly Box Paperback – January 1, 2006

by A. K. Best (Author), John Gierach (Foreword)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 33 ratings
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Fly tying, the foundation of a major sport, is also an art form. And the Picasso of fly tying is A. K. Best. A. K. Best’s Fly Box includes more than 200 full-color illustrations depicting naturals and their highly developed imitations, all of which have been used and refined by A. K. himself over many years.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Lyons Pr
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    7 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    159228955X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1592289554
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Fly fishers meeting streamside often go through a garrulous ritual, the aim of which is not friendship but espionage: ?Catching anything? On what? ?Rising fish? Mmm . . .what re they looking at? And sometimes during this dialogue, an angler might happen to get a glimpse into the fly box of a lifelong student of fly fishing?a moment s opportunity that will both impress and pique the wishful fly tyer. A. K. Best s Fly Box, provides a much longer, much more detailed and explanatory look into the creations and methods of a great fly tyer. More than two hundred full-color illustrations depict naturals and their well-developed imitations?Cahills, Green and Brown Drakes, BWOs, PMDs, Red Quills, Tricos, Caddis, Midges, Stoneflies, Terrestrials, and more.
A. K. s step-by-step tying instructions not only teach the reader how to make excellent imitations, but also demonstrate an approach to tying that he has refined over years of practice. In fact, the author insists that he ties a ?hundred dozen copies of a single pattern before he can feel confident that he truly knows that pattern. A. K. has fished with all of the flies in this book for at least sixteen years, many as long as thirty-five years, continuously refining the patterns to make them easier to tie, more durable, and more effective at fooling trout. Anglers of any experience will benefit from this wise and thorough book that offers a revealing, highly instructional look into the fly box of one of North America s most respected and experienced tyers.

About the Author

A. K. Best’s books on fly tying are modern classics. He appears regularly in John Gierach’s popular fishing adventures.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lyons Pr; 1st edition (January 1, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 159228955X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1592289554
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

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A. K. Best

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
33 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

poksal
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for Colorado and Rockies
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2011
Verified Purchase
We will be camping in Colorado a good bit over the next few years, sometimes a month at a time. I have found this book to be rich with fly patterns to use there. There are plenty of comparison pictures between the naturals and his flys to fish when they are in a hatch. I have a plentiful library of fly tying and fishing books, I have spent most of my time, by far, with this book open. I re-read sections and tie flys from pages in it often. When I get to Colorado and fish the high country next time I will be ready to mimic the natural hatches because after reading this book the light bulb has come on. I will be able to tie my own fly patterns creating size, color, shape, and action patterns. All I will need to do is cast properly and present the fly with the right motion and depth. I have confidence the flys in my box or can tie at camp will be dead on. I am a top water fan, and this book satisfied that need as well. It is no wonder it was highly recommended on the forums at flytyers.com
3 people found this helpful
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Jim Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars straightforward
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2007
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I had read so many recommendations on A.K's flies I decided to get the book, and it's been a great help. In particular I enjoy his tying method for bodies, eschewing dubbing in place of quill bodies for realistic segmentation. You need basic tying skills before using this book, it's not a book on how to tie flies, rather how to tie A.K.'s specific patterns. And, he also offers a few tips on finding materials that aren't in your local fly shop.
15 people found this helpful
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Onebear
4.0 out of 5 stars Relevant for new tying techniques/materials
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2018
Verified Purchase
Though written 22 yrs. ago, AK Best introduce me to making quill body dry flies, especially the Blue Wing Olive. Hard to find these materials now, but I'm ready to experiment then test on the water. I got this book used but very readable, then paired it with a You Tube by AK himself, doing more than just quill bodies.
One person found this helpful
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Roger
5.0 out of 5 stars Given what I had read about this book, my ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2015
Verified Purchase
Given what I had read about this book, my expectations were met. Artificial flies to imitate aquatic insects is a rich subject, as there are a number of theories and ideas, based on entomological research, fishing experience and fly-tying techniques. This book is a significant contribution to the subject, which every fly-fisher should have.
One person found this helpful
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S. Burrill
5.0 out of 5 stars Another best book by AK Best
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2011
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AK Best is one of the best authors writing about how to actually fish and tie flies. This book is great, he explains what works and why. Some of his patterns are complicated- but he explains why they need to be. Some of his patterns are wonderfully simple and he explains why too. Buy this book for any fly tier/fisher you know (or your self).
One person found this helpful
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Wulfbait
3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but I thought it was about A.K Best the person.
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2015
Verified Purchase
I guess I expected a little more about A.K Best and a little less about tying particular files. My mistake.
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RLo
5.0 out of 5 stars A. K.'s Fly Box (book)
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
I ordered a "used" copy as a gift for my brother. I saw the book when I visited him and it was just what I had hoped for. Although used, the copy was in excellent shape. I would have no problems ordering from that seller in the future.
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McFlyGuy58
5.0 out of 5 stars Reliable Service
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2019
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Quick shipment. Product as advertised.
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Top reviews from other countries

IAN
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2014
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great book
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