A short book on the art of "fly-making" as author M.A. Shipley fondly refers to it, Artificial Flies and How to Make Them is a simultaneously informative and entertaining account of the construction, use, and method of artificial flies to be used by fishermen. Shipley, co-owner of a professional fishing and tackling outfit with his father, was well-known in the fishing community, having written several books on the art of fishing, the different types of covetable fish in North America, and (of course) the creation and use of various lures designed to increase the effectiveness of the individual fisherman. Fly tying is actually an ancient art, with the first literary reference dating all the way back to 200 A.D., however, modern fly-fishers (along with Shipley) regard seventeenth century's Isaac Walton as the "patron saint of all anglers".
The art of fly-tying involves using implements (such as feathers, ties, hooks, and string) to create a distinctive pattern that attracts the fish and tricks them into believing that the lure is, in fact, an insect. Successful lures are incredibly difficult to create, and as such, lure patterns have been passed down over centuries to teach new generations the tricks of the old. In this book, Shipley details the construction of Hackle Flies, Silk Body Hackle Files, Mohair or Wool Bodies, Palmer Flies, Winged Flies, Reversed Wing Flies, and Scale Wing Flies along with comprehensive illustrations for the beginner fly-fisherman. He then details a list of different flies typically used for the fisherman to attempt on his own. Finally, this short guide ends with a few advertisements for fishery business in the U.S. including Shipley's own business and personalized fishing accessories.
Artificial Flies and How to Make Them is a step-by-step guide to the art of fly-tying, written by a man who devoted his life to the love of fishing and actively encouraged others to do the same. This book would be great for anyone who is just getting started in fly fishing and wanted to learn more about various types of lures and flies, or someone who had experience fly fishing but wanted some historical perspective on the use of specific flies in the past compared to today. This book would also be an incredible find for anyone interested fly-fishing practices at the turn of the 18th century or the historical art of "fly-making".
