I just finished this fly tying book last night. The layout and flow of the book is different from the standard pattern books on the market. I did enjoy reading about the thought process involved in designing new fly patterns. I really haven't quite hit that stage yet and it was fascinating to read how a new pattern is developed.
The book contains some excellent photographs. The photographer/graphic designer created some very nice visual displays combining the specific patterns with the raw fly tying materials. It was an interesting way to keep a fly pattern in perspective. The step by step instructions were well documented and photographed. Even a tier of average talents, such as me, can re-create the fine patterns.

One upside of the book was learning a few new tricks. I always struggled with poxyback patterns and Mike did a nice job discussing how to create a good poxyback. I also picked up a new trick with attaching glass beads for a caddis pattern.

So where did the book come up a bit short? I guess my biggest complaint was closing the book and feeling like I wanted another 12 patterns. The book only documented 12 patterns, albeit very well. I'm sure much of this comes from having a bunch of tying books that contain 100's of patterns. Nonetheless, I think the book could have gone just a bit further with some additional patterns.

I have no doubt that this book will be of little interest to many fly tiers on this site. If you are a beginner to intermediate tier, I would certainly give some consideration to purchasing this book. The patterns are very well documented and I can see how many of the patterns and techniques would be useful to rocky mountain trout patterns.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this book about 7.5 – 8.

I found the book to be very good also, but you fail to mention that for every pattern in the book there are variations shown by changing out a material here and there, increasing the pattern count to over the 12 you state.

If Mike Mercer was a creator of 100's of patterns, I'm sure they would be in there.

This is the same guy that has the "Fly Shop" catalog and shop in CA? I saw an article in Fly Tier with him once, and they sure were sharp flies. What are they getting ($) for that book?

MK

Mark, That book runs just under $40.

Paul, out of curiosity, what patterns does he cover?

Weston, check out this link on Amazon. You can read the first few pages and see the patterns.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/097464273...=books&v=glance

I also picked up the Scott Sanchez book a day or two ago. I haven't read it all yet, but this book has even better patterns!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/097464274...glance&n=283155


I look forward to seeing Craig Matthews, Charlie Craven, and JD Miller doing a book in this series.

That'd be quite the tying book!