.. to this wonderful branch of the sport, is there a comprehensive "must have" reference work for stillwater (especially reservoir) fly-fishing one of you could recommend? One which covers the basics without being too patronising (I have been an angler for 40 years - I'm just new to fly fishing) - flies and lines to use in certain conditions.. a mixture of practical tips (casting, lines, methods etc) and everything I need to know about what flies to use and when?
Possibly too much for one book? If so, other suggestions very welcome!

Many thanks!

''Trout from stillwaters'' by Peter Lapsley. all you'll ever need,a tiny bit dated but not so much you'd notice.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Looking it up as we speak, much appreciated.. :-)

I have just purchased Peter Cockwill book - "Trout from still waters" I happened to be in his shop on Saturday, about half way through it and very please with the purchase.

Iorderd yesterday
Matching the Hatch: Stillwater, River and Stream
Waterside Guide: The Angler's Pocket Reference to the Insects of Rivers and Lakes - How to Identifiy Them and Choose the Matching Artificial"

I had expected them to arrive today,but because of a mixup on the website, amazon, single click, I had ordered one of the books 3 times, and by the time the order was sorted out, I missed the deadling

Not so much of a 'how to' as a 'why' book, Brian Clarke's "The Pursuit of Stillwater Trout" gives an excellent back to basics analysis of fishing for stillwater trout. It's also a cracking read.

I agree with Jim about the Peter Lapsley book. PL has something useful to say about all the UK stillwater disciplines - small waters, reservoirs, lakes lochs and loughs, bank, boat, imitative fishing, stalking. As Jim says it's a maybe a tiny bit dated but don't worry about that at this stage, if you want to update your tactics having caught a few fish on a few different waters, the two astonishingly useful Henry Lowe books are recommended;

http://www.anglebooks.com/product.ph...ngler-s-guide-

http://www.anglebooks.com/product.ph...isher-s-guide-

I am sure the Peter Cockwill book will be first class, but it may major on small stillwaters only.

Brian Clarke's book as JJO says is a good "back to basics..." on imitative stillwater fishing, but I would fear you might find it only tells you half the story, however well written the book is. Lures, fry imitations, and wet flies both traditional and more modern all have their place alongside nymphs and dry flies, and if I have learned one lesson in 37 years stillwater fishing (I did start very young ) it's exactly that - you should aim to be a capable allrounder even though you might slightly prefer one technique to others.

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

John - many thanks for your detailed reply, I'll certainly have a look at all of the books recommended (and will probably end up buying most or all of them, such is the way of these things!).. anyway, sound advice and much appreciated!