Casting a Spell by George Black (2006, Hardcover)

George Black does a great job in bringing us from the wilds of the Maine north woods to modern Twin Bridges Montana painting the way with all the individuals that build and create beautiful instruments of fly fishing. Telling us of Hiram Leonard, Eustis Edwards and Per Brandon to name just a very few.

I love bamboo fly rods, their feel and the beauty of the caramel colored wood grain. The delicious German Silver reel seats and variety of cane construction is brought better into view with every turning page. If you do not want to get totally hooked on bamboos, then do not pick up this book, don't open the first pages where Mr. Black begins a wonderful story of the heart ache of the true craftsmen that spend their lives in the pursuit of the lovely reed! You will be buying rods that I want to, no, have to own.

I don't want competition in biding an Edwards quadrate rod that was built 85 years ago and casts like a dream. Stay away from all the Granges that make fly fishing a spiritual experience! Bamboos are not for the week at heart because once you know the story you might as well give up and join the rest of us who are hooked!

clean direct writing. holds interest hard to put down a book every fly fisher should read/own. THE best experience in the world is a quiet wade on a small trout steam early morning listening and watching all that is around me. Sitting on the bank with a cob pipe watch the rise is the most peacefull pastime. This book like TROUT MADNESS address those needs.