BLUE UPRIGHT: The Flies of a Lifetime

Taking its name from one of the author's favorite fly patterns, this book takes a look at the top dozen fly fishing lures in Raymond's vast tackle collection. Focusing on one fly at a time, Raymond breaks down each fly's origins, how it is made and how and for what fish he employs it. Most importantly, Raymond uses these rather technical fishing narratives as an impetus to explore cherished personal memories as well as a host of fishing and related nonfishing topics close to his heart. Some of Raymond's tangents are strictly for diehard fishermen, as when he discusses the many fly boxes, in various shapes and sizes, that he keeps his precious flies in or when he looks at various controversies over who first tied a fly pattern. Other memories are more universal, as when he muses about the last time he fished with his father or when he wonders what his favorite river might have looked like 200 years ago. Raymond's storytelling and writing skills enable him to seamlessly work these varied topics into cohesive chapters that both inform and amuse. And no matter where Raymond's thoughts take him, he's always able to convey how each of these tiny fishing flies has affected his life in a big way. Illus. (Aug.)