From this expereince, I have deliberately honed my own angler's attention, and marvel not at what I notice, but what goes unnoticed by many. And many think it is unnecessary information, figuring they will catch fish using same tactics they always have, or there just aren't fish to be had that day.

For those that routinely ignore hints that Mother Nature is giving you in solving what will fish hit today puzzle. Next time try taking a few minutes to observe minute details of place you are fishing. Start with big picture, water flow, clarity, time of year, guess at water temperature (some take a thermometer), consider time of day, air temperature. Then look closer, look at current world of fish you are trying to entice. Turn over a few rocks, look at bugs there, some take a screen and place it in current to view offerings fish are being presented with. Observe surface of water, check for dimples, for feeding fish right below surface. Actually spotting fish in water takes practice. Then look for hatching insects, for insects laying eggs over surface, and of course that greatest of all fly fishing prizes rising fish.

Observe it all, not just before fishing but whole time, watch for nuances, changes in air temperature, changes in sunlight, hatches, surface activity. Are you hooking up deeper, shallower, suddenly less frequently. Be a part of fly fishing equation, at peace with it, in harmony with it, and you will be amazed how much more you enjoy it.

As you go along, you will find yourself unable to look at any river or lake, without observing it in this way. Even if you are just driving by it. You will be amazed at hatches you can observe from your car, you wil find yourself analyzing bugs on your windshield. Angler's Attention will just be way you looki at entirety of fish, insect relationship, and everytime you find yourself fly rod in hand, you will be better fly fisher for it.

The book takes us on a journey following same map you follow when tying a fly. From thread handling to trimming heads. Along way we look at bodies, tailing, wings, hackling, and legs. The organization is nice, so when you are referencing a particular technique, you can find it quickly in book, by where you are in your fly.

Which brings us to best part of book, in that is it will be undoubtedly most referenced book in your library. You will use it no matter what types of flies you tie. Whether they be #26 Tricos are #2/0 Saltwater patterns, or whole gamut, there is stuff in here for you. It rarely will make it back on your shelf.

The only real drawbacks to book are #1, price, although more affordable now if you shop around, it will still set you back. And #2 it is not for beginners, nor does it pretend to be., While it does give plenty of basic advice, one must have a general working knowledge of fly tying to really get use out of this book.

It also adds to growing trend of spelling tyers, tiers. I wonder if magazine will ever switch, I have always preferred tyer, but I seem to be in a shrinking minority. And it always comes up as a mistake in my spell checker.