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"Fly Lines - how to make them"

Image 1
  • Image 1
  • A hand-made 5 weight line dyed olive green.
  • Several dyed lines showing some of the possibilities.
  • Sample page 1 Please note that the printed book is much crisper. Making the image small enough to download easily reduces the crispness of the text.
  • Sample page 2 Please note that the printed book is much crisper. Making the image small enough to download easily reduces the crispness of the text.
  • Sample page 3 Please note that the printed book is much crisper. Making the image small enough to download easily reduces the crispness of the text.
  • Sample page 4 Please note that the printed book is much crisper. Making the image small enough to download easily reduces the crispness of the text.
  • Sample page 5 Please note that the printed book is much crisper. Making the image small enough to download easily reduces the crispness of the text.
  • Sample page 6 Please note that the printed book is much crisper. Making the image small enough to download easily reduces the crispness of the text.
  • Sample page 7 Please note that the printed book is much crisper. Making the image small enough to download easily reduces the crispness of the text.
  • Sample page 8 Please note that the printed book is much crisper. Making the image small enough to download easily reduces the crispness of the text.
  • Sample page 9 Please note that the printed book is much crisper. Making the image small enough to download easily reduces the crispness of the text.
  • Sample page 10 Please note that the printed book is much crisper. Making the image small enough to download easily reduces the crispness of the text.
  • Sample page 11
Price:
$35.00
SKU:
BK-FLHTMT-PE
Rating:
4 Stars ( 7 product reviews )
Current Stock:
1

Product Description

NOTICE: Fly Lines - how to make them is no longer in print and will not be reprinted.

OVERVIEW

Softcover Edition • 138 hand-written pages • over 100 photos and drawings • printed in the USA 
 
DESCRIPTION
Fly Lines - how to make them details John Betts' unique and original method of making hand-crafted fly fishing lines. These lines are simple to make, inexpensive, have the look and feel of silk lines but are completely synthetic. John developed and refined these lines over 20 years.

Co-author Michael Hackney expands on John's original work with information on dying lines, alternative methods of dressing, and additional line recipes for making 1wt to 7wt fly lines as well as tenkara lines.
 
PLEASE NOTE: Fly Lines will not teach you how to furl or braid fly lines, the method of construction invented by John Betts is completely unique. It uses off-the-shelf braided Dacron and monofilament line with a few simple tools - a doll maker's needle, scissors, etc. The lines are completely hand-crafted (no electricity) and can typically be completed in about 3 hours. 
 
We've created a PDF presentation that gives an overview of these lines, their benefits, and how that are made: Fly Lines - how to make them. Of course the book goes into all of the details, describes the properties of the braid - not all modern braids will work, don't even try or you'll be frustrated. Making these lines is so easy with the right braid, impossible with the wrong braid.
 
Like all of John's work, this book is hand-written in John's unimitable style in journal format. Please check the photos for samples.
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Product Reviews

  1. Making Fly Lines: my take on it 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 18th Jun 2015

    Love the content but a little tough to read. But once you get the 'hang of it' it includes clear instructions to build your own fly lines. I have already ordered all of the materials needed. Can't wait to get started!

  2. Fly Lines 4 Star Review

    Posted by on 2nd Jun 2015

    The writing was very hard to follow and made the task much more difficult.
    I have not put vaseline on the line but I had to try casting it.
    It roll cast like a dream better than the commercial lines I use.
    Jack

  3. Fly line book 4 Star Review

    Posted by on 2nd Jun 2014

    That the book was handwritten made it rather beautiful, but hard to read. I would have preferred at least the section wich describes the actual making of lines typed. But it is indeed an impressive piece of work.
    The technique is very innovative and i look forward to start making my own lines with it.

  4. Enjoy the adventure! 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 20th May 2014

    Some years ago after reading John Betts book “Making Strip-built Fly Rods from Various Woods on a Lathe” I noted his comments on making fly lines that match silk fly lines in every way. I contacted Mr. Betts and after a good long telephone conversation I had the solid base for making two 7wt fly lines using his information. Two years later while reading the comments in “Reelsmithing Forum” I noted that Peter Dallman was working with John Betts on having his book on fly line making printed. Of course I had to contact Mr. Dallman to find out when this was to take place. I found that Peter was an upstanding and funny gentleman, who surprise me with the offer of being a test subject to show that anyone could make a fly line of any wt using John Betts' knowledge! Of course I jumped at the chance!

    I have found that John Betts' book (a Photostatic copy at the time) to be concise and extremely informative. I have made several Fly lines of 4wt, 5wt and 7 wt respectably using Mr. Betts' methodology. The information is easy and very accurate, the man knows his fly lines!

    Michael Hackney is another upstanding and funny gentleman whose work on expanding the choices of the base supplies for the fly lines in order to achieve the same results is outstanding! Now there are no reasons to not match up a perfect handmade fly line, handmade fly reel and handmade fly rod that you made yourself! Think of the justified bragging rights that you have earned in building everything your self! Enjoy the adventure!

  5. Making Fly Lines; a critical review 2 Star Review

    Posted by on 18th May 2014

    The reproduction of handwritten text is a disservice to the purchaser/reader as not everyone has readily legible penmanship. The reader should not have to labor over a word to figure out what it is; especially at the price of this book.

    The book is a disappointment as I expected to find more on the furling and braiding of fly lines.

    The only really positive thing to be said for it is that it is colorful.

    Frank G. Schlicht,PhD

    PUBLISHER REPLY

    Dr. Schlicht and I have had a positive email exchange after he submitted this review. This review and his private comments were submitted in the context of constructive criticism and I do indeed appreciate both his time to review and correspond afterwards.

    John Betts' work is what it is, many of us find it more interesting published this way but I recognize that we all have our own opinions and preferences. To address some part of the concern I have updated the information here and on Reel Lines Press to include images of the entire first chapter so you can make your own determination and added a bold NOTE to make it very clear that John's is a completely new and unique technique for making fly lines. I absolutely stand by my conviction that these are remarkable lines in the way they cast and fish and are very straightforward to make yourself. There is nothing like them and I encourage you to test one for yourself. I bring them with me to all of the events I attend so just ask!

    Best regards,
    Michael Hackney, PhD
    Publisher, Reel Lines Press
    Proprietor, The Eclectic Angler

  6. This book is a "must" for fly fishermen 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 18th May 2014

    This is a fine book with loads of John's character and ingenuity coming through and with extraordinarily clear instructions.
    While I like the handwritten aspect of the book the writing is sometimes a tad hard to follow but this does not detract one iota from the value of the work to me. In fact it stops me skip reading which is a bad thing as one misses important detail!
    It complements my copy of John's book on rod making on a lathe very nicely indeed and has set me on another road, experimenting with building spey lines rather heavier and longer than those noted in the book.
    Well done John and Michael, 11 out of 10!

  7. Making flylines 3 Star Review

    Posted by on 15th May 2014

    Just got my book, and read it through. I have been doing silk flylines with furling techingue for some time, and was exppecting some hints to baraiding flylines.

    So little disappointed at first, but this is also getting interesting, and thanks for introducing the technique. Certainly will have a try !

    Slight drawback also the quality of the print, for the handwrited pages.

    ---
    The Eclectic Angler comment:

    Pasi, thank you for the review. The book does not claim to show how to braid and we've tried to be clear that this line doesn't require braiding or complex/expensive machines or tools. John Betts' line making technique is completely unique and uses off the shelf materials (Dacron braid and monofilament) and simple tools (needle, measuring tape, scissors, etc). The lines are really excellent to fish and they cast very nicely. They also have the look of a traditional braided silk line.

    Also, all of John's books are handwritten. Many consider this part of the novelty/uniqueness of his work. The book is certainly not like most but it has an honesty and beauty on its own.

    I'd love to see some of your furled lines. I also furl silk and I've just started braiding with an antique New England Butt braising machine that was used by a line making company in the 1940s.

    Cheers,
    Michael

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