I think a beginning fly fisher might get as much out of this as a begining tyer. The first couple chapters have excellent insights into fly fishing, building a fly box, choosing flies etc. Great stuff for a beginner or someone looking for insights on how to reorganize and simplify a fly selection.

The purpose of the book though, is to present the tying instructioins for the flies in Dave Hughes's fly box in exquisite detail. Not all the flies are basic, but the patterns chosen could be fished nearly anywhere. Some are more "western" than a PA angler may find effective. Still, the greatest majority of the patterns are extremely applicable to PA, and staples are well represented.

Ditto. Having only been tying for a year, and I am in the midst of another series of lessons at the local fly shop, this book is on my tying bench at all times. Like you said, because many of the variations are geared towards western patterns, i find myself using it to get ideas for the patterns I am tying.

I got it for a song on eBay last year.

D