Jerry Darkes is a well-known Great Lakes area fly fisherman and guide. He has over 40 years of experience in fresh and salt water, has been featured several books and films about Great Lakes area fly fishing, and has authored numerous articles on a variety of fly fishing subjects. He is also a fly tier with numerous patterns to his credit and is recognized as a speaker and instructor throughout the area.

• IntroductionChapter One: The Big PictureThe FishThe Waters and Equipment UsedFliesChapter Two: Getting StartedNecessary ToolsViseScissorsBobbinHackle PliersBodkin/Half-Hitch ToolOther Useful ToolsBobbin ThreaderWhip FinisherHair StackerHair PackerTweezersThe Tying AreaMaterialsThreadBody MaterialsFeathersTails, Hairs, and FursSynthetic Hair and FlashEyes, heads, Weight, and LegsFoamHooks Chapter Three: Basic TechniquesStarting the ThreadWrapping the ThreadFinishing Off the ThreadWeighting a BodyTying in Barbell EyesMaking a Hook WeedlessMaking the Whip Finish Chapter 4: Below the SurfaceThe Sinking SpiderThe Basic Woolly BuggerThe Better Bugger VariationThe Damsel/Dragon VariationThe Baitfish Bugger VariationBeadhead or Conehead VariationThe Hellgramite VariationSimple CrayfishSculpin BuggerThe Basic Deep MinnowSpottail Shiner VariationPerch Minnow VariationJig Deep MinnowSimple MinnowCrafty MinnowFish Head Minnow Chapter Five: On the SurfaceFloating Spider/AntSimple PopperSimple SliderInstant PopperBlockhead PopperRabbit Strip DiverHairy DiverFroggy DiverFroggy Popper