Worth a read...

Tying and Fishing the Fuzzy Nymphs, first published in 1965 by E.H. "Polly" Rosborough, is a seminal work drawing from the author’s sixty years of experience in fly fishing and tying. Rosborough, a renowned angler and innovator from Oregon, introduces his signature "fuzzy nymph" patterns, designed to mimic subsurface aquatic insects like caddis, mayflies, stoneflies, damselflies, midges, and shrimp or scuds. 

The book details patterns for twenty-five families of flies, emphasizing the importance of a "broken outline" in nymph design—a fuzzy, irregular silhouette that Rosborough believed better imitates natural prey, enhancing fish perception and acceptance.Beyond fly patterns, the book offers practical advice on tying techniques and fishing strategies. Rosborough shares his unique method of creating nymph bodies using a "noodle" of dubbing twisted in a thread loop to achieve a segmented, lifelike appearance. His approach was groundbreaking at the time, developed during the Depression era in Northern California and Oregon when little was known about nymph fishing. The text also covers where and how to fish these flies effectively, focusing on presentation and location—key factors Rosborough considered more critical than the fly itself for catching big trout.Anecdotes from his decades of angling enrich the narrative, providing context for each pattern’s inspiration and use. The book’s enduring value lies in its blend of historical insight, innovative tying methods, and practical fishing wisdom, making it a must-read for those interested in the evolution of nymph fishing. While some materials and techniques have been modernized since its publication, Rosborough’s foundational ideas continue to influence contemporary fly fishing.