In the opening portion of the book, Ron reviews the materials used through history to build featherwing salmon flies and recommends equally effective atternatives for thosethat are for now a protected species or are otherwise unavailable. Ron also discusses and clarifies the colors used by classic tiers and recommends eighteen basic colors for today's tiers. Other chapters expolre the varitiesw of tinsels, wing types, and fly proportions. Finally, Ron leads the reader, step by step and with eighty-one photographs, through the building of five representative classic flies, and provides dressings for thirty-two more. Sisteen brilliant color plates illustrate many of the most renowned classic flies, including a number designed by Ron himself, as well as feathers, silk colors, and antique tools.