Tap's Tips: Practical Advice for All Outdoorsmen

A real veteran of the outdoors, H. G. Tapply writes from the direct, down-to-earth viewpoint of one who has "been there, done it." He denies being an expert in any sense of the word, but he is nevertheless a walking encyclopedia on virtually every phase of outdoor sport and writes with the true ring of authority on all aspects of fishing, hunting, camping, dog training, fly tying, and woodcraft. With a new introduction written by his son, William G. Tapply, Tap's Tips thoroughly spans the tricks experts use, such as: o hooking trout with flies. o catching bass, pike, salmon, and panfish with lures and bait. o selecting the right tackle. o cleaning and cooking fish. o getting more pleasure from a day on the water. o hunting upland game birds, ducks, small game, big game, and varmints. o handling guns (with a shooting tip practically guaranteed to make you a better wingshot). o boating. o choosing the companions that can make or break a trip into the woods. Tapply's narrative skill makes reading this book almost as enjoyable as actually hooking a good-sized trout or watching a bird dog stiffen to a solid point on a cornered pheasant.

About the Author :
H. G. Tapply, renowned Field & Stream associate editor and editor-in-chief of three national sporting magazines, was also one of the cofounders of The Salt Water Sportsman. Founding member of the New England Outdoor Writer's Association, he published two previous books, several stories, and national magazine and encyclopedia articles. However, fishing and hunting were "strictly for the fun of it." William G. Tapply is an accomplished author of mystery novels and outdoor sports books including Upland Days, Pocket Water, and The Orvis(R) Pocket Guide to Fly Fishing for Bass. He is also a Field & Stream contributing editor and writing professor at Emerson College and Clark University. He lives in Hancock, New Hampshire.

Review :
"Rereading Tap's Tips, after all these years, is a revelation. Such knowledge. Such wisdom. Such graceful writing and clear thinking. Tap's Tips remains the most useful book ever written for the all-round sportsman." -James R. Babb, Editor, "Gray's Sporting Journal" Designed to resemble the ubiquitous Farmers' Almanac, this newest guide by Tapply collects outdoor advice culled from his articles in Field & Stream. Tapply imparts friendly and practical wisdom and anecdotes on subjects ranging from fly-fishing for trout ("When fishing in discolored water or at night, cut your leader back to a heavier diameter") and basic tackle maintenance ("You can prevent loose hoods from scattering all over your tackle box by putting a small magnet in the compartment with them") to hunting bird ("High-velocity loads don't belong in the upland gunner's pocket") and keeping your boots tight ("Lace the boots halfway through, and tie off with a square not"). With hand-drawn illustrations by Walter Dower and an introduction by Tapply's son William, the manual contains hundreds of useful tips, all presented in an appropriately folksy tone. (Apr.)-- "Publishers Weekly "Review Annex" ..."a charming handbook...there is a timelessness to this book that makes its reprinting all the more welcome. An indispensable little volume for outdoor collections."--"Booklis"t ..."another reprint of undeniable value...This book is nostalgic and useful all at once."--"Gray's Sporting Journal" "Most of Tap's advice, written years ago, is every bit as useful today as it was then. In addition to the tips, the book contains some of Tap's general, column-like stories that are timeless and insightful."-- "Vermont Burlington Free Press"