Some fishing books are worth reading. A rare few are worth keeping for life. Modern Flies and Ancient Lochs by Arthur Macdonald is firmly in the second category.
About the Author
Arthur Macdonald was born within a stone's throw of some of Scotland's finest wild brown trout lochs and has spent the past 50 years fishing them. He's a highly accomplished fly tyer — known among those who've seen his work for meticulous attention to detail, creativity, and an ability to combine traditional techniques with modern materials in ways that genuinely catch fish.
This book came about after years of encouragement from family, friends, and fellow fly fishers who recognised that what Arthur had accumulated over half a century deserved to be written down. The result is a book that documents a lifetime's dedication to Scottish loch fishing — revealing long-held secrets that will resonate with anyone who fishes wild brown trout lochs.
What the Book Covers
Arthur's approach bridges the old and the new — traditional patterns and materials refined through decades of observation on real Scottish lochs, combined with modern innovations that make his flies both beautiful and highly effective. If you tie your own flies, this book will give you patterns, inspiration, and the kind of detail that only comes from someone who has spent 50 years refining their craft on the water.
Who It's For
- Fly tyers looking for new patterns rooted in Scottish tradition
- Loch fishers wanting to deepen their understanding of wild brown trout behaviour
- Anyone who appreciates the craft of fly tying done to a high standard
- A gift for the fly fisher who thinks they've read everything worth reading
Available at Fyne Tackle
We're proud to stock Modern Flies and Ancient Lochs here at Fyne Tackle. Priced at £40.00 — and with only a limited number of copies available, we'd recommend not waiting if you want one.
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