When you spend as much time on the water as guide Landon Mayer, you need simple, easy-to-tie patterns that get the job done, day in and day out. In this fly-tying book, Mayer shares 20 of his top patterns for trophy trout that have been perfected on rivers and still waters in the Rockies and across the globe. These flies include twelve of Mayer’s own designs as well as eight of his favorite flies by, Arlo Townsend, Angus Drummond, Phil Tereyla, Walt Mueller, Jr., Michael Burgess, Dave Hoover, Kevan Davidson, and Ken Walwrath. Instructions for each fly are covered in over 200 detailed step-by-step photos, each chapter includes fishing and rigging tips, and the book includes seven rigging illustrations by Dave Hall. Patterns in this book include the Tails Up Trico, Mayer’s Mini Leech, Titan Tube Midge, Mini Leech Jig Damsel, and many more. I can count on one hand the number of people I know who are truly great anglers and fly tiers, and I have always counted Landon Mayer in this elite group. He has the consistent and uncanny ability not only to find and catch ridiculously big fish, but also to design well-thought-out patterns that solve problems and make the job easier. He has a gift for teaching, and this book promises to be an invaluable resource into the mind of a true expert. -- Charlie Craven, author of Tying Nymphs (Headwater Books) and Charlie Craven’s Basic Fly Tying (Stackpole), and president of Charlie’s Fly Box fly shop in Arvada, Colorado Landon Mayer is one of the most accomplished fly fishers and guides in the industry. He has an uncanny combination of skills and instincts to find and catch monster fish, and many of his clients have caught the fish of their lives while fishing with Landon’s flies. -- John Barr, author of Barr Flies Landon Mayer, really knows how to catch trout—often, huge trout—and applies that knowledge to the flies he ties and designs. -- Skip Morris, author of 365 Fly-Fishing Tips for Trout, Bass, and Panfish, Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple, and others Time on the water with open eyes is the only way to truly understand fish and prey relationships. When I say prey, it includes everything from micro-invertebrates to other fish species and everything in between. I’ve spent over thirty years as a guide and fly designer, and I can say without question that being open minded and being a student of your waters is key to designing effective and deadly fly patterns. Landon Mayer is a student of the game and it shows in not only his body of work, but in his tireless work ethic on and off the water. I’ve witnessed him not sleeping on fishing trips staying up all night at the vise. I have nothing but respect for his angling skills and professionalism on and off the water. Landon Mayer’s Guide Flies will shed more light on who he is as an angler, professional, and fly designer. -- Blane Chocklett, originator of the Game Changer series of flies An exceptionally talented fly fisher, knowledgeable, full of personality, fun, and willing to share it all . . . that’s Landon Mayer. Just the qualities you want in a guide and teacher, and just what Landon delivers. He’s passionate about fooling and landing big trout, and in this book, he’s showing you the flies and techniques he uses to do just that—so you can do it too. -- Carol Ann Morris, coauthor of Survival Guide for Beginning Fly Anglers, Trout Flies for Rivers, and others Landon Mayer is a fly-fishing instructor, guide, and writer with over two decades of experience. He is a contributing writer for Fly Fisherman and High Country Angler magazines, and his work has also been featured in Field & Stream and Fly Fusion . Landon’s previous books include The Hunt for Giant Trout ; Sight Fishing for Trout , Second Edition; Colorado’s Best Fly Fishing ; and 101 Trout Tips , in addition to his current film with Headwater Media, Mastering the Short Game. He lives in Florissant, Colorado.