Prior to reading this book, I found I had so many questions, and that was after taking a 3 day class at a local fly shop. I blundered about all summer trying to remember how to do this or that. Dana answered ALL of my questions on general fly fishing in this one book. She covers everything from gear to safety (for women fishing alone), from knots to bug selection, from casting to playing fish. And all in clear, concise words... and she does it without putting you to sleep.
You WANT to go out and fish the second you finish reading it. I am sending my copy to a close friend, who wants to learn (her grown sons insist she is too old to learn!) And fellows, don't let the title fool you, this book works for you guys too (even if you hide the cover or pretend it is for your wife or girlfriend!)
I was lucky enough to watch Dana in action teaching this month. I watched her take 12 kids, ages 14-18, who had no prior fishing experience (let alone fly fishing!), and teach them so well that they all caught fish over the next few days! (These fish were in Colorado, on water that gets pounded by tourists and are educated and wary trout.) She even made knot tying fun!
Read the book! And if you are very lucky, you might just get a chance to take a class with her or watch her teach! I can honestly say, whether in the flesh or in print, she is the finest and most passionate instructor I have ever seen or read.