Buy this book on a Wednesday, and you could be out catching fish on Saturday morning!
The Orvis Quick-Start Guide to Fly Fishing is the only book a first-time angler needs to go from zero to catching fish in no time at all. Many people believe that learning to fly-fish is very difficult, but the truth is that, with a little expert instruction, anyone can become a successful fly fisher in a matter of days. Phil Monahan's just-the-basics approach will teach you what makes fly-fishing so special, exactly what tackle and gear you need for any given fishing situation, how to cast a fly rod, and fundamental fly-fishing techniques that catch fish. Everything is explained simply, clearly, and concisely without a lot of extraneous information, so you'll have the knowledge and skills to go out on the water with confidence.
Important topics include:

Tackle Selection—Making sure you have the right tools

Casting—Including step-by-step photos featuring Orvis instructor Pete Kutzer

Fish Biology and Behavior—Understand the species you're targeting

Basic Entomology and Fly Selection—How to identify and imitate the bugs trout eat

How to Read Water—Learn where fish live in rivers and lakes

Fly Presentation—How to put all this knowledge together to catch fish

Warmwater Fly Fishing—A whole chapter on how to catch bass and panfish