A Fly Rod of Your Own (John Gierach's Fly-fishing Library)

By John Gierach

Book Overview

John Gierach, "the voice of the common angler" ( The Wall Street Journal ) and member of the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame, brings his sharp sense of humor and keen eye for observation to the fishing life and, for that matter, life in general. John Gierach is known for his witty, trenchant observations about fly-fishing. In A Fly Rod of Your Own , Gierach once again takes us into his world and scrutinizes the art of fly-fishing. He travels to remote fishing locations where the airport is not much bigger than a garage and a flight might be held up because a passenger is running late. He sings the praises of the skilled pilots who fly to remote fishing lodges in tricky locations and bad weather. He explains why even the most veteran fisherman seems to muff his cast whenever he's being filmed or photographed. He describes the all-but-impassable roads that fishermen always seem to encounter at the best fishing spots and why fishermen discuss four-wheel drive vehicles almost as passionately and frequently as they discuss fly rods and flies. And while he's on that subject, he explains why even the most conscientious fisherman always seems to accumulate more rods and flies than he could ever need. As Gierach says, "fly-fishing is a continuous process that you learn to love for its own sake. Those who fish already get it, and those who don't couldn't care less, so don't waste your breath on someone who doesn't fish." From Alaska to the Rockies and across the continent to Maine and the Canadian Maritimes, A Fly Rod of Your Own is an ode to those who fish--and they will get it.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1451618344
• ISBN13: 9781451618341
• Release Date: April 2017
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.4" x 0.7" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Had to buy this book when it first emerged from the nymphal shuck!

I discovered John Gierach's writing from the end pages of Fly Rod & Reel magazine in every issue. Unfortunately, before my subscription expired, the subscription converted to Fly Fisherman, and John to a less frequent appearance, albeit with longer articles. Having lived in Alaska for nearly thirty years with the fisheries, fishermen, and pilots, "Rainbow and Wrong Way" became my most reread story. John's reflections on life are spot on, "In our twenties, life is about.... and on through our thirties, forties, fifties." Wow! His conversations with friends and acquaintances he's met along the way are insightful, too. (I had the opportunity to fly the right seat of a Beaver with the rare dual rudder pedals: "Stomp on the rudder and wait until it starts to move, then add aileron; almost like a DC-3." Those airplanes are trucks, and most show the dents, dings and wear of use. Come to think of it, so do I.) Enjoy reading this author and remember, "There are no bad days."