Most fly fishing stories include themes like nostalgia, introspection, and the appreciation of the natural world. But how many fishing stories have you read that touch on dark supernatural forces? Not many? Well, then do I have a book for you. John Langan’s The Fisherman is certainly a departure from the usual fare on Casting …
If you grew up reading outdoor magazines, you’re probably familiar with the kinds of articles featured on the last page. They were usually short pieces provided by recurring authors. With an economy of words imposed by the finality of the back cover it would cause laughter, introspection, or both. Steven Sautner’s Every Cast is an …
Most of the books I talk about come from major publishers or prominent fly fishing publishing houses. But just like the indie music scene or local artists galleries, there are other options for those looking for an interesting fly fishing read. Today I talk about three books that are worth reading, especially if the perspective …
Some of my favorite fly fishing memories include far more than a fish and some water. Looking back over the years, the physical context of so many angling experiences added to or defined the pursuit of fish. Bob Mallard’s 25 Best Towns – Fly Fishing For Trout is guidebook which understands this principle. East coast …
Most of the time, I’m spotlighting prominent fly fishing books on Casting Across. This works because very few of us have the bandwidth, resources, or shelf space to collect each and every good title released in the last 50 years. But every once in a while, I do think it is important to talk about …
I don’t throw around the word “essential” flippantly. But if you fish spring creeks in places like Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Wisconsin, Mike Heck’s Spring Creek Strategies is essential reading. There are other excellent books out there covering spring creek fly fishing from a broader perspective, often including the famous, sprawling western rivers. Heck’s writing addresses …
It takes quite a skilled pen to write a famous crime novel and famous fly fishing books. But John Voelker (aka Robert Traver) accomplished just that. His Trout Madness deserves every bit of the prominence it holds in 20th century fly fishing writing. It is a wonderful example of the subgenre of angling account anthologies. …
Conservation books are often written after the fact. Articles and blogs can talk about what is happening, but the real what happened of any conservation initiative has a certain longitudinal quality about it. The Forgotten Salmon of the Merrimack, by Lawrence Stolte, chronicles a century of restoration and protection on the eve of an early-1980’s …
If you have ever spent a life, a year, a season, or even a long trip on one particular stretch of water, you know how there is a lot more than fishing going on. The holistic aspect of being on a river makes you a better angler. More than that, it adds to the appreciation …
In another one-minute book review, I give a synopsis of the benefits that come from reading 25 Best National Parks to Fly Fish by Wendy &Terry Gunn. Through tapping into regional experts, they have compiled a resource that is a must-read for any angler who enjoys the National Park system. Like most guidebooks, 25 Best …
