There are plenty of “how-to” fly fishing books out there for beginners. Nearly all of them are informative. Many of them are a bit dry, which isn’t a surprise given the fact that they are essentially textbooks. Michael Klimkos’ Introduction to Fly Fishing is hardly tedious. It is written in an engaging style, lending itself …
Once more, we are turning to a title that finds its origin in Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley. While not his seminal fly fishing work, Rising Trout by Charles Fox is a fantastic addition to any angler’s library. This is also an interesting example of where a reprint is of different value than a first edition. The …
Used bookstores are treasure troves for readers of fly fishing content. I don’t think I’ve ever been in an establishment that deals in previously owned books where there hasn’t been at least a row devoted to fly fishing. It is great for discovering hidden gems or taking a chance on a random title. But if …
Stories of the hunt have been told as long as we’ve been eating meat. Whether it be woolly mammoth or rainbow trout, everyone loves a good story. Because they’re on the water so much, guides usually have a pretty robust back catalog of tales to tell. In Reelly and Reel Salty, Ryan Johnston compiles more …
I am well aware that a lot of people have strong feelings about giant corporations. And it is not lost on me that among readers, Amazon gets mixed reviews. While I advocate for patronizing local bookstores and fly shops that carry books, hopping online and getting two day delivery not only meets a lot of …
Anthologies of fly fishing writing are not uncommon. With enough time, the public domain presents a vast array of content to choose from. Consequently, there is a variety of quality on bookshelves. One example of a great collection of fly fishing writing, however, comes in the form of Tight Lines: Ten Years of the Yale …
Recently I hit the “50” mark on my fly fishing book review series on YouTube. I’ve filmed myself doing “show and tell” with over 60 books, and it has been a lot of fun. Today on the podcast, I talk about some thoughts (five, to be precise) I have on reading fly fishing books. There …
There are a handful of very valid reasons why you wouldn’t use this book. At the same time, if you did happen to have it on your shelf it could be valuable to you. How could both be true? Well, Mark Williams’ Trout Fishing Sourcebook is absolutely chock-full of information. In fact, it might be …
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 …
