A FLY ROD OF YOUR OWN. By John Gierach. Art by Glenn Wolff.

(2017) 2018 1st paperback edition. 8vo (140 x 213mm). Ppxii,207 + 1pp ads. B/w illustrations by Glenn Wolff.

"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 humour and keen eye for observation to the fishing life and, for that matter, life in general. In A Fly Rod of Your Own, Gierach once again takes us into his world and scrutinizes the art of fly-fishing. He sings the praises of the skilled pilots who fly to remote fishing lodges in tricky locations and bad weather. 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." Chapters include: A fly-rod of your own; Rainbow and wrong way; The short list; Snake River; Fireproof; Getting there; My jeep; Alaska; The velvet handshake; Getting it right; Fool's errand; You can't eat the scenery; Camp food; Livin' the dream; Olives; Floatplanes; Home court; A bad day; The labrador effect; The West Branch; Collecting a debt.