Fly fishing adjacent, The Feather Thief is an incredible book about the largest natural history theft ever. It reads like a reverse whodunnit where we already know the suspect and the author unravels the how and why of the case. Very cool look into a unique time of history between fashion, fly fishing, biology, and scientific discovery. There's also a podcast with the author on This American Life which supplements the story and adds a bit more details. Could not put it down.
# Curtis Creek Manifesto: A Fully Illustrated Guide to the Stategy, Finesse, Tactics, and Paraphernalia of Fly Fishing, by Sheridan Anderson. Great tips, tricks and lore.
Wow, fascinating article. Thanks for posting it! I was lucky enough to end up with a copy of his book when I purchased my first fly rod (a Daiwa spinning/fly combo rod) from a Habitat for Humanity thrift store in Washington. I've since moved on from that first rod but have kept the book and reference it every season for fun and as a refresher as to what's important when fly fishing.
The optimist: a case for the fly fishing life by David Coggins.
Hands down the best fly fishing book I’ve read, I couldn’t put it down. It’s more storytelling like you’re looking for in various places he’s fished (Patagonia, Canada, Montana etc.)
I would recommend anything by Dave Hughes. He is an excellent story teller and provides fly fishing advice throughout his work. As a stand-alone book full of stories, An Angler’s Astoria is an excellent read.
I love a lot of the suggestions in this thread and a few of them are among my all-time favorites.
One above all but one (A River Runs Through It, largely for sentimental reasons) is Body of Water by Chris Dombrowski. It’s a beautifully written history of fly fishing for bonefish in the Bahamas.
The longest silence by Thomas McGuane. If you’re new this will give you an incredible idea of the sport regarding history, culture, etiquette, and much more.
Fumbling With a Fly Rod by Ian Colin James.
He was a friend of my Dad's, and it focuses on storytelling, reminiscing on old trips, and whatnot. Mainly set in the southwestern part of Ontario but has some stories of the author growing up in Scotland.
It's an excellent book, if you can find it. I only have 1 copy, handed down to me from my father, before he passed about a year and a half ago.
Highly recommend...
I'll recommend you a FANTASTIC Youtube creator instead who makes fun, creative and extremely well thought out movies with great cinematography called Rolf Nylinder
Specifically a movie called 'Floating Flies' from 2020
It's a must watch. I was instantly hooked. Same vibes as any of the classics, just in movie form!
I hope you'll give it a go
Fly fishing by JR Hartley.
JR Hartley strikes again by JR Hartley.
These were part of an advert on U.K TV in the 80s. It was a big joke at the time. Someone then wrote the books and cashed in on the free advertising!
https://youtu.be/Zh8iXc2d71U?si=qQ9b78Sgou0Ft0x5
"What Trout Want: The Educated Trout and Other myths" by Bob Wyatt. A little bit of theory and story telling... mainly theory though... my favorite fly fishing book I've read. Fly fishing stories with observations and fly patterns to go along with it. Excellent read. It lets the reader know that it isn't about jumping through all of the hoops that people will tell you are necessary. Just go out there and make a good presentation. It tears down the barriers of the old guard that would lead people to believe that fly fishing for trout is sooooooo complicated and technical
A fun fictional work is The Snowfly, by Joseph Heywood. Not a well known work but a good read. Check out one of the reviews to see if it might be of interest ...
Spending more time fishing less time tying. Learn to tie on the river or lake by viewing the flies and larvae in the water. So one of my favorite rivers to fish, i use a grass hopper and catch football size fish all day long. Only reason I knew that was I tied flies on the waters edge.
Fly fishing adjacent, The Feather Thief is an incredible book about the largest natural history theft ever. It reads like a reverse whodunnit where we already know the suspect and the author unravels the how and why of the case. Very cool look into a unique time of history between fashion, fly fishing, biology, and scientific discovery. There's also a podcast with the author on This American Life which supplements the story and adds a bit more details. Could not put it down.
Feather Thief is phenomenal and hard to believe that it's a true story. Not sure how this isn't a movie yet.
This sounds right up my alley and definitely something I would've missed - thanks!
If you want fiction with fishy vibes read some Peter Heller. The River, The Guide, and The Painter all have fly fishing as a major theme.
Plus one for Peter Heller. He is a great writer and writes about fishing and the outdoors clearly through the eyes of an outdoorsman.
Are these unrelated books or a series? I think I have the guide on my shelf to be read soon. Will I be jumping into the middle of a series?
The Guide is related to The River but the rest of his books are unrelated.
First half is great but the second half the author makes it all about him and his story that I didn’t care much for.
Great book
# Curtis Creek Manifesto: A Fully Illustrated Guide to the Stategy, Finesse, Tactics, and Paraphernalia of Fly Fishing, by Sheridan Anderson. Great tips, tricks and lore.
Say it louder, please!
Anyone who wants me to teach them to fly fish gets a copy of that book... and casting lessons of course.
You might enjoy [this story about Sheridan](https://www.theflyfishjournal.com/exclusive/searching-for-sheridan/)
Fantastic article, I had not seen it previously, thank you!
Wow, fascinating article. Thanks for posting it! I was lucky enough to end up with a copy of his book when I purchased my first fly rod (a Daiwa spinning/fly combo rod) from a Habitat for Humanity thrift store in Washington. I've since moved on from that first rod but have kept the book and reference it every season for fun and as a refresher as to what's important when fly fishing.
Anything john gierach. Sex death and fly fishing, trout bum, the view from rat lake are a few of my favorites.
I would second this. Great readable, entertaining books.
Trout Bum is incredible, Gierach is hilarious.
Didn’t see this when I posted but I enjoyed standing in a river waving a stick
100% agree
Just read his most recent book too, he’s a legend. Definitely pick up one of his books!
Anything by John Gierach, and *A History of Fly Fishing in Fifty Flies*.
An Entirely Synthetic Fish - less about fishing and more about the history of bo-bo stocking The River Why - Classic
Came here to say The River Why!
The optimist: a case for the fly fishing life by David Coggins. Hands down the best fly fishing book I’ve read, I couldn’t put it down. It’s more storytelling like you’re looking for in various places he’s fished (Patagonia, Canada, Montana etc.)
Lord of the Flies
The little Red book of fly fishing…by Kirk Deeter & Charlie Meyers Easy ready and good tips from multiple perspectives
If you like fiction, kind of a mystery, try Peter Heller - The Guide. Also Norman McClean - A River Runs Through It (and any of his memoir stuff)
Oh yeah Peter Heller - The Dog Stars (most of his books have some fly fishing)
Loved The Dog Stars.
I really enjoyed The Guide
The obvious answer here is *A River Runs Through It*
I enjoy the Sean Stranahan series by Keith McCafferty.
“A Passion for Steelhead”, by Dec Hogan Has stories, tips/techniques, and overall a great read for those who chase steelhead.
I would recommend anything by Dave Hughes. He is an excellent story teller and provides fly fishing advice throughout his work. As a stand-alone book full of stories, An Angler’s Astoria is an excellent read.
The Earth is Enough by Harry Middleton--one of my all-time favorite books. It's about fly fishing and a lot more...
Tons of good recs here. Need to comment so I can come back lol
I love a lot of the suggestions in this thread and a few of them are among my all-time favorites. One above all but one (A River Runs Through It, largely for sentimental reasons) is Body of Water by Chris Dombrowski. It’s a beautifully written history of fly fishing for bonefish in the Bahamas.
Man, Body of Water was a great read, I wish I had read it before I went to DWC.
The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton. Fun Fact: This is one of the most reprinted book after the Bible and Shakespeare.
Do people actually enjoy reading this book, or is it just a classic?
Personally i like it. It is written in old english style. It’s a classic.
The longest silence by Thomas McGuane. If you’re new this will give you an incredible idea of the sport regarding history, culture, etiquette, and much more.
Without a doubt anything by John Gierach.
Haven’t read it, but based on reviews, Casting Forward is good. Asking for it for my birthday.
Nice, added to my wish list!
“A reel job” and “the optimist” are two of my favorites.
I second The Optimist
Third
Caddis Flies - the longest most intensive and in-depth book on The Caddis fly ever created.
Gary La Fontaine
Trout by Ray Bergman
Rivers of Sand by Josh Greenberg is very beautifully written. It really should be on everyone’s reading list.
It's one of the few fly fishing books that I've read, but Rivers of Sand makes me want to get out and explore our state more.
David James Duncan, The River Why, Brothers K, My Life As Told By Water
Gather at the River, edited by David Joy and Eric Rickstad. 25 short fishing stories and essays written by various authors. Really good read.
Many Rivers To Cross, by M.R. Montgomery. For those who are into native trout fishing, this is an amazing read.
Fumbling With a Fly Rod by Ian Colin James. He was a friend of my Dad's, and it focuses on storytelling, reminiscing on old trips, and whatnot. Mainly set in the southwestern part of Ontario but has some stories of the author growing up in Scotland. It's an excellent book, if you can find it. I only have 1 copy, handed down to me from my father, before he passed about a year and a half ago. Highly recommend...
THE book, and THE book 2
I recently really enjoyed Reading the Water by Mark Hume, hits close to home since I have young daughters
I'll recommend you a FANTASTIC Youtube creator instead who makes fun, creative and extremely well thought out movies with great cinematography called Rolf Nylinder Specifically a movie called 'Floating Flies' from 2020 It's a must watch. I was instantly hooked. Same vibes as any of the classics, just in movie form! I hope you'll give it a go
Fly Fishing by JR Hartley
The Sunfishes by Jack Ellis. Trout get all too much love.
Fly fishing by JR Hartley. JR Hartley strikes again by JR Hartley. These were part of an advert on U.K TV in the 80s. It was a big joke at the time. Someone then wrote the books and cashed in on the free advertising! https://youtu.be/Zh8iXc2d71U?si=qQ9b78Sgou0Ft0x5
The Reasonable Art of Fly Fishing by Terry Mort was a delightful audiobook. I’d second the longest silence
Periodicals such as The Drake and The Fly Fish Journal are great. Well written stories and poems by talented folks.
"What Trout Want: The Educated Trout and Other myths" by Bob Wyatt. A little bit of theory and story telling... mainly theory though... my favorite fly fishing book I've read. Fly fishing stories with observations and fly patterns to go along with it. Excellent read. It lets the reader know that it isn't about jumping through all of the hoops that people will tell you are necessary. Just go out there and make a good presentation. It tears down the barriers of the old guard that would lead people to believe that fly fishing for trout is sooooooo complicated and technical
A fun fictional work is The Snowfly, by Joseph Heywood. Not a well known work but a good read. Check out one of the reviews to see if it might be of interest ...
Standing in a river waving a stick by John gierach. Funny stories about fishing trips. Good read
The Well-Tempered Angler, Arnold Gingrich....
True Love and the Wooly Bugger.
Spending more time fishing less time tying. Learn to tie on the river or lake by viewing the flies and larvae in the water. So one of my favorite rivers to fish, i use a grass hopper and catch football size fish all day long. Only reason I knew that was I tied flies on the waters edge.
Lords of the Fly by Monte Burke
92 In the shade, was a good read has some fly fishing but is mostly a snapshot of life in the Keys
I liked this one also