John is one funny guy. And he knows the outdoors. His cast of characters make reading this series of short stories about fishing, camping, and life outdoors a real pleasure. I only hope his other books are as enjoyable as this one.

I always page to John Gierach's column first when the Fly Rod and Reel magazine shows up in the mail box. This was a wonderful read for a flyfisherman in Minnesota in the winter. The thoughts this book brought forth kept me going through the long (too cold to fish) winter.

John's writing is in one of those styles you look forward to crummy weather so you can justify sitting down and getting a kick out of his antics. To do otherwise, well heck, you'd feel like he'd wag a finger at you and ask, "Why the hell aren't you fishing you dolt!? See that hatch? See that rise? Drop my book and tie into those beautiful little torpedos!"

The stories are marvelous. John's fishing and hunting partners are a hoot. And I can't help but think that there's some cryptic means of deciphering his secret fishing spots by selecting every third letter of every ninth word of every other paragraph... or something like that.

The illustrations are GREAT! Hope I can find a garage sale edition of the book so I can demolish it for the pictures.

John, great job and hope your St. Vrain is chugging along for you.

GB in Tulsa

What I especially appreciate about this work is that anyone can read the essays and enjoy them, even if they have never picked up a fly rod in their life, although fly-fishermen will laugh harder at the humor.

Each essay adds a piece of the puzzle to the secrecy of the life of a fly-fisherman. This art/science/sport is shrouded in mystery and lore. It is rare that a Master will let you into his world so intimately. All of Gierach's books seem to have that 'eastern' feel to them, as if they could have been written by Lao Tzu. The Essay "Zen and the Art of Nymph-Fishing" almost brought tears to my eyes. It is a classic work.

The most cherished aspect of this book (and almost everything written by Gierach) is that it exposes fly fishing for what it is. It is not just a sport. It is not just 'fishing'. Fly Fishing is a metaphor for life. Non-fly fishers will probably not understand this. Fly Fishing is the western man's tai chi. I believe that if everyone could fly fish, life in our country would be a whole lot less stressful and happier. Of course, I hope everyone doesn't fly fish. That would screw it up for the rest of us. Gierach captures the essence of life as a fly fisherman. The solitude. The peace. The at-oneness with nature. The appreciation of one of God's coolest creations (i.e. fish). And if fly fishing is a metaphor for life, then fly tying is a metaphor for art. Gierach paints fly tying as a cross between meditation and painting.

I recommend this book to anyone who fly fishes, and anyone who knows anyone who fly fishes, or even anyone who is interested in fly fishing in general, but doesn't think they ever will.

John's travels and travails with A.K. Best and a world class Trout addiction are literate, light and great fun to read when you can't be fishing yourself

This is a terrific book. Bite-sized, hilarious chapters. required reading for fly fishers, but captivating for everyone else as well

This book is a very good discertation on fly fishing for species other than trout. It covers warm water species, bass bluegill/sunfish, perch and crappie as well as other cool water species, like walleye and pike, and even includes catfish. The author covers each species in a seperate chapter. Covering items such as prefered habitat, spawning, water temperature, fishing methods, and fly recommendations. If you like to fly fish, but trout aren't readily available in your area, this book could give you some insight into fish you might not have considered as fly rod fish.

This book is a great place to start, or if you already have that is okay, in warmwater fly-fishing. The information is very helpful. A must for the angler who can't go to the trout stream every weekend and a local lake is much closer.

The beginning was a little slow but it payed off. It ended up being the best book I ever read.

Gierach has a wit and a love for nature like no one I have ever read. Every story he tells is not only an incredible experience, but most of the time a lesson well learned. As I read along, I found myself wanting to be standing streamside with John,A.K.,and the rest of the boys. Although Gierach seems to have strong opinions, he doesn't come off as "I'm right cause I wrote the book." He is more of, "Here's what I think, you decide for yourself." Thanks John, keep em coming.

Mr. Gierach has published another fine compilation of his marvelous short stories. The craft of writing is never easy and crafting short stories is far more difficult than blathering on for page after page in a mighty tome.

I could easily read this in an hour or two, but I'm reading these stories one-at-a-time because I want to enjoy each new story in its own space. I guess I'm savoring this book as if it was some fine wine or a great pastry...you simply don't gulp it down.

Thanks again for your fine writing, Mr. Gierach. The art of writing short fly fishing stories is a difficult one to master and Mr. Prosek, Mr. Leeson, Ms. Proulx, Mr. Luce, Mr. Babb, Mr. Proper, Mr. McGuane and Nick and Mari Lyons have all made the grade. I won't try to rank any of these fine contemporary authors (though Mr. Prosek's watercolors and Mari Lyons' illustrations (not all watercolors) add a fine edge to the text in their works).

Mr. McGuane notes on the slipcover that Mr. Gierach out fished him the last time they were on the stream together and that he would have been willing to give Mr. Gierach faint praise (if only to even the score), but Mr. McGuane - an honest fisherman (apologies to Sparse) - correctly rates the quality of this fine work (who would put a bad review on the slipcover, anyway?).

I own all of Mr. Gierach's works and this is one of his best. Literate, humorous, and a nice guide for those of us who are a bit younger . . .we can see how a little more living helps hone an individual's perception of the important things in life.

John (I feel as if I know him well enough) writes in a style that is easy on the eyes to read. Not filled with overly colorful adjectives or 'flowery' descriptions these stories are written by a man that fishes. More to the point, he flyfishes and has done so most of his life. The words he commits to paper are much like anyone would who has had similar experiences. I'm instantly transported to the stream. Whether 'feeling' the weather, the little pin-hole in my waders, or the disappointment of a broken leader. John writes for the blue collar, rusty pick-up truck, secret honey hole protecting, priceless bamboo rod owning flyfisherman. I was an instant fan and have devoured all his works

It all started with this book as a gift -- John's stories are addictive and now I own all of John's works (save, "Signs of Life"). If you enjoy well-crafted short stories, you will not be disapointed with this work.

Gierach has a way of lulling the reader into a world of strange illusion. I keep forgetting I'm reading and start thinking I'm eaves-dropping at a campfire. The rhythm of a writer is important and can fan the flame of imagination or dowse it like cold beer on your last match. Dances fans, man...it fans! The stories within the covers are told like stories should be told...easy with lot's of real words. There's too many writers,today,who write like evil spawn of New Age English classes! John bucks 'em all and writes like a story teller...taunting us with worlds filled exotic adventures...like killing porcupines with rocks. Good stuff!

I'm an avid bass angler who has never done much flyfishing, but after reading a good Gierach,(they're all great,) I'm ready to head out to that little creek in Montana, or that bass pond in Texas, or even Scotland with a fly rod and join him. This was the first book of his I read and now I'm on my fourth. I love how relaxed and fun his writing is, and I, personally, can relate to a lot of his views and feelings about things. Even for the non-angler, John Gierach is alot of fun, even if you have no idea what the heck a #14 Royal Wulff is. If you're looking for some great reading, go with Gierach.

Eyes getting tired from tying those #18 cahills? Too Cold to fish? Sit back and go fishing with Geirach. Great Book, great stories!

This book is great fun to read and gives you a better perspective on flies and there history. The chapters are well thought out and very enjoyable to read. The tools and materials chapter is very good also. Like all of Geirach's book it is a good read that you will read again and again.

John Gierach's straight to the point, matter of factness on flies, trout's selectivity (or lack thereof) and his total lack of sacred cows on the stream is a hoot.

When you buy this one (and you WILL buy it, if not now then eventually) have a good seat, expect a fun and informative read: it's not entirely what you're expecting. Most of what you're expecting is there... but, hey, it's John after all.

It's hard to sit still long enough to read this book. Every few pages has me up out of my seat--what am I doing reading, when I could be at the vise creating? Gierach offers several ideas in this book that I've tried and like (Now, what will I do with all those Wooly Buggers tied the old way?). Of course, his preferences and biases don't always gel with my own, nor with those of other tier-authors. But even when I disagree (I like the looks of beadheads), the preferences he explains in this book offer plenty to think about. In addition, he offers some unforgetable common sense anecdotes reminscent of the stories in books like _Sex, Death, and Fly-Fishing_.

One quibble: The cover blurb compares Gierach favorably with Mark Twain. As a humorist I think Twain may remain above Gierach. But Gierach's reputation as a humorist after the manner of Twain fails to offer justice to the range of Gierach's work.

I am a flyfishing wanna-be from the midwest who purchased this book for a little cold weather diversion. It proves the point that fishing (like so many hobbys) is an individual sport that can be appreciated and enjoyed regardless of how, how often, where, or with who. Just follow your passion and enjoy the journey.

I always enjoy a good fishing story and this book has many. Beyond the story, I enjoyed the insights into the subculture of flyfishermen, fishing guides, and small town folks fighting to keep their way of life.

Lastly, the book provides interesting insight on a differing view of wildlife conservation. This is a complicated issue.

This guy is a classic self-indulgent leftover Hippie. But he captures the essence of flyfishing, and the outdoors in general, in a most compelling way. His life view is a delightful antidote to the urbanized, "Orvisized", SUV'ed approach to the sport (or art form) called flyfishing. I REALLY enjoy reading him (though I would prefer that he not be allowed to vote).

I enjoy the author's often irreverant humor but along with that is a lot of useful, practical advice. I've often said that we give fish too much credit. Mr. Gierach points out that fish are being taken at the same time by fishermen using significantly different patters and the like. Through the humor you develop the feel of what is really important and what really isn't so impotant.