Schwiebert writes of the total experience of fishing different rivers and streams. He draws and records the history of the area, the environment of the stream, and the character of the fishing that draws him to each stream. Then each story retells an experience of all the elegant and alluring aspects of flyfishing: the weather, the personalities of various fishing companions, the gourmet wine and food of the region, the tackle used, and finally the artful dance of prey and predator between the fish and the angler. The final story "Death of a River Keeper" is an honest and loving testament to not just one multifaceted fisherman, but to the rich culture of flyfishing. Reading Schwiebert's stories is to experience flyfishing at its best.

Words do not do justice to this magnificent work of Art. This two volume book is THE source for the most complete information on flyfishing for salmonids. The section on tackle may look somewhat dated to the reader but the chapter on bamboo rods is one of the richest and most complete sources of information ever compiled.

A true magnum opus.