Fly Fishing Secrets Of The Ancients

Modern fly-fishing is only the latest chapter in a two-millennia saga of technological creativity and passionate observation of the natural world. In Fly-Fishing Secrets of the Ancients, historian-naturalist Paul Schullery explores the earlier chapters in that saga and unearths a host of provocative theories, techniques, and insights that helped shape the modern fly-fisher. Schullery demonstrates that whether we're looking for a good fish story, a clearer understanding of why we fish the way we do, or even a way to improve our own sport, we ignore our elders at our peril. Fly-Fishing Secrets of the Ancients offers the beginning fly-fisher an unprecedented opportunity to come to terms with some of the sport's most fundamental theoretical and practical challenges. It offers the expert fly-fisher a chance to test current angling dogma--and his or her own pet theories--against that of the sport's greatest past masters. And it offers all readers a fresh, probing, and often-humorous take on the great endless fish story we perpetuate and enrich every time we cast a fly.

The Fishing Life is an entertaining anthology of fishing anecdotes and well-researched articles from across Paul Schullery’s research and fishing career. The author offers up stories, essays, farces, daydreams, and ruminations that will engage readers of all kinds. Of course, being a fisherman and living the fishing life goes beyond just those days spent with rod and reel in hand. It is something that occupies your mind and your heart, not just your hands. As such, this collection is not only about intense fishing moments, but also “a book about those long stretches of thinking, hoping, daydreaming, and otherwise getting ready that occupy fishermen between those moments.” It is truly a way of life. Whether you’re looking for informal advice or deep reflections related to the sport and art of fishing, The Fishing Life is sure to catch your fancy—and give you plenty to dream about, when you can’t be on the water.

This marvelous collection features stories from some of America’s finest and most respected writers about one of the world’s most solitary and satisfying sports: fly fishing. For the first time, the stories of thirty-one acclaimed writers including Kim Barnes, Walter Bennett, Russell Chatham, Guy de la Valdène, Robert DeMott, Chris Dombrowski, Ron Ellis, Jim Fergus, Kate Fox, Charles Gaines, Bruce Guernsey, Jim Harrison, Pam Houston, Michael Keaton, Greg Keeler, Sydney Lea, Ted Leeson, Nick Lyons, Craig Mathews, Thomas McGuane, Joseph Monninger, Howard Frank Mosher, Jake Mosher, Craig Nova, Margot Page, Datus Proper, Le Anne Schreiber, Paul Schullery, W. D. Wetherell, and Robert Wrigley come together in one collection. Fly fishers and non-fly fishers alike will recognize in these poignant tales the universal aspects of the appreciation of nature, the necessity of conservation, and the joy and knowledge that come from time spent on fresh and salt water. This is a delightful, handsome volume that captures the allure and spirit of fly fishing and those that love it.

Will fly fishing survive the twenty-first century? Author and angler Paul Guernsey argues that angling and the natural resources it depends upon—clear rivers, unpolluted oceans, and much more—are threatened by a host of increasingly complex social and environmental factors. Tradition, conservation of land and water, a foresighted ethic, concerns for the sport of other anglers, a commitment to the next generation, and much more—these are at the heart of Guernsey’s explorations in this path-breaking book. In Beyond Catch & Release he draws a road map into the future for the sport of fly fishing and all those who love it.

Two of America’s foremost fly-fishing authors join forces in this unique book offering guidance to others who aspire to write about fly fishing. Paul Schullery and Steve Raymond, both members of the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame, have separately written many fly-fishing books, both fiction and nonfiction, and edited three fly-fishing magazines. Here they offer the benefit of their many years of experience to help others who aspire to write about the sport, including everything you need to know about developing your personal writing style, how to write and sell fly-fishing magazine articles or books, how to find publishers, how to promote and sell your work, or how to self-publish.

Herb Welch, the inventor of the still popular streamer pattern, the Black Ghost, is Maine’s first and only celebrity guide to gain international status. With over 200 images including archival black and white and color images by photographer John Swan, this book documents the incredible life and work of a man that excelled in art, sculpture, taxidermy (he was the premiere fish taxidermist of his day), demonstration fly casting at major North American venues, and guiding. In addition, the Hilyards include never before published streamer patterns from the Rangeley region, including nine named streamers originated/adapted and tied by Herbert Welch as well as ten newly identified streamers originated and tied by Carrie Stevens, including her only known early wet fly pattern.

Both novice and experienced anglers will appreciate this amusing collection of stories and thoughts from an expert fisherman.