Product Description

"The solution to any problem -- work, love, money, whatever -- is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be."

In Standing in a River Waving a Stick, John Gierach visits his favorite trout-filled waters, from the Colorado foothills to British Columbia and points between, recounting both memorable fishing spots and memorable fish. With his trademark combination of wit and wisdom, he discusses such topics as the differences between fishing in ponds and fishing in streams; what makes a good fly pattern; the ethics of writing about undiscovered trout waters; and the fly-fisher's progression from Stage One -- "when you fish from dawn to dusk without a break, get quickly drunk on something cheap, [and] spend the night wrapped in a wet blanket" -- to something slightly more civilized.

Gierach takes in his surroundings with the keen and appreciative eye of a naturalist, whether he's observing the hatching patterns of flies, catching subtle clues to the presence of potentially big fish nearby, or taking note of the local denizens in his wry and philosophical way ("Rural people understand that life is basically a dangerous, unmanageable mess, so when things go wrong, their suspicions are confirmed and it's just a blessing no one was killed").

Rich in fishing lore, humor, and the seasoned know-how that has won Gierach a devoted readership, Standing in a River Waving a Stick is sure to delight readers everywhere -- fly-fishers or not.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #75943 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780684863290
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
John Gierach, America's favorite trout bum and author of such wise and humorous collections as Dances with Trout and Sex, Death, and Fly-Fishing, sets this volume in motion by testing the waters of the philosophical stream: "Lately," he ponders, "I've been thinking about what makes a good fly-fisher, possibly the last fair question of the twentieth century that might actually have an answer." In searching for that answer, he naturally begins to spin his reels, firm in the belief that the solution to any question or problem is to go fishing, "and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be."

Of course, Gierach's life is one extended fishing trip, so he sets out for pools and streams from Montana and Michigan to British Columbia and his own Colorado, musing along the way on subsets of that last fair question like technique versus inner grace, the number of fish you actually catch, the stories you come home with, and the company you choose to cast your lot--and flies--with. As expected with Gierach, the essays of this spirited array are less answers in themselves than provocatively enjoyable journeys through a richly literate and detailed landscape of interesting bugs (the chapter called "Boatmen"), obsessions ("Getting Stuck"), local streams ("Taking It Personally"), and even a memorial service held off until the fish were biting ("Jordan River"). In the end, Gierach is left where he began, "certain that on the day I become a truly sublime fly-fisher, all my failings will be overshadowed and all my demons will swim under rocks and stay there until I go away." Until that day comes, he'll just have to take solace from the way he continues to hook us pleasurably on the natural resources of his own prose. --Jeff Silverman

From Publishers Weekly
Everything from bears to the mysterious ways of ornery trout comes under the attention of Gierach in this lighthearted collection of essays, which is less concerned with the craft of fly-fishing than with the gestalt. Gierach (Another Lousy Day in Paradise, etc.) does hold forth on tying flies, watching bugs and other aspects of the fisherman's art, particularly the equipment. Fly-fishing in remote areas calls for packing such necessities as an emergency fire-starting kit, a sweater and a coffeepot. For Gierach, fishing in the backcountry often leads "to excuses to stage an elaborate coffee break in a stunningly beautiful place miles from the nearest road, which makes the coffeepot as crucial as the fly rod." He is at his most interestingAand interestedAwhen he turns into a riverbank philosopher. In the end, getting the fly to the fish may be a goal but not necessarily the essence of fishing, notes Gierach, who admits that he prefers to eat wild red meat and fowlAeven though fish is brain food "and I could use the help." Readers won't find Gierach's favorite streams and ponds (he deliberately doesn't tell) or how to tie a #20 Olive Parachute, but they will get a folksy earful on how fishing is similar to the way a dog follows its master "with nothing much in mind except to see what's gonna happen next."
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Gierach is the favorite author of many fly fishers, and even of some nonanglers who just like his sense of humor. His earlier books include the very entertaining Dances with Trout (LJ 4/1/94) and Sex, Death, and Fly-Fishing (LJ 5/15/90), and this is another fine collection of amusing essays mostly about the fun and frustration found in fishing with a fly rod. He and his companions like to spend most of their spare time in or alongside a body of water mulling tactical options for hooking (and then releasing) large trout, but they seldom take themselves too seriously?it's just fishing, after all. Nonetheless, Gierach's pithy observations and musings about nature (including human) will delight readers nodding in agreement at the wisdom that lurks behind Gierach's seemingly offhand prose. Highly recommended.?Will Hepfer, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Another Gierach book that was too short
Once again, John Gierach writes antother book that is entertaining and a pleasure to read. After finishing, I start to anticipate the next collection of essays. Reading this book will cause you to read the rest of his works. GAURANTEED!!

Humor and a fishing pole are the main keys to happiness.
John Gierach has done it again. This book isn't just about fishing-it's about life. Using fly fishing as his premise, the author shares his philosophy of life with his readers. Granted his answer to any and all of life's problems can be found while fishing. The bigger the problem, the longer you fish.

This book is laced with enough information to make you a first rate fly fisherman and to understand the every day business of life as well.

Glenn Wolf's pen and ink illustrations are simple yet exquisite.

Perfect gift for anyone remotely interested in fly fishing . . . it goes much further than your favorite fishing hole.

Don't know why I enjoy him so much
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).