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At the Grave of the Unknown Fisherman
 
 
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At the Grave of the Unknown Fisherman [Paperback]

John Gierach

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Product details

  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: James Bennett Pty Ltd; Reprint edition (1 Feb 2004)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0743229932
  • ISBN-13: 978-0743229937
  • Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 13.9 x 1.3 cm
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 323,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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John Gierach
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Product Description

Review

Paul Schullery Author of "Royal Coachman" and "Lewis and Clark Among the Grizzlies" You and your friends are swapping fishing stories, and a good one comes to mind. It feels like a story someone just told you, or even like something that happened to you, but then you realize you read it in a Gierach book. John's the best kind of storyteller -- the kind who tells us our own stories. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

"At the Grave of the Unknown Fisherman" is a journey through the year with America's finest fishing writer, John Gierach. The journey begins with an early spring expedition to Wyoming, where the dirt roads are still covered with a thin sheen of ice that quickly turns to mud underfoot. The conditions are so uninviting that everyone involved agrees they must be crazy to be fishing so early in the season. But, as Gierach observes, "nothing makes a fisherman happier than to have just proved that he must be crazy." Gierach's fishing year ends with a winter fly-fishing trip in the Colorado Rockies, a time of year when, Gierach says, "it's still possible to have what seems like a whole river all to yourself." Of course, the chances of catching any fish are small, a situation about which Gierach comments, "Anyone would go fishing thinking he'll catch something. It's when you go figuring you probably won't that you know you've crossed some kind of line."

In between, Gierach entertains us as always, mixing the one-liners about the fishing life with deeper insights into friendship, how we spend our time, and why nature still matters to us.

"At the Grave of the Unknown Fisherman" contains Gierach's trademark blend of humor and acuity. Comparing trout and carp, he says, "If you wanted a fish that could sip white wine and discuss Italian poetry, you'd look for a trout. If you needed a ditch dug, you'd hire a carp." Commenting on the value of a good map, he observes, "It seems like I've spent half my life trying to locate myself on maps, either just out of curiosity or to answer specific questions like Where the hell am I?' and 'How do I get out of here?' Gierach offers his opinions on theetiquette of sharing secret fishing spots, the ethics of lying to protect these spots, the secretive subculture of bamboo rods, and many other topics important to fishermen everywhere.

Above all, however, Gierach understands that the real pleasure in fishing is greater than the sum of its accessories. He describes fish, mountain streams, birch thickets, and the joy of a beautiful day outdoors with a naturalist's eye and appreciation. And he understands fishing like the sage observer that he is: Fishing is one of the few ways I know of to let go of the past, forget about the future, and live in the moment."

Keenly observed and wryly recorded as always, John Gierach's latest book of fishing adventures and misadventures is sure to be enjoyed by anyone who fishes -- and everyone who wishes he fished more. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


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By the calendar at least, it was early spring instead of late winter, although in the Rocky Mountain west that really is just a technical distinction, since one can be about as raw and unfriendly as the other. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

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Amazon.com:  9 reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
John continues a strong streak 19 April 2003
By Former Rater - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Fly Fishing Meat and Potatoes 22 Jan 2004
By Gregg Perez - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've read almost all of Gierach's books and this is another great collection of fishing stories told in his naturally witty style. He's still fishing with his old friends like A.K. Best. He still writes about his affinity for bamboo rods, carp, grayling, bass ponds, Green Drakes and the good ol' days. He still writes mostly about fishing in Colorado, and the neighboring states around his home. And, his writing always contains a slew of witty Zen philosophy one-liners and this one is no different. What's new in this book is his explanation of his move from his old cabin along the St. Vrain River to his new home three miles away. His old cabin was a pretty common subject in his past books and it was a little sad to hear about it's demise. He also updates the reader about his new work in the local paper the "Redstone Review" which his new girlfriend publishes. If you didn't know any better you would think that the good ol' "Trout Bum" was settling down a little and getting a little sentimental in his later years.

Well, whatever you want to call John Gierach, "trout bum", or "avid fisherman" there is no doubt that he is a fine fisherman. He writes about fly fishing in a no nonsense kind of way. He doesn't sugar coat anything. You get a meat and potatoes image of fly fishing that's wry, funny, sentimental, and informative. As a Midwesterner, I really relate to his blue collar style, which is one of the reasons why Gierach continues to be my favorite fly fishing author. You're more apt to read fishing stories that involve old beat up trucks rather than fancy SUV's. If this is your first Gierach book and you like his style, I suggest you also read "Death, Taxes, and Leaky Waders", which is a compilation of his favorite stories from his previous books.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Observant, wry & well written notes on the fishing life 2 Sep 2003
By gfweb - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is amazing that John Gierach can keep putting out interesting books on essentially the same topic without getting very repetitious. This is another compilation of essays in a long series chronicling his fishing life and the issues that have impact upon it.

His first book, Trout Bum, established his persona...a trout-obsessed fly-fisher who puts everything in life second to the sport. Whether or not this is actually true we don't know, but I suspect that it is pretty much accurate. Unlike most of the bums that I've known(ski bums, golf bums, bass bums) Gierach has managed to make a living from his obsession. I guess that this is a good thing for him...it certainly is good for his readers!


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