Sex, Death, and Fly-Fishing

From the irrepressible author of Trout Bum and The View from Rat Lake comes an engaging, humorous, often profound examination of life's greatest mysteries: sex, death, and fly-fishing. John Gierach's quest takes us from his quiet home water (an ordinary, run-of-the-mill trout stream where fly-fishing can be a casual affair) to Utah's famous Green River, and to unknown creeks throughout the Western states and Canada. We're introduced to a lively group of fishing buddies, some local "experts" and even an ex-girlfriend, along the way. Contemplative, evocative, and wry, he shares insights on mayflies and men, fishing and sport, life and love, and the meaning (or meaninglessness) of it all.

John Gierach was the author of more than twenty books about fly-fishing. His writing appeared in Field & Stream, Gray's Sporting Journal, and Fly Rod & Reel. He wrote a column for Trout magazine and the monthly Redstone Review. Gierach passed away in 2024.

Contents 1 Sex, Death, and Fly-fishing 2 Bass Fishing by the Numbers 3 Midge Fishing 4 Expertizing 5 I'd Fish Anyone's ST. Vrain 6 The Less-loved Fishes 7 Sticks 8 The Drought Year 9 Neither Snow, nor Rain, nor Gloom of Night 10 Fly-fishing's National Bird 11 Guiding and Being Guided 12 The Chairman's Bass 13 Rivers 14 A Quiet Week 15 Wyoming 16 British Columbia 17 The Trout Wars 18 Autumn