Standing in a River Waving a Stick (eBook)

'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.

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Brilliant, witty, perceptive essays about fly-fishing, the natural world, and life in general by the acknowledged master of fishing writers.With his inimitable combination of wit and wisdom, John Gierach once again celebrates the fly-fishing life in Standing in a River Waving a Stick and notes its benefits as a sport, philosophical pursuit, even therapy: The solution to any problemwork, love, money, whateveris to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. After all, fly-fishing does teach important life lessons, says Gierachabout solitude, patience, perspective, humor, and the sublime coffee break. Recounting both memorable fishing spots and memorable fish, Gierach discusses what makes a good fly pattern, the ethics of writing about undiscovered trout waters, the dread of getting skunked, and the camaraderie of fellow fishermen who can end almost any conversation with Well, its sort of like fishing, isnt it? Reflecting on a lifetime of lessons learned at the end of a fly rod, Gierach concludes, The one inscription you dont want carved on your tombstone is The Poor Son of a Bitch Didnt Fish Enough. Fortunately for Gierach fans, this is not likely to happen.