Book Description

Customer Reviews (9)

All you have to know to start fly
Nice, all about this fishing method. A lot of graph and fotos.
There is a better choice off orvis that came in hard cover

A very good fly fishing resource
For very good information tool for the novice flyfisherman and it's even a good reference guide for the more experienced flyfishing individual.

A very good fly fishing guide
I am a novice to fly fishing.I had ordered Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide together with the L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing and I have to say that L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing has a slight advantage over this one.On the other hand though, this book provides a well-rounded package of information on fly fishing, which the beginners will no doubt appreciate in time as well once they get past the basics.Pros: This is a well written book for all fly fishers.Nobody will find it boring.Even the most advanced fly fishing enthusiasts will benefit from this book.Con: The beginners might have difficulty understanding the basic concepts and terminology.In conclusion, I think I will learn the fundamentals of this sport/pastime from the L.L. Bean guide at the beginning and will advance to Orvis book to refine my knowledge and build on my experience.I definitely recommend it.

Excellent illistrations
This is a great book to have if you're just beginning or if you want a quick reference as an expert. The size is a bit unrealistic to travel with and is the only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5.

Introduction to Fly Fishing
New fly fishermen will love this great resource, which is full of beautiful pictures and helpful diagrams.Rod types, fly lines, and casting basics are all covered. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (6)

One of the best "how-to" books on fly fishing
This is a composite of three previously published L. L Bean guides: fly-fishing, casting, and fly tying. The first part is Whitlock's book on fly-fishing and is one of the best (the other being Rosenbauer's Orvis book) introductions to the sport of fly fishing. The Whitlock illustrations are always great, and the information is top-notch. You will find out everything you need from fly lines to fly rods to knots to basic flies.

Add the other two parts and this is an excellent overall view of all three areas. Because of the comprehensive approach, it is one of the best "how to" books on fly-fishing available.

Don't be fooled by the "L.L.Bean" title--the book does not promote their products.It is a top-rated introduction to fly fishing, casting, and tying.

ll bean
Bought this book before fly fishing for the first time.Great pictures and text.goes into detail that I won't "outgrow" for a long time.

Great book for a novice.
Well written with great illustrations. Perfect aide to learn to cast. Could use a bit more detail on how to fish different types of flies, but great all-round guide.

Great overall fly fishing reference
Just starting to fly fish and this really fits the bill for my need to understand the terms and trade offs for this not-so-simple sport.

Outstanding book for the beginner.
Outstanding book for the beginner.Lots of color pics and diagrams plus tones of good information.I'm not an advanced fisherman so I will not comment about how it would be fore an advanced fisherman but I would say if I where to guess, it has plenty of info even for the none beginner. ... Read more

Amazon.com
You know the saying: Give a man (or woman) a fish, and you give him dinner; teach a man (or woman) to fish and he'll have dinner for the rest of his life. The always entertaining and instructional "... for Dummies" series reeled in witty outdoors writer Peter Kaminsky to keep the rest of us fed--as in food for the table and food for thought--with this step-by-step guide to pretty much every right and obtuse angle on angling. As with all the books in the series, Fishing is filled with punchy advice, plenty of diagrams, and a series of Top 10 lists that should bag aspiring fishers hook, line, and sinker.Book Description
No one can promise that you will catch fish all the time. Fish, after all, would just as soon never taste a hook or feel the sizzle of a frying pan. For as long as we have been catching fish, fish have also been outsmarting us. "That's why they call it fishing and not catching," goes the old saying. This book will help you fish, and it will help you catch, too. No matter how much you know, there are still a couple of tricks that even the oldest angler can pick up.

For those of you who have never fished, you will find enough in this book to get you started. You don't have to learn everything all at once. If you are already an angler, there are plenty of tips and techniques that you can turn to right away without going through the basics all over again. And you master anglers will also find this book a handy reference for all kinds of fishing questions.

Once you have a few basic pointers, fishing is as easy as falling off a log (which is something you want to avoid, as the splash will scare the fish). Fishing For Dummies will show you how to orchestrate all of your equipment into a fine-tuned fish-catching machine. You'll soon know all about

• Your fishing equipment, from the rod in your hand to the hook on the very end of the line
• The fish that people fish for, what they look like, and where they're found
• The basics of bait-casting, spinning, and fly-casting
• Fighting, landing, and releasing fish
• Storing, cleaning, and cooking fish

Fishing is a great joy and a lifetime sport. You will find that there are successful fishing days and unsuccessful fishing days, but there is no such thing as a bad fishing day. This book can make fishing easier and more rewarding for you every time you pick up your rod and reel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Fishing for Dummies !!Mini!!
I feel that it is my duty to help bring down the review score that this book is getting. some people are obviously mistaking this book for another. The mini is a waste of paper. A book like this is an abuse of freedom of speech. How should a book about "how to fish" not give any information on how to fish. Robbery is against the law; and that's what this is. The best part of this book is the advice of bringing a sandwich with you. You'll need it when you catch no fish. I suggest getting any other book on the subject if you wish to learn about tying knots, casting, bait, etc.The purchaser of this book is sure to be dissatisfied at any cost. I guess there is a lot to be said in the title "Fishing for DUMMIES (MINI)".. Maybe I was a "little stupid" to buy it.

Fishing for Dummies is a must have book.
I recommend this book for the beginning angler.Well written and very informative.The book covers all elements needed to enjoy fishing and to catch fish.Love the book!!!

This mini book is usless as fishing book for beginners or any level
This book is not even useful for a reference.It talks about the anatomy of the hook; but no mention of the sizes or when to use these different sizes.It doesn't even mention how to tie on a hook.

This book mentions to take a thermometer with you to check the water temperature, since fish bite at certain temperatures; it fail to state these temperatures.

The diagrams are very few and confusing with not much text in reference to the diagrams in many cases.

No mention in the book of how to tie the line to hook or lure, where to attach float and/or sinker.No mention on how to use lures and for what fish.

The "search inside this book" feature on Amazon showed a lot more information than contained in this book and therefore was misleading.

If you know nothing about fishing and are just starting out, you are better served by asking the sales clerk in the sports department at a department store about the type of gear you will need and how it all comes together and what are the popular baits or lures they sell.You will get a whole lot more useful fishing information this way than from this book.

A fishing book which looked very useful for the beginner and as a reference is "Fishing Basics" Fishing Basics. I ordered this book from Amazon and I shall post a review after I read it.

Buyer Beware- The Mini Version of this book is useless
I cannot believe that the Fishing For Dummies Mini is getting the positive reviews that it is getting.People must be referencing the the original 300+ page Fishing For Dummies.The mini is approximately a 2 inch by 2 inch book that has the typesetting of a full-size book. If it was printed on full-size paper, I couldn't imagine it being over 20 pages in length.The Search Inside feature on the website is misleading because it is letting you look at the full-size book, not the mini that is offered here.I was very disappointed when this book arrived.It would make a good gag gift for a fishing enthusiast because it of its size.Please be careful and get the full size book as the mini covers pretty much very very basic items.If you have a small kid who has a limited attention span, this might be decent to introduce them to fishing.Otherwise, the book will probably be tossed to the side and you might not be able to find it again because it is so tiny.This was not the quality of the Dummies book that I have been accustomed to.

Heavy Power, Fast Action
Of the several fishing guides I have read, this is the best.It contains quite a lot of information and is easy to digest.This book covers pretty much all areas of fishing, which is pretty amazing.The one short coming of the book is its lack of depth about specific fish, but this is completely understandable since that would probably serve to confuse more than inform and would require many more pages.The knot diagrams are not the best: the illustrations are not that good and are often two pages later than the instructions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

great reference!
great reference for a great price.I've been learning how to fly fish and it's extremely valuable for a person who never learned how to tie knots.It's broken down into line backing, backing to line, line to leader, leader to tippet, tippet to fly.very specific and very easy...

Good little guide to keep in the pickup...
I thought this was a good guide to keep with me - it isfairly straight-forward, and easy to follow, as well as being easy to reference quickly.

Keep it with you
This is a handy booklet to keep in your flyfishing equipment. The leader info is excellent though I found the diapgrams to tie a few of the noes a little confusing. My major beef isthat it is described as a "streamside guide" it should then come with a waterproof case or something to protect the pages. I use a small ziplock bag to keep mine dry

For my wife
Last summer i introduced my wife to fly fishing. I decided she needed a guide to knots. I chose this one. She is using it. but i found myself consulting it from time to time so i got myself one as well. ... Read more

Product Description
Angling legend Charles Meck covers tandems top to bottom with his favorite flies for matching hatches, as well as tried-and-true patterns for drumming up fish during summer doldrums and other tough conditions. In the first book devoted entirely to fishing more than one fly at once, Meck discusses 7 of the most effective rigs and the best times to use them, including detailed steps showing how to tie his new looped-leader series of flies. Artist Dave Hall provides clear illustrations of the different connections and fishing techniques. Whether casting to the banks from a drift boat on Montana s Missouri River or stalking central Pennsylvania spring-creek trout, anglers across the country will learn something from this book to help them catch more trout. ... Read more

Book Description

Expert, field-tested advice for anglers at every level

Customer Reviews (22)

Essential Stuff to Get You Going
Before I bought this book, I've been fishing about 8-10 times.I really don't care for fishing because I'm so bad at it.But this year I decided to give it a try again but this time I wanted to research the sport instead of going out there like clueless.To get me started, I bought two fishing books: this one and another rather thick book.

What I like about this book is that it gives you the most important info you need to make you a decent fisherman.For now, I don't want a book that gives me a PhD in fishing.I just want to have a decent clue when going out, and that's exactly what this book did for me.It's not at the Dummy level nor is it at the pro-fisherman level either... right in the middle where I wanted things.Meanwhile, my other thick book sits there collecting dust.Maybe I'll get to that other book sometime, but for now this book has given me enough to try out for several outings.

More book than guide...
Great stories to read but as a guide for real fishing information that translates to more fish..... Not really....

Great Gift for anyone who likes fishing
I got this as a birthday present for my mother, who is an art teacher.She likes to go fishing, but is obviously a novice.This book was supposed to teach you everything you need to know about fishing, and after talking to her about it, it certainly does!The best thing about this book is that it is easy to read, and enjoyable.Unlike a manual or guide, this book is fun to read.The author connects to the reader through stories and jokes, while at the same time providing vital information that only a fishing guru can provide.My mother read this book very quickly and easily, and is actually reading it again out of enjoyment.She always tells me how much she likes it and what a great book it is.I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for good advice on everything concerned with freshwater fishing, or for anyone looking for a gift for someone they know who likes fishing.This book will turn them into experts!The book has wonderful pictures and a very easy-to-read layout.I am very satisfied with the purchase, and I know you will be too.A+.5 stars!

read this to catch a lunker!!!
This book is very informative. It will help you understand the fish more so catching a trophy will be an easier job!

Loose lines do catch more fish!
I loved this book. I bought this book and actually took it camping with me on a trip last year. I went fishing, which I am very new at. In fact it was the first time I had been fishing in years. I was skunked. When I got back to camp I picked up the book and on a cursory glance found the tip about loose lines catch more fish. The next day I had caught my limit within three hours. There were seasoned old guys at the lake that day that kept asking, "What are you using?" They were using the same powerbait that I was. Then they'd say, "You found a hole." Before I knew it I was surrounded by old guys with tight lines. They'd get the occasional bite, but I was getting the fish. After I read then entire book I learned plenty that I didn't know. Since then I have been back to that lake three or four times and I was skunked only once after a flashflood had turned the lake over. Other than that I have caught my limit everytime.
After seeing how easy it is to catch fish, even my wife wants a license this year! I can't wait to go fishing. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Jane Rosenal, the narrator of The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing, is wise beyond her years. Not that that's saying much--since none of her elders, with the exception of her father, is particularly wise. At the age of 14, Jane watches her brother and his new girlfriend, searching for clues for how to fall in love, but by the end of the summer she's trying to figure out how not to fail in love. At twice that age, Jane quickly internalizes How to Meet and Marry Mr. Right, even though that retro manual is ruining her chances at happiness. In the intervening years, Melissa Bank's heroine struggles at love and work. The former often seems indistinguishable from the latter, and her experiences in book publishing inspire little in the way of affection. As Jane announces in "The Worst Thing a Suburban Girl Could Imagine": "I'd been a rising star at H----- until Mimi Howlett, the new executive editor, decided I was just the lights of an airplane."

Bank's first collection has a beautiful, true arc, and all the sophistication and control her heroine could ever desire. In "The Floating House," Jane and her boyfriend, Jamie, visit his ex-girlfriend in St. Croix, and right from the start she can't stop mimicking her beautiful competitor, in a notably idiotic fashion. "I'm like one of those animals that imitates its predators to survive," she realizes--one of several thousand of Bank's ruefully funny phrases. But even as Jane clowns around, desperately trying to keep up appearances, she is so hyperaware it hurts. Again and again, the author explores the dichotomy between life as it happens and the rehearsed anecdote, the preferred outcome. In The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing, even suburban quiet has "nothing to do with peace." Bank's much-anticipated debut merits all its buzz and, more to the point, transcends it. --Kerry FriedBook Description
The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing explores the life lessons of Jane, the contemporary American Everywoman who combines the charm of Bridget Jones, the vulnerability of Ally McBeal, and the wit of Lorrie Moore. Download Description
Hailed by critics as the debut of a major literary voice, The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing has captivated readers and dominated bestseller lists. Generous-hearted and wickedly insightful, it maps the progress of Jane Rosenal as she sets out on a personal and spirited expedition through the perilous terrain of sex, love, relationships, and the treacherous waters of the workplace. With an unforgettable comic touch, Bank skillfully teases out universal issues, puts a clever, new spin on the mating dance, and captures in perfect pitch what it's like to be a young woman coming of age in America today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (584)

Read it for the writing
My daughter gave me this book because I was writing a novel at the time.I was feeling cocky about my writing ability until I read Girls Guide.The woman can write.It is a book about nothing and has one chapter that has nothing to do with the rest of the book.However, it may have because the book is about nothing...so who knows?Her style will pull you through the nothingness with a smile on your face.A pleasure to read.The Wonder Place is simply more of the same with some story lines rolled in.

The Girls Guide
This book was not what I thought it was going to be.It talked analytically and figuratively.I did not find a point to the book until the very END.One chapter seemed like it didn't even fit.

What is the chapter in the middle all about?
I thought the book was OK, as it held my attention.Jane is definetly funny and quick witted, but HELLO, the middle chapter is completely annoying to me.Even if it were a collection of short stories (which, by the way, the book is advertised as a NOVEL), the compilation would still be in consistent and non-thematic.While funny, I just feel that I finsihed this book more for the sake of HOPING something would tie together, but sadly, it did not.Speaking of sad, I could have done without death and disease in this "hilarious" "novel".Writers:Beginning, middle, end.Simplistic, but yet so far from grasp.Geez.

a very good debut
Melissa Bank's debut book was on the shelf at the family activity room at the hospital, where I was spending long hours and forgot to bring a book of my own. I took it to pass the time, because I did not have a choice really, but I was pleasantly surprised.

"The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing" is a collection of short stories, rather loosely connected through a main character/narrator, Jane Rosenal. Jane epitomizes a modern girl and young woman, and her problems are quite typical: jiggling family life, boyfriends, friends and job, she struggles with her - sometimes difficult and unexpected - emotions. She is from New Jersey and grew up there, but lives in New York City, putting together a career in book editing. Since adolescence, she possesses a sharp sense of observation, quick wit and a good deal of self-criticism, at the same time being far from ideal. But indeed, although funny and light read, these stories have a deeper meaning, definitely it is not a Bridget Jones type of book. Especially Jane's relationship with her father is worth noticing - but many others too, with her brother Henry and with her twenty years older father-figure boyfriend Archie included.

The stories are told from different perspectives, sometimes Jane is the narrator, sometimes the narrator is objective and Jane is one of the protagonists, and in one of the stories (a very good one) only mentions her as a neighbor of the family which it describes. It is clear that the author experimented with styles and tried to figure out which feels best, but this is forgivable in a debut, although makes the book a bit incoherent.But it is a good debut and makes one anticipate Bank's next work to be worth reading as well.

Confusing and disjointed
First, the title is misleading. It's more about hunting and fishing for husbands as opposed to the more literal meaning. The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fish, said to be the first "chick lit" novel, is really a series of essays focusing on a character named Jane Rosenal as she navigates her way through childhood, adolescence, and later adulthood.

There are great lapses in time between the stories, and they're not all put in chronological order, which makes me think that the stories are ordered according to some common theme--though I never really figured out what that theme was. I mean, I get that the book is about dating, but it was really confusing to be in a lot of ways. In addition, Jane's relationship with the much older editor was a little bit disconcerting to me. Also, there was one story that seemed really out of place: I got the impression that it was told from Jane's point of view after she'd had children and they'd grown up. But I couldn't figure out how that story fit into the general course of the book.

The title of the book comes from a story placed at the end of the book, where Jane begins to date a guy she meets at a wedding. Se's so caught up in playing the dating "game by "The Rules," that she doesn't allow the guy to see who she really is. The book is well written, but there's a lot which didn't make sense to me and there didn't seem to be a "plot," so to speak, which is why I only gave this book three stars. ... Read more

Book Description

Your one-stop guide for saltwater fishing in North America

Whether you’re an experienced angler looking to improve your skills or a beginner just discovering the joys of saltwater fishing, this authoritative guide will help you bring in bigger and better fish every time you cast your line. Saltwater Fishing Made Easy is your all-in-one resource for fishing methods and techniques, tackle and bait, and, most important, the fish themselves. Before you go on your next fishing excursion, make sure this book is in your tackle box. Inside you will learn:

• Every method and technique of saltwater fishing: surf casting, fly fishing, jigging, trolling, chumming, and more
• What you need to know about more than 75 popular game fish found on the North American coasts, including feeding habits, preferred environments, and the best techniques for catching them
• Basic equipment, from rods and reels to bait and boats
• Step-by-step instructions for tying the 13 most useful fishing knots
• Proper techniques for cleaning, scaling, and filleting your catch
• Helpful advice in legal, ethical, and safety issues

Customer Reviews (3)

Fishing
I am a novice and needed as much info as possible.It is a very informative book with detailed diagrams and pictures.Very helpful.It was better than expected.

Saltwater Fishing Dream Book
This book includes everything a person needs to know about fishing in saltwater, also a complete guide on every type of fish. I highly recommend it.

Informative and practical
I've recently taken up saltwater fishing and have purchased a few "how to" books. This is the best by far. I found the narrative and photographs to be quite informative and easy to understand. Loads of practical information. Great rigging pictures and explanations how to use. Authour gives "fishing tips" by the fish which are very insightful & helpful. Apply some of the tips already and have a few halibut and yellow tail to prove it.

Very well presenetd and written. ... Read more

Book Description
The most comprehensive guide. Covers all 17 major species, all methods, all six regions. Details on over 300 of the most productive locations. Information on regional climate/conditions, run timing, visitor services costs, trophy and record fishes, USGS map references, guidesÕ tips, fishing regulations, trip planner, Alaska flies, cross-referenced index. Over 500 color photos, maps, charts, diagrams, and drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Alaska Fishing
I now live in rural Alaska and my husband has fished all summer - fresh salmon can't be beat! This book was spot on and I look forward to using it to surprise my husband with a cool fishing trip. The pictures were excellant and look just like what I live in!

Probably too good
This book is the best, but I think I could do without all the colored pictures, a smaller book, and less expensive.After all, are you going fishing, or sitting in your recliner looking at all the nice pictures?

Beautiful and comprehensive, an excellent reference for fishing in Alaska
I was very pleased with this purchase.The book covers all of the major sport fish that can be expected in Alaska.Each species gets a detailed treatment including biology, tackle, fishing techniques, and some of the best places to go for each species.The authors also provide a detailed discussion of the various geographic regions of the state (including contact information for guides and air taxis) making it easy to plan a fishing trip by region or by species. The book is filled with photography that beautifully illustrates the fish and places of Alaska.

Explore Alaska
Any fisherman planning a trip to Alaska should check out this reference.There are tips on hiring a guide and exploring the waterways on your own.

alaska fishing
This book should definately be on your list if you are planning a fishing trip to Alaska.It is the most comprehesive source of information that I have seen. ... Read more

Book Description
A revised and expanded edition that will hook fishing enthusiasts.

From understanding how to “read” fish to devising strategies for stream, river, and dam fishing to creating and casting flies, the updated Complete Idiot’s Guide‚ to Fly Fishing offers both beginning and seasoned fishing buffs a comprehensive overview of this specialized sport.

• Photographs, illustrations, and detailed instructions on casting and fly tying technique
• Updated coverage of technology and equipment including rods, reels, and line materials
• Tips on preparing for a fly fishing trip
... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Excellent, especially for those who have been fly fishing and have struggled with some of the techniques
I have fished the Bighorn a number of times with a great guide and found this excellent for not only learning new techniques but also for preparation for future trips.

this book sucks!
the diagrams are terrible. i challange ANYBODY who has never tied a fishing knot before to decipher a single one of the diagrams in this book. the pictures in the section on casting are even worse. UGH! i can't believe i listened to all of these five-star reviews. if you are a visual learner like i am, than please, listen to me when i tell you to AVOID THIS BOOK!

I am an idiot and it helped me!
This is an awesome book that covers everything one might need to know about flyfishing.I am totally green in this subject and I feel like after reading the book, I have an understanding about the basic principles of the sport.It covers everything from equipment to tying flies, from the basics of casting to detailed information about trout and bass.

One small gripe, however, is that there are a lack of pictures in this book.I am a visual learner and it would greatly help if the book had illustrations of how to fly fish a stream, where the fish hide, and so forth.I found that the Orvis guide was extremely helpful in the illustrations.

Excellent Book!!
This is an excellent book.I've read a couple others on the market and this is by far the easiest book to understand.This book cuts through all the garbage and tells you exactly what you need to know from what to buy, how to practice, how to choose a fly, and what to do once you've caught that trophy fish.

If you are going to only buy one fly-fishing guide this is by far the best choice.

Great Book - Bad Title
If you can get by the title, this is a really good book.Follow the instructions and you will catch fish. I refer back to the book all the time. ... Read more

Book Description
This book is a unique guide to tell you when, where, and how to catch more than 35 varieties of sport fishes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

OK but not great
I was looking for a book that was more specific to places and techniques I could use for inshore fishing. This book didn't satisfy me for that application. It's not badly written, just not what I was hoping for.

How can I fish in black and white?
Good information;however, would have been nice to have the pictures in color to better id the fish.

All the critical information needed for a saltwater beginner
I have been fresh water fishing for 50+ years and am now retiring to Florida.I needed a quick start on Florida saltwater fishing and this proved to be invaluable.Very well organized to learn about all or onlythe species desired. I went on aback bay flats fishing outing and notonly impressed the other fishermen on the boat with my knowledge of fish,technique and baits, but the guide as well.I am now ordering copies forfriends who have been fishing Florida for several years because they wantedto know where they could get it.Worth more than the price.

This book covers all about Florida's game fish
This book helped improve my angling skills and helped me catch the fish I always wanted in and offshore. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Huge Book! - Great Stories
This book is gigantic!You better have a sturdy coffee table
in order to support it's weight!
If you love fishing then you will love the stories.I just
received this for Christmas and have already read quite a
few.

Amazing Book
This book is a massive collection of any fishing tale you could ever want. Some of my favorites in here include, "The Lucy Coffin" by W.D. Wetherell, and "Brannigan's Trout" by Nick Lyons.If you are the slightest bit interested in fishing, or stories about it, definitely pick this up for your collection.

Talk about "gigantic"!
I bought this for my dad who loves to fish and always tells a great story.I couldn't believe how big it really was. He really liked it.

The indispensable fishing anthology
What a wonderful book! There's a lot of great writing about fishing out there, but I've never come across so much of it gathered in one place. Nick Lyons, who is himself a kind of legend in the fishing world, has assembled a sampling of the best of the classic and contemporary tales, memoirs, essays and poetry.
The Gigantic Book of Fishing Stories is perfect for anyone who fishes, or knows someone who fishes, or loves life out of doors.
I know what I'll be giving as gifts this year.

A great collection!
I loved this book!It has every fishing story you could ever want to read by a collection of famous authors on fishing. ... Read more

Amazon.com
British businessman and dedicated angler Paul Torday has found a way to combine a novel about fishing and all that it means with a satire involving politics, bureaucrats, the Middle East, the war in Iraq, and a sheikh who is really a mystic.Torday makes it all work in a most convincing way using memos, interviews, e-mails, and letters in clever juxtaposition.

Dr. Alfred Jones is a fisheries scientist in Great Britain who is called upon to find a way to introduce salmon into the desert in Yemen.The Yemeni sheikh will spare no expense to see this happen.He says:

It would be a miracle of God if it happened.I know it... If God wills it, the summer rains will fill the wadis... and the salmon will run the river.And then my countrymen... all classes and manner of men--will stand side by side and fish for the salmon.And their natures, too, will be changed.They will feel the enchantment of this silver fish... and then when talk turns to what this tribe said or that tribe did... then someone will say, "Let us arise, and go fishing."

Customer Reviews (19)

Writing Style Reminds Me of Kingsley Amis -- Another Oxford Master
This book delivers a writing style which is both new and rejuvenating.

Classically loyal to the concept of bureaucratic ploy, the plot of the book delivers a contradictory premise: evidencing a government bureaucracy becoming involved and fulfilling a "dead at arrival" concept of infusing salmon (a cold water fish) to the hot arid lands of Yemen.

Conscripted by his government to aid in the development of a sheikh's passion to deliver fish of the northern hemisphere to his equatorial land, the protagonist, Dr. Alfred Jones, initially eschews the requests demanded of him.It is preposterous, he thinks -as does anyone else. To be called upon to deliver an act which would ordinarily be deemed an exclusive right for the almighty, Dr. Jones understands that he needs to keep his job and thereupon surveys the concept and architects the impossible dream. And, does it become realty? You will have to read it to find out.

The writing style is what makes this book both comical and seemingly relevant. It includes: numerous e-mails between Jones and his career-driven Oxford educated (he is too) wife who leaves his home for an opportunity to make even more money than he does (a fact she too often reminds him about in their e-mail correspondence); journal entries by the protagonist; articles from various newspapers;transcripts of television accounts; transcripts of interrogations relating to criminal and other acts;intergovernmental memoranda; intergovernmental e-mails; and (my favorite),transcripts of Parliamentary sessions which involve the salmon issue as well as lost soldier Robert - whose betrothed works with Dr. Jones.

The prose often delivers other delicious items. The dialogue of the rogue fishing-bitten sheikh displays enormously talented diplomatic statements which only trained diplomats or monarchs would recite -flawlessly and seemingly effortlessly.

As the book evolves, the characters dive deeper and deeper into bitter sweet alliances, trysts and victories. And, you just have to continue as the writer lures you to see "if it all works out."

For anyone wanting a quick and delightful read, I recommend this book.

I loved this book
As I read the previous reviews, I find that I share some of the criticisms of the people who hated the book.And from the reviews, it appears you either love or hate this book.I was intially put off by the style, that is that the book is told in emails, diary entries, etc.I find that unnerving and disjointed, and it causes the reader to have to constantly switch gears, so to speak, and I find that much more difficult to read than a straight narrative.By opening the book with emails, with all that to/from/what time information, I think the writer violated that first of all literary commands:Hook 'em from the beginning.("It was a dark and stormy night...")
However, there is a point at which you do get hooked, if you can slog through the beginning. So it seems to me that the people who hated the book do so on issues of style.The people who love the book, including me, do so on issues of content.
There is a great deal of humor in the book, not always subtle as one reviewer suggested.The Quiz Show scenario, in which a Yemeni citizen wins a dishwasher to take to his non-existent, bombed-out, electricity-free village, is an example.But the rest of the humor is the kind that makes you smile, rather than laugh out loud.
Ultimately, the book does a stunning job of bringing home the point that none of us know what will happen tomorrow.We live, love, dream, and make plans based on hope that we will be there to see the dreams and plans come to pass.But if we don't, the life lived with those hopes and dreams is reward in itself.The book has an unexpected climax that is quite shattering.And uplifting at the same time.So...read this book.Go for content.Style is the author's perogative.

"It was such fun to be going off to fish for our country."
(4.5 stars) One of the most delightful and original satires I've read in ages, this debut novel pokes fun at every aspect of British society, from government spin-meisters and crass politicians to marriages of convenience, TV interview programs, consumerism, and the belief that many of the world's problems would be solved if only other people were "more like us." This satire is particularly refreshing, however, since the author writes it with a smile on his face, preferring to prick balloons with his witty needling, rather than wield a rapier in a slashing attack.

The absurdity begins on the first page, when mild-mannered and unimaginative Dr. Alfred Jones, a fisheries specialist, receives a letter asking for his participation in a project to introduce Scottish salmon and the sport of salmon fishing into the wadis of the Yemen during the yearly rains. Alfred finds the whole idea ludicrous and ignores the letter, until the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and eventually the prime minister weigh in. The PM's office favors this effort for its "environmental message," the new links it will forge to a Middle Eastern country, and not incidentally, the huge, positive news story that may push stories of Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia off the front page.

Through letters, e-mails, memos, diary entries, newspaper articles, records of the House of Commons, interviews, and even intercepted al-Qaeda e-mail traffic, the story of Alfred's efforts to create a suitable environment for salmon in the mountains of western Yemen unfolds. Gradually, Alfred becomes intrigued with the research possibilities of the project, and his contact with His Excellency Sheikh Muhammad ibn Zaidi bani Tihama, an avid salmon-fisherman who lives part of the year on a Scottish estate, broadens his vision and stimulates his imagination.

Within the framework that includes the salmon project, Alfred's love life (or lack of love life, since his wife lives in Geneva), and the sheikh's broad vision of a more peaceful world achieved through fishing, the author pokes fun at modern life--government officials who take credit for all Alfred's work, foreign policy which reflects the belief that the Middle Eastern poor hate the British because they do not have TV and material benefits, and even a communications expert who proposes a "Voice of Britain" TV channel with a quiz show in which poor Iraqi contestants can win dishwashers. Not even the British army's "Bereavement Management Center" escapes the author's sharp eye.

As Alfred accepts the sheikh's "belief in belief," he grows emotionally, and when the prime minister insists on going to the Yemen for the first release of ten thousand young salmon into the wadi, the scene is set for a grand finale. Filled with timely observations, an entertaining cast of characters, and a unique and well-developed story line (though the conclusion is a bit weak), this novel breaks new ground. There are not many satires that can be called "charming," and there may be even fewer novels about salmon fishing that can completely captivate those of us who have never climbed into a set of waders.Mary Whipple

I enjoyed the questions for discussion at the end of the book more than the book itself!,
I got used to the story being in the form of letters, e-mails, interviews and diary entries and it seemed to get easier to read as the story moved along. However there were sections I skim read that I found plain boring.

Although I could see the political satire in the story I would have to question the description that it's a `...feelgood comedy...' as suggested on the back cover.

The intelligent conversation and observation came mainly from Sheikh Muhammad who was a likable and respected figure. I liked his observations on the class snobbery in Britain...maybe that WAS the comedy ;)

When we first meet Dr Jones (Fred) he has `...moved on from religion...' and gives talks on 'Why God cannot exist'. As the story develops he learns about faith from both the Sheikh and the Yemen project. However, although I appreciated his personal journey, I never got to really like him, I just felt sorry for him.

All in all it was 'okay'. A little dull, but readable.
Thankfully though, there are plenty more books on the shelf ;)

.....east meets west, or vica versa
....mr torday has clearly seen the disconnect between the thought patterns of east and west and wittyly puts the two together in a funny story.as yemen is a low literacy society however he doesn't manage to match up the "behind the scenes" communications there as he does in the antiquated empire-remnant british segements of the book.a nice read but not compelling, more so if you've ever visited yemen and can visualise the ironies, or been involved in the bureaucratic niceties of modern britain. ... Read more

Book Description
A Brautigan omnibus, reissued in paperback in celebration of its twentieth anniversary, this one-volume edition includes three contemporary classics that embody the spirit of the 1960s. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (36)

Hallucinatory, and Great
Of the three books in this volume, two are classics: Trout Fishing and The Pill.

The third, In Watermelon Sugar, is surreal (OK, MORE surreal) and interesting as an experiment, but not as interesting as the first two.

Trout Fishing comes in a straight line from Whitman and Ginsberg, as modified by Hemingway and Hammett: spontaneity and absolute lack of inhibition, tempered by gemlike use of language.

Funny and eye-opening by turns, the two books redefine fiction and make poetry approachable, simple, Zenlike, and humorous.

Both are pies-in-the-face of pretension and academia.One of the best poems in The Pill Versus is the one about being Poet-in-Residence at Cal Tech: I'm bored, and there's nothing to do.

Do not expect character development or linear plots (or any plots).

Instead, expect to see and be new things.

Brautigan's Style is 5 star for me.
I have read just about all of Brautigan's books, and never with disappointment. They are all so good that it is hard to pick a favorite. .-- Sam Yulish, author of WHERE HAVE ALL THE HIPPIES GONE and THE HESITANT PSYCHIC AND OTHER STRANGE STORIES.

A lot of hype, not very good
I bought this book after my brother-in-law recommended it but was not impressed.Some of the stories are somewhat entertaining, but most seem pointless or weird for the sake of being weird.

Who really cares about trout?
Richard Brautigan's Trout Fishing in America could have been a real classic for the ages.That is, it could have been a classic if it wasn't about trout fishing and if it wasn't written by Richard Brautigan.Brautigan seems directionless as usual here, leaping haphazardly from one place in time to another.Just when he comes up with an interesting line or word, he seems to forget about it and leave you hanging while he goes off to some other world.His writing is the equivalent of sitting in a chair under a tree drinking MD 20/20, suddenly falling onto your back, and then staring up at the leaves and wishing that it all meant something quite profound.And that is where the problem lies--Brautigan wants the grander themes and ideas of the world to be expressed in his books, but he never does the legwork to get you there.You feel teased after reading his poems, like a girl who says she'd like to date you, then leaves you to go swimming at the YWCA, and you never hear from her again.Do you see where I'm going here?You can't make lemonade out of a sourpuss.Brautigan never gave it his best shot, and unfortunately, he left the world without having said very much to it.

He heard the sound of his own drummer
The man is no longer here so its necessary to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Brautigan was in the long tradition of American originals. Thoreau defined it as the person who can't walk in step with the others because he 'hears the sound of his own drummer'.
Brautigan put a number of things together. A kind of clearness in telling about what he was seeing right before him. A kind of whimsical random associativeness which broke up the prose line, and often make it feel as if what was on the page had nothing to do with what had come before it or after it. And most savingly, a kind of humor , this very much connected with the going his own way, and displacing things and putting them in strange order. Surprise.He also had a closeness to America, whether he liked it or not.
I agree with many of the readers about his big problem being that he often seemed to not really know or care what he was talking about. Writing was his business, and whatever came to him that's what made it on the page. So it seems.
But he had a kind of lightness with it all, and he could really sometimes make the reader laugh, which in my opinion, is saying a lot.
I do not know what he really believed, unfortunately.
Reading him is like taking a ride in an amusement park. You enjoy it but you are not exactly sure you know why. And in the end it is not something that is going to stay with you in the strongest way.
Enjoy the reading while you are reading it- and don't expect too much more. ... Read more

Book Description
Kayak fishing is one of the fastest growing sports in North America, thanks to the kayak's ease of use and the access it offers anglers to new and otherwise inaccessible waters - and The Ultimate Guide to Kayak Fishing is the most comprehensive book on the sport. Captain Scott Null and Joel McBride draw on their vast experience in both kayaking and fishing to give the new kayak angler a solid foundation of skills and concepts that will allow a safe and comfortable entry into the sport. Scott and Joel also offer a wealth of tips and tricks that will help more experienced anglers get the most out of their time spent on the water.

YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT:

• All the necessary equipment
• The fundamentals of kayak fishing
• The essential strokes and paddling techniques
• Bait and lure fishing from a kayak
• Fly fishing from a kayak
• Fighting and landing fish from a kayak
• Freshwater kayak fishing
• Saltwater kayak fishing
• Kayak fishing safety

Customer Reviews (3)

Awesome book, full of info and very inspiring
Last summer my wife and I both got kayaks. Having heard rumblings from pals about yak fishing I tried it from mine on local lakes and ponds - just hacking around, but it was a good time, and I was able to get into some great spots I never could go with my motorboat. This book ended up being a birthday present from my genius wife a few weeks later. What a great introduction to the sport. It's thorough and taught me a lot. I especially appreciate the tips on landing fish, and the paddling tips and safety guidelines. Not sure how anyone would consider this just a picture book - it's packed with info and very well organized! The pictures are definitely inspiring though!

Outstanding coffee table book
If you like beautiful pictures of a couple of guys kayak fishing, then this is the book for you.

I'm not sure what I was looking for now that I think about it...the holy grail of kayak fishing maybe?Whatever the case, there is little information in this book that you cannot find easily on the Internet.In fact, I was saddened by the realization that I could have written this book based on the information that I already knew, and I'm a newbie to the sport!

Most disappointing is the fact that the actual kayak fishing information is so far back in the book that there are precious few pages left to read.Much of the book is dedicated to the basics: kayak equipment, paddling techniques, etc.I would prefer to read much more on fishing techniques for kayakers.

This is truly a beautiful book, and nicely written in an article-by-article style.For the person who wants pertinent kayaking information summarized in one place, buy this book.For those well established in the sport, with safety gear in place and paddling techniques well in hand, there is probably little to learn from this book.

Good book for the East
This is a well written and edited book with lots of good information for those whose interests in kayak fishing are either fresh water or the Easter 2/3 of the nation.It has little application beyond very general info for a West Coast salt water kayak angler.Beautiful photos, though. ... Read more

Book Description
Rudow's Guide to Fishing the Chesapeake is the most comprehensive guide to angling on all of the Chesapeake's waters from main-stem Bay to tributaries and tidal creeks. Detailed charts show over 550 specific hotspots and 35 public shoreline fishing hotspots, plus 33 reliable public boat ramps.

Specific Bay sportfish and the most effective methods of catching them during each phase of the season are meticulously discussed on a fish-by-fish basis, as are both modern and traditional tackle and rigs.

Never before has a fishing guide tackled each aspect of angling the Chesapeake Bay so thoroughly. Topics are as varied as casting for spring trophy rock on the Susquehanna Flats, jigging for seatrout at the Bay Bridge, wire-lining for flounder at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and ice fishing for perch in Port Deposit are all covered in depth. There are even sections on shoreline fishing for each area of the Chesapeake. If you want to boost your catch rate every time you fish the Bay, this book is the ticket. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Blueprint for fishing the Chesapeake
"Rudow's Guide to Fishing the Chesapeake" is a fishing gem.
Over 300 pages long, and if you are serious about fishing the world's largest estuary (over 180 miles long) and its tributaries, this book is a "must buy." Published in 2005, it has locations of spots to fish on charts collected from head boat captains and other knowledgeable sources.

The book is divided into three parts - Part 1: Chesapeake Bay Regional Guide in four chapters; Part II regarding Tactics and Tackle, Part III the various game fish of the Bay with identification of 17 different species of fish and their habits.The Table of Contents is a good one but the book could use an index because of the wealth of information served up on a platter for the reader.Use a yellow highlighter and post it note tabs for your favorite parts.

If you would like read an excerpt of Rudow's Guide to Rockfish, a companion book, go to: http://www.geareduppublications.com/freergrtipspix.html
Both books make great gifts.

Excellent Chesapeake fishing guidance!
This book is extremely helpful to someone who wants to either learn how to fish in the Chesapeake Bay or improve on their current talents and knowledge. The book covers in depth fishing locations, techniques, lures and rigs, and specific information on the main fish you will go after. I highly recommend the book.

Not All I Hoped
I was hoping for more info for the shore fisherman. It gave tips on a few accsess points and baits/lures. All maps are boating charts.

It's a keeper!
I've been fishing the Bay since I was a little boy. The Rudow Guide is truly awesome. A treasure of useful information and easy to read, too. A great guide and a great gift. Go Rudow!

Excellent work
Lenny's book is incredibly accurate and loaded with local knowledge. Very helpful to new fishermen and those already familiar with the Chesapeake. It's a must to be kept onboard every fishing boat on the Chesapeake. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great for Information
As a lure collector, I have several identification guides.
This book gets used more than the rest, simply because it is more an identification guide than a Value guide. (Sure, it has book value included(which means nothing compared to auction values), but, it also has way more information on the lures and companies themselves than most other ID books).
If you are looking for a complete library (if you want almost any lure identification at your fingertips--or in your head , as you learn about them all--), then you should definately include this one.
But (always a "but"), this book doesn't cover too many of the "small name" companies out there, or folk arts, nor many flies. But, if it's a top name company (Heddon, Creek Chub, South Bend, Shakespeare, etc.), you will find it in this book, up until 1975.
You cannot go wrong with this book...and if mine ever wears away with use, I'll keep purchasing new copies as needed.

EXCELLENT AND WELL DONE
This is one of the better guides.I really could not do business without it.You certainly will not be wasting your money on this one.Highly recommed it for the collector, dealer and those just interested.

glad we picked this on
my husband received an old tackle box full of lures from a friend who just did not want it any more.we knew there were some from the early 20's to 40's,other than that we knew nothing about them.we found several books we thought might help us.we had a tough time deciding between this one and several others on amazon.at the last min we decided to get this one and are we glad.has wonderful history, easy to use index.it is a wealth of information.we have identified dozens of tackle.this book is HIGHLY recommended if you have alot of old lures.

GREAT REFERENCE BUT POOR CONSTRUCTION
HAVE HAD LOTS OF LUCK FINDING GRANDPA'S LURES AND WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO THOSE WISHING TO IDENTIFY OLD LURES. MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT PAGES HAVE BEGAN TO FALL OUT OF THE BOOK CREATING A BIT OF A MESS.

START HERE
THIS BOOK WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL. FOUND GRANDAD'S TACKLE BOXES FROM THE 50'S. THIS BOOK ALLOWED ME TO IDENTIFY 98 OUT OF 139 TOTAL LURES, FLIES, AND OTHER ITEMS. (HIS PEACH PIT AND BANDAID WERE NOT LISTED.) THIS BOOK HAS STARTED A HOBBY WHICH I HOPE TO PASS DOWN TO MY CHILDREN.COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THIS MASSIVE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE!THANKS C.F. LUCKEY AND AMAZON.COM! ... Read more

Book Description
-An overview of the sport of saltwater fishing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Very disappointing
This book turned out to be no more than a glossy re-run of the magazine. It reads more like a travel mag showing off the points of its most recent advertizers. If you are an angler, look elsewhere for real fishing tips.

All Hype
I love fishing and this book could not hold my attention for more than about 2 minutes.

They spent more time in choosing the title and hype than authoring the book. Such is the modern world where adding to your revenue is more important than writing about a passion to share with the masses.

A nice place to start
If you have been out on a charter fishing trip or just watched fisherman on the pier and have asked yourself, "What in the heck are they doing?" this book is for you. This book answers the most basic questions on saltwater fishing tactics. After reading this book and understanding its content, you will cover abou