American Waters: Fly-Fishing Journeys of a Native Son

by Peter Kaminsky

Peter Kaminsky didn't know a fly rod from a hot rod back in 1974 when, while vacationing in the Florida Keys, he landed his bait right under the nose of a 35-pound grouper. At that life-changing moment, he was hooked on fishing. In the three decades since, the New York Times outdoors columnist has fished his way across his native land, discovering America-and himself-through his passion for angling.

In American Waters , Kaminsky shares in lyrical prose his fly-fishing journeys around what he calls "the fishingest country on earth." From the Ozarks to the Everglades, from the Brooklyn waterfront to Yellowstone, from the bountiful riptides of Montauk Point to the spring creeks of Montana, Kaminsky has fished the best. Whether he is pursuing tarpon in the Marquesas, smallmouth in the Ozarks, or the albacore of Cape Fear, the fishing tales recounted here convey the simple joy, timelessness, grace, and beauty that are to be found casting a fly rod.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[John Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flip flopped back and forth between rating this book four stars or five, somewhat due to my own prejudice and affinity towards fly fishing. Like Kaminski, I stumbled on fly fishing by accident, not ever having a fly rod in my hand until I was almost 40-years old. I was raised a bait fisherman, the stinkier the better, a meat fisherman being the hunter-gatherer and to fill the family larder. A family of eight kids, we hunted and fished to feed the family. We had milk cows, chickens and other barn yard animals, as well as a large garden, again to feed the family. We all had our chores that came before frivolity and playing, just being kids. I'd never heard of "catch-and-release." Throw back a fish? No way! That's dinner.

Kaminski was an avid bait fisherman. Until he discovered a fly rod. Then he just went insane, giving up his career to become a fishing writer . . . and a flyfisher. After nearly 30 years of traipsing the country, the result is this book, "American Waters." The book is not only a beautiful coffee table book filled with remarkable pictures of remarkable fish and the beautiful, pristine places that wild fish inhabit, but Kaminski shares his evolution as a fly fisher, outdoor writer and conservationist, as well as those luminaries who influenced his evolution. It's sometimes said that those who practice fly fishing view it as a religion. I've had those perceptions myself, mystified by the beauty of my catch (and release), but also imagining myself on the waters and in the mountains of God's cathedral, the majesty of our American Waters. Five stars, Peter, for capturing it all in words and images!