Still Life with Brook Trout

by John Gierach

In Still Life with Brook Trout, John Gierach demonstrates once again that fishing, when done right, is as much a philosophical pursuit as a sport. Gierach travels from Wyoming to Maine, and to points in between, searching out new fishing adventures and savoring familiar waters with old and new friends. He ruminates on the importance of good fishing guides ("Really, the only thing a psychiatrist can do that a good guide can't is write prescriptions"); the necessity of keeping some trade secrets ("Paul kept pointedly referring to it as 'The River Whose Name Must Not Be Spoken'"); and the difficulty of fishing with dignity ("The few who I've seen try all ended up looking like pompous fools, although to their credit, many of them came to realize that and eventually would fish only with other pompous fools"); as well as more serious topics, such as the effects of the drought in the West and the politics of dam building. Gierach shows us that fishing begins with a rod and reel but encompasses so much more -- a passion shared among friends, a way of experiencing the natural world that is uncommon these days, or as Gierach puts "Living gracefully in any kind of natural environment takes patience and the two qualities we Americans have pretty much bred out of ourselves." Reflecting on a recent trip to a familiar small creek near his home, Gierach writes, "In my brightest moments, I think slowing down...has opened huge new vistas on my old home water. It's like a friendship that not only lasts, but gets better against the odds." Similarly, Still Life with Brook Trout proves that Gierach's prose, like fishing itself, only becomes deeper and richer

Genres: Sports, Outdoors, Memoir, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

John Gierach was an American author and freelance writer who lived in Larimer County, Colorado.

Reviews

[Dave Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still Life with Brook Trout was another Gierach book that follows the time tested formula of writing humorous and informative chapters on various fly fishing topics. I am gradually reading each book in the chronological order of when he published them. In this book I have finally caught up to the era of cell phones and internet, and not surprisingly, John is not a huge fan. In this installment I particularly enjoyed the chapters on pocket water and fishing canyons. As an avid fly fisherman myself who lives in Colorado, I could relate quite well to these two angling topics. Also, this series of stories post-dates the Heyman fire, so I was quite interested in Gierach's observations on that event and the status of the South Platte River in the aftermath. I anxiously look forward to the next book in the chronology of publication. If you are a fly fisherman, you should not miss any of Gierach's work.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read from this Author and will be my last. I am a fisherman and grew up with a family of fisherman so I wanted to sit back and enjoy reading about his adventures while fishing the rivers. It fell so short for me. Not only is it a dry read, just like the first book,he comes across brash and complacent of others around him. Stories are all over the place and lack closer in many of them. I am giving it two stars because of two stories, they had a beginning, middle and end and were very interesting other than that is a just cranky person going through life while fishing.

[Brian Grouhel · Rating 5 out of 5]

More great fishing reminicences! Mr. Gierach certainly has a way with words and fishing! I enjoy his books immensly and when you can't get out as often as you would like, then these books are a great balm!

[Henry DeForest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read all around. I enjoyed the way the story more or less meandered yet kept this idea of drought years in focus. This may have been the first Gierach book that I've read but it certainly won't be the last!

[Bryan Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Gierach's way of storytelling. He has a way of using self deprecating humor in just the right way. You'll want to go fishing after reading this or any of his works.

[Seth]

i lkie fishing

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Gierach's style. Laughed out loud several times and smiled many more.

Favorite story was the rose bush. Gierach strikes again. Pun intended.

[James E Sylvain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just an easy & enjoyable read. I’m liking this author. I’m sure most anyone that enjoys fly fishing will relate & be entertained by his books. This one was great!

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, just simply great…

[Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a quick read of collected flyfishing stories, ranging from steelheading in Oregon to fishing for bass in Oklahoma's ranch ponds, but focusing on the author's home waters in Northern Colorado.

The author comes across as more than a little bit old and cranky, and anything new or anyone young (or any hint of a change at all), brings criticism from him. Interspersed within accounts of fishing trips, are his political opinions, most of them framed in terms of the drought that is occuring through most of the book. While I did agree with many of his positions on questions of water policy and fisheries management, I certainly felt that he could have made his point in a better tone. My impression of Mr. Gierach is that he is one of those fly-fishermen who do a great job of scaring people away from the sport.

[Gary Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love John Gierach's books. Must reads for any serious fly fisherman. Very humorous as well as instructive.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think you have to be a fly fisherman to really appreciate John Gierach books. I am, so I do. His books are very similar and I have trouble remembering exactly which ones I have read. So, I will be making sure to record them in Goodreads from now on.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of his columns from various fishing/outdoor magazines. Probably not too interesting to anyone who isn't into fishing. I enjoyed the stories but his writing style is a little dry.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as some of his other books, but always a enjoyable.

[Joelegrand LeGrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this author. His topic is flyfishing, but he has a lot of insights into human nature.

[Stacy Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughing out loud! Gierach rambles you down streams and you bounce along gravel roads, but always circles back with a great point about life.

[Mr. Wakiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good -- maybe his best --- 4.5 if I could give half ratings