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Small Streams and Daydreams: A Contrarian's View of Fly-fishing
For Paul Phillips, not every day on the stream is an idyllic, spiritual experience. Small Streams and Daydreams is a compilation of entertaining essays on the 30 years he’s spent fly-fishing throughout the United States and Canada. Unlike most writers in this genre, Phillips’ back casts are not always flawless, his accuracy is not always unerring, and his footing not always assured. He gets lost, he falls, he loses equipment, his line gets entangled, and he’s admittedly caught more “stick-fish” than most people have trout. With sharp wit and humor, Phillips’ essays combine an abiding love for nature and for fly-fishing with the insight to see the pastime for what it is (an avocation) as well as what it is not (an emblem of distinction). While he waxes philosophical at times, at others he pokes great fun at his favorite target—himself. Phillips is a self-taught, self-described fly-fishing contrarian who eschews instructors, guides, lodges, sanctimonious peers, and matching the hatch. While his aim on stream is all too frequently awry, he can and does draw a steady bead on the grim-faced, the scolds, and the snobs whom he views as too prevalent, and too influential, in the contemporary literature on this wild, beautiful, and relaxing hobby.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2015
53 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Paul Phillips
65 books4 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 3, 2019
Enjoyed the entire book
Excellent book all the way through. Was fun to sit back and read a book that left me chuckling and yet bringing a year at times.
I would love to fish a river of stream with the author, have a sip out of my flask (or can) while puffing on a great stogie.
Going to order a hardcopy to put in my library just to sit back again and enjoy it.
Great job sir, great job.
Excellent book all the way through. Was fun to sit back and read a book that left me chuckling and yet bringing a year at times.
I would love to fish a river of stream with the author, have a sip out of my flask (or can) while puffing on a great stogie.
Going to order a hardcopy to put in my library just to sit back again and enjoy it.
Great job sir, great job.
March 13, 2017
Small Streams and Daydreams is not a fly fishing how-to book. Rather it is a why-to and how-not-to collection of humorous and thoughtful reminiscences of back woods beauty, too clever fish, and an appreciative fisherman.
Phillips does not spare himself in telling the reader stories of fishing trips gone wrong, of tangled lines and snapped tippets, of water-filled waders, of trying to outwit a creature with a pea-sized brain - and failing, and of the need to escape the claustrophobia of urban living and livelihood.
It is a book full of the awe-inspiring wonder of nature on a mountain side or on the high plains, of a crisp sunny fall morning on an east coast riverbank, and of the pure joy of sharing these experiences with a friend or a family member.
It is a book in which the reader can smell the gas station coffee bought enroute to a secret fishing spot, feel the burn of the whiskey from a proffered flask while standing on the bank of a mountain stream, sense the majesty of a huge just-caught brown trout.
In short, it's a book by and for a real fisherman who will never be on the cover of a fly fishing magazine, who respects nature and the fish he seeks, and who has a sense of humor about himself.
Phillips does not spare himself in telling the reader stories of fishing trips gone wrong, of tangled lines and snapped tippets, of water-filled waders, of trying to outwit a creature with a pea-sized brain - and failing, and of the need to escape the claustrophobia of urban living and livelihood.
It is a book full of the awe-inspiring wonder of nature on a mountain side or on the high plains, of a crisp sunny fall morning on an east coast riverbank, and of the pure joy of sharing these experiences with a friend or a family member.
It is a book in which the reader can smell the gas station coffee bought enroute to a secret fishing spot, feel the burn of the whiskey from a proffered flask while standing on the bank of a mountain stream, sense the majesty of a huge just-caught brown trout.
In short, it's a book by and for a real fisherman who will never be on the cover of a fly fishing magazine, who respects nature and the fish he seeks, and who has a sense of humor about himself.
July 3, 2020
So vividly describes the passion of fly fishing.
Laughing out loud I’d always a good sign a book is going to be a fun read. The author’s ability to describe in detail how I have felt on the water, what I smelled while heading to the water and the sights that have been etched in my mind since were amazing. This book is hard to put down because you just know in the next chapter he will once again remind you of times on the water. The best days ever. I wished it was longer.
Laughing out loud I’d always a good sign a book is going to be a fun read. The author’s ability to describe in detail how I have felt on the water, what I smelled while heading to the water and the sights that have been etched in my mind since were amazing. This book is hard to put down because you just know in the next chapter he will once again remind you of times on the water. The best days ever. I wished it was longer.
August 27, 2020
Daydreams
Love the antidotes and truisms of the author. The done to earth way he describes the sport is very authentic. I agree whole heartedly with his vision of the sport we call fly fishing. Not something done to impress others but to enjoy, relax, & fulfill a place in your sole!
Love the antidotes and truisms of the author. The done to earth way he describes the sport is very authentic. I agree whole heartedly with his vision of the sport we call fly fishing. Not something done to impress others but to enjoy, relax, & fulfill a place in your sole!
May 2, 2021
Great fun Read
If you're looking for a book to teach you to fly fish, this isn't it.
If you're looking for a humorous fun read, this is it. Mr Phillips shares his memories in a very down to earth way, I could see myself in his stories and laugh along with him. Thank you Mr Phillips, well done.
If you're looking for a book to teach you to fly fish, this isn't it.
If you're looking for a humorous fun read, this is it. Mr Phillips shares his memories in a very down to earth way, I could see myself in his stories and laugh along with him. Thank you Mr Phillips, well done.
June 21, 2020
Great read
Be prepared to be sent back to your best and more hilarious memories with these short stories. The author reminds you of your best times on the water and maybe gives you a bit to think about while out there as well.
Be prepared to be sent back to your best and more hilarious memories with these short stories. The author reminds you of your best times on the water and maybe gives you a bit to think about while out there as well.
October 6, 2020
I love this guy.
I have no idea who this guy is or how I chose to read this book, but I love this guy. I will fish by myself until I find a friend like him. Thank you for letting me see everything I felt. I heard you. He did too.
I have no idea who this guy is or how I chose to read this book, but I love this guy. I will fish by myself until I find a friend like him. Thank you for letting me see everything I felt. I heard you. He did too.
July 21, 2021
This guy feels the same way as I do about fly fishing.
I learned fly fishing with the slight help of my father back in the 60s. I regret that it’s become so commercialized and the “In thing” to do. As the author says “Fly fishing is not that hard”.
I learned fly fishing with the slight help of my father back in the 60s. I regret that it’s become so commercialized and the “In thing” to do. As the author says “Fly fishing is not that hard”.
April 1, 2020
Extremely enjoyable
This book oozes passion like a freshly cut pine oozes sap. And, like sap from a tree, the passion comes from the core of Mr. Phillips being.
This book oozes passion like a freshly cut pine oozes sap. And, like sap from a tree, the passion comes from the core of Mr. Phillips being.
April 12, 2020
Really enjoyed reading this. I found that I might have a long lost brother in the author, as our outlook and opinions on life are remarkably in sync!
May 1, 2020
Great book
A great, easy read for fishermen, fisherwomen, or any outdoors oriented person. I most especially appreciate the author’s viewpoints and straightforward storylines.
A great, easy read for fishermen, fisherwomen, or any outdoors oriented person. I most especially appreciate the author’s viewpoints and straightforward storylines.
June 5, 2020
Who knew...
All these years someone else has been living my life; and what a wonderful life it has been. Thank you ;-)
All these years someone else has been living my life; and what a wonderful life it has been. Thank you ;-)
January 26, 2021
Perspective
I found myself looking back at myself through most of the book. Very good presentation on perspective in today’s world
I found myself looking back at myself through most of the book. Very good presentation on perspective in today’s world
October 28, 2021
Just fishing!
Found that I am okay and not alone , he explains very simple way of fishing is what you love not what you should have done.
Found that I am okay and not alone , he explains very simple way of fishing is what you love not what you should have done.
July 28, 2016
Great read
I really enjoyed the authors way of telling a story. I liked his down to earth outlook on flyfishing. He reminds me of myself, unpretentious and simple. In my mind, exactly what this world need more of.
I really enjoyed the authors way of telling a story. I liked his down to earth outlook on flyfishing. He reminds me of myself, unpretentious and simple. In my mind, exactly what this world need more of.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews