The American Fisherman: How Our Nation's Anglers Founded, Fed, Financed, and Forever Shaped the U.S.A.

by Willie Robertson, William Doyle

New York Times Bestseller • “A celebration of sport fishing in America, its history, locales, and impact.” —  New York Times Book Review  An essential book for everyone who loves casting a line into our nation's waters, The American Fisherman,  by outdoorsman Willie Robertson (CEO of Duck Commander and star of A&E’s  Duck Dynasty ) and historian William Doyle, reveals that in the U.S.A., fishing is far more than a pastime—it has shaped our past and defined our character in remarkable ways. This generously illustrated celebration of fish, anglers, and our country’s treasured wild places traces fishing’s astonishing impact on the United States and its people, from its settlement and founding, to powering its economy and inspiring our creativity and faith. Blessed by perhaps the most diverse and abundant waters in the world, Native Americans were the continent’s first master anglers and incorporated fish into their spiritual beliefs and legends. When the Vikings, the earliest European visitors, arrived, they were drawn across the Atlantic Ocean by the bountiful fishing grounds of North America’s East Coast. During the colonial era, fish helped save the Pilgrims, make George Washington wealthy, and win the American Revolution. From New England cod to Pacific Northwest salmon to Gulf shrimp, the fishing industry has fed and financed centuries of Americans in every region of the country. Throughout, Willie and Bill explore how fishing has made an enduring mark on our national identity and culture. The American Fisherman is also an ode to our nation’s extraordinary natural alpine trout streams in the Rocky Mountains, steelhead runs along the storm-tossed Alaskan coast, the azure waters off Key West where marlin roam, and the bayous of Louisiana where the Robertsons have instilled the love and lessons of fishing down through the generations, as so many other families have. A spirited and unique look at the U.S.A. and its people, The American Fisherman will hook every sportsman from the first page and forever deepen their appreciation for the fishing life. INCLUDES MORE THAN 75 PHOTOS

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Published November 15, 2016

About the author

Willie Robertson is president of Duck Commander, founder of Buck Commander, and an executive producer of Duck Dynasty and Buck Commander Protected by Under Armour.


There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read about the history of fishing. Fascinating how much fishing has played a role in the history of the country. Really enjoyed the chapter on women in fishing

[Tim Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it a lot. I will learn to fly fish

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: FOR THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS BOOK I WAS DISAPPOINTED… FOR WHAT I FOUND I WAS OVERWHELMED!
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As an aging Grandfather that is blessed to be alive… due to the fact that I almost died… thirteen years ago… from a brain tumor before I even became a Grandfather. A couple of days before my brain tumor surgery… I sat by myself and searched my life for my greatest moments that I wanted to cherish as I faced possible death… as I was told there was only one surgeon who could possibly perform this type of surgery… and they didn’t know if he was available.

I was a single Dad… and for eight years in a row… I would take my son… during his eleven to eighteen-year-old years… to a business associates house in Louisiana for a couple of days fishing each summer. We fished in ponds… we fished… in the bayou… we fished… in the gulf. It truly was the greatest Father-And-Son times of my life. I used to always say: “That’s why it says “SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE” on the Louisiana license plate! Because of those unmatchable years-days-hours-and-minutes… of a Father’s greatest lifetime bliss… I rushed to buy this book… because it was co-authored by Louisiana legend Willie Robertson… I thought for sure it would be almost all about Louisiana fishing….

WRONG! There was very little about “My Sportsman’s Paradise”… but man was I shocked… surprised… and entertained… and schooled… in the history of North American fishing! I was caught totally off guard… as the author’s told me everything about fishing from the Vikings… to the Native American Indians ( hope OK to say?)… to how fishing saved General George Washington and his troops… how it saved the Lewis and Clark expedition… how it saved northern civil war troops…

The section on the United States Presidents that loved fishing before during and after their Presidency… is illuminating… and easily worth remembering for discussions when you’re out with other fisherman. And you don’t even have to worry about being politically correct when trying to figure out whether it should be “fisherperson”… “fisherwoman”… or fisher…whatever! The historical stories of women… men… boys… girls… are intertwined and doted on in such great numbers… with equal aplomb… and rightfully earned congratulations!

The statistics of how gigantic the United States sports fishing industry has become is staggering. The fishing records over the years for men… women… and children… are awe inspiring. The impact of literature from Papa Hemingway to Moby Dick… is but another magnificently placed piece to the puzzle of American fishing.

I hope a review site posts the two pictures I’ve included here… as it shows some of my families magical… eternal… loving… moments… made possible by fishing. The first one … is of Father and Son… a picture from one of our Louisiana fishing trips that was held to my heart when I faced possible death entering brain surgery… and the second picture… ten years later… is on my birthday… with the two Granddaughters that I was blessed to live long enough to meet… love… and… go fishing with!

[Cory St. Esprit · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much great history and good stories. The chapters were well laid out. I loved the section on women in fishing history. It read like a good novel. I give it 4 out of 5 because (1) I felt some information was repeated and (2) that various appendices at the end made a lot of extra reading after I thought I was done (my OCD about books is that I basically have to read every word from prologue to appendices). If you like fishing you’ll like the book.

[Hans Erdman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than the last appendix which got tedious, this was a really good listen. Loved the imaging of Lewis and Clark on "the greatest fishing trip in American history," and having just finished Keith McCafferty's "Cold Hearted River" a Sean Stranahan fly-fishing mystery revolving around Papa Hemingway's missing trunk, the part about Ernest Hemingway was fascinating. I also enjoyed the extensive section on American women anglers.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright - the tone was friendly and I definitely learned a lot. There was a ton on the fishing habits of the Presidents, which could either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the reader (it wasn't my favorite, although it was interesting to hear how closely Presidential behavior seemed to follow fishing behavior - Nixon comes to mind).

[GW · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a fish story. I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would.

[Isaac]

It’s a good book if you want to know about the history of fishing

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Lots of stories about how fishing has shaped American history and influenced numerous outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen.

[Kameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically American history told by fishing stories. Definitely a fun read. Didn't mention much about ice fishing though...

[Sharon Hanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good overview of how fishing has affected the US.

[Brayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do the Vikings, George Washington, Lewis and Clark, and Roland Martin all have in common? The answer is...fishing! According to the authors, Willie Robertson, star of A&E's hit series Duck Dynasty and William Doyle, New York Times Bestselling Historian, “...there are 33 million to 46 million anglers in America today..." This nonfiction book explains how our nation was formed by the help of our many anglers. Fishing has helped many people throughout history. For example, George Washington fed all of his men in his army with shad fish from the Schuylkill River just as they were all about to starve to death. In present day, there are foundations that help wounded veterans get closer to their families by being in the outdoors and using fishing as physical therapy.
I would recommend 'The American Fisherman' to anyone twelve or above that enjoys fishing and history. This is a very entertaining nonfiction book that is interesting and informative at the same time. As a fisherman myself, I did not want to put this book down! So head out to your local library today and pick up this amazing book!

Brayden Ruth