Wilderness of Hope: Fly Fishing and Public Lands in the American West

by Quinn Grover

Longtime fly fisherman Quinn Grover had contemplated the “why” of his fishing identity before more recently becoming focused on the “how” of it. He realized he was a dedicated fly fisherman in large part because public lands and public waterways in the West made it possible. In Wilderness of Hope Grover recounts his fly-fishing experiences with a strong evocation of place, connecting those experiences to the ongoing national debate over public lands.

Because so much of America’s public lands are in the Intermountain West, this is where arguments about the use and limits of those lands rage the loudest. And those loudest in the debate often become caricatures: rural ranchers who hate the government; West Coast elites who don’t know the West outside Vail, Colorado; and energy and mining companies who extract from once-protected areas. These caricatures obscure the complexity of those who use public lands and what those lands mean to a wider population.

Although for Grover fishing is often an “escape” back to wildness, it is also a way to find a home in nature and recalibrate his interactions with other parts of his life as a father, son, husband, and citizen. Grover sees fly fishing on public waterways as a vehicle for interacting with nature that allows humans to inhabit nature rather than destroy or “preserve” it by keeping it entirely separate from human contact. These essays reflect on personal fishing experiences with a strong evocation of place and an attempt to understand humans’ relationship with water and public land in the American West.
 

248 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2019

About the author

Quinn Grover teaches courses in writing and literature in Idaho. His research interests include the literature, lands, and cultures of the American West. Quinn's work has been published in national fly-fishing magazines such as the Flyfish Journal , the Drake, and American Angler as well as literary outlets such as Newfound,, Cirque, and Juxtaprose. His first book is Wilderness of Hope: Fly Fishing and Public Lands in the American West . It was released September 1, 2019 by University of Nebraska Press.

Reviews

[Andrew Wayment · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. The author has fished many of the same rivers and streams that I have fished and wrote about. I think my favorite chapters were the ones about fishing for bull trout in Big Creek and Golden trout in alpine lakes. This book made me suck it up and buy Rich Osthoff’s book about fishing the Rocky Mountain back country, which I plan to read next. My only criticism of the book is that it becomes a bit preachy at times. It’s not that I disagree with what he is saying. I understand the importance of wilderness and public lands. I assume that for most people wanting to read this book, he’s preaching to the choir. For me, however, the preaching sometimes got in the way of the story, which is what I’m always looking for when I read these books. With that said, it’s still a great book!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed this book. Having fished many of the same rivers and contemplated many of the same thoughts. This took me back through a reflection of my own life. The case made for public land preservation was woven through wonderful stories and experiences in which we can all relate.

[Bradley Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that you connected with so much that you felt the need to savor it rather than rush through to the end? This is such a book for fishermen.
The story is so incredibly relatable, and written with such enthusiasm and perfect voice, that I found myself setting it aside in order to ponder many of the messages it offered thereby drawing out how long it took me to reach the last pages.
Quinn Grover is truly a master of the written word. His ability to weave simple anecdotes into thought inspiring prose is on par with some of the greatest nature writers, past and present. I see contemporary strains of Aldo Leopold and Thoreau in Grover's Wilderness of Hope.
This is a must-read book for any angler.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selected for High Country News summer 2023 reading prompt #6 "Read a book whose protagonist is a river". Grover is an enthusiastic angler who is well aware that without federal public lands he would get to do a lot less fishing.

[Kyle Haack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent essays on the nature of wildness.

[Michael S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it.

[Gerald Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me uncomfortable as I struggled to read it. Could not follow the changes in the message of the essays. The description of the fishing experiences were the only good thing about the efforts by this author. I suggest you check it out of a public library rather than purchase it.