Trout Water: A Year on the Au Sable

by Josh Greenberg

"Josh Greenberg is my kind of nature writer."—The Wall Street Journal It's the beginning of trout fishing season, and Josh Greenberg — proprietor of one of the nation’s most famous fishing outfitters, on America's most iconic trout-fishing stream, the Au Sable River in Michigan —is standing in the Au Sable at dusk when he gets the call that a dear fishing buddy has died. The solace he takes from fishing — from reading the movement of the river water, studying the play of the light, and relying on his knowledge of insect and fish life — prompts him to reflect on the impact of the natural world on his life in his fisherman’s journal. Over the course of a year, the journal transcends fishing notes to include some beautifully lyrical nature writing, entertaining stories of the big one that got away, cheerful introspection about a love that’s hard to explain, and yes, a tip or two. Eventually, Josh Greenberg realizes he hasn’t been all alone in the woods, not really. Much of his relationship with his family and friends has played out on the river. And as he catches — and releases — trout after trout back into one of the most beautiful rivers in America, Greenberg comes to help us realize, too, that there’s more to fishing than catching fish.

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2021

Reviews

[Nick Roser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny, witty, and reflective conglomerate of short stories and musings from the journal of a dedicated, if not obsessive, fly fisherman. If you know anything about fly fishing on the Au Sable, you know Gates Lodge. If you know Gates Lodge, you probably know Josh. I’m impressed with his writing and grateful he took the time during a ridiculously busy day at the shop to scuttlebutt and sign my copy. This was a good little diversion from my normal reading, and mostly just makes me want to get out on the river and fish more.

[Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm on a fishing kick and wanted to read about my home river. This was a fascinating trip along with Josh and his memories of friends and moments. Josh has a solid prose style that makes everything he writes feel deeper and more philosophical, even if it's simply "fishing." But I really enjoyed the human stories and reflections on life.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful and poetic at times, very much of its place on the river and among fly-fishermen
a love letter to an environment and a pursuit
also, for some reason at this time trout and this river have popped up in a few different places, which is interesting

[Spencer Schultze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having only gone fly fishing a handful of times and never having landed a fish on a fly rod, I was way out of my league in this book (the author is an absolute fly fishing junkie), but this book certainly stirred within me a desire to get out and try again!

[Joseph M Stratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn good

So glad I stumbled upon this one. Great words, all. Looking forward to a few days on the AuSable soon. Well done!

[Sean Kottke]

You will love this book if you love fishing, especially fly fishing. I can appreciate that it’s well-written, but that’s it. Not for me.