Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing

by Mark Kurlansky

National Outdoor Book Award Winner for Outdoor Literature

From the award-winning, bestselling author of Cod- the irresistible story of the science, history, art, and culture of the least efficient way to catch a fish.

Fly fishing, historian Mark Kurlansky has found, is a battle of wits, fly fisher vs. fish-and the fly fisher does not always (or often) win. The targets-salmon, trout, and char; and for some, bass, tarpon, tuna, bonefish, and even marlin-are highly intelligent, athletic animals. The allure, Kurlansky learns, is that fly fishing makes catching a fish as difficult as possible. The flies can be beautiful and intricate, some made with over two dozen pieces of feather and fur; the cast is a matter of grace and rhythm, with different casts and rods yielding varying results.

Kurlansky is known for his deep dives into specific subjects, from cod to oysters to salt. But he spent his boyhood days on the shore of a shallow pond. Here, where tiny fish weaved under a rocky waterfall, he first tied string to a branch, dangled a worm into the water, and unleashed his passion for fishing. Since then, his love of the sport has led him around the world's countries, coasts, and rivers-from the wilds of Alaska to Basque country, from Ireland and Norway to Russia and Japan. And, in true Kurlansky fashion, he absorbed every fact, detail, and anecdote along the way.

The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing marries Kurlansky's signature wide-ranging reach with a subject that has captivated him for a lifetime-combining history, craft, and personal memoir to show readers, devotees of the sport or not, the necessity of experiencing nature's balm first-hand.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, History, Nature, Outdoors, Microhistory, Philosophy

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2021

About the author

Mark Kurlansky is an American journalist and author who has written a number of books of fiction and nonfiction. His 1997 book, Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World (1997), was an international bestseller and was translated into more than fifteen languages. His book Nonviolence: Twenty-five Lessons From the History of a Dangerous Idea (2006) was the nonfiction winner of the 2007 Dayton Literary Peace Prize.

Reviews

[Mark Mortensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Kurlansky has once again produced a very enjoyable and informative book.

[Jason Herrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like flyfishing & history, then you’ll probably like this one. It feels a bit like mashing together somewhat related thoughts at times, but it was still enjoyable. He references lots of older writings on flyfishing. And also relates the history of how rods, reels, lines & flies were developed.

[groove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Kurlansky's books are always unique, interesting, informative and pleasantly quirky...and "The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing" does not disappoint. His latest "deep dive" is a fly-fisherman's dream as it not only traces the sport and it's loyal followers, but also the history/journey of everything from flies to rods to reels to line to waders...and many things in between. He even traces the history of books on fly-fishing! He zooms in and out of rivers across the globe, capturing each one's individual geography, topography, character, challenge and charm.

This book is an obvious must-read for anglers and lovers of the outdoors, but also for anyone interested history, culture or simply fun and interesting writing. Kurlansky has carved out a niche in this new genre of "deep dives" into common objects, commodities and activities. I would/will read any book he writes, regardless of how closely I am tied to the subject matter. Time to go take some fly-fishing lessons!

[ella jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a fun read learning all about something i knew next to nothing about. i cant wait to actually learn and get out in nature soon! i can understand why people are so passionate about fly tying and fly fishing!!

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written and engaging stories. If you like fly fishing, you will love this book. I have a feeling that I will be returning to this book again and again!

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have only a slight interest in fly fishing, but having loved Kurlansky's book on cod, I figured that this book might be of equally broad interest. But it is really much more technical, going deep into the nitty gritty of fly fishing history and literature.

> Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. -Henry David Thoreau

> what is a trout? From a scientific point of view, there is no real definition. Trout is not a scientific term. It is a name commonly used for freshwater salmonids distinguished by various spots and stripes of often very different colors and even different markings. Trout are also generally smaller than salmon, except when the taimen is called a trout

> The book also advises tying flies on different-size hooks and using larger-size hooks for less-than-clear water, a choice with which many modern fishers would agree.

> The state of Oregon started requiring men to purchase fishing licenses in 1899, but women were not required to have them until 1923. Some U.S. states did not require women to get fishing licenses until the 1960s.

[Chris Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who has never fly fished, this was really in depth into the history of the sport and its components . Kinda made me want to sell everything I own, cut off everyone I know, buy land next to a river in Idaho, and live off the land and the river for the rest of my life

[Ross Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kurlansky nicely combines personal reminiscence with a breezy but useful overview of the various aspects of fly fishing, from the flies themselves to rods, waders, and of course the great fly fishing writers. As a historian of sorts, Kurlansky has a decent ear for lore and local color, but many of his asides reveal a latent “scientistic” sensibility (think: the Scientific Anglers-type school), which I personally find off-putting and out of place in a book of otherwise artful essays.

[Morgan Hanaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all the history of the different fisher people and the little quotes on each chapter. I didn’t love the part ab fisherwomen… but overall really neat book that tries to bring in different perspectives on fishing from so many places

[Debbie Willer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned more about fly fishing than I ever wanted to! This is a definite read for fly fisher folk. The writing is at times lovely. His passion for his subject is undisputable.

[Toad Soup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me before reading this book: who cares about fly fishing

Me after reading this book: I only care about fly fishing

[Jacob Hales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I read this book, I knew nothing about fly-fishing. Now that I’ve read this book, I just know nothing about how to fly-fish. An interesting read focused mostly about the history of fly fishing, arranged by chapters on different aspects (fly tying, rods, fish, etc.). The tone of this book feels like talking with an older friend around a campfire.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly delightful read.

Mark Kurlansky always offers a narrative rich and replete with tangential context. Through a broad body of work, he has become known and loved for this. From Cod to the Basque History of the World to A World Without Fish, he has often written with a connection to water – either as means of journey or the environment of his subjects. In The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing, he truly meets and delivers on his purest passion.

This lovingly crafted book is a deeply personal reflection on a pastime and pleasure that he has a deep passion for. There is the expected history and evidence aplenty – whether in the various components of the gear, the biological aspects of the salmonids, or the community of ‘fishers’ (a non-gendered term I had not previously encountered). Still, it is the experience that he keeps coming back to and what makes this one particularly special.

Fly Fishing is more evidently reflective than his past works – probably stemming from his long personal experience and passion for fly-fishing. From this, he draws us into this nearly timeless enterprise and explicitly attempts to answer the overriding question: why fly-fish at all? He has had to answer this one for himself and shares his own exploration with us. Kurlansky is not defensive in pursuit of this, and he is not out to convince anyone to take up the quest. He’s simply sharing his own thoughts and combining these with others – this is an oft-written undertaking. From earliest written history, there were references to fly-fishing hiding in plain sight. Kurlansky extracts from these, unpacks them, illustrates from them, and connects them skillfully into a compelling and engaging piece of work.

One is left very conscious – partly in answer to the big question – of how finding a profoundly personal challenge within a sense of broader community makes fly-fishing genuinely unique. It’s often solo enjoyment subjectively shaped through individual choices that create the pure joy of fly-fishing and finding our place within a complex, beautiful world.

[Lauren Bendiksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half stars. I truly enjoyed reading this book-I go fly fishing with my dad and brothers every year or two, and was taught to fish as a girl by my grandfather. There's a long history of fishing in my family, but I didn't know the REAL history of this sport. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all about the fish (my favorite section of the book), the equipment, the beliefs by different cultures about fly fishing. It was a really enjoyable read! I'm gifting it to my dad for his birthday... prior to the family fly fishing trip this year!

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seem to have read two books in a row on fly fishing - odd. (The other was The Feather Thief.)

I don't think Mr. Kurlansky put a lot of energy into this, but that's OK. His books are easy to read even one only has a tangential or slight interest in the subject.

[Asher Reinstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting bits of information for fly fishing fanatics, but at least 150 pages too long…

The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing is a good book for the fully engrossed fly fisherman who wants to know anything and everything about the sport…and then some. The book rambles and jumps around a lot, with author Mark Kurlansky throwing in historical information (with an overabundance of references to other sources), sketches, photographs from old newspapers and ads, and his own personal stories of fishing. This book definitely offers new things to learn, and no one could question Kurlansky’s knowledge of the sport and its long history. As a beginner flyfisher, I was expecting more of the practical information needed to be successful on the river. This book is more than a guide, though. Personally, I’d prefer a more practical guide. Another Goodreads reviewer, Jacob Hales, wrote that, before he read the book, he knew nothing about how to fly fish, and after reading it he still knows nothing. I wouldn’t say I started out knowing nothing, but I definitely didn’t learn a lot of new skills from reading it.

I gave this book 3.5 stars because, while the author is clearly passionate about his subject, he gives TOO much information to keep the audience captivated. As an amateur flyfisher, I guess I should look for an actual guide to flyfishing with solely practical information. Kurlansky’s book was just too comprehensive to keep my attention. With tedious descriptions, he goes through the history of the sport and the fishing equipment involved, with endless references to other authors and books, and the passion for the sport gets lost with all the detail. There were interesting parts sprinkled throughout when my eyes weren’t glazed over. For example, I found it interesting to read things I didn’t know about salmon and their feeding habits. Apparently, salmon gorge themselves on food in the sea, then when they come back to rivers to spawn they eat nothing, explaining why fishermen who cut open their bellies after catching them in rivers find empty stomachs. This explains why, to catch a river salmon, a fisher would use really colorful and flashy flies (that don’t even look like real insects). The fish seem to be looking to catch things that are interesting, not necessarily food. The author cites another author in saying “Lee Wulf compared the salmon’s urge to bite an artificial fly to the urge of a boy to cross the street just to kick a can.” (p. 135) This made me laugh a little as I’ve definitely crossed a street just to kick a can…

As I mentioned above, there were interesting things to learn in the book. One topic I liked reading about were the ethical issues concerning fishing and flyfishing specifically. The author noted, in one of my favorite quotes, that “Native Americans, who have never been comfortable with the concept of sports fishing, find fly fishing particularly distasteful, since it seems to be about tormenting fish for the fun of it.” Since most flyfishers tend to catch and release rather than eat their catch, it seems that the Native American’s point of view is accurate. It made me wonder why humans (including me) enjoy doing this? It’s one thing to hunt or fish for necessary food, but another to hurt (and possibly kill) the animals just for sport.

If you are looking for a more practical guide for flyfishing, I’d like to recommend one given to me by a guide that led a trip I took last summer. It’s called Colorado’s Best Fly Fishing: Flies, Access, and Guide’s Advice for the State’s Premier Rivers, by Landon Mayer. It offers a lot of practical advice including specific information for those fishing Colorado rivers. Even better, if you can afford it (it’s expensive!), I recommend taking a flyfishing trip for a day with a professional guide. They can teach you how to choose the right fly, proper casting technique, how to predict where the fish are, etc. In my opinion, there’s nothing better than learning firsthand.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing is a delightfully engaging hybrid memoir and exposition - full of wit and minutiae about fly fishing from Mark Kurlansky. Due out 2nd March 2021 from Bloomsbury, it's 272 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

The author is quite gifted at conveying a sense of calm and meditative respect for the sport of fly fishing. I grew up with fishermen and have always enjoyed camping and outdoor pursuits. They fished, I read (or foraged, or took photographs). Reading this book reminded me a lot of my younger days. There is quite a lot of history interspersed in the methodical philosophy covering equipment, mental attitude, fishermen/women, fish, locations, human interaction, and the bigger questions. I wasn't expecting to be as engaged in the read as I was.

The illustrations, from simple charcoal and graphite sketches by the author himself to historical facsimiles and locations, really added a lot to the book. This would make a superlative gift to a fisherman, library acquisition, or for the home library. Highly recommended to fans of nature/sport writers, naturists such as Thomas McGuane and/or Norman Maclean.

The book also includes useful appendices including a bibliography and index.

Five stars. Beautifully written.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No one can say for certain, though many try, what a fish wants or why it chooses the fly it does. And that is the fun of the whole thing. I always feel as if I am trying to talk a fish into something. I am the crooked salesman offering bad merchandise. If they take what I cast, they will be sorry.”

Mark Kurlansky wrote this book to explain why he loves fly fishing, a task which is an exercise in futility. He is categorically correct that fly fishing has an “unreasonable virtue”. Fly fishing is a sport, an art, a way of life that stands outside of the world of reason and rationality. In a way it’s sort of a cosmic joke. Fly fishing is laughably hard; you have a low chance of success even on a good day. You’re using a fake dead bug attached to a line and hoping for the best, and there’s no guarantee that you will actually land anything.

Kurlansky walks us through the history of fly fishing, from the Greeks and Romans to the present day. There are wonderful anecdotes such as how Jack Hemingway (Ernest’s son) parachuted behind German lines during the Second World War with his fly rod, just in case (yes, he used it). Many American Presidents were or are fly fisherman. He explores the literature and poetry that tries to encapsulate what fly fishing really means, but all words are insufficient. Kurlansky comes up short, and he knows he does. That’s the point of the book. It’s unreasonable. It doesn’t make sense why we wade into cold rivers and cast for hours, sometimes not even getting a bite. But we love to do it anyway. He concludes with the words of Czech writer Ota Pavel who said, “Finally I have the write word. Freedom. Fishing is freedom most of all.”

Does it make logical sense? No. But it doesn’t have to. If you know, you know.

[John Muraski · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing," Mark Kurlansky takes readers on a captivating journey through the history, art, and philosophy of fly fishing. With his engaging writing style and passion for the subject, Kurlansky crafts a narrative that appeals to both experienced anglers and novices alike.

One of the book's most memorable quotes highlights the diverse opinions that often surround the sport: "Pet theories are an affliction of fly fishers. When to use large flies and when to use small, when dark and when light, this kind of advice is offered in hundreds of books that agree on little except the need for the fly to get in the water and the need for the fishers not to fall in." This quote showcases the author's wit and keen understanding of the complexities of fly fishing while emphasizing the importance of personal experience in the pursuit of this craft.

Kurlansky's exploration of fly fishing's storied past and cultural significance is enriched by his personal anecdotes, making the book an enjoyable and informative read. The author also addresses the environmental concerns associated with fly fishing, urging readers to consider the sport's impact on the natural world.

Overall, "The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing" is a delightful and thought-provoking read that provides a unique perspective on the enduring appeal of this cherished pastime. Whether you're an avid fly fisher or simply curious about the sport, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of fly fishing.

[Eric Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A large number of fly fishers fall into one of two groups: first, those who read about fly fishing when not in the rivers fishing and second, those who write about fly fishing. Admittedly, I fall in the first group, while Mark Kurlansky, award-winning and bestselling journalist, author, and fly fisher falls into the second. The New York Times bestselling tackles the subject of fly fishing in his latest release The Unreasonable Virtue of Fly Fishing. This is not your typical fly-fishing book, because it’s not a “how-to” nor does it document the author’s fishing adventures. It truly is a book of virtues, a refreshing blend of autobiographical, scientific, and historical angles to a sport that continues to gain popularity. We learn what led to Kurlansky’s enviable fly fishing exploits, who has had the chance to fish all over the globe, including Japan and Russia. He covers the science of fish of the Salmonidae family: trout and salmon. Most of the book is dedicated to the history of fly fishing across the world and in the United States. He explores the history of the flies themselves, as well as rods and reels. He also writes of the writers who fish and write of fishing. We learn of Rudyard Kipling and Zane Grey fished for Steelhead in Oregon and William Butler Yeats fly fished and wrote poems about it. If you are looking to read and learn about “the what and whys” of fly fishing and less about “the how” this is a great book.

this review was originally published at https://portlandbookreview.com/produc...

[Malachi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps my only challenges with the book:
1. I tend to really dislike books that are not about a specific topic and the author feels like tangentially pontificating about a current trend/political issue that is highly debated amongst experts.
Of course the author is free to do so; I'm free to dislike it.
It is highly distracting from the message of their great book.
It is highly limiting in extent of their book being more timeless than they just made it with a few paragraphs. This only happened once but it was enough that it almost made me put the book away.
2. I ended up really liking it.
3. I will re-read it.
4. I was only about 17 pages in when I realized it was going to be entirely too many notes for me to take regarding quotes, quips, and other books to go find and read. Astonishing, really.
5. The title is misleading. It's accurate, but it falls short.
The sub-title should be something along the lines of "A Comprehensive History of Fly-Fishing in Time and Literature."
In that regard, it's similar to "The Lost Art of Walking: History, Science, and Literature of Pedestrianism" Geoff Nicholson
Had this book had a more complete title like this it would have been even more intriguing to me from the outset. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

If you need a book to get you started in fly-fishing, the history, and other books about fly-fishing, this is your book.
Well-written and very readable.

[Rebecca Russavage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between this and the baseball, I believe I can now be classified as a 65 year old white male, much to my own chagrin.

I was genuinely and happily impressed with this. It was my first Kurlansky book, and I loved his lack of grandeur. He was simply telling, very honestly, every detail—occasionally beautifully in a way that suited a ponderous and nature-centered sport. What took this a level above was how easily he engaged with social issues of race, gender, and colonialism in a book about a sport spread by the British as they conquered. He did not apologize or hyperbolize, he rather wryly pointed out the reality, as if it were astonishing that such outdated notions could be present in their correct time. And he could acknowledge difficult questions—a sport premised on torturing something for entertainment— without pretending there was a resolution other than stopping, which he had no inclination to do. His voice was excellent, his research remarkable, and his tone worthy of imitation.

[Cher]

I especially loved the beginning half of this book, with all the beautiful descriptions. I picked up the book, for reminiscing, and romantizing. I grew up in Colorado, fishing always with my Dad... bubble and a fly on a spinner rod. As I got older, he taught me to fly fish... and I still giggle thinkiing of the grief I probably gave him, wading around a river, catching the fly in my waders, or his hat!
Those are the moments that made me grab this book, and it was the beginning that hit that in my heart the most. Probably the middle to the end was more of a history of fly fishing. Which I did find interesting, to learn so much. And I even would Google as I read, to see what certain flies looked like, or places in the world, etc.
Educationally interesting... but not as emotionally captivating.
I still would recommend... in fact I am thinking which of my old fishing friends would enjoy reading it, and pass it on.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, let me make myself clear, I have only held a fly-fishing rod in my hand one time - and that was to please my Dad into thinking I was interested in what he was doing. So the very fact I picked up this book to read is a mystery to even me. But I truly enjoyed it very much. Kurlansky's style is similar to Bill Bryson (which I mean as high praise) as he takes the reader along paths they had not anticipated and teaches quietly as you go. I realized he is also a true journalist. He clearly covered Who (fishes), Where (they fly fish both locally and worldwide), What (they fish for,) and When (in time immortal and seasonally). He quoted experts in the field. Who knew there were so many experts in this field of Ichthyology to quote? So, while I still cannot explain why I borrowed this book from the library - and had to renew my term twice to get it read thoroughly - I thoroughly enjoyed the education.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes you get the urge to read about a topic that you have no real interest in. It’s like listening to your buddy talk about something you know next to zilch about, but it’s fascinating all the same. Mark especially has always had a great talent for getting me interested in just about anything with his meticulous research and wry sense of humor.

I do think that the one chapter on ethical quandaries leaves a bit to be desired, but I do appreciate its inclusion. There have been a number of groundbreaking studies done on fish pain in the last decade, and they would have been good to reference.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointed with this book. Although filled with some interesting facts and stories about the origins of all-things fly fishing, I found myself continually begging to be finished with chapters. This book was less a story and more of a list of books about fly fishing and who invented what. I was put off by the way women were portrayed and described within the sport of fly fishing in the past and even today. If you are looking for an interesting and thrilling fly fishing adventure, look elsewhere.

[Mead Binhammer · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times, this book featured gripping detail and novel insights into the origins and practice of fly fishing. From the biological definition of trout and salmon, to the origination of the dry fly, many portions of the book were fascinating. That said, some of the intricate cultural details, particularly around historical writing about fly fishing, were rather mundane and lost my interest. I’m glad I read this book, but I would be cautious to recommend it to anyone who isn’t very interested in fly fishing.

[Mr. Wakiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Kurlansky
And this book was good may be a little higher than four but the audiobook which is in listed with Goodreads was a little interesting

Recorded by the author and not as professionally as most audiobooks are

Didn’t make it bad made it different
At one point the author had trouble saying a persons name and then laughed
Then said it was because he was drinking

The only thing I could hold against this book is to think if you didn’t like fishing at all this would be a hard book to enjoy

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard for me to rate because I don’t fish but...
He writes well. Some of the descriptions of the locations were very nice ...mostly in the Northwest. He jumped around a lot, though and was sometimes a little repetitive. I think this book would be really interesting to angler who also reads. There are lots of references to classic books and that’s why I picked it up. It was a little too detailed for one who doesn’t fish but I do have a new appreciation for the art of fly fishing!

[Popup-ch · Rating 4 out of 5]

An almost poetic and occasionally very personal description of fly fishing throughout history and all over the world.

While I'm not interested in fishing in general, and in fly fishing even less, Kurlansky is a very good writer, and it's a pleasure to read.

I would have expected more from the fishes viewpoint, but that's described in much greater detail in his book Salmon.