There is nothing I would rather be doing than standing in the middle of a river, double-hauling to some cagey brown trout.
Or trolling around looking for a monster largemouth with a drop shot rig tied on—but, let’s face it, you can’t always get out on the water. Life gets in the way, work gets in the way, and heck, sometimes Mother Nature herself tells you no.
I’m such a fishing addict that when I can’t be fishing, I’m reading about fishing.
Here’s a look at five awesome books you should have on your book shelf—just in case you can’t get out and do the real thing.
1. Incredible Fishing Stories
Author Shaun Morey has put together this collection of 80 incredible, but true tails of the most fun, funny, and downright bizarre fishing tails.
I’m not talking about the fish tails you and I normally tell (although I have a great one about “the one that got away!”).
These stories take it to an entirely different level. Have you heard the one about the fisherman whose thumb was found in the belly of a trout? I hadn’t either.
This one is truly not to be missed, and the illustrations make it that much better!
Click Here to purchase Incredible Fishing Stories from Amazon.
2. What Fish Don’t Want You To Know
My wife got me this book on a whim one day—and to be honest, I didn’t get around to reading it for probably six months or more.
I wish I had read it sooner.
It’s a light read, with plenty of illustrations and tons of good humor. On top of that, there are some really sound techniques in here as well.
Click Here to purchase What Fish Don’t Want You To Know from Amazon.
3. Hemingway On Fishing
One of America’s greatest writers was also one of America’s most passionate outdoorsman.
Today, we would say that Hemingway was cut from a different cloth, but back then, it’s probably safe to say that many men were also cut from that same cloth.
Before the Internet, before TV, before fast food—before it was far too easy to be entertained—we had the outdoors. This is exactly the premise that lead to the Man Vs. Fish concept.
Amazing writing about our amazing sport.
Click Here to purchase Hemingway On Fishing from Amazon.
4. Flywater: Fly Fishing Rivers Of The West
Flywater is not so much a book you read, as much as it is a book you look at.
It’s a photography book, and goes great on a coffee table. Panoramic views of iconic rivers and streams, and all of the beauty surrounding them, fill this book to the brim.
A few looks through it will make you want to quit your job in favor of an endless fly fishing road-trip.
Click Here to purchase Flywater from Amazon.
5. A River Runs Through It
OK, so saying A River Runs Through It is a fishing story is a lot like saying Rocky is a boxing story.
Nonetheless, the story puts family dynamics and tragedy up against the backdrop of fly fishing. The screen adaptation of the story is undeniably the most well-known film to put fishing in the forefront. It’s almost as if the Big Blackfoot River is a character.
If you’ve seen the movie, reading the story is a must.
Click Here to purchase A River Runs Through It from Amazon.
Don’t despair the next time a monster thunderstorm keeps you firmly indoors. Feed your fishing addiction with the written word!
See ya on the water…