Trout Bum

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 798 ratings

Price: 15.04

Last update: 01-16-2025


About this item

Brilliant, witty, perceptive essays about fly-fishing, the natural world, and life in general by the acknowledged master of fishing writers.

While most of us fly-fish to escape from daily life, for John Gierach and his friends fly-fishing IS a way of life. They are trout bums. But John Gierach is also an exceptional writer. The essays in Trout Bum are reflective, bitingly humorous, and enormously wise in the ways of fishing and men. In vivid, unforgettable detail they recount the emotional, spiritual, and tangible adventures and pleasures of stalking trout in and around the Rockies—day in, day out, from season to season, with friends, and alone. John Gierach's essays join the literary tradition of angling classics like The River Why, and A River Runs Through It.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Ellen Coulton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Informative & Humorous True Tales of Fishing
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2024
    This is a great book about fishing & fly fishing by the author for whom fishing is the center of his life.
    His tales provide "fishy witticisms, technical lore & love of nature".
    A great read.
  • joe grace
    5.0 out of 5 stars John Gierach - Outstanding Author
    Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2018
    This is the first book by John Gierach I had ever read and absolutely loved it. There are a few good tips to pick up on as a beginner fly fisher, but mostly it's about his stories. A very easy read with a few good laughs and insight on fishing and life. I immediately bought two of his other books upon finishing Trout Bum.

    I would usually keep my phone close by to look up the streams and flies he referenced.
  • J.K. Turner
    4.0 out of 5 stars easy, requires some familiarity with fly fishing
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2016
    My Rating - Put it on the list (if you are a fishermen; if not, pass)

    Level - Short, easy, requires some familiarity with fly fishing.

    Summary
    It is hard to summarize this book. Basically it's just a guy writing a few short essays/stories, roughly grouped together in broad categories. It is a pre-internet blog, edited and published, roughly 30 years ago. Categories include things like: Bass Pond, Fly Collection, Cane Rods, Adams Hatch, etc.

    My Thoughts
    Gierach is an entertaining writer, who tells good stories and does so humorously. As a writer, he is essentially a full time fisherman/fly-tier and therefor seemingly has more good stories than I feel I will have in a lifetime. Anyone who has spent at least a moderate amount of time fly-fishing will enjoy this book, especially as he gives the types of people to avoid a fishing trip with or how to make the best camp coffee. If you've never fished or don't intend to again, I'm not sure why you bought this book, but I doubt you'll like it. Any other fishermen, fly-tiers, maybe even just people who great enjoy the outdoors and like well written, funny stories, this is a book you should put on your list.

    More at [...]
  • James W. Pugh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfied!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2024
    The Best!
  • Bruce A. Grasser
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bruce Grasser
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2018
    I love the writing of John Gierach. As a fly fisherman., I can relate to nearly all of his experiences, obsessions, and emotions. I think that he speaks to and for all fly fishers everywhere. If you are a fly fisher, you'll love Trout Bum.
  • Wm. French
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's all in how you approach it
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2016
    I am new to fly fishing and this book was recommended by an experienced angler; learned a little about rods and flies and the trout you can catch with them, and a lot about the attitude one should have while pursuing them. Very humorous but also edifying in this regard, along the lines of life (as illustrated in trout fishing) is as much or more a journey as it is a destination, or catching fish. Will be reading his other books as well.
  • Redwing
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read for all of us Troutaholics.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2020
    Would love to fish out st someday, I'll use this as a guide. Let's see, I'll need a few more Cane rods, a dozen fly boxes, a fishing buddy, and an open ended trip p,anned.
  • Jim
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read them all - this one twice.....so far
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019
    OK, I am a fan and follower. Agree with most of what John has to say. Have never had the chance to fish that often but love the times I have. I like to cook fancy, but I don't look down on a plate of chili-spagheti - ate that many a day in high school at our favorite hangout. Love my bamboo rods - even went to Bill Oyster's school over in Blue Ridge and built one. Mike Clark looked it over and was kind enough to not tell me how bad it was....but I love fishing it and some other less expensive ones. Now I am ready for John's next book....

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