The Way of the Trout: Anglers, Wild Fish and Running Water

by M.R. Montgomery

Integrating personal experience, historical sources, and advice, this account of the principles of fly-fishing describes how trout live and anglers fish in the threatened waterways of America

Paperback

First published May 28, 1991

Reviews

[Damon Barnhurst]

This book made me appreciate the art, skill, and culture related to fly fishing. I have barely scraped the surface of my understanding of fly-fishing. I inherited a fly rod and reel from my grandfather, whom I actually never fly fished with (we golfed), but I have been keeping it safe for years with reluctance to use it. I grew up a bait cast fisherman. I have many wonderful memories of family fishing trips to the Columbia, its tributaries, and the Pacific Ocean. I can honestly say I cannot even recall a fly fisherman in my lumberjack hometown (I have since learned that major fly fishing companies like Sage come out of Washington State). People drift fished for salmon and steelhead. On the Columbia it wasn't active fishing by a fly fisherman's standards, you threw out your line, put a bell on the end, and set the hook when you heard the bell. Sure the action wasn't always doing something (I would play in the sand or whittle) but the excitement came when a big one was on, others around you would politely reel in their lines so we didn't get tangled, and these fish put up a good fight. So, moving to Arizona where there aren't any salmon or steelhead pushed me into trying fly fishing. I have also been inspired by others that have a true love for the sport. The true test would be if when I go back to fish with my dad in the Pacific Northwest would I bring my fly rod? After reading this book I would have to say yes. If done properly, a fly fisherman can get the fish to bite with flies during times a bait caster could not.

To simplify what I learned from the book (I know this is supposed to be a review, but I learn best through reflection). This is my reflection:

Who: Izaak Walton, Charles Cotton, James Ogden (There were many people introduced to me in this book, these are the three that stood out most to me).
What: salmonids (trouts)- brown (Product of Great Britain), brook, cutthroat, rainbows, sub species unique to areas (Arizona has the Apache), wild vs stocked (takes about three generations for a stocked fish population to produce a sustainable wild population like what is trying to be done with the Gila trout at the Frye Mesa Reservoir near Thatcher, AZ. Flies- caddis, nymphs, mayflies, different stages of the insects' life and there are many more flies each with a unique story on how and why they were created.
Where: Montana has many wild fish, compared to Arizona which most are stocked. But many states have trout, the longing desire I now have is to catch the wild ones. Rivers I want to fly fish- Snake (Idaho), Bitteroot and Madison (Montana), Battenkill (Vermont, also to visit the American Fly-Fishing Museum and the home of Orvis)just to name a few. But really I would go anywhere.
When: Different flies for different depths and for different seasons. Spring is the all around best time though, during spawning and insect hatching time.
Why: Being out in nature. Not just fishing, but enjoying running water. Appreciating the source of the water, promoting healthy waters and fish. Practicing good sportsmanship. Being among family and friends. Sharing stories, whether exaggerated or spot on.
How: Nymph by morning, dry fly all the rest of the day in hopes of a fish jumping out of the water for it.

I will be looking for more books like this to read. I really feel more connected to the culture of fly fishing and more excited to go out there and fish.