A Good Life Wasted: or Twenty Years as a Fishing Guide

by Dave Ames

A funny, touching collection of fishing stories by a Rocky Mountain fishing guide recalls his lifelong attempt to avoid a "real job" in the cold, rocky, trout-filled rivers and streams of the American West.

Genres: Nonfiction

247 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to like fly fishing to appreciate this book. If you’ve been to Montana you will appreciate it more. Some laugh out loud funny stories and outrageous characters .

[Dominique Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will remain a favorite book of mine until the end of my days. I continue to ritually re-read this book over the years, and it never disappoints. The characters in this book are rich with realism and the descriptions make you feel like you are transported to another place. I first purchased this book when I was 20 years old, thinking it would be a great adventure book about fly fishing. It was that, and so much more. Instead becoming a philosophical mantra to my life. Highly recommend!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice read. I am guessing it's better suited for people who fly fish or have an interest in it. The side stories really make the book shine and the sentimental ending was a nice finish.

[Clinton Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Can’t recommend it enough.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate all autobiography 5 stars

This was an interesting perspective and an interesting writing style

[Ryan Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for the fisherman or outdoorsman. I gave it only 4 stars because the author tends to be more verbose than you'd expected for a fishing book. He also takes some strange tangents into his "church of the reduced humanist," but overall I found it interesting and at times laugh-out-loud funny.

[Cameron Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ames picks up where salt of the earth Gierach puts down: in imagination, situational comedy, and the ability to make his fellow fly fishing guides laugh, Ames is unbeatable.

[SadieKate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right up there with Scott Waldie and Seth Norman.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent. really enjoyed this, and it makes me realize that I need to start working towards doing what I want in life...

[Sam Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

wish he spent a bit more time talking about fishing and guiding rather than life in general but still well worth the read if you like flyfishing.