By Kirk Deeter

One of my favorite quotes came from English literary critic Cyril Connolly, who said: "Literature is the art of writing something that will be read twice; journalism what will be grasped at once."  

That thought has shaped a lot of my own writing (and reading) efforts.  So it gives me great pleasure to know that one "See This, Do That" post on Fly Talk  can sink in with such profound effect that it (literally) can make you a better angler within the few minutes it takes you to read it online. In all seriousness, however, I've fallen into a recent pattern of re-reading some of my favorite fly-fishing books. That's not to say that there aren't plenty of new works out there worth checking out. But I'm finding that some of the books that got me going in the first place are even more profound and interesting the second (or third... or fourth) time around, especially now that I have many more river miles under my belt.

Let's start with the obvious. "A River Runs Through It" is so clean, and so honest, I simply cannot read the last three paragraphs of that novella with dry eyes. Having seen a number of friends and mentors from the fly-fishing world pass away in recent years, and having learned that my own affinity to flowing rivers grows stronger as I grow older myself, I have indeed discovered that "under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs." I am indeed "haunted by waters." Every single day. "A River Runs Through It" should be mandatory reading, and not just as a point of entry to fly fishing. It should be revisited at least every other year.

Thomas McGuane has arguably produced the most eloquent prose on fly-fishing culture ever. You can't go wrong with any of his works.  But Ninety-two in the Shade is iconic.  Granted, that's not a happy book. But it's so real and relevant it reverberates like thunder claps over a gray saltwater flat. If you haven't read it, you must. If you have, you should read it again, especially if you've spent some time chasing fish in the Florida Keys.

Ted Leeson is perhaps my favorite writer of all. All his writing is stunning—both in the journalistic (read what he's done for Field & Stream) and literary contexts. I cannot help myself but to revisit The Habit of Rivers now and then.  

James Babb is also in his own league. I've actually fished with Jim (and Ted), which I consider a very high honor.  Nobody turns a phrase like Babb. All of his stuff is magic. My favorite, River Music, is definitely worth a double or triple dip.

There are, of course, many others worth reading twice or more. Robert Traver (John D. Voelker) hit a chord like no other with Trout Magic. And David James Duncan knocked it out of the park with The River Why.  

So I'm wondering what you all consider "classics," and what you've read more than once.

Comments (10)

from MICHMAN wrote 19 weeks 6 days ago

I would like to see more book reviews. Thank you for sharing your opinion!

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from sgtsly wrote 19 weeks 6 days ago

The River why in the world did I pick up that piece of crap.

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from chadlove wrote 19 weeks 5 days ago

I'll second the Harry Middleton suggestion. I have all his books with the exception of The Starlight Creek Anglers Society, and they're all dense, depressing, spooky and wonderful.

James Babb and Thomas McGuane, however, are probably my favorite flyfishing writers. I wanted to cry when Babb gave up his angling column at Gray's. I have River Music and Crosscurrents, can't decide which is my favorite. McGuane's "The Longest Silence" may be one of the best fishing books I've ever read.

Another good writer, although not exclusively a fly-fishing writer, and one who often gets overlooked these days, (maybe because he died a few years back) is William G. Tapply. He had some good stuff.

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from Nixstyx wrote 19 weeks 5 days ago

I agree on Bill Tapply. Most of his fly fishing books are a collection of unrelated short stories, but each one is a genuine gem, many of which have kept me up at night, just thinking about them. I like his hunting stories even better.

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from Boiler02 wrote 19 weeks 5 days ago

A River Runs Through It is a gorgeous book. Hemingway's short story "The Big Two Hearted River" is great as well. He is able to tell an authentic fishing story that is filled with a more subtle meaning as well. I will have to read some of the others mentioned here. I would love to see more book reviews as well.

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from pa pheasantman wrote 19 weeks 4 days ago

I also enjoy the late Wm. Tapply. Others on my list are Lee Wulff, Joe Brooks,Vince Marinaro,and Gene Hill when he wrote some of his fishing vignettes.

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from haverodwilltravel wrote 19 weeks 4 days ago

The Spawning Run by William Humphrey

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from Norske wrote 19 weeks 3 days ago

I'll recommend John Basrness' "Montana Time."

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from Kurt Hauck wrote 19 weeks 3 days ago

"Trout" by Ray Bergman is like being able to fish with your grandfather.

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from Hornd wrote 17 weeks 3 days ago

Trout Bum John Gierach? Modern Day Classic?

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from MICHMAN wrote 19 weeks 6 days ago

I would like to see more book reviews. Thank you for sharing your opinion!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from sgtsly wrote 19 weeks 6 days ago

The River why in the world did I pick up that piece of crap.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from chadlove wrote 19 weeks 5 days ago

I'll second the Harry Middleton suggestion. I have all his books with the exception of The Starlight Creek Anglers Society, and they're all dense, depressing, spooky and wonderful.

James Babb and Thomas McGuane, however, are probably my favorite flyfishing writers. I wanted to cry when Babb gave up his angling column at Gray's. I have River Music and Crosscurrents, can't decide which is my favorite. McGuane's "The Longest Silence" may be one of the best fishing books I've ever read.

Another good writer, although not exclusively a fly-fishing writer, and one who often gets overlooked these days, (maybe because he died a few years back) is William G. Tapply. He had some good stuff.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Nixstyx wrote 19 weeks 5 days ago

I agree on Bill Tapply. Most of his fly fishing books are a collection of unrelated short stories, but each one is a genuine gem, many of which have kept me up at night, just thinking about them. I like his hunting stories even better.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Boiler02 wrote 19 weeks 5 days ago

A River Runs Through It is a gorgeous book. Hemingway's short story "The Big Two Hearted River" is great as well. He is able to tell an authentic fishing story that is filled with a more subtle meaning as well. I will have to read some of the others mentioned here. I would love to see more book reviews as well.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from pa pheasantman wrote 19 weeks 4 days ago

I also enjoy the late Wm. Tapply. Others on my list are Lee Wulff, Joe Brooks,Vince Marinaro,and Gene Hill when he wrote some of his fishing vignettes.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from haverodwilltravel wrote 19 weeks 4 days ago

The Spawning Run by William Humphrey

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from Norske wrote 19 weeks 3 days ago

I'll recommend John Basrness' "Montana Time."

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from Kurt Hauck wrote 19 weeks 3 days ago

"Trout" by Ray Bergman is like being able to fish with your grandfather.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Hornd wrote 17 weeks 3 days ago

Trout Bum John Gierach? Modern Day Classic?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

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All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.