Fly-Fishing for Sharks: An American Journey

Fly Fishing for SharksI hate fishing. It's like spitting at birds, or something. Fish are morons who can't tell food from death. Who cares? This book is about fishing like the Grand Canyon is about holes in the ground. First and foremost and forever, this book is about people: brave, interesting, eminently resourceful, good-hearted, intense people-who, for reasons as varied as ...well, types of fish ... are SERIOUSLY connected to what I was surprised to find was the pretty damn interesting world of fishing.The thing is, Louv has the touch: he's delicate (without being precious), admiring (without being fawning), intelligent (without being pompous), reflective (without being ponderous), insightful (without being self-congratulatory), and, WAY most importantly, of course, is that he's nothing less than a superb writer (without being...um...a non-superb writer).Buying books is tough; you never know what you're getting. But buy this one. It's not possible for you to regret it. You'll read it; you'll treasure it; you'll pass it along to a friend and never see it again--and your inner life, and the inner life of the person you passed it to, will actually, tangibly improve. That's what books are for--and only really, REALLY great books, of course, can do it. This is one of them. Don't let this one ... um ... get away. Seriously. Don't.

Hi I am Mike Cooper and I'm 13 years old I loved reading Fly Fishing For Sharks. When I first got the book I thought that it was going to be very hard for me to read and take a while, but I finished the book in around a month. It was very interesting becuase I am from San Diego and I have fished at some of the lakes that the author fished at. I also learned a little bit about fishing. I think the most interesting thing about the book was all the interesting people that he would meet on his journey. This is a really good book and it is one of those that you can't put it down you just have to keep reading it. So if you like fishing or just like reading about interesting people this is well worth it and I recomend and buying it today.

As an avid fisherman and reader, I can tell you that one spends a lot of time pusuing the rare catch: The trophy fish or the unforgetable book. Suffice it to say - this book is a keeper! Louv's insights into the world of fishing, emotions, and the human psyche are poignant, insightful, and dead-on, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. I've shared this book with many non-fishing friends (for example a 60-something Nanny) - who loved it! Through extensive interviews and lots of fishing with the characters in his book, Richard Louv explores the deeper meaning that fishing and nature hold for these folks - and indeed for mankind. (Previous reviews likening his journey to Steinbeck or William Least Heat Moon are accurate) There are some wake-up calls here too: disappearing landscapes and children growing up detatched from their Mother Earth. I laughed, I cried, I bought a bunch and gave them as gifts. Here's my gift to you, gentle reader: Buy it for yourself and enjoy!

This 76 year old lady -- me -- from a midwest farming area -- Waupum, Wisconsin -- lover of all nature -- a constant reader of books all my life of all varieties and subjects -- just now reading your book about fishing and the vivid picture of the outdoors and the people connected with it -- wanting to thank you for writing this super book which I've read every word enjoying your description of your travels, life, outdoors, fishing and the people met along the journey of your life. I don't fish. Never have. But you are a great author and writer...so thank you again for the enjoyment you have placed in my hands with your book and in my mind with your words...Books and reading have been my life -- carry one with me every day, where ever I go. So many have seen your book and asked about it.

"Fly-Fishing for Sharks" reminded me of "Blue Highways," in some ways, but for the most part it's in a class by itself. I guess you could call it "fishing literature," but it's mainly a book of stories about people who don't usually get written about. As you meet the fishing guides, fly-fishermen, bass people and so on, from all parts of the country, you find out what it is like to stand in their shoes. A number of women are included here, and that's a little unusual for books related to fishing. Writer Studs Terkel shows people this way, but Louv weaves it all into a story that kept me turning pages. I am better informed now about ecology, early television, Pacific Northwest fishing heroes, New Mexico politics, Florida sport-fishing captains, Montana high-roller fishing lodges and a hatful of other things. On another level, this is a road trip. Lots of facts and figures on the state of contemporary America. But it's the stories about the people met along the way that stick in my mind. This is a wonderful book. Important and entertaining.