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Best Fishing Books

Cast into a sea of knowledge with these top fishing books, chosen for their recurring mention among the most trusted angling publications and blogs.

Recommendations from 41 articles, Richard Branson, PewDiePie, Jack Dorsey and 30 others.
Best Fishing Books
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A River Runs through It and Other Stories book cover
A River Runs through It and Other Stories
Norman MacLean - 2001-10-01 (first published in 1976)
Goodreads Rating
This collection of Western American tales is centered around the pleasures of fly-fishing, logging, and family, but also includes colorful characters such as drunks, loggers, card sharks, and whores. Written by beloved author Norman Maclean, A River Runs through It and Other Stories was once rejected for "having trees in it," but has since become recognized as a classic. This newly redesigned edition features a new foreword by Robert Redford, director of the Academy Award-winning film adaptation. Maclean's beautiful prose and understated emotional insights will introduce a fresh audience to his superb storytelling.
The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide, Revised book cover
The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide, Revised
Tom Rosenbauer - 1988-01-01 (first published in 1984)
Goodreads Rating
This comprehensive guide is a must-read for all fly anglers! With information on everything from tackle selection and care to new techniques like Tenkara and Czech nymphing, this best-selling book has the latest and most trustworthy advice. Learn casting with instructive line drawings, tactics for stream, stillwater, and salt, and how to fish all major gamefish. Plus, a new chapter on conservation and stream etiquette makes this guide a great read for all fly fishing enthusiasts.
The Longest Silence book cover
The Longest Silence
Thomas McGuane - 2001-01-01 (first published in 1999)
Goodreads Rating
Get lost in a world of fishing with The Longest Silence, a collection of forty essays that cover everything from tarpon in Florida to trout in Montana. Written by the highly acclaimed author of Ninety-two in the Shade, this book introduces us to unique characters and unearths the beauty in the sport of fly fishing. Infused with humor and reverence for nature, The Longest Silence is a must-read for any angler or outdoor enthusiast.
The River Why book cover
The River Why
David James Duncan - 1984-12-01 (first published in 1983)
Goodreads Rating
A humorous coming-of-age story about a young fly fisherman's quest for self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment in the stunning Pacific Northwest. The River Why blends reflections on nature, family, and love with uproarious comedy, leaving the reader forever changed by its explorations of the human connection to the natural world.
Basic Fishing book cover
Basic Fishing
A Beginner's Guide
Wade Bourne - 2015-04-07
Goodreads Rating
Learn to fish for fun and become an accomplished angler with Basic Fishing! This beginner's guide covers everything from selecting equipment and finding good fishing spots to cooking and cleaning your catch. Expert angler Wade Bourne shares his expertise in a step-by-step format, complete with vivid photographs and diagrams. Great for families looking to bond in the great outdoors, this book provides practical advice on fishing while also celebrating the joy of the activity as it's passed down from generation to generation. Skyhorse Publishing offers a broad range of fishing books, including titles on fly fishing, bait fishing, and more.
The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing book cover
The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing
Kirk Deeter - 2010-05-01
Goodreads Rating
This expertly written guide demystifies the art of trout fishing with no complicated physics lessons. Written by Kirk Deeter of Field & Stream and Charlie Meyers of the Denver Post, this book covers essential topics like casting, reading the water, and fly selection. With 240 tips, it’s an insightful and entertaining guide suited for both novices and experts in the sport of fly fishing.
The Total Fishing Manual book cover
The Total Fishing Manual
318 Essential Fishing Skills (Field & Stream)
Joe Cermele - 2017-04-25
Goodreads Rating
Learn everything you need to know about fishing with The Total Fishing Manual! This comprehensive guide includes 318 field-tested tools, techniques, and tactics for catching more fish in every type of water. From customized equipment to professional tips for finding different types of fish, this book has everything you need to make your next fishing trip a success. Perfect for beginners and experienced anglers alike.
Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die book cover
Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die
Chris Santella - 2004-06-01
Goodreads Rating
Embark on an unforgettable fly fishing journey with this guide to 50 of the most breathtaking and captivating locations around the globe. From the picturesque Colorado River to the enchanting fjords of New Zealand, immerse yourself in the essence of fly fishing in exotic and scenic spots. Whether you're a skilled angler or simply seeking the inspiration for your next angling escapade, this book is a must-read.
Fishing for Dummies book cover
Fishing for Dummies
Peter Kaminsky - 1997-04-24
Goodreads Rating
Master the art of fishing and reel in your biggest catch yet with Fishing for Dummies. Discover expert tips and techniques for catching trout, carp, bass, bonefish, and more. Learn about the latest fishing equipment and electronics, and perfect your casting methods with helpful illustrations. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, this guide will help you make every fishing trip more rewarding.
Trout Bum book cover
Trout Bum
John Gierach - 1988-01-15 (first published in 1986)
Goodreads Rating
Escape into the world of fly-fishing and life with John Gierach's Trout Bum. These brilliantly written essays about the natural world and the joy of fishing are both witty and perceptive. For Gierach and his friends, fly-fishing is a way of life - they are trout bums. This book combines emotional and spiritual experiences with vividly described tangible adventures of stalking trout in and around the Rockies. A must-read for fans of angling classics like The River Why and A River Runs Through It.
The Orvis Guide to Beginning Fly Fishing by The Orvis Company
History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies by Ian Whitelaw
The Complete Book of Fishing Knots, Leaders, and Lines by Lindsey Philpott
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Lords of the Fly by Monte Burke
The Optimist by David Coggins
The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson
Incredible--and True!--Fishing Stories by Shaun Morey
High Percentage Fishing by Josh Alwine
H Is for Hook by Judy Young
A Different Pond by Bao Phi
All Fishermen Are Liars by John Gierach
Dumb Luck and the Kindness of Strangers by John Gierach
Ken Schultz's Field Guide to Freshwater Fish by Ken Schultz
The Bug Book by Paul Weamer
The Three Little Bass and the Big Bad Gar by James R. Miller
L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing by MacAuley Lord
The Art of Angling by Henry Hughes
Jangles by David Shannon
The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger
A Fly Rod of Your Own by John Gierach
Tactical Fly Fishing by Devin Olsen
Kids Gone Fishin' by Dave Maas
Freshwater Fishing Tips & Techniques by Gene Kugach
The Pocket Fishing Basics Guide by Wade Bourne
Astream by Robert Demott
52 Rivers by Shelley Walchak
Fishing with Kids by John Paxton
Fly Fishing for Beginners by Chris Hansen
Fishing with Grandma by Susan Avingaq
Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen
Down by the River by Andrew Weiner
Coming into the Country by John Mcphee
A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby
How to Think Like a Fish by Jeremy Wade
Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition by Lawrence M. Page
Edison's Tackle Box by Meghan Colvin
An Entirely Synthetic Fish by Anders Halverson
Handbook Of Hatches by Dave Hughes
OutdoorIQ Ultimate Fishing Guide Just For Kids! by Dave D. Shellhaas, Steve A. Shellhaas
Gone Fishing by Earlene R. Long
Trout, Trout, Trout by April Pulley Sayre
Simple Fly Fishing by Yvon Chouinard
The Orvis Guide to Small Stream Fly Fishing by Tom Rosenbauer
tenkara - the book, the complete guide to tenkara, by Daniel Galhardo at Tenkara USA by Daniel Galhardo
The Complete Guide to Surfcasting by Joe Cermele
Fly-Casting Fundamentals by Lefty Kreh
The Ultimate Guide to Kayak Fishing by Joel Spring
Smallmouth by Dave Karczynski
Joan Wulff's New Fly-Casting Techniques by Joan Wulff
Salt by Tom Rosenbauer
BugWater by Arlen Thomason
The Essence of Flycasting by Mel Krieger
Lefty Kreh's Presenting the Fly by Lefty Kreh
Light Years by Le Anne Schreiber
Kayak Fishing by Cory Routh
First steps in fishing by Richard Blackburn
Gone Fishing by Tamera Will Wissinger
Endurance by Alfred Lansing
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
The Kon-Tiki Expedition by Thor Heyerdahl
Man-Eaters of Kumaon by Jim Corbett
The Berenstain Bears by Mike Berenstain
Sex, Death, and Fly-Fishing by John Gierach
The Big Sky by A. B. Guthrie Jr.
Body of Water by Chris Dombrowski
Fishing (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press) by George S. Fichter, Phil Francis
My Awesome Guide to Freshwater Fishing by John Paxton
First through the Grand Canyon by John Wesley Powell
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
We die alone by David Armine Howarth
Habit of Rivers by Ted Leeson, John Gierach
Fly Fishing for Trout by Tom Rosenbauer
Flywater by Grant McClintock
On the Water by Guy de la Valdene
Hemingway on Fishing by Ernest Hemingway
Good Life Wasted by Dave Ames
Presentation by Gary A. Borger, Jason Borger
Pale Morning Done by Jeff Hull
Saltwater Kayak Fishing by Chris Lutz
Fly-Fishing the 41st by James Prosek
A Good Day to Die by Jim Harrison
The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant
Roughing It by Mark Twain
Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway
Big Two-Hearted River by Ernest Hemingway, John N MacLean
Hand Over Hand by Alma Fullerton
In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand