Catskill Rivers is the story of the “birthplace of the American fly fishing.” Readers will discover this birthplace in such hallowed trout streams as the Beaverkill, the Willowemoc, the Neversink, the Delaware, the Esopus, and the Schoharie. While originally published in 1983, Catskill Rivers remains the definitive study of these fabled waters and the remarkable people who created the American fly-fishing tradition.
Painstakingly researched and imaginatively told, readers will also get an unforgettable survey of the early river industries, including rafting, sawmills, tanneries, and wood-acid factories, as well as at the early days on these classic trout waters, where George LaBranche, in Sparse Gray Hackle’s words, “adapted the dry fly to fast water and started an angling revolution.” Along with numerous historical glimpses into the many sociological forces surrounding the Catskill Rivers, readers will see many early, famous flyfishers take to these waters, including “Uncle Thad” Norris, Seth Green, Theodore Gordon, Herman Christian, Roy Steenrod, Sparse Gray Hackle, and many more.
This historically accurate and beautifully written glance back into the early days of the Catskill Rivers will have both fishermen and nonfishermen wanting even more.
Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a broad range of books for fishermen. Our books for anglers include titles that focus on fly fishing, bait fishing, fly-casting, spin casting, deep sea fishing, and surf fishing. Our books offer both practical advice on tackle, techniques, knots, and more, as well as lyrical prose on fishing for bass, trout, salmon, crappie, baitfish, catfish, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
ISBN-13: 9781628736786
Media Type: Paperback
Publisher: Skyhorse
Publication Date: 04-01-2014
Pages: 280
Product Dimensions: 8.50(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Austin M. Francis is a noted angling historian and biographer as well as an acknowledged authority on the history of Catskill fly fishing. He has a home in the Catskill Mountains, where he has fished there for more than forty-five years. He is also the author of Land of Little Rivers.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
PART ONE: Catskill Angling Heritage
1. THe Catskill Angling Mystique
2. Early River Industries
3. Birthplace of American Fly Fishing
4. Catskill Professionals
5. Women Anglers of the Catskills
6. Managing the Fishing
PART TWO: Portraits of the Rivers
7. Catskill Rivers
8. Beverkill River
9. Willowmoc Creek
10. Neversink River
11. Esopus Creek
12. Schoharie Creek
13. Delaware River
14. Catskill Rivers Today
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
IMPORTANT DATES IN CATSKILL ANGLING
INDEX
Show More
