Has anyone read this book? I have read it once and remember not really getting into it, so I am reading it again, and I think I remember why I didn't really care for it the first time. For some reason, Mr Schullery rubs me the wrong way each time he mentions another author of a book, then points out how he disagrees with that author, whatever he/she said, and then goes on to make his case. It almost seems to me that every chapter in Schullery's book makes reference to John Gierach, or Gary Lafontaine, or others and then he quotes text from their books, and then makes an argument about how he disagrees with what they wrote. I feel like I am sitting at the dinner table listening to a philosophical argument about why one person is wrong and Mr. Schullery is right. Paul Schullery might actually be correct in his points, but, I am not moved by reading about it. I am looking for more substance, adventure, fishing experiences, funny tales, ramblings and wanderings about flyfising. Not what does and does not constitute a "Trout Bum" and how Gierach shouldn't have written the book "Trout Bum" and it only proves he isn't one, because no respectable trout bum would waste such valuable fishing time writing a book!
He also has a chapter that basically says that most flyfishers think of themselves as elitist and that what we do is not "art". It may be craft or workmanship or skill, but calling fly-tying or rod-making "art" is overboard. Who cares what one guy calls it? Does he have a monopoly on the meaning of the word "art"? This reminds me of my professors in college arguing over definitions about "Operant versus elicited" bahavior, blah, blah, blah. Maybe I am just not intelligent enough to appreciate these types of discussions. I don't know. Furthermore, Schullery kind of pisses me off when he says that bamboo rods are really inferior fishing tools and that anyone that collects them only does so because he can show that he has "arrived" at becoming a fly-fisherman. That bamboo rods are only status symbols and are now hoarded in closests and not fished, hence the relatively few repairs modern bamboo rod makers are required to perform. Maybe fishing bamboo does offer a subjective feel to the owner, but that dosn't seem like enough to warrant owning a few, according to Schullery. Anyway, I just wondered if anyone else read his book and if you did, what's your take? He is a talented writer, no doubt. I am just not a great fan of the content. Give me Nick Lyons, John Gierach, and Steve Raymond, anyday. Jeff
He also has a chapter that basically says that most flyfishers think of themselves as elitist and that what we do is not "art". It may be craft or workmanship or skill, but calling fly-tying or rod-making "art" is overboard. Who cares what one guy calls it? Does he have a monopoly on the meaning of the word "art"? This reminds me of my professors in college arguing over definitions about "Operant versus elicited" bahavior, blah, blah, blah. Maybe I am just not intelligent enough to appreciate these types of discussions. I don't know. Furthermore, Schullery kind of pisses me off when he says that bamboo rods are really inferior fishing tools and that anyone that collects them only does so because he can show that he has "arrived" at becoming a fly-fisherman. That bamboo rods are only status symbols and are now hoarded in closests and not fished, hence the relatively few repairs modern bamboo rod makers are required to perform. Maybe fishing bamboo does offer a subjective feel to the owner, but that dosn't seem like enough to warrant owning a few, according to Schullery. Anyway, I just wondered if anyone else read his book and if you did, what's your take? He is a talented writer, no doubt. I am just not a great fan of the content. Give me Nick Lyons, John Gierach, and Steve Raymond, anyday. Jeff