Still Life with Brook Trout

By: John Gierach

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Brilliant, witty, perceptive essays about fly-fishing, the natural world, and life in general by the acknowledged master of fishing writers

In Still Life with Brook Trout, John Gierach demonstrates once again that fishing, when done right, is as much a philosophical pursuit as a sport. Gierach travels to Wyoming and Maine and points in between, searching out new fly-fishing adventures and savoring familiar waters with old friends. Along the way he meditates on the importance of good guides ("really, the only thing a psychiatrist can do that a good guide can't is write prescriptions"), the challenge of salmon fishing ("salmon prowl - if they're not here now, they could be here in half an hour...or tomorrow...or next month"), and the zen of fishing alone ("I also enjoy where my mind goes when I'm fishing alone, which is usually nowhere in particular and by a predictable route"). On a more serious note, he ponders the damaging effects of disasters both natural and man-made: drought, wildfires, and the politics of dam-building, among others.

Reflecting on a trip to a small creek near his home, Gierach writes, "In my brightest moments, I think slowing down...has opened huge new vistas on my old home water. It's like a friendship that not only lasts, but gets better against the odds." Similarly, Still Life with Brook Trout proves that Gierach, like fly-fishing itself, becomes deeper and richer with time.

©2005 John Gierach (P)2018 Tantor

gotta love fshing, part of life

loved it, love all of his. either fish, tie flies or read about others fishing

Great listen for trout fishermen during winter!

I love the narrator! This book makes you feel like you out west with the author fishing like you are one of the group!

Still life with brook trout

This book is awesome ,what a great read ,can't wait to read more of this author

Relaxing Humorous inspiring

Great story with fitting narration. Catches the mood and attraction of fly fishing. Relaxing listen.

A problem with casting

John Gierach is a splendid writer. I know, it's a word that isn't used much any more, probably because there is so little in modern life that merits it. He is by turns informative, funny, wry, thought-provoking, and curmudgeonly. He is also eminently quotable -- I keep a journal of phrases and sentences I think are memorable, and every book Gierach publishes provides dozens. And while he writes about fly fishing, much of what he says can be applied to any obsession. I once retyped one of his pieces, editing out the surprisingly few parts specific to fly fishing and substituting "guitar playing" for "fly fishing", and sent it to a non-fishing friend who's a musician. He was deeply impressed that someone could so accurately capture the essence of guitar playing.

So I'm always delighted when an audio version of one of Gierach's books becomes available. That said, I'm afraid this one suffers a little from the choice of narrator. Let me say that I'm a fan of many of David Colacci's audio book performances, "The Amazing Adventures Of Kavalier and Klay" in particular, but he's the wrong voice for Gierach's crisp, economical style. I had the impression that Colacci thought that because he was reading about fishing he should sound "folksy", and if so he was mistaken. Listen to any of Gierach's books narrated by Mike Chamberlain and available from Audible and you'll see what I mean. (Also, try to find copies of the four earlier books narrated in abridged form by the author himself. So far as I know they're only available on cassette, but any one is worth the time it takes to find it. Maybe some day Audible will be able to release them. Uh, Audible? Pretty please?)

Another great one

John Gierach wrote another great book (not surprising)

David Colacci is a perfect pairing for Gierach.

Gierach does it again.

I do love the fishing yarns.
the new narrator is ok and if you're use to the other Gierach audiobooks, you will probably be a little disappointed. Still pleasant to listen too.