All Fishermen Are Liars

By: John Gierach

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

For John Gierach, "the master of fly-fishing" (Sacramento Bee), fishing is always the answer - even when it's not clear what the question is.

In All Fishermen Are Liars, Gierach travels around North America seeking out quintessential fishing experiences, whether it's at a busy stream or a secluded lake hidden amid snow-capped mountains. He talks about the art of fly-tying and the quest for the perfect steelhead fly ("The Nuclear Option"), about fishing in the Presidential Pools previously fished by the elder George Bush ("I wondered briefly if I'd done something karmically disastrous and was now fated to spend the rest of my life breathing the exhaust of this elderly Republican"), and the importance of traveling with like-minded companions when caught in a soaking rain ("At this point someone is required to say, 'You know, there are people who wouldn't think this is fun'"). And though Gierach loses some fish along the way, he never loses his passion and sense of humor. Wry, contemplative, and lively - that is to say, pure Gierach - All Fishermen Are Liars is a joy to listen to-and, as always, the next best thing to fishing itself.

©2014 John Gierach (P)2017 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Perceptive and witty...These lyrical essays explode with descriptions of beautiful places, big fish, and beautiful fish." ( Booklist starred review)

One Of My Favorite Authors!!!

This is a very well written book full of humor and smart ass remarks. There are also some fishing stories in there. I couldn't put this one down.....or rather take my headphones out of my ears. the narrator is annoying at first, but after about 10 chapters you get used to it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great Read for a lifer of the fly.

I have guided for a few years and been a fisherman for too long. This book really caters to those who have the same experience. As all of his books, he narrates what we all are thinking as if you know the next words coming and smile when they do appear not that any of the actual plots are redundant on the contrary great stories. I had avoided most Geirach books for the past twenty years due to their popularity but glad I have taken the time to read/listen to these. My only regret is not reading these earlier in my career as there are some pearls in most of his books but this one especially has wisdom for even the most seasoned of anglers. Great Book!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great book

I loved this book as I am an avid fisherman who grew up out in the country fishing and this book was almost as good as actually fishing which I could not do and maintain my job

Good book, can’t stand the reader

Very good stories, well written. Very entertaining. Unfortunately the reader sounds like he is reading an instruction book. His tone fluctuations and pauses are so repetitive it was extremely distracting...

Well Written

The book was very well written. My first experience with a Gierach book. Will definitely be listening to more. The narrator was good, but several mis-pronounced words were distracting.

Poor narration; author deserves better

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Get a different narrator. Gierach is in the pantheon of fly-fishing authors and he deserves much better.

What didn’t you like about Mike Chamberlain’s performance?

Chamberlain isn't a fly fisherman; in fact, I doubt if he has ever fished. No one would ever pronounce "lead" in the context used by any fisherman, as "leed." And his inflection and word emphasis is 'way off for this type of narration. He's clearly out of his element. His narration is so grating that it detracts from Gierach's laid-back writing style.

Living the dream

well read, good stories definitely worth a second listen. If you like fishing expecially fly fishing you will enjoy this book. Going to listen to more of his books.

For Fly Fishermen

Not enough enjoyable anecdotes, too much technical jargon about flyfishing and flyfishing equipment. It will be most enjoyable for experienced fly fisherman.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful