Lords of the Fly

Madness, Obsession, and the Hunt for the World Record Tarpon

By: Monte Burke

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, something unique happened in the quiet little town on the west coast of Florida known as Homosassa. The best fly anglers in the world all gathered together to chase the same holy grail - the world record for the most glamorous and coveted fly-rod species, the tarpon.

In Lords of the Fly, Monte Burke, an obsessed tarpon fly angler himself, delves into this seminal moment and the growing popularity of the amazing tarpon, a 50-million-year-old species that can live to 80 years old and can grow to 300 pounds.

Lords of the Fly ties together the lives of the biggest names in angling - Ted Williams, Stu Apte, Lefty Kreh, Flip Pallot, Thomas McGuane, Billy Pate, Tom Evans, and Steve Huff - as well as present-day stars like Andy Mill, David Mangum, and Nathaniel Linville.

Alongside the story of the world-record pursuit, Burke also chronicles the heartbreaking destruction of the fishery brought on by greed, environmental degradation, and the shenanigans of a notorious Miami gangster - and how all of it has shaped contemporary tarpon fishing.

Filled with larger-than-life characters and vivid prose, Lords of the Fly is not only a must-listen for anglers of all stripes, but also for those interested in the desperate yearning of the human condition.

©2020 Monte Burke (P)2021 Tantor

Great Storyand Great Characters

Very in depth history of Tarpon Fishing with a great story and characters that could have come out of central casting. If you’re a fishing nerd you’ll know a lot of the characters.

A must listen for any fly fisher

This is the first book by Monte Burke I’ve read. Ive been a big fan of his articles for a while now and this book does not disappoint. My wife who is also a serious angler and really hates rich white men, found it a little annoying. I was able to turn the other cheek.

Fabulous

The narration is perfect the story flows and the characters are great if you’ve ever done any ocean flats fishing you’ll love this book

Must listen if you are a fishermen

I put off getting this one because I am not a tarpon angler or destination fisherman. Out of my pay grade I did not know if I would be able to relate to it.

But this book is magnificent. It is a fascinating look into the world of obsessed tarpon fisherman and the arc of that particular tarpon fishery. Finished in two days I couldn't stop listening!

Fantastic

Superb telling and background of the record chase. Every fly angler should read or listen to this.