John Gierach, "beloved fly-fishing author and original 'trout bum,' " died October 3, Fly Fisherman magazine reported. He was 78. His many books include Trout Bum; All Fishermen are Liars; Death, Taxes, and Leaky Waders; Sex, Death, and Fly Fishing; No Shortage of Good Days; Even Brook Trout Get the Blues; The View from Rat Lake; Still Life with Brook Trout; and Fool's Paradise.
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| John Gierrach (photo: Michael Dvorak/@mikedflyphotography) |
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Gierach's "down-to-earth prose, easy-reading style, and serious-fishing-but-light-hearted approach endeared him to generations of anglers, and made him feel like everyone's fishing buddy," Fly Fisherman noted. "One of his titles, All the Time in the World, has sadly proven false. Rest in peace, John. We're better off for having your words."
"Some people seem timeless. until they're not," said longtime friend and fishing artist Bob White. "I imagine John is sitting in a wonderful coffee shop, perched over a river, surrounded by all the friendly dogs in the neighborhood. That'd be heaven for him."
Author Matthew L. Miller posted on social media: "Rest in peace, John Gierach. I've been reading Gierach's books for more than 30 years. He captured the experience of fly fishing with wit and wonderful turns of phrase. One of the best."
In addition to his books, Gierach wrote countless magazine articles and columns for publications ranging from TROUT magazine to Sports Illustrated, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. Starting in 1992, he wrote the back-page column for Fly Rod & Reel, with each piece illustrated by White. After the magazine folded in 2017, Gierach and White continued their writing and illustrating partnership at TROUT magazine.
Hatch magazine wrote: "For many, Gierach's was the voice they heard in their heads when they fished. His simple, yet thoughtful approach to fly fishing resonated with fly fishers all over the world. Through his books, articles and columns, he reached millions. Yet, within the tightly knit fly fishing community, Gierach was eminently approachable and, as his collaborator and friend White said on Friday, 'he was the same way in real life as he was in his writing.' "
"I've been lucky to get to spend some time with him over the years," added White. "He was the real deal. He was honest and sincere. He had a sharp sense of irony. You knew exactly what you were getting when you talked with John."