Customer Reviews

The Alaska Chronicles: An Unwashed View of Life, Work, and Fly Fishing

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Miles Nolte has an uncanny ability to make characters come alive and thus captivate you as the audience. Every single person you encounter in the Alaska Chronicles somehow makes you think of someone you have met or known before, even if you wish you hadn't. I found myself unable to put the book down. And this is despite the fact that I have literally fished maybe 10 times in my entire life. And when I say fished, I actually mean holding a snoopy fishing pole with a worm on the end that was literally dropped into the water rather than cast in any recognizable sense of the word. You don't need to know a thing about fishing to enjoy this story. On the other hand, if you do know anything about guiding, fishing, or Alaska, my guess is that Mr. Nolte's descriptions and characterizations will ring true with you and it will cause you to appreciate these stories all the more. More than anything else though, the book is full of wit and charm. The book is laugh out loud funny at times and you wonder how someone can get himself into these precarious situations. You might almost question them but there is a genuine honesty about the writing, so that you don't. Mr. Nolte's voice is clear and I felt myself wishing the book were not done when it was. I anxiously look forward to his next literary endeavor on whatever subject it may be about.

OK, so after all the banter back and forth in the fly fishing community, I finally got my copy of Alaska Chronicles.

Good News - It is absolutely fantastic. True grit narrative of being a guide in AK. Miles Nolte does an awesome job of taking you there (even if you've never been). Funny, painful and genuine.

Bad News - I stayed up too late reading it and am now exhausted. There are not (yet) any other Miles books for me to pick up once I finish this. I am now twitching like a crackhead to get on the water.
Of course I knew going into it that would at least really like this book because of the subject matter and adventure of the entire thing.

What is so freakin' great about this book is that it is so real, so funny and so very human. While it is completely entrenched in the blood, sweat, tears (and other bodily fluids that will remain unnamed here) of the fishing guide life, it also completely transcends to anyone who has to deal with clients. The chapter on the "Pinner" was especially poignant. But, the best surprise has been the first-time author's genuine writing talent. Not only does he paint a very realistic picture, but it is also strewn with the thoughts, emotions, ups and downs that we all go through. That is what makes this such a killer read... even for those of you out there that don't even fish.

My wife is officially sick of me keeping the bedside lamp on til the wee hours. She is glad Mr. Nolte doesn't yet have other books. I, however, am not.

I might just start drinking my canned beer at "tent temp", too.

I've been fly fishing for 17 years now and have read a lot of fly fishing books. This one is unique, I followed it on the [...] board but having a bound copy is much better. I've been to Alaska on a DIY trip and know others who have been summer guides in Alaska. He makes his experiences come alive and I couldn't put it down, I kept saying "one more chapter", but always wanted to fine out what was going to happen next. First rate!

This is a great read and a nice diversion from the stodgy and stoic realm of traditional fly fishing literature. Miles Nolte is an accomplished storyteller with a unique ability to describe time and place without superfluous prose. One of the best books I've read in years. BUY IT!

The Alaska Chronicles came in on a Saturday afternoon, despite interruptions I had it finished before breakfast on Sunday...Just couldn't put it down. Miles paints an accurate picture of the guide life. He doesn't over romanticize it, nor does he fit the mold of a guide whining about his clients. He simply calls it like it is warts and all, and in doing so paints of picture of his clients and himself that leaves you feeling that you know the characters personally. The only slight criticism I would have is that with the exception of one, the characters of the other guides in camp weren't developed to a great extent. I never felt I got to know them as well as the clients.

The Alaska Chronicles is a refreshing change from the typical book about fly-fishing trips. In the first place, it's written by a guide, but not just any guide. Miles Nolte is perceptive, honest and self-aware. His prose sparkles with wit but never departs from realism, the reality of being an Alaska fishing guide in a remote location with "sports" of various levels of ability and equipment with a propensity to break down.

Secondly, too often books by fishing guides are written under the guise of the wise, old sage, imparting wisdom to the rest of us. Nolte tells it like it is, or at least, how he sees it. He's impatient, frankly critical of his fishing camp's management and downright disparaging about some, or at least one, of his fellow guides. He sees his paying anglers as ordinary people, full of expectations, only some of which can be realized. Fishing is not always easy and not always good. He's generous with his help to those anglers who are trying hard to do what's needed, and contemptuous of the lazy and those unwilling to learn.

I'm headed to an Alaska fishing lodge this fall. Nolte's book will be very helpful in making my expectations more realistic. And it will certainly encourage me to be as nice as possible to my fishing guide. The Alaska Chronicles is highly recommended, especially for fishermen, even more for fly-fishermen, and most of all to fly-fisherman headed to our 49th state on a fly-fishing expedition.

Mr. Nolte, you owe us another book, quick!

This is hands down one of the best pieces of literature I have ever read. His candor and use of language is refreshing as well as insightful. I would love nothing more than to read more outstanding written works by Mr. Nolte.