Catskill Rivers [Hardcover]

Austin M. Francis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1988

The definitive study of such hallowed trout streams as the Beaverkill, the Schoharie, and the Delaware.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"More than a scholarly history, Catskill Rivers left me wading in nostalgia. I could smell the rhododendron blossoming on Dry Brook and even caught a whiff of the hairy armpits at Keener's Pool. Austin Francis has spawned a classic."--A. J. McClane

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

The Beaverkill, the Willowemoc, the Neversink, the Delaware, the Esopus, the Schoharie-these hallowed trout streams have been hailed for generations as "the birthplace of American fly fishing." Here is their story. Painstakingly researched and beautifully told, Catskill Rivers will likely remain the definitive study of these fabled waters and the remarkable people who created the American fly-fishing tradition.
Catskill Rivers offers an unforgettable look at the early river industries-rafting, sawmills, tanneries, wood-acid factories-and at the early days on these classic trout waters, where George LaBranche, in Sparse Grey Hackle's words, "adapted the dry fly to fast water and started an angling revolution." Here are the great anglers, fly tyers, rod makers, entomologists, and publicists-"Uncle Thad" Norris, Seth Green, Theodore Gordon, Herman Christian, Roy Steenrod, Rube Cross, Hiram Leonard, Ed Payne, Louis Rhead, Edward R. Hewitt, Sparse Grey Hackle, Preston Jennings, Art Flick, Harry Darbee, Walt Dette, and a host of others. There are revealing discussions of the sociological forces that led Americans into fly fishing; the origins and customs of private stream clubs; the rivalries between owners and poachers; the controversies over imported "German" brown trout; the cult of dry-fly purists; the evolution of hatchery practices, stream improvements, and fisheries regulation; as well as the future prospects for these lovely waters. There are also penetrating historical and physical profiles of the six principal Catskill rivers, their insect life, trout distributions, stocking practices, access, angling pressures, fishing conditions, and successful angling techniques.
Catskill Rivers is a poignant journey through the annals of American angling, from its origins to the present, laced with anecdotes and stories, graced with more than 110 photographs and nine beautifully illustrated river maps by John Manikowski. It is a book all fishermen will treasure.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (October 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558215131
• ISBN-13: 978-1558215139
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,174,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, November 12, 2007

By 

Randy Kadish "Author of The Bad, The Good and... (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Catskill Rivers (Hardcover)

Great overview of all the Catskill Rivers, the birthplace of fly fishing in America. Must reading for anyone who wants to learn about the colorful characters who will always be the Golden Age of fly fishing. I now feel so grateful to live close to the Catskills, so close to an important part of history.