I Don't Know Why I Swallowed the Fly: My Fly-Fishing Rookie Season [Hardcover]

Jessica Maxwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997

The next John Gierach is a woman! In this sprightly, humorous account of her induction into the fraternity of fly fishers, adventure writer Jessica Maxwell waves her rod wildly over a number of western rivers, pointedly observing the traditions and techniques of this pastime and its curious subculture.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The redhead stalks the steelhead: after an assignment that took her on a fishing trip to Mongolia, of all places, outdoor writer Jessica Maxwell, a frequent contributor to Audubon, returned to the Pacific Northwest determined to take up fly-fishing. Hearing Van Morrison songs in her head as she casts, meditating on nature and time, Maxwell spent hours perfecting her technique. In this lively and funny account of her rookie fly-fishing season, she explains how "good things come to she who wades." While writing with style, Maxwell imparts a river full of fishing wisdom gained from her expert teachers and demonstrates a sincere appreciation for the sport.

From Library Journal

The author, who has written about the outdoors for sundry magazines, focuses her first book on flyfishing. The 11 chapters describe her first year's experience trying to learn fly-casting and how to catch fish on several Northwest rivers. Maxwell fished in the ocean with her father in her youth, and her love for water was rekindled when she saw the grace and beauty of a well-cast fly line. Her early efforts are humorously frustrating, but she does eventually master the technique and catch some steelhead and trout. She also has some wide-ranging discussions with colorful guides who instruct, inspire, and motivate when rugged water and weather test her mettle. Most of Maxwell's writing is thoughtful and well crafted, but there are occasional lapses into distracting purple prose. An optional purchase.?Will Hepfer, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Sasquatch Books; 1ST edition (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570610797
• ISBN-13: 978-1570610790
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,938,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jessica Maxwell is a nationally acclaimed adventure-travel writer and the author of books on flyfishing, golf and women's travel. In October 2009, Simon and Schuster/Atria/Beyond Words published her first spiritual adventure book, Roll Around Heaven. Jessica's work has been included in more than two dozen travel anthologies, including Bill Bryson's Best American Travel Writing 2000. She was the youngest regular contributor to Esquire's Travel column (1985 to 1997), and created Audubon's in-the-field conservation column, On Forbes.com you can flyfish for piranha in the Amazon with her, join her on a Norwegian moose hunt, cruise Bangkok's River of Kings in a converted rice boat or go fishing with tigers with her in the Himalayas. But, she says, the mystical experiences in Roll Around Heaven make her earthbound adventures look like walks in the park. "And if a complete spiritual klutz can end up rolling around heaven right here on earth, anybody can!" In Roll Around Heaven she shows you how.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maxwell Lands a Five-Star Fish Book, October 20, 2000

By 

Amy C. Gulick (North Bend, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Don't Know Why I Swallowed the Fly: My Fly-Fishing Rookie Season (Hardcover)

Jessica Maxwell's brilliant writing puts you in the river with her, and takes you through the beautiful and delicate dance between fisherwoman and fish, humans and nature, and the adventurous journey of life itself. Funny, thoughtful and reflective, this five-star fishy tale is a keeper.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maxwell's Tempting Fly, October 5, 2000

By 

Eric Ottem - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Don't Know Why I Swallowed the Fly: My Fly-Fishing Rookie Season (Hardcover)

Fishing stories are always about "the one that got away." While she may be losing her fly fishing innocence, nothing escapes Jessica Maxwell's notice of detail, be it fish or human. Psychologically, the surface of the water represents the depths of the unconscious, and what Maxwell learns about herself in her rookie year of fishing is revelatory and as spectacular as a rod bent double or the flash of wriggling color as a Chinook Salmon breaks into sunlight.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't be so serious.The beauty of the sport is in the sunset, November 6, 2000

By 

Richard W.Schair (Gainesville, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Don't Know Why I Swallowed the Fly: My Fly-Fishing Rookie Season (Hardcover)

As I read some of the previous reviews I wonder... why do so many think that a fishing trip is only about the fishing? Ms. Maxwell is a charm, she writes of the beauty of nature and the thoughts that it provokes. I have been a fisherman since a child. I now own fishing operations in Brazil, Mexico and other locations.I am considered a "professional", whatever that means. As I enjoy my sport my mind wanders as well, to my dad who introduced me to fishing and the beauty of the sunset.. when the earth becomes still and the fish bite. Ms. Maxwell understands that moment. Her book was both refreshing and inviting. Introducing one to the art of fly fishing and to her own inner self. So many travel with me and only focus on the catch......such a shame. Bravo Jessica, I await your next publication.