High Rollers: Fly Fishing for Giant Tarpon [Hardcover]

Bill Bishop (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2009

This book will be invaluable to novice or experienced tarpon fly fishermen. Bill Bishop has addressed the mental, physical, humorous, and technical aspects of fishing for tarpon, writing in such a way that is both entertaining and instructive. I really like his style. --Lefty Kreh

Artist and ardent angler Bill Bishop tackles all aspects of tarpon fishing--from building leaders to bringing them in quickly. Each chapter explores the core aspects of tarpon fishing in detail, including step-by-step instructions for tying IGFA leaders, the nuances of finding, casting to, hooking, and fighting giant tarpon, and insights and tips for running the boat, seeing fish, and reading the fish's behavior. In addition to the technical aspects, Bishop's stories and humor take a look at the personal side of fishing, reminding us that despite the sometimes-serious undertaking of battling a 150-pound tarpon, fishing is still supposed to be fun. With over 120 detailed pen-and-ink illustrations and photos by Mark Hatter, this book will help anyone who wants to hook, and land, more silver kings.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bill Bishop is on the water over 150 days a year, fishing the waters of Boca Grande and Homosassa. His illustrations and artwork have appeared in several fly-fishing books and magazines. He lives in Orlando and Boca Grande, Florida.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: Headwater Books (January 31, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979346088
• ISBN-13: 978-0979346088
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #775,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Rollers: Fly Fishing for Giant Tarpon is a MUST READ for all Fly Anglers, May 4, 2009

By 

Cas Summers "Cas Summers - FloridaFishingOnTh... (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: High Rollers: Fly Fishing for Giant Tarpon (Hardcover)

I am usually not a person that hears about a book that has just been published and runs out to buy it, but "High Rollers - Fly Fishing for Gian Tarpon", by Bill Bishop is another story completely. Mr. bishop is a higly respected fly angler that has dedicated the past several years to fishing for Tarpon. Anglers who have fished Boca Grade for any amount of time are almost guaranteed to see mr. Bishop out on the water. If you have any plans to fish for Tarpon in Florida I highly recommend that you read "High Rollers" before you go.


The focus of the book is the Boca Grande, FL Tarpon fishery and reads as if you were on the dock listening to stories after an amazing day of fishing sharing many of Bill's personal experiences with Lefty, Flip and his family. The valuable lessons and insights are enhanced by Mr. Bishop's orginal artwork that is not just beautiful, but educational. The outstanding photograpy of Mark Hatter helps make this book the new resource for fishing for monster Tarpon.


The content covered in "High Rollers" is unbelievable. Years of experience and time on the water have been sorted through and summarized in the book. The book will not tell you where to fish, but it does tell you how to fish successfully. Chapters include information on feeding fish, boat operation and Tarpon body language.

This book is for all fly anglers. It is hard to believe that after reading "High Rollers" that it's reader does not up their efforts to become a better angler.

I bet that you will read "High Rollers" more than once.

Cas Summers - FloridaFishingOnTheFly.com

High Rollers: Fly Fishing for Giant Tarpon

5.0 out of 5 stars TARPON on a FLY ROD...is True SPORT Fishing, January 15, 2012

By 

'SPORT' FISHERMAN - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: High Rollers: Fly Fishing for Giant Tarpon (Hardcover)

Great book. If you want to go flyfishing for Tarpon but can't, then read the book, it's like being there and doing it youself and you don't have to leave your EZ chair. If you are a Tarpon Fly Fisherman then read the book, I'm sure you'll learn some things.
The author, Bill Bishop has mastered this sport of fly fishing for the 'High Rollers' and you can too if you read the book.
Bill has mastered every hobby he has had. He won 1st place in the State Wild Turkey Calling contest in Orlando Florida. He mastered being an artist as you will see from his instructive drawings in the book as well as the book cover. Read the book and you'll agree that he has mastered writing.

I purchased several of the books and gave them to fishing buddies for Christmas gifts. They all loved reading it and they constantly thank me.
Don Grace

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book!, May 28, 2010

By 

Texas Troutbum (North Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: High Rollers: Fly Fishing for Giant Tarpon (Hardcover)

Great read, great service! Bill Bishop is a talented artist, fly fisherman, and writer. As a wannabe fly fisherman for giant tarpon, I've learned a lot about this incredible species from Bishop's work (which he wrote after making a bucket list of goals following a major health crisis). In a more folksy down-to-earth style than some other tarpon gurus like Andy Mills, he has plenty of on-the-water know-how for hooking, playing, and landing this incredible fish. Based on years of fly-rod experiences in Florida, he shares interesting stories and keen insights that will help put a triple digit 'poon at the end of your fly-line. Plus, he illustrates the book beautifully with his own drawings. If you're going fly fishing for tarpon, I recommend this book.