I don't know whether to praise this book or curse it! I thought I was satisfied with the fishing here in Florida and my occassional trips to some of the more popular rivers and lakes Out West. Not anymore. Rich opens the readers eyes to an entirely different domain...not an easy one, but one which will kindle the adventure spark in anyone interested in pure experiences. Not only has he generously given us the benefits of his considerable fishing and hiking experience, but he provides it in an enjoyable format that makes reading a pleasure. Even if you never venture far from the pavement, this book offers encouragement and a kind of satisfaction in just knowing that we still have some far horizons that are unspoiled and waiting. It also makes me glad that I've kept myself in pretty good shape these 46 years...I'm going to need the energy when following his footsteps! Fly-Fishing the Rocky Mountain Backcountry
Rich Osthoff knows what he is talking about. I have read many books that attempt to cover backcountry flyfishing, and none have done so as well as Osthoff's. As an experienced backcountry flyfisherman, I found Osthoff is right on the money with all he had to say. There was still a lot of material to challenge even the experinced though. If you have any interest in catching gorgeous fish in an equally gorgeous setting, this is your book. Absolutely right on the money.
Great book, it made me take two backpacking/flyfishing trips in the Rockies last summer and let me discover a new world. Book is packed with information on destinations, techniques, and gear. Everything one needs for a do-it-yourself vacation that is more rewarding that any packaged outfitters trip. Well written too.
Fly Fishing the Rocky Mountain Backcountry is a very comprehensive guide to backcountry fishing. Rich Osthoff gives the reader a generous portion of his extremely comprehensive understanding of backcountry fishing. He delves into different backpacking styles, reveals his theories of alpine lake fishing, recounts numerous fishing experiences, and motivates the reader to get on the trail, ready to trek for Trophy Goldens, Rainbows, Cutts, and Brookies. His information on the Goldens of the Wind Rivers alone is reason enough to buy the book. Osthoff should be commended for sharing what he has learned during his 25+ years of backcountry fishing. If anyone wishes to seriously fish for big backcountry fish, this book must be purchased, read and re-read.
This book is a must for flyfishers in search of quality backcountry fishing. Osthoff skillfully avoices overt hotspotting, while giving the reader the skills necessary to find quality fishing destinations. This is not a guide book, with maps detailing hotspots, but rather a book that will allow the backpacker/ flyfisher to home their own skills and sense of discovery.Studying this book put me on to large golden trout my first time out!
This was an eye opening book on the possibilities of back country fishing. Rick Osthoff takes wilderness fishing to its logical extreme and comes back with a wealth of information. Rick has done what most of us never quite were willing to do - breaks from a normal job cycle to go fishing for over twenty entire summers in the Rockies. Rick is the guinea pig in an experiment that I (and many others) dream about.
I think of the book in two parts. The first part is Rick's collective experience in the knowledge of backcountry hiking as it relates to fishing. His techniques of ditching cooking gear for other meal options are very close to the most of the ultra-light techniques I have read about. He covers safety issues, packing, fly selection, fishing techniques for ponds and streams, maps and many other key issues.
The second part of the book covers a selection of the key wilderness areas in great detail. I will be keeping this book in my collection for years to come as a reference for trips and for inspiration.
Prior to this book I had limited backcountry fishing experience, moderate hiking ability, and no backpacking skills or gear. A person at that level is provided with all of the gear and knowledge to effectively fish the backcountry by virtue of a complete system. Sure, there have been advances in breathable fabrics, digital cameras, and other areas since the book was published in '99, but all the fundamentals remain unchanged. So often with hunting and fishing the student is innundated with too much (and possibly conflicting) information from multiple sources, when what they really require is the singular instruction of a master. This book qualifies as that antidote.
Some previous reviews bemoan the fact that the fish sizes were off from what Rich describes, that they were disappointed it did not explicitly relate certain areas, etc. I guess I just don't know what those people expect. Fisheries can change over the years, and this book even teaches the research skills to cope with that dynamic. Each subject has been addressed and related with great care, including the locations of trophy waters both stated or obscured, but present for those willing and able to read between the lines. Considering over half of the book addresses various destinations (of all ability levels) across 6 western states, it is tough to imagine there isn't something for everyone.
Heaven forbid Rich should be saddled with the knowledge that he directly influenced someone into a derelict fishing existence. Reading Gierach from 16 on was actually the initial spike pushing this train onto its course, and I was a committed fisherman before then. But, I did pick this book up a short period after college when the notion of travel and fishing was becoming an achievable enterprise. An impressionable reader, when Rich recounts structuring his life after college to take entire summers off to fish, I was on board, and others might be, too. - Rocky Mountains'
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