When an eloquent, intelligent author with a quick wit puts his talents to work on a book about fly fishing, this is the masterpiece you get. It’s part guidebook, part adventure and part tribute to the spirit of anglers like us.
It’s that spirit that drives Matthew Shane Brown to find the waters he casts to, high above the Nevada desert. For fellow fly anglers, it’s completely relatable, from the frustrations of getting to the high ground, to reaping the rewards. It’s not focused on the harvest, but the mindset and honest emotion that we all know.
For the non-fly-fishers, it’s more than just a primer, although the lessons are there. It’s a straightforward look at the need for the peace and quiet, the connection to nature and all that comes with it. There’s a philosophical side I believe any reader will appreciate, too.
Fly Fishing in the 21st Century offers a tantalizing taste of the highs and lows of angling, from the perspective of a “stick waver” and philosopher in a setting few readers will realize exists. I recommend savoring each course fully.
Ed. Note: Matthew Shane Brown is the Editor of The Upland Soul… and considers the author of this review a personal friend.
