Western Waters: Fly-Fishing Memories and Lessons from Twelve Rivers

by Tom Alkire

Overview

In this collection of essays about well-known (and some not-so-well-known) Western waters, author Tom Alkire blends how-to, where-to, and natural history with lyrical prose and a deep insight that only comes with knowing a place well. From rainforest rivers to desert rivers, from tidal rivers to those along the Continental Divide, the author has waded and fished these waters over the decades. Along with his fishing adventures, the book also looks at the geography, the early explorers of, and the modern-day impacts on the rivers themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780811771306
Publisher:	Stackpole Books
Publication date:	05/01/2022
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.78(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Tom Alkire has written about fishing, rivers, and the natural world for more than 30 years. In addition to a prolific freelance writing career, he spent three decades covering business and environment as a Northwest staff correspondent for Bloomberg BNA. His writing has been awarded by the Scripps Howard Foundation and the Newspaper Guild, among others. He is a frequent presenter at local fly fishing clubs and is the author of There’s More to Fishing (Than Catching Fish) and River Stories: Headwaters to the Sea. His essays have appeared in national and regional publications including Gray's Sporting Journal, Sporting Classics, Flyfishing and Tying Journal, Salmon Trout and Steelheader, and Willamette Week. He lives in Portland, Oregon and can be found at www.tomalkire.com.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Section I Columbia Tributaries

Chapter 1 Oregon Trail Steelhead 3

Chapter 2 A River in a Land of Lava 17

Chapter 3 Caldera Headwaters 37

Chapter 4 Of Quicksand and Rainbows 53

Chapter 5 Hellroaring Headwater 67

Chapter 6 The Falls 79

Chapter 7 A Boy and His River 89

Section II Rainforest Rivers

Chapter 8 A Fish of a Thousand Casts 103

Chapter 9 The Leaper 119

Section III Northern California Rivers

Chapter 10 The Klamath and Ol'Iron-Ass VP 131

Chapter 11 Of Shasta, Bats, and Goldens 149

Section IV The Rockies

Chapter 12 Rivers Without Water 165

Chapter 13 Along the Divide: Rivers and Ghosts 179

Acknowledgments 191

Index 193

Editorial Reviews

I have enjoyed Tom’s writing for years. Western Waters contains rich stories imbued with Tom’s unique sense of place, a deep appreciation of history, and special love for the sport of fly fishing.

Craig Schuhmann

For half a century, Tom Alkire has traveled throughout the West in search of fish that like to take flies. Tom captures and releases many good fish in this book, but more importantly he captures and then releases to us his feelings and insights and discoveries about the magnificent streams his fishy curiosity bathes him in. Tom is the perfect fishing partner, whether you are wading next to him or reading his stories!

Frank Amato

In Western Waters, Tom Alkire has given voice to the region’s rivers so that one not only hears the loud splash of a jumping steelhead, but also the soft song of a meadow lark or a deer stepping lightly out of thick brush along their banks. Take your time and enjoy every page with Tom as he takes you on a wonderful trip along his favorite waters, from the Pacific Coast to the Rocky Mountains.

Rick Hafele

Tom Alkire has captured the true essence of our western rivers and watersheds. Sharing his firsthand knowledge will be an inspiration to everyone who reads this book and visits our area. Tom’s book is also a great educational resource for families to learn about the treasures we have to enjoy and preserve.

Sherry Steele