Brilliant, witty, perceptive essays about fly-fishing, the natural world, and life in general by the acknowledged master of fishing writers.
"Once an angler has become serious about the sport (and 'serious' is the word that's used), he'll never again have enough tackle or enough time to use it. And his nonangling friends and family may never again entirely recognize him, either." In other words, he (or she) will have entered Gierach territory. And fishermen who choose to brave the crowds at the big hold, commune with the buddies at the "family pool," or even wade into questionable waters in the dark of night are sure to recognize themselves in "Even Brook Trout Get the Blues."
Whether debating bamboo versus graphite rods, describing the pleasure of fishing in pocket waters or during a spring snow in the mountains, or recounting a trip in pursuit of the "fascinatingly ugly" longnose gar, Gierach understands that fly-fishing is more than a sport. It's a way of life in which patience is (mostly) rewarded, the rhythms of the natural world are appreciated, and the search for the perfect rod or ideal stream is never ending. It is not a life without risks, for as Gierach warns: "This perspective on things can change you irreparably. If it comes to you early enough in life, it can save you from ever becoming what they call 'normal.'" "Even Brook Trout Get the Blues" will convince you that "normal" is greatly overrated.

It's Raining Frogs and Fishes is a generously illustrated inquiry into wonders of the sky: Why is the sky blue? Where do meteors originate? What causes rainbows, mirages, and the colors of the sunset? Why do some birds and insects migrate, and how do they navigate over hundreds or thousands of miles to do it? How have civilizations throughout history viewed the aurora borealis, tornadoes, eclipses, and the bizarre but well documented cases of fish, reptiles, snails, and even snakes that have rained to earth? Author Jerry Dennis and illustrator Glenn Wolff approach such questions with curiosity and wit, and suggest ways to observe first-hand extraordinary weather, astronomical anomalies, and odd and interesting wildlife of the skies.

This updated edition of the national bestseller is a spellbinding look into the natural world's most fascinating and baffling phenomena, with illustrated explanations of rainbows, meteors, sunsets, hurricanes, the northern lights, bird and insect flight, and dozens of other curiosities. Subjects are arranged by season, and each is discussed in a concise and entertaining style that blends the most recent scientific findings with historical anecdotes, personal observations, and examples of the lore and superstitions that have always surrounded phenomena of the skies. PRAISE

"Amusing and illuminating...This writer-artist team shines a bright and lovely light on nature." Los Angeles Times

"Charming, informative, humorous, and scholarly... embraces wind and weather, the sun, the moon and stars, the seasons of the year and the effect of these things on the denizens of this planet. It is a delight." Nelson Bryant, The New York Times

"Vastly entertaining, valuable... Makes natural history so much fun the reader is sucked from paragraph to paragraph, page to page, chapter to chapter." St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"This delightful look at nature...is a cornucopia of fact and lore. Wit, humor, wonder, and reverence spice and season the vignettes herein. It's Raining Frogs and Fishes reminds adults -- especially in this hectic, fast-paced, just-do-it world -- that it is more than OK, it is desirable, to be child-like and to look up at the heavens and ask why." Toledo Blade

"For anyone interested in natural history, there are few texts to rival this one." Booklist

"As leaves fall and the sky becomes more noticeable, you're likely to look towards the heavens and wonder at their mysteries... Author Jerry Dennis and illustrator Glenn Wolff address the questions with intelligence, wit and artistry." Atlanta Constitution

"A delightful book, both readable and informative -- like the best of Hal Borland and Edwin Way Teale...You've many hours of pleasure waiting with It's Raining Frogs and Fishes." Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Parents take note: Here's how to explain comets (stars with horrid hair) and frost (flowers of ice)... surprisingly nontechnical." Detroit Free Press

"With text that mesmerizes, drawings that enchant, and a dust jacket that simply feels good, this book calls you to hold it open before you." The Oakland Press

"This wonderfully illustrated book will make heroes of parents and teachers, who will be able to explain nature's magic and the superstitions surrounding it." El Paso Times

"This is a perfect choice for adults and kids alike who want to discover more about how the world is put together. Dennis has done a good job of entertaining and informing at the same time, and Glenn Wolff's black-and-white illustrations gracefully supplement the fact-filled text. It's enjoyable reading and a good reference for anyone's library." Sacramento Bee

Jerry Dennis has earned a reputation as one of the finest writers on nature and the outdoors in America today. Now in From a Wooden Canoe, he turns his attention to old passions and discovers new reasons to appreciate them.

This engaging collection explores the quintessential American sports of canoeing and camping and pays tribute to the things worth keeping, from wooden canoes to pocket knives to cast-iron skillets. At a deeper level, it is about respect - for our possessions, for the natural world, for ourselves - and about the pleasures of a life well spent.

From a Wooden Canoe is a celebration of the good things and the simple pleasures of life outdoors. It is a book to be treasured, to be read on winter evenings and rainy afternoons, and to be kept handy on a cabin shelf.

A noted outdoors expert and an acclaimed illustrator have banded together to create a stunning picture of the wildlife in the eastern half of the United States. Complete with observation tips. 75 illustrations.