RIP John Gierach

[ColdWaterFshr]

Sad to hear of his passing.

https://www.hatchmag.com/articles/beloved-author-john-gierach-passes-away-78/7715996

[Al Agnew]

I think I have every one of his books, and always looked forward to the next one.  Fly fishing themed books are a dime a dozen, and many are more navel gazing than anything else, trying to put some deep, philosophical meaning to what is essentially "standing in the water waving a stick".  Gierach was entertaining and unpretentious.  I would have loved to spend a day on the river with him.

Funny how fly fishing lends itself to such books, while bass fishing doesn't.  Two different cultures.  I've written a lot now and then of the kind of stuff I'd like to see in books on stream bass fishing, a mixture of how it's done and why I love it so much, and Gierach was always an inspiration.

[ness]

Sorry to hear this. I really love his books and have nearly all of them including some that are autographed. I’ll often grab one off the shelf and reread a chapter or two. 

[ness]

Here's a side story some may find interesting. 

I bought John's book 'Fly Fishing Small Streams' and just loved the painting on the cover. So I called the publisher's office to inquire about it, thinking it was a probably a dead end. The lady said it was by Bob Abbett. She gave me his number and was sure that he wouldn't mind if I called. I called and within *minutes* of going down the path I was talking to Bob. I asked about the painting and he said hang on a minute - he'd look to see if he had one. A couple minutes later he was back on the phone said he had one there, so I arranged to purchase it. I asked him if he wouldn't mind writing a letter describing how the painting came about. A week or so later, I had the painting, and the letter!

The painting hangs in my home office with the letter on the back.

 

I think the letter is pretty cool. 

I really love this guy's work. He did a lot of bird hunting paintings, including several with Brittanys. We talked about things and when I told him I had a Brittany he asked if I'd want him to do a portrait. Well, I was pretty sure that was going to be out of my budget so I passed. 

He was such a good guy. He passed away a few years back. 

 

 

[ColdWaterFshr]

7 minutes ago, ness said:

Here's a side story some may find interesting. 

I bought John's book 'Fly Fishing Small Streams' and just loved the painting on the cover. So I called the publisher's office to inquire about it, thinking it was a probably a dead end. The lady said it was by Bob Abbett, she had his number and was sure that he wouldn't mind if I called. I called and within *minutes* of going down the path I was talking to Bob. I asked about the painting and he said hang on a minute - he'd look to see if he had one. A couple minutes later he was back on the phone said he had one there, so I arranged to purchase it. I asked him if he wouldn't mind writing a letter describing how the painting came about. A week or so later, I had the painting, and the letter!

 

I think the letter is pretty cool. 

I really love this guy's work. He did a lot of bird hunting paintings, including several with Brittanys. We talked about things and when I told him I had a Brittany he asked if I'd want him to do a portrait. Well, I was pretty sure that was going to be out of my budget so I passed. 

He was such a good guy. He passed away a few years back. 

 

 

Beautiful picture.  But that he took the time to write you a letter and tell you the story about the painting . . . blown away.  That is super cool.  Love this.

[ness]

4 minutes ago, ColdWaterFshr said:

Beautiful picture.  But that he took the time to write you a letter and tell you the story about the painting . . . blown away.  That is super cool.  Love this.

I know, right? Just a very friendly guy, and so kind of him to do that for me. 

I don't know if you read the letter, but that second to last sentence is pretty cool, IMO. 

[ColdWaterFshr]

6 hours ago, ness said:

I don't know if you read the letter, but that second to last sentence is pretty cool, IMO. 

Yes, the letter is what makes this 100 times better than just a painting you admired from a random person who did a book cover.  A John Gierach book cover no less, but that you talked to him, and he took the time to write such a heartfelt letter and yes, that second to last sentence kills me. 

Just ordered the book on Amazon.  Thanks.

[Al Agnew]

I knew Robert Abbett casually; wildlife and nature art is a small world.  Great artist and great guy.  Most of us love to talk about our work and are happy to answer questions about it.  And yes, there aren't too many fly fishing paintings that address the "hunting" aspect of it.  Here's one of mine, entitled "Scouting the Pool".

[ness]

8 hours ago, Al Agnew said:

I knew Robert Abbett casually; wildlife and nature art is a small world.  Great artist and great guy.  Most of us love to talk about our work and are happy to answer questions about it.  And yes, there aren't too many fly fishing paintings that address the "hunting" aspect of it.  Here's one of mine, entitled "Scouting the Pool".

Nice!