All The Time In The World

I enjoy Gierach immensely and have done so since Trout Bum . This was the book which established him , in my view , as the finest living writer on the sport. His punchy, wry style is uniquely American and can evoke Hemingway, but through the lens of a liberal baby boomer acclimatising to his own mortality. I see that the one star reviews sneer at him for commenting on politics and climate change . How absurd – the book is about the author as much as his chosen sport and why on earth should it matter if the views expressed do not reflect the reader’s politics? Or does one’s chosen reading material now have to echo the reader’s own views? Gierach’s last few books have given the impression of being written on autopilot – but still better than some of the cliched garbage being peddled by some lesser writers. But this book is as good a book as he’s written since Trout Bum , especially his account of fishing through the pandemic . And good for him for not keeping his own views hidden under a bushel. A joy to read .

Gierach won’t give you indigestion or challenge your intellect or vocabulary, but he does say things that make you think from time to time, most notably for me in this volume “nothing eats if nothing dies.” Gierach also has become slightly less reluctant in recent years than previously to reveal his political leanings. I don’t know any Republicans outside Alaska who have thoroughly accepted that human activities have changed–and continue to change–the Earth’s climate. Gierach has accepted that. He also is old enough that he can see the day that age-related infirmities will start to limit his fishing, although I imagine he hopes that day still is far off. I hope so, for him and for me (I am a couple of years older than John).

He also writes about the covid-19 pandemic in this book. It affected his travels as it affected most of our travels. All this continues to make his readers feel as if a good friend is talking to us. So if you liked his previous books, then you will like this one. Every once in a while I felt Gierach has lost a step–there are more editorial errors than I remember in his previous books, for example, and a couple of chapters seem less original than the others–and that’s why I gave it four rather than five stars. But I enjoyed the book and hope there are more to come.

I’ve been reading John Gierach since the early 90s. He has always had a simple, unaffected writing style tinged with wisdom on the appreciation of the smaller things in life that seemed to belie his younger age 30 years ago but now seems perfectly aligned to his getting up there in years. (I can say that as it’s happening to me, too)

While some of the terms like Pale Morning Dun or #16 fly may not make sense to non fly fisher persons, I imagine even they would enjoy the simple wordsmithing of this book. Gierach finds universally relatable aspects of every story he tells, whether it’s the cliches of small town America, the joy of being out of doors and breathing fresh air, or the saddening changes he’s seen in the places he visits as climate change alters our world.

Gierach writes with sentimentality but always avoids the maudlin or melodramatic. Where he truly shines is when he talks about people, those he knows well and those he only observes from afar. In a few sparse words he brings those characters to life in entirely recognizable ways. He avoids drama, unless it is the heart-pounding excitement of hooking a fat trout, and relies as much on our experience with the human condition for understanding as we rely on his words to bring us into the story.

Every book by Mr Gierach is a delight in its own way; this is no exception.

John Gierach is always a winner about telling stories!

I’ve read all of his books and own a good collection of his previous works; this latest is probably his best yet in the genre. Maybe I’m a bit sentimental since he’s local, but this 20th book of his resonated very much. For me, the 2nd half of the book was especially poignant, but I won’t ruin it for anyone by saying why. Definitely a keeper worth reading and rereading if you’re into flyfishing.

Been a fan since his first , and this one again does not disappoint. John has a way to make you feel like you know him and his friends. And , obviously, would like to fish with them. Every picture he paints with words brings me to the lake, stream, wherever, and the view is wonderful. I know there are other good fishing authors out there , but none have brought me so seamlessly in their world. Keep up the great work Mr Gierach.