Looking for gift ideas? There were 266 new books and DVDs released into the fly fishing marketplace in 2009. That’s down significantly from 2008, when 499 titles were released. The soft retail market drove different responses from the various publishers. Some cut way back on new releases, saving cash on printing and taking fewer risks on titles with questionable sales potential. Others, like Stackpole, Skyhorse, Headwater and Barclay Creek, fired off a selection of blockbuster titles and enjoyed solid sales.
I’ve sorted through the lot and compiled top-ten lists of books and DVDs for 2009, according to sales.
The Top 10 New Books of 2009:
#1 INVENTING MONTANA: DISPATCHES FROM THE MADISON VALLEY
Ted Leeson
Hardbound, $24.95
Need I say more? Ted’s our man, and the prose offered here are lush, personal and haunting. The fly fishing market is usually not kind to such artistic creations, preferring the how-tos and where-tos. It’s no small achievement for such a book to top the sales chart.
#2 MODERN MIDGES: TYING & FISHING THE WORLD’S MOST EFFECTIVE PATTERNS
Rick Takahashi and Jerry Hubka
Spiral Hardbound, $39.95
I sure needed another thousand midge patterns. Thanks, guys!
#3 FLY PATTERNS
Randall & Mary Kaufmann
Hardbound, $125.00
How about 3,600 new patterns? Wow. And most of them are Hickman’s.
#4 TROUT FLIES FOR RIVERS
Carol Ann Morris, Skip Morris
Hardbound, $49.95
This book, which includes an excellent, two-hour DVD, is mind-bending! Skip and Carol Ann offer up hundreds of new trout patterns, all of which are the result of on-the-water experimentation. Only the most effective flies made it into the book. Open this one up and it will blow you away.
#5 FLY FISHING TAILWATERS: TACTICS AND PATTERNS FOR YEAR-ROUND WATERS
Pat Dorsey
Hardbound, $49.95
As someone who avoids dams, I’m not qualified to speak on behalf of Pat’s new book, but I think its success speaks for itself. Fills a niche, for sure.
#6 NORTHWEST OF NORMAL: A NOVEL
John Larison
Hardbound, $24.95
I’ve already bombarded the blogosphere with my praise for this great little novel, but here’s a little more: Northwest of Normal is the perfect gift for the steelheader in your life. Assuming he or she can read.
#7 ANGLER MANAGEMENT: THE DAY I DIED WHILE FLY FISHING & OTHER STORIES
Jack Ohman
Hardbound, $24.95
The Oregonian’s internationally acclaimed political cartoonist proves here that he is completely cracked. I mean this guy is totally bonkers. It took me a couple of chapters to figure out his writing style, and it was worth the effort, mostly. Ohman’s iconic cartoons add to the fun.
#8 LOST IN WYOMING
Scott Sadil
Hardbound, $24.95
This is a gorgeous collection of fictional stories from one of our finest modern writers. Readers of Gray’s and the Drake already know how great he is. Now you can, too.
#9 ALASKA CHRONICLES
Miles Nolte
Hardbound, $24.95
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to ditch your responsibilities and become an Alaska fly guide, save yourself the trouble and read Nolte’s blow-by-blow account. Good stuff.
#10 THE NORTH UMPQUA CHRONICLES: THE SECRET DIARY OF A YEAR ON THE RIVER
Pat McRae
Softbound, $26.95
Straight from the heart of the North Umpqua’s inner circle: Frank Moore provided the inspiration, Jim Van Loan edited (and scrambled the names of the spots to throw us off the scent), and McCrae fished his butt off, putting it all down for us to sift through. There’s no map included, if that’s what you are wondering. And even after studying Pat’s book, I’ll bet I still won’t be able to land a fish up there. Oh well. Check out our Q&A with Pat McRae and an Excerpt of the book.
The Top 10 New DVDs of 2009:
Ready to sit back with a brewski and watch other people catch fish? Want to take a quick trip to New Zealand for only $29.95? Or maybe you just want to cast and tie flies like Ed Ward? Check out this year’s best-selling DVDs. There’s something for everyone:
#1 NERVOUS WATER
RA Beattie
DVD, $25.00
You can call him “R.A.” Which is nice, because his last name is kinda tricky: pronounced bee-yah-tee. I’m going out on a limb and calling him “the best.” Nervous Water is not only the finest fly fishing DVD I’ve ever seen, but it’s also the best value. Four mouth-watering features and ten shorts take you around the globe chasing the coolest fish that swim. If you already own R.A’s other DVDs, be warned: all his previous films are included in this collection: Slovenia on the Fly, Bird Chasers and Alaska First Decent. But the new footage and the ten shorts make it a must-have DVD.
#2 RISE: THE MOVIE
Confluence Films
DVD, $29.95
I still haven’t seen this, and I’ve heard some mixed reviews. Most go like this: the tarpon stuff is totally sick, and the rest is good. The Confluence crew does good work, and I expect this to fall right in line. Selling like mad.
#3 SKAGIT MASTER FEATURING ED WARD
New Water Media (aka Jeff “Cap’n” Mishler)
DVD, $39.99
Ed really did change steelhead fly fishing forever, though he would never want to admit it. The Intruder is the bitchin’est fly tying invention since the vise, and short-bellied lines are required to throw them. Even bobbicator dudes are throwing these Skagit lines now. Gotta give the man his due, especially since he doesn’t want it. And hand it to Mish for busting his ass on this for the last couple of years. Well done, Jeffrey. Skagitmaster Review.
#4 ONCE IN A BLUE MOON: THE FLYFISHING ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
Jeanie Ackley, Carl McNeil & Earl Kingi
DVD, $29.95
As someone who will probably never go to New Zealand, I appreciated the aerial tour, the cool story line, and the fine cinematography. The film claims to unlock the mystery of New Zealand’s “Mouse Year.” I’d be willing to bet that people figured it out a long time before this, but it’s still a cool movie and an excellent seller.
#5 HUSTLE & FISH: FISHIN’ AIN’T EASY
Steve Apple and Dave Wilson (aka Rollcast Productions)
DVD, $24.99
“Hustle and Fish” Trailer V1 from Rollcast Productions on Vimeo.
Hahahahahahahaha! That’s some funny shit! Be sure to check out Fishizzle, too. This is the sequel. Gorgeous film, sweet soundtrack, and a nuts-kicking storyline. Steve says he’s never doing that again. His nuts are still sore.
#6 RIVERS OF A LOST COAST
Justin Coupe & Palmer Taylor
DVD, $29.95
This hard-hitting documentary follows the careers of California’s pioneering steelhead and salmon fly anglers as their precious rivers are dammed and their fish are slaughtered. By the end of the film, you’ll be sure there’s not a salmon left on the West Coast. It gives us Oregonians a taste of what will happen here if growing municipalities get their way. Required viewing, friends. But keep in mind that the Eel, Smith and Chetco actually had a semi-decent run this fall. So there may yet be hope.
#7 BONEFISH: A FISHING ODYSSEY
Charles Rangeley-Wilson
DVD, $24.95
British nut-job Charles Rangeley-Wilson and his camera-toting buddy hit the streets of Andros Island in search of a ten pound bonefish. They ride bikes along the coast and get unsolicited advice from all the islanders. Goofy, low-brow, and charming.
#8 JOY OF FLYCASTING PART 1: TRICK CASTS
Michael Mauri
DVD, $29.95
Here’s a bunch of showy casts that chicks will dig!
#9 STU APTE’S QUEST FOR GIANT TARPON
Stu Apte
DVD, $29.95
Most youngsters get tired of hearing older folks tell their stories. And when that older guy is Stu Apte, kids will naturally get the feeling that Stu is full of himself. But those people are missing Stu’s point. He’s not bragging. He really was the first guy to do all that stuff. He’s a hero, a patriot, a passionate angler and educator. If you think you’re pretty cool, you’ll be knocked down to size after watching Stu in this 1993 film. Watch, listen and learn. Then get a copy of his autobiography, Of Wind and Tides.
#10 STU APTE’S TARPON COUNTRY
Stu Apte
DVD, $24.95
Travel back to the Florida of 1976 when Stu and Flip were still pioneering the sport of tarpon fishing. What a stud!
-RR
Inventing Montana is an amazing read. Oh the Valley!