One of our great American writers has moved on to the trout stream in the sky this past week. John Gierach, with his thoughtful prose and timeless wit, inspired countless anglers and readers alike to embrace the art of fly fishing and the natural world around them. His writing didn’t just celebrate fishing but the entire experience of being connected to nature—the stillness, the challenges, the camaraderie, and the moments of pure joy that often come unexpectedly.
Gierach had an uncanny ability to capture the beauty in the ordinary, weaving stories that resonated with anyone who had ever felt the pull of the wild. Whether you were a seasoned angler or someone simply curious about the sport, his words could make you feel as though you were standing knee-deep in a stream, listening to the water rush by.
While John may no longer be casting his line in earthly waters, his legacy lives on in the stories he shared, the lives he touched, and the countless anglers who continue to explore the waters he so vividly brought to life. He left with us with so many quotable lines that keep us inspired on the water and longing to take in the great outdoors. Here are 10 of our favorites:
“We didn’t fish, we just looked; something every fisherman should take the time to do now and then. Leave the rods in the car for once and just take it all in like a tourist.”
Take a minute and lift your head up every now and then.
“Big fish are what we want, but they’re like true love, success, lots of money, or maybe public office: we don’t know why we want them, but we figure that will take care of itself if we ever connect.”
The ego is a hell of a drug.
“However the evening goes, someone is required to mention how great it is to be sitting around in camp, even it it’s raining and we haven’t caught any fish yet.”
We love a good campfire chat.
“Fishermen must travel, it’s part of the game, and when you go on the road you point your headlights to the direction of larger, rather than smaller, fish.”
Sense of Adventure.
“A 12-inch trout caught on a dry fly is four inches longer that a 12-inch trout caught on a nymph or streamer. It’s something many fly fishermen believe, or feel in their hearts.”
#facts
“If people don’t occasionally walk away from you shaking their heads, you’re doing something wrong.”
We should all strive to be a little truer to ourselves and a little weirder to others.
“The solution to any problem – work, love, money, whatever – is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be.”
Scientifically proven direct correlation. Nature solves shit.
“There are very few things in life that are dead center. Three of them are 1955 Ford pickups, B. B. King, and dry fly fishing.”
Love a man with opinions.
“The best fisherman I know try not to make the same mistakes over and over again; instead, they strive to make new and interesting mistakes and to remember what they learned from them.”
#ThisIsNotAboutFishing
“Taking trout on dry flies in flowing water is supreme if only because it’s one of the loveliest things you’ll ever have a hand in.”
We agree, John. May your river be forever filled with top-water eats.
Rest in peace, John Gierach – your words will continue to ripple through our lives like the waters you so loved.