"DaveS" wrote in message
...
On Sep 16, 7:01 pm, Giles wrote:
On Sep 16, 1:37 pm, DaveS wrote:
Theodore Gordon never got to publish a book. However, (unless
something newer has come out) the best compilation of his writing was
published in 1947, edited by John McDonald, and republished in 1970.
app550 pgs. The book was titled "The Complete Fly Fisherman," (The
notes and letters of . . . . ) The first edition (1946) was published
by Scribner's, and the 1970 edition by The Theodore Gordon Flyfishers
who were also assigned the copyright in '68. My '70 edition cost me
$65 in '96 used, so who knows how much today.

It consists of his "notes" published in the "Fishing Gazette," and his
letters. He had quite a dialogue with the Brits (Skues and Halford),
and the letters include both the highly technical and more informal
(his correspondence with Steenrod). He was an excellent writer and
McDonald (the editor) was an editor for Fortune, so that work was done
well.

Gordon was an extraordinary focused introvert, obsessed with the
development of North American fly technique. I think what one gets
from Gordon in particular, but also to Hewitt and LaBranche is how
much we owe to these pioneers.

Maybe a little better for the ave Flyfisher is "American Trout
Fishing, by Theodore Gordon and a company of anglers." (1965) It is a
collection of one 18pg note of Gordon's, and 26 other short pieces by
virtually all the major figures and writers of American Fly Fishing
from the period 1930-1965, . . . on the 50th anniversary of Gordon's
death. It was edited by Arnold Gingrich, who was the publisher of
"Esquire" magazine. Fly fishing writing in those days was IMHO far
more literate in those days than now. I think Borzoi editions of this
book would still be available for less than $50.

I will dig out my Hewitt's in a day or two for usable citations.

Dave
Who still prefers Wood-ware (IE real books on real paper)

The Gordon compilation is one I probably re-read every winter, as well.
It's amazing the insights the man had, and how 'modern' some of his patterns
and ideas were. You are right about his personal character, at times, his
writing can even get a bit maudlin, a by-product of his solitary
nature..

I agree completely on 'real books'. I guess, as I look back on it, my annual
angling cycle consists of reading and tying in the winters, and
fishing in the spring through the late autumn. Not that I'd suggest that my
way is the 'right' way, but it forms a comfortable cycle for me. When I was
younger, I tended to pound the streams 12 months a year, but have found a
slower pace, with more time spent studying and learning from the past adds a
bit of depth to the sport.

Tom