7 Books to Read While It Is Too Cold to Fish
Fishermen can be a stubbornly devoted group when it comes to braving the elements, each having their own story of rain storms, sunburn, or being blown around the water by powerful winds. Once the dead of winter hits, though, many fishermen hang up their rods and reels to wait for the big bites of spring.
So, if you are one of the fishermen who, understandably, doesn’t want to have to carry a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol to defrost your line guides, here are some books to help scratch that itch until things start warming up a bit.
How to Think Like a Fish by Jeremy Wade
The host of the hit TV show River Monsters teaches you how to use biological and environmental factors to become a better fisherman. Along the way, he shares some of his fishing stories, gives you a behind the scenes look at some of the episodes of River Monsters, and gives a reminder to take care of our natural resources before it’s too late.
A Fly Rod of Your Own by John Gierach
You don’t have to fly fish to be touched by this book. Gierach makes fly fishing relatable and about more than just fishing. Being a book of essays, it’ll make a great stop-and-go book to make it through the weather roller coaster of a North Carolina winter.
Gather at the River edited by David Joy with Eric Rickstad
Put together by North Carolina native David Joy, sitting down with this book is like sitting down with your buddies to talk about fishing. From lightning storms to frog gigging, from nostalgia to hope for the future, this 25 author collection has something for everyone.
Eye of the Shoal by Helen Scales
If you are just as excited about fish as you are about fishing, this one is for you! A marine biologist sharing her passion with the world, discussing fish, their underwater world, and even some of the legends they have sparked.
Casting into the Light by Janet Missineo
Not all fishermen are men, and those that aren’t work very hard to earn that title. Full of history, competition, learning, and tenacity, Janet Missineo’s story has a takeaway for anyone who likes to fish, whether they feel they’ve earned the title “fisherman” or not.
Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Only have a short window to read before it’s time to go fishing again, but want a deep story that you can get something significant from? Don’t worry, Mr. Hemingway has your back. Sometimes it’s not fish that we’re after.
Total Fishing Manual by Joe Cermele
Why not learn a new technique to take out on the water with you next season? Covering a wide array of species, techniques, knots, lures, and baits, The Total Fishing Manual can teach even the most seasoned fishing veteran something new.
