BOOK REVIEWS
MOST TROUT DON’T READ, by Scot Bealer, with photos by Lea Frye
Published by Sweetgrass Books, 2024
"One thing’s for sure: If you read Scot Bealer’s new book, Most Trout Don’t Read, you will become a better angler. The book is part how-to, part fishing stories, and part philosophy. Bealer uses his extensive “time on the water” to impart solid advice on everything from fly rods, flies and aquatic insects, setting the hook, waders, fishing throughout the seasons, landing nets, and many other subjects. He delivers his advice wrapped around engaging stories from his own fishing experiences.
"The book features captivating Lea Frye photos that illustrate Bealer’s wide ranging stories in beautiful, vivid colors. Frye gives us some of the best close-up trout photos that you are likely to see anywhere.
"It’s not often that you see so much good advice about flyfishing in such an attractive package.
"You will be treated to stories about moose encounters that illustrate the importance of being aware of your surroundings, especially on remote lakes and streams.
"Bealer also includes a chapter on things to keep in mind when taking kids fishing. His stories and advice come from years of experience fishing with kids of all ages, including his own.
"Trust me, whether you are a beginner or expert fly angler, you will find this book to be a good read. I especially enjoyed the sections on reading the water, and fishing some of the storied trout streams like the Madison and Missouri.
"The book’s fun title, the way I read it, refers to the fact that even though trout are well adapted to their environment, they aren’t Einsteins. This gives us all hope that if we are keen observers, we can maybe catch a few."
— John Fraley, former fisheries biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and best-selling author of My Wilderness Life; A Woman's Way West; Heroes of the Bob Marshall Wilderness; Rangers, Trappers, and Trailblazers; and Wild River Pioneers
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
WOW, This book is an amazing read! If you are just starting out in the world of fly fishing, or even if you've been at it for several years, this thing is packed with insightful information. The Author does a wonderful job of explaining some of the ins and outs of fly fishing, but does it through sharing many of his adventures, experiences, and mistakes in the world of fly fishing. This book will not disappoint, and the photography that goes along with it is simply amazing...Get your copy today!!!
5.0 out of 5 stars But if they did read, they'd read this book!
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024
Put simply: Fly fishing is beautiful. Not only by the design and mechanics of a cast that seemingly defies gravity, or the artistic finesse of using natural materials of feathers and fur to imitate a natural organism, but perhaps, even more importantly, it is beautiful because of the places it takes us and the cleansing power it has to wash away our daily worries. Bealer and Frye have created a book whose language and photography capture the resplendent beauty of fly fishing. The most valuable advice in learning this sport comes not by structured step-by-step training, but by lessons learned through experience and stories. Bealer knows this when he writes, “…the more you look, the more you find.” Much time goes into earning these experiences, and this team of author/photographer have the rare ability to bring those experiences to life on the page. This book deserves a place in each fly angler’s library. It has a permanent place in mine. - Daniel J. Rice, owner of Riverfeet Fly Fishing and author of The Unpeopled Season
5.0 out of 5 stars Fly fishing reads
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2024
Book was given to me as a gift. I really enjoyed reading it and reminiscing about when I got started and it brought up so many memories of things I 'wished I'd known" but ended up learning after a lot of trial and error. We have traveled many of the same roads and know several people in common. The photography is stunning. A lot of good insights no matter how much fly fishing you have done. And yes, didn't we all start out slinging a spinning rig with a bobber and a worm? :)