Fishin' Around

Fishin' Around by Burton L. Spiller. 1974. Winchester Press, New York.

 'What? Burt Spiller is a fisherman'?' The surprise is understandable, for in none of his six previously published books did 'the poet laureate of the ruffled grouse' reveal himself in any other guise than hunter. But in fact, as his great friend and gunning partner Tap Tapply writes in the foreword, 'he cast a fly well and played a trout deftly, even though his attention was likely to wander if he heard the piping of a sparrow, and I have seen him stop fishing altogether to sit and watch a muskrat.' Tapply's comment tells us much, both about the book and about the great gentleman who sent it off to a publisher just shortly before his death. Spiller's accompanying note diffidently described the manuscript as 'glimpses of Canada, Nova Scotia and Maine, with a little fishing....It is vignettes.' So it is, but it is also pure Spiller, with all his honesty, grace, humor and sensitivity, in waders instead of in brush pants. Perhaps it can't be termed typical Spiller -- there would have to be dogs and birds for that -- but it is nonetheless essential to a rounded portrait of the man and a comprehensive appreciation of his work. Fishin' Around is perhaps the only Spiller work that is capable of revealing to the non-shooting outdoorsman the full measure of the qualities that have established Spiller's upland books as classics. And for his legion of staunch admirers, whether they are anglers or not, this handsome final volume is a worthy companion to Grouse Feathers, Firelight, Thoroughbred and the rest."

Hardcover, very good condition, tearing and damage to dust cover. ISBN: 0-87691-128-9

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