Top 11 Urban Fishing Cities in North America
North America is undergoing an urban fishing revival. In the United States, the Clean Water Act of 1972 kicked off a nationwide clean-up of city waters created many challenging urban fisheries from New York to Vancouver.
In his lifetime, internationally-known fly fisherman Jack Shaw changed the face of fly fishing in British Columbia, authored two best selling books on fly fishing and was an inspiration to fly fishermen around the world.
In Ralph Shaw's new book, The Pleasure of His Company, readers will learn intimate details about Jack's fishing experiences through his personal diaries, which span 19 years, and find out how Jack discovered the secrets of making the imitator fly patterns for which he is famous. He shares his fishing secret fishing tips and personal observation and his diaries are an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the sport of fly fishing.
Three years ago Ralph embarked on a journey to write a book based on his friend and teacher's diaries. Little did he realize what he was stepping into when he took on this monster task.
He started the project with funding from the BC Fly Fishing Federation, Doug Robertson, Dorothy Shaw and fly fishing clubs and members. After transcribing the diaries, he had a staggering 322,000 words, thousands of 35mm slides, additional stories, letters and fly fishing patterns.
After a great deal of editing, Ralph reduced the material to a book he is pleased with and more than a little proud of. The book captures the magic of an era during which pioneers created a new method of fly-fishing. The diaries tell of successes and failures but throughout the years they reveal the wisdom of this talented man and his colleagues.
Ralph self published the book, which features 70 watercolour paintings of flies by artist Larry Stefanyk, as well as 130 photographs of flies, fishermen and scenery, most of which were taken by Jack Shaw.
This special book on the development and history of fly fishing will make a great present for any fly fisher. The book is printed on environmentally sensitive paper.
All proceeds from the book go to McQueen Lake Environmental Centre in Kamloops and The Freshwater Fisheries of BC's Learn to Fish programs, which provide fishing instruction and environmental education to children.
THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE THROUGH THE FRESHWATER FISHERIES SOCIETY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA FOR $39.95 CDN. TO PURCHASE, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 250-414-4209 OR E-MAIL DISCOVERFISHING@GOFISHBC.COM
