Books by Art Lee
This site also now features the books of Art Lee. Art recently acquired from his publisher the entire unsold inventory of his books and we are now marketing them through several different channels, including this web site. Art is considered by many to be America's finest writer on fly fishing. If you don't have his books or would like to have an autographed copy with a special dedication, you may obtain brand new, mint condition copies of them here. I am currently helping Art develop his own site and will let you all know when it comes on line. <Just send me an email including the title(s) you wish and any inscription>. We will invoice you by return email. We prefer payment through PayPal or money order in US dollars. Details including shipping will be included in the invoice.
Art Lee, Illustrated by Gordon Allen
Fishing Dry Flies for Trout on Rivers and Streams ($24.95)
Few topics, excepting perhaps sex, have gotten so much ink over the years as dry fly fishing for trout. And it is widely accepted that few authors have done it so well as veteran Art Lee whose career astream has spanned almost four decades. Indeed, many critics have called the book the best ever written on dry fly fishing. Period. Art himself has said of its extraordinary clarity: “I have always believed the clearest writers of how–to material in the English language [to be] Herman Melville and Ernest Hemingway. Though a trout fishing book, I sought to make it ‘smell’ to me of their whale oil recipes and mechanics of rigging marlin baits respectively.” Forwarded by former President and recent Nobel laureate Jimmy Carter.
Art Lee, Illustrated by Galen Mercer
The Lore of Trout Fishing ($26.95)
Art Lee at his very best. This book is a learning tool of extraordinary precision and clarity rooted in a selection of articles written by the legendary angler–author over three decades for Fly Fisherman Magazine; but it is definitely not an anthology. Each article chosen from which to construct a chapter was re–edited, updated, often significantly re–written and expanded and includes scores of new photos and illustrations. In its Forward longtime Fly Fisherman Editor and Publisher John Randolph wrote: “Art Lee is a fly fisher and a writer, and in both endeavors he is exceptional. The book offers his mature, clear–eyed vision, that clear–eyed vision of a world that non–fly fishers must consider at best arcane and at worst immodestly self–indulgent.” (Art calls it “living’s ultimate metaphor.”) Beautifully illustrated by Galen Mercer, himself a superb angler, all photos are by Art’s wife and partner of more than 30 years, Kris Lee.
Art Lee, Illustrated by Galen Mercer
Tying and Fishing the Riffling Hitch ($21.95)
A truly remarkable work on one of the most exciting wrinkles in all of sport. Who but Art Lee, considered by many the best writer on angling ever, could have successfully written an exhaustive and definitive work on configuring and fishing the riffling, or Portland, hitch for Atlantic salmon and steelhead trout? This technique has proven deadly wherever these, any many other gamefish species, swim, and Art’s handsome book has served to add a whole new dimension to the angling adventures of countless fly fishers at home and abroad. Forwarded by Jack Hemingway.
Art Lee, Illustrated by Galen Mercer
On Blue Water ($50.00)
This wonderful little volume recounts the author's immersion in big game fishing, the Hemingway experience, and the awesome species of fish the famed author loved and respected above all others, blue marlin and bluefin tuna. In Art's own words, "This is probably the best writing I have ever done, in part, I'm sure, because no matter whatever else I've experienced in this 'pinch me' life I've led, sport to me has always ultimately begun and ended in the harness and chair fighting these two fish." Tommy Gifford, "Mister Big Game Fishing", and Hemingway quite literally haunt its pages. Indeed the book is dedicated to "Santiago's Sail", a reference of respect for Papa's The Old Man and the Sea. It is a beautifully-produced volume in a limited edition of 1250 signed copies. Dust Jacket and entire book designed by the author and Galen Mercer. Please note that we are temporarily suspending sales of this volume while our remaining unbound inventory undergoes binding. <Please send your name and email address> if you want us to reserve you a copy.