The American Fisherman: How Our Nation's Anglers Founded, Fed, Financed, and Forever Shaped the U.S.A.

by Willie Robertson, William Doyle

Overview

New York Times Bestseller • “A celebration of sport fishing in America, its history, locales, and impact.” — New York Times Book Review 

An essential book for everyone who loves casting a line into our nation's waters, The American Fisherman, by outdoorsman Willie Robertson (CEO of Duck Commander and star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty) and historian William Doyle, reveals that in the U.S.A., fishing is far more than a pastime—it has shaped our past and defined our character in remarkable ways.

This generously illustrated celebration of fish, anglers, and our country’s treasured wild places traces fishing’s astonishing impact on the United States and its people, from its settlement and founding, to powering its economy and inspiring our creativity and faith. Blessed by perhaps the most diverse and abundant waters in the world, Native Americans were the continent’s first master anglers and incorporated fish into their spiritual beliefs and legends. When the Vikings, the earliest European visitors, arrived, they were drawn across the Atlantic Ocean by the bountiful fishing grounds of North America’s East Coast. During the colonial era, fish helped save the Pilgrims, make George Washington wealthy, and win the American Revolution. From New England cod to Pacific Northwest salmon to Gulf shrimp, the fishing industry has fed and financed centuries of Americans in every region of the country.

Throughout, Willie and Bill explore how fishing has made an enduring mark on our national identity and culture. The American Fisherman is also an ode to our nation’s extraordinary natural places: alpine trout streams in the Rocky Mountains, steelhead runs along the storm-tossed Alaskan coast, the azure waters off Key West where marlin roam, and the bayous of Louisiana where the Robertsons have instilled the love and lessons of fishing down through the generations, as so many other families have.

A spirited and unique look at the U.S.A. and its people, The American Fisherman will hook every sportsman from the first page and forever deepen their appreciation for the fishing life.

INCLUDES MORE THAN 75 PHOTOS

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062496928
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	11/22/2016
Edition description:	Large Print
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Willie Robertson is the CEO of Duck Commander, Buck Commander, Fin Commander, and Strut Commander. The author of the New York Times bestseller The Duck Commander Family, Willie was a cast member and executive producer of A&E’s hit show Duck Dynasty. Willie loves being outdoors with his family and friends and is happiest at his home in West Monroe, Louisiana, with his wife, Korie, and their children: John Luke, Sadie, Will, Bella, Rebecca, and Rowdy.

William Doyle has written or cowritten seven books, including PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy and American Gun: A History of the U.S. in Ten Firearms (with “American Sniper” Chris Kyle). He served as director of original programming for HBO and was coproducer of the PBS special Navy SEALs: Their Untold Story. He lives with his family in New York City.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

Prologue: An American Fishing Family 1

1 The Founding Fishermen 21

2 The Fisherman Who Created America 41

3 The Greatest American Fishing Trip of All 55

4 The Fish That Won the Last Battle of the Civil War 75

5 America's Floating Industry 91

6 The Golden Age of American Sportfishing 117

7 Rise of the Great Women Anglers 153

8 Fishermen in the Modern White House 183

9 The Power of Fishing 225

Acknowledgments 237

Appendix A Great Moments in American Fishing 239

Appendix B The Evolution of a Fly-Fisher Joan Salvato Wulff 245

Appendix C The Thrill of Northern Fishing President George H.W. Bush 249

Appendix D "When You Bait the Hook with Your Heart, the Fish Always Bite," John Burroughs 253

Appendix E Iconic World Records by American Anglers Jack Vitek 261

Source Notes 269

Index 293

Editorial Reviews

A celebration of sport fishing in America, its history, locales and impact, by the outdoorsman who is the star of the television show, Duck Dynasty.

New York Times Book Review

Your outdoorsman is going to leap when he unwraps The American Fisherman.

The-Oklahoman

It’s fascinating! ... [Tells] how fishing is an integral part of America.

BILL O'REILLY

The perfect gift for the fishing enthusiast in your family.

The Daily Caller

A celebration of sport fishing in America, its history, locales and impact, by the outdoorsman who is the star of the television show, Duck Dynasty.” — New York Times Book Review

“The perfect gift for the fishing enthusiast in your family.” — The Daily Caller

“It’s fascinating! ... [Tells] how fishing is an integral part of America.” — BILL O’REILLY

“Your outdoorsman is going to leap when he unwraps The American Fisherman.” — The Oklahoman

From the Publisher

It’s fascinating! ... [Tells] how fishing is an integral part of America.

BILL O’REILLY

Your outdoorsman is going to leap when he unwraps The American Fisherman.

The Oklahoman

A celebration of sport fishing in America, its history, locales and impact, by the outdoorsman who is the star of the television show, Duck Dynasty.

New York Times