A Tribute to John Gierach

I founded the Blue Quill Angler flyshop, located in Evergreen CO in 1988 with my good friend and partner Mark Harrington. Because Evergreen is in the foothills some 30 miles west of Denver, we would have to be proactive in our marketing in order to survive and grow as a business. We would have to give the fly fishing community a reason to come up the mountains for a visit. There were those skeptics that told us that a fly shop in Evergreen would never make it, and there were several fly fishing manufacturers that wouldn’t sell their products to us. A decision they later regretted.

One of the things we began doing was to offer free Saturday events. One of our first events was to have an Authors Day on a Saturday in December. After all, December was pretty slow but anglers were looking for some great Christmas presents, and fly fishing books make a perfect gift.

Because the Denver area is centrally located at the base of the Rocky Mountains and is a gateway to exploring hundreds of miles of Gold Metal streams and an uncountable number of high mountain lakes, fly fishing there has become a sport and a passion that supports a huge number of anglers and fly shops. Back in the 90’s, after the movie A River Runs Through It came out, the growth in fly fishing exploded. At one time, not sure exactly what year, I counted over 17 fly only shops along the front range of Colorado. For many years The Blue Quill Angler taught an Orvis Fly Fishing School. That first year after the movie came out, the Blue Quill Angler taught fly fishing to over 450 anglers through a three day fly fishing school. It was an amazing explosion of the desire to wave the rod, fly the fly, catch a trout, and get connected to the water!

No wonder the Denver area has been home to many fly fishing authors such as John Gierach, AK Best, Ed Engle, Pat Dorsey, Shane Stalcup, John Betts, Dale Darling, Charley Myers, Todd Hosman, John Barr, Steve B Schweitzer, Bob Dye, Landon Mayer, Marty Bartholomew, Barry Reynolds, Rick Takahashi, Jerry Hubka, Dana Rikimaru, Roger Hill, Charley Craven, Bob Saile, Kirk Deeter, Duane Redford, and others.

Just a few of the authors. (not sure what year this was)From left to right: Rick Takahashi, Ed Engle, Marty Bartholomew, John Gierach, Pat Dorsey, John Barr, Kirk Deeter, Jerry Hubka, and Landon Mayer.

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I really didn’t know what would happen at that first book signing event. From what I remember, John Gierach was the main and only author. Most of the future authors were still dreaming about their forthcoming books. I had made a big pot of oxtail soup, filled with lots of carrots, broccoli, okra, barley, and of course a couple oxtails for that rich beefy flavor. It was a perfect meal for a cold and snowy Colorado winters day. Before the event starting at 10:00 am, I was nervous. After all I hadn’t met John whose reputation as a fly fishing author and fly fishing guru was growing quickly. He was more than an author, to many he was almost an idol, something I am sure he didn’t pursue. I was mostly concerned that the book signing would be able to draw enough anglers to make the event a success , and make John want to come back for another signing next year. At this point in Gierach’s career he had only written three fly fishing books: Flyfishing the High Country, Trout Bum, and View From Rat Lake.

A few customers began coming in around 9:45 and by 10:00 am the parking lot was full, customers were parking on the road, and the shop was buzzing with anticipation. I was rather surprised and relieved! By the time John arrived in his old pick up truck, angling stories were flowing, soup was being slurped, rods were being cast even in the snow, and flies analyzed. Oso, Marks big black Labrador was rummaging around getting attention from each angler there, and often sniffing them out in often sensitive places.

John’s three books were spread out on a table, available and ready to be fondled, signed and personalized by John himself.

I believe John came in the shop with his fishing buddy, AK Best, who was also soon to become a notable author with his fly tying and fishing books including, Production Fly Tying, Dying and Bleaching Fly Tying Materials, Fishing with AK, Tying with AK, AK Bests FlyBox, and several others. We had a special place in the shop for AK’s flies including, AK’s Olive Dun Quill, his hen wing Green Drake, his Red Quill Spinner and his Midge patterns. They were all tied by AK himself and not merely flies, but considered works of art by many anglers and fly tiers, and tiny imitations a trout couldn’t refuse.

One by one customers patiently waited in line to get a few moments with John, who often seemed a little shy but always welcoming. Some customers had brought in their own books for him to personalize, but most had picked up books from the table and clutched them fondly like a newborn baby. I soon became concerned we might not have enough of his books available to sell. Of course at this time there was no internet and no online selling and this was a rare opportunity to meet John and get his signature. The fly shop business was simpler back then!

I was in the process of having John personalize a book for me when a customer came up and recounted a recent career move he had made. The conversation went something like this.

“John I was an engineer at Martin Marietta making great money. I read Trout Bum, I quit my job, bought a drift boat, and moved to Montana where I am guiding on the Madison. I couldn’t be happier. I just want to thank you for helping me have the courage to follow my dreams”. In response to the man’s testimony, John seemed rather stunned. I am not sure John realized the effect his writings were having upon the fly fishing community. He stood there with a big smile and graciously personalized the man’s tattered Trout Bum, while wishing him many fish to his boat.

Such is the power of Gierach’s writing. He had the ability to capture on paper many of the thoughts, feelings, hopes and experiences common to all of us who identify as fly fishing anglers.

In the 29 years that I was at the Blue Quill Angler, John never missed a single book signing, often braving snow and sleet, to meet with his fellow anglers. and especially pet Oso our shop dog, then later Dixie Dog, and our Australian Shepherd, Taiee. John really liked Dogs!

Over the years, the signing became a popular yearly event drawing angler from around Colorado and even other states. Since I left in 2017, the new owner of the Blue Quill Angler Dennis Steinbeck kept hosting the book signing and John just kept on coming until his passing in October 2024. At the book signing in 2024, I could not have been there to witness the void of his absence, but I did call Ed Engle, noteable author, and John’s good friend, who was at the shop for the authors day. We mused about John, about the past, and were thankful we were still fishing.

When I think back on those cold December days at the Blue Quill in Evergreen Colorado, I realize that many anglers were just as happy to come and see John as to be on the water fishing. After all he was their guru, living the life they unconsciously, and often consciously wanted to live. Those following him in his writings, they were his friends, his fellow Trout Bums, of which he helped create many!

Here is a warning! Be careful when you read John’s books. You may end up quitting your job, buying a drift boat and becoming a fly fishing guide!

Much thanks John, for warming our hearts with your fly fishing adventures, and thoughts. Thanks for making us chuckle, yearn to be fishing, and for always showing up!! We will remember you on the water and on those cold winter days while reading your books.

Jim Cannon/SaltyQuill

A link to John Gierachs obituary.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/longmont-co/john-gierach-12023530t