Non-Fiction Books

A collection of essays includes reminiscences of specific hunting and fishing events, meditations on the philosophies of the two activities, and anecdotes reflecting the traditions and myths of fishing and hunting

The author discusses favorite fishing spots, fishing obsessions, fly fishing, and fishing terms and techniques

Book by Tapply, William G.

Offers a look at the life of father-and-son team H.G. and William Tapply, who fished together cooperatively, and developed their relationship, which began in a teacher-pupil mode and evolved into a near equality

Comprehensive guide to top-water fly fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Enjoy an expert sharing the best of his fifty years of bird hunting in New England. This is a compelling account of the author’s many adventures and misadventures while hunting for grouse, woodcock, pheasants, and a variety of duck species in all kinds of weather and terrain throughout New England. The book is steeped in the history and lore of hunting in this region, and reveals the type of camaraderies that are so important to those who hunt. Starting with a riveting explanation as to why he loves to hunt, Tapply then takes the reader on a literary hunting trip through his life—from hunting with his grandfather, father, and family friend Burton Spiller (the father of modern grouse hunting), through favorite fields and coverts, to revered guns, and longtime hunting companions. Along the way, Tapply hunts a variety of birds, in many situations, with many people. His profound love of the land is apparent throughout the book, evidenced by his constant bemoaning of developments that inevitably chew up his favorite woodcock coverts or grouse covers. This is a must-have addition to any bird hunter’s library.

In this collection of twenty-eight essays that moves with remarkable ease from the quirky to the lyrical to the downright hilarious is vintage Tapply.

Black bass--both largemouth and smallmouth--may be found in waters across North America. They are America's most popular gamefish, and with good reason: They strike aggressively, fight hard, jump eagerly, reproduce wantonly, and grow large. Recently, high-tech largemouth bass fishing has become big business--but bass fishing can be kept simple and still be a lot of fun. THE ORVIS POCKET GUIDE TO FLY FISHING FOR BASS sets forth the time-honored American tradition of fishing for bass with a fly rod. Anyone who's tried it will tell you that casting flies for bass is relaxing, loads of fun, and productive--and that fishing with floating bugs is the most enjoyable of all. In a thorough and concise text, William G. Tapply reveals his cherished bass-fishing techniques. From casting and retrieving, navigating, learning where and when to go, and rigging up, this book provides you with all the knowledge you'll need to catch that prize bass. As part of the Orvis book collection and Pocket Guide series, Tapply's book is destined to be the ultimate reference on bass fishing with a fly rod for years to come.

The book is in excellent condition, it looks like its never been read. There is a tiny, almost unnoticeable, red marker line on the bottom. There is one minor scratch on the top corner of the spine. Included there is a card about the author, which was included with original purchase. Pages are clean, binding is tight, spine is without creases. We carefully wrap and ship your book within 24 hours of order. (J-10)

Here is longtime fly-fishing writer William G. Tapply on the large and small pleasures of fishing, from fly tying to hunting the big ones. In "Extreme Angling," Tapply dismisses the idea of fly fishing as "the quiet sport," with tales of grizzly attacks, rogue logs, and big water. In "Hexed," he finds out that his local stream - overstocked and overfished - offers a lot more than he ever suspected. In "Paying Homage," he describes the mystical joys of the Beaverkill in upstate New York. In "Seven for the Road," he gives readers a peek at some of the most important things he stows in his tackle bag, including the books he carries on every trip. Included here are also Tapply’s ruminations on: ? Coming Unstuck ? Playing Guns ? Bank Shots ? Twiggling ? Bass Bugging for Trout ? Zen and the Art of Jiggering ? Eastern Steelhead ? The Fish of 1,000 Casts ? Selective Perch ? The Upside-Down Dun ? Flymphs Reconsidered ? Tap’s Bug ? and many more Gone Fishin' is an inspiring collection, from a fisherman whose writing is well known and even more respected.

Fly fishermen everywhere will enjoy these varied, witty, and engaging adventures by one of America’s finest outdoor writers.  There is a long section on trout fishing called “Brookies, Browns, and Bows,” and another on the challenges and excitement of saltwater fly fishing, and an exciting group of memoirs about fishing near home and in far-flung and often exotic places—like the Minipi, Bighorn, and Norfolk rivers, where the trout can beggar the imagination, and where frustration can be the occupational hazard.  Trout Eyes is a love letter to the fish we pursue and insects they eat and the waters in which they live. Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a broad range of books for fishermen. Our books for anglers include titles that focus on fly fishing, bait fishing, fly-casting, spin casting, deep sea fishing, and surf fishing. Our books offer both practical advice on tackle, techniques, knots, and more, as well as lyrical prose on fishing for bass, trout, salmon, crappie, baitfish, catfish, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

In this collection of original stories, highly acclaimed novelist and outdoor writer William Tapply shares his finest stories of bird hunting in the Northeast country. Every season for over thirty years, Tapply has hunted the fields and backcountry of New England. Tapply’s warmth and knack for evoking the subtle, telling details of the places and hunts that he loves will stir a new appreciation and excitement in every reader. With his dog Burt, Tapply takes the reader out to his best spots. These are hard-charging tales of success and disappointment, anticipation and triumph—familiar feelings to any experienced hunter. Tapply combines passion, wisdom, and wit in the nearly twenty stories presented in Upland Autumn . With rich prose and Tapply’s strong eye for detail, this book is a fine testament to bird hunting, bird hunters, and the rugged country that they tread each and every season. For those who love to hunt and those who simply love great outdoor writing, this is Upland Autumn .

"It’s been a lifelong, ever-expanding journey, with many big ?sh and faraway waters and dramatic moments . . . and yet I don’t think any of those moments or any of those places or ?sh has thrilled me any more than seeing the twitch of my ?y line where it entered the muddy waters of my backyard pond . . .” In this collection of ?y-?shing stories from acclaimed novelist and outdoor writer William G. Tapply, the natural appeal of ?y ?shing comes to life. Each story in Every Day Was Special was previously published in Tapply’s back-page column, “Reading the Currents” in American Angler , or in Gray’s Sporting Journal , or in Field & Stream . From “Dam It” to “First Light” to “When Trout Get Antsy,” these thirty re-readable pieces are unique in their own ways, and yet, all are classic Tapply. These writings serve as testament to the thrill of ?shing, the inimitable energy of casting at daybreak, and the innocence of streamside summers.