damselflycarol
Freshly Spawned
My bookshelves are filled with fly-fishing books, and a big chunk of my collection was published by Frank Amato. Frank was a prolific publisher of fly-fishing books, and the books he has published have made a lasting impact on the fishing community. In this book—written by Art Lingren—is closely tied to both Frank’s publishing legacy and Art’s own self-published works. Their close friendship and their many shared fishing adventures add interest and depth to the story”
In” Frank Amato—A Man with a Passion for Steelhead Fishing, History, and Books”, Art writes “I have fished quite a lot during my life, but Frank has fished far more than I ever could have dreamed of. There have been very few weeks during the past 70 years that Frank has not been around a stream, or fishing. The cover picture is of him about to release a Morice River steelhead in 1988. That river was one of his favorite British Columbia fishing destinations, but in addition to fishing many Oregon, Washington, and Alaska rivers he has ventured far afield fishing rivers in South America and Europe. Many of my generation of fly-fishing writing colleagues such as Bill McMillan, Trey Combs, Les Johnson, John Shewey, Skip Morris, and many others, were first published by Frank Amato.
Additional excerpts from the book
From the Author’s “Preface:” Frank Amato is a man with a passion for all salmonids with steelhead his favorite, and a passion for fly-fishing, fly-tying, and fly-fishing related history. He, with the aid of his staff at Amato Publishing, in the books and magazines they published has done more than any other organization to chronicle the art and craft of Pacific Northwest fly-tying and steelhead fly fishing in the late 20th and early 21st century. The fly fishers and fly tiers of the Pacific Northwest and in other parts of North America owe Frank their heartfelt thanks. Merci, my friend!
From Bill McMillan’s “Foreword:” Art Lingren recently indicated he was beginning a new book about the legacy of Frank Amato and his contributions to steelhead fly-fishing on the West Coast of North America. Art also wondered if I might consider providing reflections on the importance Frank had on me, and the broader perspective of Frank’s large contribution to the literature of steelhead fly fishing. In my own case, Frank became the doorway to write and photograph for publication.
From John Shewey’s “Afterword:” Frank granted me an audience. He liked my idea, and thereabout came my first book contract, for my 1989 title, Northwest Fly Fishing: Trout and Beyond. The book found an eager audience, sold well and led to further book contracts with Frank Amato. Frank took a chance on a young, enthusiastic fly angler who had only recently earned a college degree in journalism, and he continued to accept my ideas for new books for years to come, to the tune of 11 titles. He provided me the footing—the opportunity—to make my favorite hobby a profession.
If you wish to delve deeper into the individual behind this remarkable literature, I recommend ordering this book directly from Art.
Frank Amato—A Man with a Passion for Steelhead Fishing, History and Books,
78 pp. 8 ½ x 11.
$30 US per copy includes shipping costs.
Contact Art Lingren @ ajlingren@gmail.com or text 1 604 785 3588 to order!