The Angler As Predator by Gary Borger

Introduction

Fly Fishing, the Book Series, Volume Four: The Angler as Predator. Successful fly fishers need to play the role of the predator, focusing closely on the fish’s ability to sense its environment. Anglers must become the hunter, paying attention to clothing, approach, walking and wading, casting and line handling, the skills of setting the hook and fighting the fish, and more. In this book, Gary Borger explores the angler as predator, discussing the how-to and why-to of the tactics of pretending, of hunting and stalking fish, of “predatory” casting techniques such as the sidearm roll cast, the elliptical stroke, the C pickup and many others. There are thorough discussions of the fishs environment and the way they detect predators (including predatory anglers) with their vision and hearing. Fishing after dark is an excellent predatory tactic, and Gary covers this topic in detail. In addition, understanding the many ways of setting the hook allows the fly fisher to take the fight to the fish in a positive way. There are also discussions of using the tip, the mid-section, and butt of the rod during the fight, using side pressure and vertical pressure, fighting the fish without using the rod, and other highly effective tactics. Throughout the book, the “how to” is animated with stories that stretch back for more than five decades of Garys fly-fishing life. Complementing all of this is a collection of black and white photographs of the “angler as predator”, as well as illustrations by Jason Borger.