Tight Lines and Tall Tales

Name: Tight Lines and Tall Tales
Price: 64.99 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9781469693323

Stories of Southern Appalachian Fly Fishing

Neil Norman, Ian Rutter

$64.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

The University of North Carolina Press
16 June 2026

The natural world, country life & pets; Fishing, angling

Southern Appalachia has its own vibrant and dynamic fishing culture, distinct from other regions of the United States—one that combines the contemplative nature of fly fishing with a focus on Southern Appalachian ecology, folklore, and storytelling. For the first time, Neil Norman uncovers the hidden history of Southern Appalachian fly fishing that stretches back generations. Drawing on archival research, his own memories of fishing, and personally collected oral histories, Norman offers a fascinating history of the sport, beginning with Mark Cathey, a renowned North Carolinian angler active in the early twentieth century, and ending in the present day in the age of Trout Unlimited.

In recounting the history of Southern Appalachian fly fishing, Norman tells the story of the land itself—its streams, rivers, mountains, and valleys—while also challenging the idea that Southern Appalachia is an insular backwater or simply a tourist destination. He shows us that, as with any angling tradition, understanding where we are is key to understanding who we are.

By: Neil Norman
Illustrated by: Ian Rutter
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 25mm, Spine: 155mm
ISBN: 9781469693323
ISBN 10: 1469693321
Pages: 232
Publication Date: 16 June 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Neil Norman is an angler, writer, and teacher based in Tennessee. Ian Rutter is an artist and professional fly fishing guide.

Reviews for Tight Lines and Tall Tales: Stories of Southern Appalachian Fly Fishing

""I can think of no other book like this that has North Carolina as its topic. Part reminiscence, part how-to by example, and part history of the state's portion of the Southern Appalachians, Norman's book is an illuminating portrait of trout fishing and fishermen in the region over the past seventy-five years.""--Jim Wilson, writer and outdoorsman