John Gierach Death, Obituary (1946 – 2024)- John Gierach was an American author and freelance writer who lives in Larimer County, Colorado. He was born in Illinois in 1946. Gierach graduated from Findlay College in Ohio with a degree in philosophy and a minor in English Has Sadly Passed Away On Oct. 4 2024 After Battling Heart Attack.
John Gierach, born in Illinois in 1946, was an American author and freelance writer whose works became synonymous with the culture of fly fishing. Gierach grew up in the Midwest, where he developed an early interest in nature, which later defined his life’s work. He attended Findlay College in Ohio, graduating with a degree in philosophy and a minor in English, laying the foundation for his reflective, insightful writing style.
Move to Colorado and the Beginning of a Fishing Career
In 1969, Gierach made a pivotal move to Colorado, a decision that would shape the rest of his life. While initially working at a silver mine to support himself, Gierach found solace and passion in the rivers of the Rocky Mountains, fishing nearly every day. It was during this time that he began writing more seriously, intertwining his two greatest loves: writing and fly fishing.
Writing Career: From Fly Fisherman to Best-Selling Author
Gierach’s career as an author took off when he began contributing notes and features to *Fly Fisherman* magazine. His motivation was partly financial, but his passion for the sport and his gift for storytelling soon made him a recognizable name in angling literature. His writing reflected not only the technical aspects of fishing but also the philosophical and spiritual elements of spending time in nature.
Among his most famous works is the book *Trout Bum*, a collection of essays that popularized the term and concept of the “trout bum”—a person who dedicates their life to fly fishing. Other popular books like *The View from Rat Lake* and *Even Brook Trout Get the Blues* cemented his status as a leading voice in the world of angling. His style was accessible, humorous, and filled with deep insights about life, making his work appeal not only to avid anglers but also to general readers.
A Friendship with A.K. Best
Gierach’s work was often shaped by his close friendship with A.K. Best, a renowned fly fisherman and expert fly tyer. In many of his stories, Gierach would refer to Best as the “dryflyguru” because of Best’s preference for dry flies, a specialized type of fishing fly. Together, they shared countless fishing adventures, which became central themes in many of Gierach’s stories. Best, encouraged by Gierach, would also go on to write about fly tying, passing on knowledge that generations of anglers would appreciate.
Contribution to Outdoor Writing
Throughout his career, Gierach wrote for a variety of well-respected publications. His works appeared in *Gray’s Sporting Journal*, *Field & Stream*, and *Fly, Rod & Reel*, where he served as an editor-at-large. In the 1990s, he even wrote a column for *The New York Times*’ “Outdoors” section, a remarkable feat for an author in the relatively niche genre of angling. His contributions weren’t limited to fishing magazines; he also contributed to local Colorado newspapers like the *Longmont Daily Times-Call* and *Redstone Review*, as well as *TROUT*, the magazine for the non-profit Trout Unlimited.
Gierach’s Legacy: The Voice of the Common Angler
John Gierach’s writing resonated with everyday anglers, earning him the moniker “the voice of the common angler” by *The Wall Street Journal*. His straightforward, yet profound, exploration of the human connection to nature through fishing made him one of the few angling authors to be published by a major publishing house.
Awards and Recognition
Gierach’s contributions to fly fishing and literature did not go unnoticed. In 1994, he was awarded the Roderick Haig-Brown Award by the US Federation of Fly Fishers, an honor that recognized his writing’s embodiment of the ethics and traditions of fly fishing. The award highlighted Gierach’s deep respect for the natural world and his understanding of rivers and aquatic life, though he modestly referred to himself as an “amateur naturalist.”
In 2015, Gierach was inducted into the Catskills Fly Fishing Hall of Fame, a recognition of his significant contributions to the sport. His ability to blend humor, philosophy, and the technical aspects of fly fishing had left an indelible mark on both the angling and literary communities.
A Lasting Archive and Enduring Influence
For those looking to explore Gierach’s life and work further, his archival collection is housed at Montana State University. The collection includes manuscripts, poetry, photographs, and fishing logs, as well as personal correspondence, offering a rich insight into his career from 1976 to 2014. His oral history, also housed at the university, provides a personal account of his life as both an angler and an angling writer.
Passing and Reflection
John Gierach passed away on October 4, 2024, following a heart attack. His passing marked the end of an era for the world of angling literature. His journey from writing to pay rent to becoming a beloved chronicler of the fly fishing experience is a testament to his dedication, both to his craft and to the sport he loved.Gierach’s writing will continue to inspire anglers and nature enthusiasts alike for years to come. His reflections on life, seen through the lens of fly fishing, captured the essence of what it means to be fully engaged with the natural world—one cast at a time.
