AMATEUR ROD MAKING: THE WRITINGS OF JUDGE FITZ JAMES FITCH. Edited and with an Introduction by Todd E.A. Larson.

In 1882, E.C.Z. Judson--the famed angling writer known internationally as Ned Buntline--wrote to the new journal The American Angler that "the finest amateur rods...I have ever seen, are made...by Judge Fitch, a great fisherman, of Prattsvile, New York. Will he favor the readers of The Angler with a description of the make, weight, and wood used...?" With this one short paragraph, Judson set in motion events that culminated in January 1884 with the publication by Judge Fitz James Fitch of a seven part treatise on rod making for amateurs. Intended for publication in book form, despite their popularity, the articles were never collected. Now, for the first time, Fitch's entire unabridged treatise on rodmaking appears in book form, along with a collection of his other rodmaking, fishing, and miscellaneous writings. Included also is a detailed biography of Judge Fitch by Dr. Todd E.A. Larson. Learn why Judge Fitch was considered by no less of a fishing authority as A.N. Cheney to have made rods as well as Leonard and Wheeler, and read about the Victorian method of constructing rods (including split bamboo) that deeply influenced a generation of rod making fly fishermen. Limited to 100 numbered hardcovers, this is the first volume in the new "Fly Angler's Desktop Library."

ABOUT THE FLY ANGLER'S DESKTOP LIBRARY

The Fly Angler's Desktop Library is a return to the Golden Age of Books, when bigger was not necessarily better.Now, we can recapture the classic look and feel of these wonderful books in a new series dedicated to bringing out long forgotten treatises as well as new, original works on the art and beauty of fly angling. At a compact 4.5" x 6.875" size, these books are designed to be proudly displayed on the desktop, just like in the olden days. With learned and interesting introductions and appendices of additional materials, you won't want to miss any of these little gems.