Yet Another Underground Giveaway: Kerplunk by Patrick McManus
By Tom Chandler on Nov 1, 2007 in Underground Entertainment
Our ongoing stream access battle might be important stuff, but it isn’t exactly what you’d call fun.
Still, the Undergrounders stood up big time for stream access (TU National, take note), so now it’s time step back and enjoy a little comic relief (and no, we’re not watching my fly fishing casting videos).
Instead, I’m firing up Another Underground Giveaway Contest — and this one’s pure fun on a stick:
The winner receives a fresh, unread copy of Kerplunk — Patrick F. McManus’ brand new book.
I first started reading McManus during my awkward high school years (they’ve never really passed), and to a kid without much of an outdoors background, his hilarious stories about the outdoors made it all seem so accessible (and damned fun).
I’ll probably never forget his classic “Deer on a Bicycle” story
This new book is a collection of his Outdoor Life humor essays, but since I haven’t read it yet (my review and giveaway copies just arrived today), I’ll rely on the publisher’s copy to describe it in greater detail:
In these tall tales, McManus and his buddies learn how not to net a fish, why you should never get your hair cut by someone who’s mad at you, what to do when a deer wanders into camp but your sleeping bag has frozen shut, and how to avoid bird-dog flatulence.
How Do You Win?
Simple. You post a comment about the fishing/outdoor writer you first remember reading, and how the writing affected you.
Your first post counts for the contest, and rather than judge the entries, I’m going to pick a number at random and award the book to that comment.
In other words, you can win just for typing your name (we hope we haven’t set the bar too high for most fly fishers).
My Entry?
In elementary school, I checked out whatever the library had relating to fly fishing, fishing and hunting — mostly fairly macho outdoor stories involving some pretty hoary cliches, including the patented “45 minute battle” with a big fish, and the classic “there wasn’t a hatch, so I created my own with repeated casts.”
I don’t remember the authors, but those collected stories were enough to get me on my bike — often at ungodly hours — and riding to a private lake with a couple of friends, where we’d alternately fish and hide from the lake patrol.
I can’t name the writers — and some of their posturing seems laughable in the light of day — but they still made me want to fish, even if the tiny bluegill I caught never fought for 45 minutes.
Undergrounders, it’s your turn. For a chance to win a book about bird dog flatulence and other outdoor treats… comment away.
Technorati Tags: patrick mcmanus, kerplunk, book giveaway, fly fishing
hawgdaddy | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
The first outdoor writer I can clearly remember reading was Horace Kephart with his Camping and Woodcraft. My brother found a copy at the book fair when he was in elementary school (they allowed students to pick one book from a collection that often included books thrown out by libraries during routine shaving of their stocks) . It was a really old edition, from 1908 if I’m not mistaken. It’s not really an outdoor story book (like, say, John Gierach’s books), but it had tons of macho outdoor stuff that thrilled me as a kid. How to pick a camp site, how to set up camp, how to build a proper fire, how to build a trap to catch fish, how to properly clean fish and game, how to cook it, how to properly swing an axe, etc. Kephart had an easy writing style that allowed me to read the whole book without it feeling like a catalog of outdoor tips. After all those years and countless outdoor books, I have finally returned to Kephart. I started reading his Our Southern Highlanders last night. Take care,
hawgdaddy
razmaspaz | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
Since I can’t really read, I’m not qualified to answer this. If I had to pick one though, I’d say The Underground. I just look at for the pictures though.
David Roberts | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
I would guess it was ether Ray Burgman “Trout” or the first how to book that really helped was Helen Shaw’s on fly tying. Those two books I still try and find in used book stores, and when I find a new young fly fisher that wants to learn I give them a copy.
David
kbarton10 | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
Ed Zern’s “To Hell With Fishing” - written in 1945. A fly fishing cartoon book that hooked my imagination as a youngster.
“Life’s Darkest Moment” and “The Thrill that comes Once in a Lifetime” were my favorites. I still have two copies of the book and reread it about every decade.
jvk | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
The first book I read was “Trout Magic” by Robert Traver. I fell in love with his books for a few reasons, the first being he wrote about the UP (upper Pennisula of michigan), I live in lower michigan and have a great love for the UP, my family and I plan a lengthy camping trip up there every summer. The second reason is that he really romanticizes the idea of fishing… its not about catching the biggest fish or the most, its about getting out fishing for its own sake. “The best time to go fishing is when you can” - Robert Traver. The idea being not when the fish are biting or the moon is in the right phase, etc… but when you have time.
Great website by the way.
Cheer~
jvk
Peter Eisch | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
I predict there’ll be a lot of folks like jvk and me who remember Judge Voelker’s series of books as having a big impact. I checked Trout Madness out of the library at age 13 in the midst of a flurry of reading about this fly-fishing thing and how to do it. Reading that book made me glimpse for the first time that there was a lot more to appreciate than just “ketchin’ fish”. Years later I held an autographed copy owned by someone who actually knew and fished with the judge. It felt like I was holding the Ark of the Covenant.
Rick (Midstream) Mangus | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
My first would have been Joe Brooks, great book, made me love rivers early on. I owe him for that.
Don | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
I can’t remember what I had for lunch yesterday, so I can only guess it was Joe Brooks’ book Trout Fishing. It was the only fishing book in the local library and I must have borrowed it at least 4 or 5 times a year.
I blame that book entirely for my penchant to daydream about fishing.
Ethan | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
The books that inspired me were my Dad’s original copies of Foxfire I-IV. They aren’t really directly tied to “outdoors sports”, but it certainly instilled in me a love of the natural world and the old ways. These books are true American treasures!
overmywaders | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
The first fishing writer that influenced me was A. Einstein. His seminal work, “The Theory of Relativity”, made an immediate impression on my 12 year old mind. Once I understood that mass was relative to velocity, it was clear that the 6″ brook trout I was catching were just being seen at the wrong speed. When properly observed they were trophies.
So, the next time I hauled a 6″ brookie from the river behind the box mill, I decided to see what it would look like if I rode my bike home by way of Suicide Hill. The fish was lying on top of my gear in the right side basket of my bike. Once I determined, by the pitch of my screaming and the smoke curling up from my handbrakes, that I had attained sufficient velocity; I looked around to see how big my trout had become. In the moment before I hit the tree, I’m sure that fish was at least 10″. Unfortunately,after I regained consciousness, I was unable to find the fish, it having slipped through a spatial rift at the time of impact, or landed in the bushes.
Sully | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
Like Kbarton10 my first exposure to angling literature was Ed Zern’s classic “To Hell with Fishing”.
It occurred at my grandfather’s place in Denver. Grandpa Phillips had an ammo can in which he kept his leather fly books and other fishing equipment; the round tin for gut leaders (which he insisted on using well into the 50’s for our nylon), the automatic reel, those small, blue metal sliding boxes that held lead shot, all sorts of things. His fly books held vast numbers of snelled flies- talismans to a young worm slinger. Then ignorant of the structure of hackles I pondered how people tied each individual fiber to a hook.
Before flyfishing was cool, before the word “cool” existed in Colorado, I knew that fly fishing was it.
One afternoon when my grandfather was occupied I slid the profanely-titled book off his shelf. H.T. Webster’s drawings of highfalutin captains of industry in full regalia finding themselves in awkward situations and Ed Zern’s accompanying narratives- immensely clever even to a youngster who missed most of the oblique references- confirmed that NOTHING was more important that fly fishing. I’m still pretty much that boy.
clara chandler | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
SO I do not need another prize, but I keep trying.
My first encounter with fishing was about thirty years ago. And I proud to say I caught one (no license) and no more. But we had five boys to fish for us, I have never laughed so hard in my life. That took care of all my urges to fish. Grunion fishing is fishing with the moon and a great night on the sand.
The book I enjoyed most about fishing was one of the “Cave Women” series by Jean Auel. The woman learned to fish by leaving her hand in the water and stay ever so still till a fish came very near and she caught it. Now that is true fishing. And no equipment to get caught in you hand or the furniture or who knows where.
I remember one kid getting home for the evening and then one going fishing. No wonder Mothers have gray hair from lack of sleep.
Enjoy your stories guys..
Eric | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
Dad’s angling library was a bit skimpy when I first expressed my interest in fly fishing, but it did include Wulff, Haig-Brown, Schwiebert and others, not to mention an ample stock of Fly Fisherman and Field & Stream back issues. While I enjoyed Haig-Brown’s books (they described steelheading in the PNW, where I innocently intended to be similarly successful), it was Dad’s copy of Charles Waterman’s “The Fisherman’s World” that quickened my pulse. Though that title was probably purchased by most for its presentation value as a coffee table book and was not strictly fly fishing, it was still the ideal book to launch my preadolescent desire to become a fly angler. In Waterman’s style, his prose teased the senses yet remained understated; there was enough to plant the seed for adventure but not the excess storytelling I could find in the writings of others. The accompanying photographs were more like snapshots taken while spying on others practicing the craft than the somewhat staged photos that have become commonplace in so many angling publications. Waterman made me understand my fisherman’s world would begin near my home and would include small creeks where small natives had quietly survived drought and runoff, seemingly undetected, for hundreds or thousands of years. This was important to a youth that didn’t live near fabled waters or have the means to travel to them.
My interest in fly fishing drove my passion for reading in the years thereafter. Beside the collection of technical angling books, my small, but cherished, angling/outdoor library includes the stories and essays of Haig-Brown, Proper, Hauptman, Wylie, Leeson, Schullery, Foote, Brooks, Raines, Middleton, McGuane, Tapply, Norman and others. Not to be forgotten, Dad’s copy of “The Fisherman’s World” has found its new home in my library where I still enjoy taking it from the shelf and letting it take me back over twenty-five years when life was less complicated and my dreams were almost as large as the steelhead swimming in them.
Curly Friede | Nov 2, 2007 | Reply
Jim Leisenring’s little book, for usefulness.
But feel compelled to mention Beautiful Joe. Remember that one?… about the dog?… mean guy cuts his ears and tail off?… that one got me oh yeah.
Alistair | Nov 3, 2007 | Reply
Sadly, I cannot remember the tile or the author of the first book I read in fishing. It was a children’s story about a young boy who became friends with a local poacher in a small town in Scotland. The story was based around the boy’s fascination for an Atlantic salmon that was resident in a pool near his home. The boy would sneak out of his house at night to try and tempt it with fly and worms. The atmosphere of the book was intense, dark and foreboding; at least it was when I was a young boy!
Graham | Nov 3, 2007 | Reply
Greetings,
I must admit the most memorable magazine writer for was Ed Zern. Every time I catch a hatchery trout I think of his article lamenting how one had to generally fish sub-surface for stockers. He suggested a variety of trout chow shaped like fan wing royal coachmen and designed to float. That way the fish would be pre-conditioned for dry fly catching on release!
Ed was a great humorist. Just thinking about him I just went to Amazon and ordered a copy of his anthology covering fifty years in Field & Stream magazine.
Grant Carter | Nov 3, 2007 | Reply
When I first started fly fishing I picked up a book written by Geerish er, Gearass er, Gearack er, Gierach…………anyway he made it sound like fun.
Clay | Nov 3, 2007 | Reply
Some of the first books I read about fishing were various Hemmingway novels. This resulted in many failed reationships, severe alcoholism and a never ending yearn for adventure.
Brian | Nov 4, 2007 | Reply
John Gierach, At the Grave of the Unknown Fisherman. I had just picked up fly fishing after having chucked powerbait and worms for my whole life and I received the book as a Christmas present. I couldn’t put it down, I felt as if I was there with John and A.K. and Ed. I’ve since had the pleasure to take a class from Ed Engle, share a smoke with A.K. Best and neither one of them thought I was a weirdo when I said “I feel like I know you” and proceeded to talk about their adventures as if I were there. Maybe some day I’ll get the chance to share a cup of coffee streamside with John himself.
Arthur A Strauss | Nov 4, 2007 | Reply
Curtis Creek Manifesto - by Sheridan Anderson - I got this graphic introduction to flyfishing over 20 years age. Very down-to-earth, practical and enjoyable to re-read - for novice or expert. Sadly, the author died at an early age.
Angela Willis | Nov 4, 2007 | Reply
Ill be totally honest Ive never read a fishing or outdoors book. BUT My dad LOVES them and he would LOVE to have this book. He would surely appreciate it and it would give him something to do. He reads his fishing magazines to my 6 month old son Connor and they “discuss” all their future fishing plans for when he gets old enough to go (its truely hillarious)!
James | Nov 7, 2007 | Reply
“Fishless Days and Angling Nights” by Sparse Grey Hackle. Does it get any better than this?
JPAZ | Nov 8, 2007 | Reply
“Take The Hook Out Of My Mouth So I Can Kiss
You Goodby”
author ; Lumudiz Piekarczyk
Smellslikefish | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
My first experiences with outdoor “lit” were from reading Outdoor Life magazine during study hall in junior high school. I was absolutely captivated by hunting stories - and didn’t seem to care much for fishing stories. I don’t remember why; perhaps that magazine didn’t have any fishing stories or they were just poorly written. I am still convinced as a result of one of those stories that the Cape Horned Buffalo is absolutely the most fearsome creature on the face of the earth. I just know it - and am waiting for the “World’s Fiercest Creatures” category on Jeopardy. I’m sure the CHB will be the daily double - I will kill in that category from the comfort of my sofa, and then strut around my living room like the macho hunter that I am - Oh yeah, I no longer hunt, mostly ’cause I don’t like the bloodshed.
Tom Chandler | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
“Oh yeah, I no longer hunt, mostly ’cause I don’t like the bloodshed.”
Yours?
Smellslikefish | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Hahahaha, come on, if the concern were my bloodshed, I’d have to give up the fishing too.
Timo McIntosh | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
I don’t think I have ever read a book about fishing, though someone gave me “Trout Magic” once. I didn’t see any pictures in it, so I put it on the shelf… then later I bought “The classic Guide to Fly-Fishing for Trout” by Charles Jardine. It was on sale and had pretty pictures.
isaac roman | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
i just can’t remember the author of this dang softback, it was more like one of thos cheap science books the parents had to buy, awesome cover, just took you right there, you know? Yet, i was at Orleans, on my first river iron trip, at the hippy compound. a few beers, whiskey , some good 3 pages or so I was lucky enough to concentrate on and I knew I might catch a steelie in the next 1000, no 10,000 casts, on a dry.
next morn, hung and all by myself(everyone else was fed up with fishing in the cold and not catching *&^%, yet I had hope) i slipped down to the river. ohh yes, nice outcrop, some mellow water, and some glass to skate my black muddddddlerrrrrrr. well needles to say I walked away with a giant smile and a new world of fishing
isaac roman | Nov 17, 2007 | Reply
oh, yah! Hemmingway was a pretty passionate writer. love it all
Paul Bruun | Nov 17, 2007 | Reply
Growing up(?) in Miami Beach, I still remember the day I spied Ed Zern’s “To Hell With Fishing” on the well stocked bookshelf of a new neighbor, Frank Rathmell, who came south from Upper Darby, PA.
I was in the 4th or 5th grade in 1954 and from peering at H. T. Webster’s and Zern’s skillful cartoons, it was obvious that those unusual looking fly rods and Bi-visible and Silver Doctor fly patterns were unique and desireable.
I got my own first Zern edition for Christmas and after discovering two Montague and a South Bend bamboo fly rods and a Medalist reel in dad’s gear, crude bucktail and Phillips Bead Head flies began slashing about our yard. This ensemble found it’s way to Biscayne Bay seawalls and after taking abuse from spinning rod wielding friends, I confined my “fly hurling” to trips when I was totally alone.
Many years later I met the magnificent Zern and took him fishing to several of my favorite rivers between Jackson and Pinedale, WY. As I drove him to the airport after a Snake River and Fish Creek outing I produced that original copy of “To Hell With Fishing” for him to autograph.
In true Zernish fashion it read: “To Paul Bruun without whose help this book was entirely possible.”
That man and his wit and advice were my inspiration and still are.
P Bruun
Fish Geek | Nov 22, 2007 | Reply
The first influential outdoor author I remember reading was Edmund Ware Smith, after I picked up a copy of “A Treasury of the Maine Woods” from a classroom shelf in the 5th grade.
The book is a collection of short stories, which completely captivated my imagination and gave me the feeling I was out on a trout stream or enjoying a week at deer camp while I sat at my desk during study hall.
Among my favorites were ‘Sorrow at Sunkhaze Stream’, where Smith’s son detests him for interrupting his landing of a huge trout in order to keep other discouraged anglers in the club from giving up fishing, ‘The Wish Book Trail’, a tale of a youngster’s captivation by sporting equipment catalogs, and ‘Trout Stream Legacy’, where Smith recounts a memorable fishing trip he had with his son.
Smith’s writings were vivid, captivating, and humorous. I later found out that he had some works published in Outdoor Life/Field and Stream.
james orosz/fleyefish | May 5, 2008 | Reply
I reel righty but strip lefty