Familiar Waters: A Lifetime of Fly Fishing Montana

Sold on three continents to fly fishers new and experienced. Stuver has lived in Montana for more than eighty years, and spent most of them with a fly rod chasing trout in the world famous blue ribbon rivers, high elevation streams, and prairie ponds. This is a collection of his experiences with the entomology, hydrology and land ethics in a place considered by many to be one of the premier fly fishing destinations in the world. He writes with jovial humor about the joys of streamside companions, technical details of his original fly tying patterns, and the influence human activities have on trout streams. From the pages: “I was a boy at a ranch on the Powder River in southeastern Montana, a generation removed from homesteaders … My mother’s parents resigned from teaching jobs in South Dakota to homestead free Montana land … when one could still ride all day without crossing a fence … As the years go by, I clearly remember the fishing and the scenery, and I have my old fishing logs for reference … In time, the focal point of an adventure may fade to a particular fish, vision of landscape, or a special wildlife encounter; the reason for being there. A fish is sometimes memorable due to size, but is more often remembered because of the circumstances, the particular challenge, the color and appearance, or a special location on a stream.” From the foreword: “In these pages you will find stories, experiences, and wisdom. These have been earned by David and belong to him. After reading this book, they will belong to you as well.” Learn more about this book and the author at: riverfeetpress.com Stuver grew up on a ranch in Montana when “…one could still ride all day without crossing a fence. He began fly fishing in his early twenties, and found it both therapeutic, and as a method to explore Montana’s wild places. He spent his career with the Dept. of Agriculture, and developed a keen eye for entomology, hydrology and land-use ethics. His writing contains both technical and scientific components, plus the joy and humor of streamside companions. He has lived his entire life in Montana, and currently resides near the sparkling waters of Big Spring Creek.