The Orvis Story

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (bluejayee) — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:37:32 GMT

Hi Guys, Boy, I'm glad I opened that can of worms. [Oops, I'm mean San Juan Worms.] I don't worry too much about 'objectivity' in anything I read and wouldn't expect it in a corporate history. I can smell a rat my own self. It's an interesting book. Jay Edwards

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (gaddis) — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:32:23 GMT

I've read the original 1980 edition several times and have enjoyed it. It's not for the Orvis bashers but then who would expect it to be.

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (Whitefish Press) — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:34:59 GMT

One of the things I've always admired about Schullery is his diversity. His history of American Fly Fishing was and is an impressive work of scholarship written in a style that is neither too academic nor too simple--no small feat. It stands as one of the landmark achievements in fly fishing history, and a serious work that no one who appreciates the background to this sport can afford to miss. He writes with an admirable passion and a keen sense of awareness of the environment, and no...

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (gt05254) — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:08:11 GMT

And the best photo he ever included in one of his books is on page 111 of "The Rise". Just an incredible example of tightly looped distance casting (sadly, on a river that doesn't really need that.) And, in the same book, he wisely quotes one of the world's ruffed grouse experts on page 146 (sadly, the expert is discussing something of dubious legality). Obviously, Paul Schullery sure knows how to pick 'em. LOL bigtime, Gary T.

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (creakycane) — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:17:39 GMT

Schullery's "American Fly Fishing" and "The Rise" are exceptional books, worthy of every angler's library (now that sounds like an ad!). I fondly recall puchasing his book with Varley "Freshwater Wilderness" on a trip to Yellowstone in the 80's, and spending evenings reading after a productive day's fishing - good book for Yellowstone. While natural history is not my interest, I would suspect he has some excellent contributions in his...

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (gt05254) — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:25:40 GMT

What Ken said. Well said, Ken.

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (SnooKen) — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:25:36 GMT

It is my belief that Mr. Schullery collaborates with a team of ghost writers, including Haig-Brown and Travers. His writing shines with well phrased and considered history, science and insight as well as a very obvious love of his subject matter. Like all authors each of his work's voices speak differently to every reader. Having not read the Orvis tome I can have no opinion on it but do have great respect for the considered thoughts posted by all here.

Ken

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (Flyman615) — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:24:11 GMT

I guess I have a nasty habit of not looking for authors' ulterior motives, if any. I believe The Orvis Story contains a fair amount of interesting information you can't easily get anywhere else. As a long-time Orvis customer and rod-owner, I appreciate that and choose to take it at face value.

And having worked for "big corporations" for most of my adult life I understand, or at least I think I do, that many of us tend to have a...

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (gt05254) — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:12:04 GMT

One thing is for sure: In the exceedingly harsh and competitive world of retail sales, if you don't blow your own horn - one way or another - no one else will. So a body can consider the book puffery, informative, or just pretty to look at...and Orvis works on its next 150 years.

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (tedgolden) — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:03:06 GMT

I have no axe to grind with either Orvis or Paul Schullery who I consider a fine author. It is a pleasant and informative read. I am just offering my opinion of this book in particular. Puffery, no other way to put a shine on it.

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (gt05254) — Thu, 08 May 2008 08:21:28 GMT

Paul is a dear friend, as is Leigh H. Perkins, Sr. of Orvis. My skin can get a little thin when they are referred to in less than delightful terms...so if I came on strong about them (Orvis in LHP's case)...well, one can only hope for a little understanding occasionally.

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (quashnet) — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:03:02 GMT

The unexpected debate about Paul Schullery led to at least one good thing: it caused me to open my copy of American Fly Fishing: A History (1987), in which I found a letter to me from Paul Schullery, dated August 27, 1982 and personally signed by him, thanking me for joining the American Museum of Fly Fishing (actually, this was so long ago that in those days the institution was called the Museum of American Fly Fishing).

Schullery was...

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (BluDun55) — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:36:40 GMT

For the record, I am a huge Paul Schullery fan. His contributions to our fly-fishing literature
are profound, including Shupton's Fancy, Royal Coachman, Cowboy Trout, The Rise etc.
He wrote a significant history of our sport: American Fly Fishing. And this does not even scratch
the surface if you consider his books on bears, Yellowstone etc.
He served as Director of the American Museum of Fly Fishing.
The Orvis Story (which I've read in the 1980 original...

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (bobbeegee) — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:57:16 GMT

It certainly does.

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (gt05254) — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:46:37 GMT

Both his credentials and his character are beyond reproach. We're all entitled to our opinions, of course. And most of us like to air them out occasionally. Makes for entertaining, and occasionally amusing, reading.

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (bobbeegee) — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:33:35 GMT

Respectfully, I agree with Mr. Golden. No disrespect intended to Mr. Schullery, but I am simply not a fan of his style.
I'm sure his credentials are beyond reproach.

Bob

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (pcg) — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:16:23 GMT

Schullery has certainly done some fine work. Funny that so many of us are quick to denigrate. If I didn't know better, I'd steer clear of the book. Orvis has played an undeniably important role in America's tackle history. It's an enjoyable read.

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (gt05254) — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:57:35 GMT

LOL BIGTIME - anyone who thinks that Paul Schullery writes with a "complete lack of objectivity", no matter the subject or publisher does not know the man at all. An honorary doctorate from Montana State. Wallace Stegner Award from Univ. Colorado Center of the American West. Roderick Haig-Brown award from FFF. Wrote and narrated PBS film "the living Edens: Yellowstone". And all the books. Yupper, complete lack of objectivity. no doubt about it. Just another one of those...

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (tedgolden) — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:15:12 GMT

I think it falls under the catagory of "vanity press." With a complete lack of objectivity, one gets what one pays for.

Re: The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (Cane Head) — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:02:16 GMT

Paul Shullery is the least of all things an American Fly Fisher contributer. Paul did American Fly Fishing - A History which I think should be read by anyone before they're allowed to pick up a cane rod. He also wrote Cowboy Trout - Western Fly Fishing As If It Mattered which is an excellent work on the history of fly fishing out here in the West. Go to Amazon.com and do an author search for Paul Schullery and see the multitude and magnitude of books...

The Orvis Story

feeds@yuku.com (bluejayee) — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:57:36 GMT

Hi Guys, The