Tight Lines and Tall Tales is a new book by Neil Norman with illustrations by Ian Rutter. 

Southern Appalachia has its own vibrant and dynamic fishing culture, distinct from other regions of the United States—one that combines the contemplative nature of fly fishing with a focus on Southern Appalachian ecology, folklore, and storytelling. For the first time, Neil Norman uncovers the hidden history of Southern Appalachian fly fishing that stretches back generations. Drawing on archival research, his own memories of fishing, and personally collected oral histories, Norman offers a fascinating history of the sport, beginning with Mark Cathey, a renowned North Carolinian angler active in the early twentieth century, and ending in the present day in the age of Trout Unlimited.

In recounting the history of Southern Appalachian fly fishing, Norman tells the story of the land itself—its streams, rivers, mountains, and valleys—while also challenging the idea that Southern Appalachia is an insular backwater or simply a tourist destination. He shows us that, as with any angling tradition, understanding where we are is key to understanding who we are.

Neil Norman is an angler, writer, and teacher based in Tennessee. Ian Rutter is an artist and professional fly fishing guide.

• Author - Neil Norman
• Illustrated by Ian Rutter
• Published by The University of North Carolina Press
• 232 Pages, 6.12 × 9.25 in, 15 halftones

PURCHASE ONLINE OR CALL 865-448-9459 TO ORDER

Little River Outfitters is a fly shop and mail order company located in Townsend, Tennessee, a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We have been family owned since 1994.